Poole - Cherbourg
Ferry to France
Poole - Cherbourg
Ferry to France
Fares for the Poole to Cherbourg crossing usually range somewhere between $55* and $1321*. Most travellers pay around $584* for a Poole Cherbourg ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $55*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $247* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $637*.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked September 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Sailings on the Poole Cherbourg route generally kick off from Poole at around 08:00, and the last departure of the day is usually around 13:00.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Poole and Cherbourg is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, Brittany Ferries carries vehicles on the Poole to Cherbourg route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Poole to Cherbourg ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Yes, Brittany Ferries takes bicycles on the Poole to Cherbourg crossing. Most operators are happy to carry bikes, but it's always worth confirming their exact policy before you turn up at the terminal.
Yes, Brittany Ferries carries foot passengers between Poole and Cherbourg.
Pet owners are in luck — Brittany Ferries allows pets on board between Poole and Cherbourg. Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $827.
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked September 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Poole to Cherbourg route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Poole to Cherbourg crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Poole to Cherbourg on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Poole to Cherbourg ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Poole - Cherbourg Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $247 | |
| Average Price with Car | $637 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $302 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $811 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $729 | |
| Poole - Cherbourg Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Destination | France |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Brittany Ferries |
| Average Price | $584 |
| Average Pet Price | $827 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 6 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 4 h 45 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 3 h 45 m |
| First Ferry | 08:00 |
| Last Ferry | 13:00 |
| Distance | 68 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
The English town of Pool lies on the English Channel coast in the south of England, in the county of Dorset. The town is around 30 km to the east of Dorchester and 180 km to the south west of London and is located on the eastern shores of Poole Harbour. The busy port, with many shipping movements each day, is also one of the world's largest natural harbours and is full of wildlife, much of which is visible in the marshes and mudflats and on Brownsea island inside the harbour. There is also a pontoon ferry crossing the harbour mouth back and forward all day, allowing easy access to the Purbecks.
The are good facilities inside the ferry terminal at the harbour including a cafe, a bureau de change and left luggage lockers. Ferry services operating from the port depart to Cherbourg in France with a crossing time of roughly 4 hours and 15 minutes. During the summer months, usually between May and September, there is also a fast ferry service to Cherbourg with a crossing time of just over 2 hours. In the summer there are additional services that operate to St Malo in France (4 hours and 30 minutes) and two daily crossings to St Peter Port in Guernsey (2 hours and 30 minutes) and St Helier in Jersey (3 hours).
The town and port of Cherbourg is located on the Cotentin Peninsular in the Manche department of Normandy in the north west of France. The town's port is perhaps best known as a cross channel port serving ferries travelling between the United Kingdom and France. One of the most popular attractions in the town is the Museum T. Henry which was founded in 1831 following a donation of more than 160 paintings by Henry, commissioner of the Royal Museums. Today, the museum has a collection of 300 paintings by French, Dutch and Italian artists stretching back from the present day to the Middle Ages. Contained in the collection are "The Ascent to Calvary" by Murrillo, "Christ Died" which is attributed to Filippino Lippi, and the "Conversion of St. Augustine" by Beato Angelico.
Also in the town and popular with visitors is the 12th century Abbey du Voeu which was dedicated to the Virgin. The church was consecrated in 1181, during the reign of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, who were present at the ceremony.
Ferry services from the port depart to Poole and Portsmouth in England and to Rosslare in Ireland.
