Rosslare - Bilbao
Ferry to Spain
Rosslare - Bilbao
Ferry to Spain
Fares for the Rosslare to Bilbao crossing usually range somewhere between $121* and $1834*. Most travellers pay around $998* for a Rosslare Bilbao ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $121*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $716* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $1080*.
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 Rosslare Bilbao route generally kick off from Rosslare at around 09:00, and the last departure of the day is usually around 23:59.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Rosslare and Bilbao 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 Rosslare to Bilbao 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 Rosslare to Bilbao 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 Rosslare to Bilbao 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 Rosslare and Bilbao.
Pets aren't currently permitted on ferries between Rosslare and Bilbao. Our Deal Finder can help you find a nearby route that does allow them.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are often treated differently to general pets, even on routes where pets aren't allowed. Contact our customer service team to find out what's possible on your sailing, or check our Special Assistance Help page for more information.
Whether the Rosslare to Bilbao 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 Rosslare to Bilbao 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 Rosslare to Bilbao 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 Rosslare to Bilbao 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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| Rosslare - Bilbao Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $716 | |
| Average Price with Car | $1080 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $965 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $1684 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $1323 | |
| Rosslare - Bilbao Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Ireland |
| Destination | Spain |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Brittany Ferries |
| Average Price | $998 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 2 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 31 h 1 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 27 h 30 m |
| First Ferry | 09:00 |
| Last Ferry | 23:59 |
| Distance | 567 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
The Irish village of Rosslare, or Rosslare Strand to give it is full name, is a coastal resort and port located in County Wexford, Ireland. Separating Wexford Harbour from the North Sea is a long sandspit which stretches north from Rosslare which until the 1920's stretched for many more miles north. At one point the spit almost reached Raven Point, giving Wexford Harbour a very narrow mouth. However, a storm breached the spit during the winter of 1924-25 and was thereafter gradually washed away. Located at the end of the spit was Rosslare Fort which is now abandoned. All that remains is a small island visible at low tide.
The village is supposed to be the sunniest in Ireland and has been a popular tourist resort for at least the last 100 years. The town's beach has been awarded a Blue Flag and therefore attracts many bathers and families.
The town's modern port has good passenger facilities and provides ferry services to Pembroke, with a crossing time of around 4 hours, Fishguard, 3 hours and 30 minutes and Cherbourg and Roscoff in France. Passenger facilities include a restaurant, a bar, children's play area and a waiting area.
The Spanish city and port of Bilbao is the capital of the province of Bizkaia and lies on the banks of the Nervion River, which joins the Cantabrian Sea 11 km further downstream. The river has been important to the city's development since it was established in the 14th century. Along with the other towns that are situated along both banks of the river until it reaches the sea, Bilbao forms the Greater Bilbao area and has a lively cultural scene which visitors to the city enjoy. If performing arts is of particular interest then the Teatro Arriaga and Euskalduna Concert Hall are definitely worth a visit as is the Fine Arts Museum which is located at the edge of the Dona Casilda Park. The Park's famous neighbour is the famous Guggenheim Museum with its Frank Gehry designed building.
The Port of Bilbao is located on the Bilbao Abra bay, and along the Estuary of Bilbao, in Biscay (Basque Country). The main facilities are in the Santurtzi and Zierbena municipalities, approximately 15 km west of Bilbao. Brittany Ferries operate the Portsmouth to Bilbao route, with their boat, the MV Cap Finistère.
