Portsmouth Ferry

Portsmouth ferry port guide

Referred to as Britain’s best-connected port, Portsmouth ferry port connects England with Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands, Cherbourg, Caen, St Malo and Le Havre in France, and Bilbao and Santander in Spain. 

It’s a busy port with 32 daily and 201 weekly sailings operated by major ferry companies including Brittany Ferries and DFDS Seaways. The important transport hub not only serves passenger ferries, but it also serves cruise ships and freight ferries and is a vital gateway between the UK and Europe. 

Owned by Portsmouth City Council, the port is big on sustainability with numerous initiatives in place with an aim to become one of the UK’s first zero-emission ports.

Where is Portsmouth port located?

Portsmouth ferry port is located in the UK in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. The terminal is around 2 miles from the centre of Portsmouth. With great road and transport links, it’s well-connected to the rest of the UK.

How to get to Portsmouth port from the UK

Portsmouth ferry port is easily accessible by both car and public transport.

Arriving by car

If you’re arriving by car, the port is clearly signposted throughout the city.

From the North

• Head south via the M6 before continuing on the M40 towards London. Then take the A34 past Newbury and follow the M27 westbound towards Portsmouth. Exit at Junction 12.

From London/South East

• You can reach Portsmouth directly from London via the A3 motorway.

From the Midlands

• Head south on the M40 towards Oxford. Continue on the A34 before joining the M3 and then the M27. Exit at Junction 12.

From the South West

• Depending on which direction you are coming from, either take the M4 east and continue on the M3 and then the M27 westbound towards Portsmouth, or take the A30, continue on the A31 and then take the M27 eastbound towards Portsmouth.

Arriving by train

Where is the nearest train station?

Portsmouth & Southsea train station is the nearest station to the ferry port. It’s located around a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk from the terminal.

How to get to Portsmouth port by train

You can get trains to Portsmouth & Southsea station from a variety of destinations in the UK such as London Waterloo, Southampton and Gatwick Airport. Once you’ve reached the train station, you can either get a short taxi or walk to the ferry port.

Arriving by coach

National Express operate coaches from London Victoria, connecting the capital with Portsmouth in around 2 hours.

Arriving by bus

Buses such as the X4/X5 operate services between Portsmouth and the ferry port.

Arriving by foot

If you’re coming from the centre of Portsmouth, you can walk to the ferry port in around 20 minutes.

Arriving by taxi

You can easily get a taxi from Portsmouth to the ferry port. The journey will take around 5 minutes from the centre of the city. As well as Uber, there are also local taxi companies such as Aqua Cars.

Reaching Portsmouth port from the airport

Southampton Airport 

• Distance: 22 miles 
• Approximate journey time: 25-30 minutes 

London Gatwick Airport

• Distance: 60 miles 
• Approximate journey time: 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes 

London Heathrow Airport

• Distance: 65 miles 
• Approximate journey time: 1 hour 30 minutes 

Arriving at Portsmouth port

Arriving as a foot passenger

If you’re travelling as a foot passenger, you will either have to walk or get on a shuttle bus to the terminal. Once you’ve arrived at the terminal, you’ll need to go through security checks and will have to show your passport and any necessary documents. Buses and taxis are available at the exit to take you to the centre of Portsmouth, or you can walk in around 20 minutes.

Public transport

You can get the X4 or X5 from the ferry port to the centre of Portsmouth. You can also pre-book a National Express coach from Portsmouth to London Victoria.

The nearest train station

Portsmouth & Southsea train station is the nearest station to the ferry port. It’s located around a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk from the terminal. From here you can get direct trains to destinations including London and Southampton.

Disembarking by car

If you’re travelling with a vehicle, follow the signs when disembarking the ship. You will also have to go through border control and customs before exiting the port so will need your passport handy.

Distance from major UK cities

If you’re not staying in Portsmouth, just follow the signs to the M275 where you can continue your journey to other destinations within the UK. 

• London: 75 miles / 1 hour 45 minutes – 2 hours 
• Southampton: 22 miles / 25-30 minutes 
• Birmingham: 120 miles / 2 hours 45 minutes 
• Cardiff: 140 miles / 2 hours 45 minutes 
• Manchester: 220 miles / 4 hours 30 minutes

The nearest airport

If you’re continuing your journey onwards by plane, Southampton Airport is the closest airport to Portsmouth ferry port. You can reach the airport in around 30 minutes.

Portsmouth port: services, amenities and more

Amenities

You’ll find all the amenities you need at Portsmouth port including toilets, comfortable lounges, WiFi, tourist information, comfortable lounges and a café. There are also facilities for people with reduced mobility. At the port, you’ll also find the sky garden, a viewing platform where you can take a seat and soak up views of the port.

Parking at Portsmouth port

There are both long and short-term parking options at Portsmouth port. If you’re picking someone up or dropping them off, you can park in the parking bays outside the terminal for a maximum of 20 minutes. There’s also a 24-hour long-stay car park located just a short walk from the terminal with prices starting from £4. Here you’ll also find electric vehicle charming stations.

Accessibility

Portsmouth port has a range of accessible facilities for passengers including accessible toilets and disabled parking spaces. They also have a special minibus service to assist those with reduced mobility along with a Sunflower Lanyard scheme – wearing a Sunflower Lanyard can discreetly let staff know that you have a hidden disability and require some extra assistance.

Pets

Pets travelling with foot passengers are allowed in the terminal building although they must be carried in an RSPCA approved crate.

Luggage

You can use the port’s luggage facility as long as you have a valid ticket for travel. Luggage cannot be left overnight and costs £10 per item.

Useful information

Portsmouth port address: 
Wharf Road, 
Hants, 
Portsmouth, 
PO2 8RU, 
United Kingdom

General contact number: 
+44 (0) 23 9229 7391

Visiting Portsmouth

Perched along the waterfront, Portsmouth is a lively city with an array of attractions. Home to exciting cultural events, historical landmarks, amusement-lined beaches and a bustling centre filled with shops, restaurants and bars, you’ll never run out of things to do in Portsmouth. The city is known for its rich maritime heritage which you can learn all about at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with its impressive historic warships. The D-Day Story Museum is also a must-see, where you can find out about the Normandy landings. If you love history, then you’ll have to visit the Southsea Castle, built in 1544 by Henry VIII. The charming streets of Old Portsmouth are also a must, where you’ll stumble across traditional English pubs for a pint or browse the independent shops. When you’ve finished sightseeing, why not head to the beach? Southsea Beach is the most popular, a shingle beach with everything you need for a fun-filled day out.

Exploring the surrounding area

There’s plenty to explore in the surrounding region too. South Downs National Park with its stunning landscapes is just a short drive away. Here you’ll find countless hiking and cycling paths and picture-perfect towns and villages. From Portsmouth, you can also take a day trip to the Isle of Wight, with Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferries taking just 45 minutes. With its breathtaking natural beauty and rich history, the Isle of Man makes a great day out. Ferries to Portsmouth are also the perfect opportunity to explore England’s south coast with vibrant destinations such as Brighton with its famous pier and lively nightlife, and Southampton, known for its maritime heritage, within easy reach.