- Must visit
Museo de Prehistoria y Arqueología de Cantabria
Museum in a historic market building covering Santander’s prehistory, Roman past and medieval development through well-presented local finds.
Cheapest price on 24 Sept
£186
Average ticket price on 24 Sept
£186
Fastest journey on 24 Sept
1 d 7 h 30 m
Average journey duration on 24 Sept
1 d 7 h 30 m
Ferries on 24 Sept
1
Distance
841 km
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Portsmouth to Santander is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Portsmouth to Santander will cost around £186 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only £186.
On Thu 24 Sept, we found 1 ferries from Portsmouth to Santander, including 1 direct services.
On Thu 24 Sept the direct ferries cover the 841 km distance in an average of 1 d 7 h 30 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 1 d 7 h 30 m .
The slowest ferries will take 1 d 7 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Omio recommends booking the ferry as it is the most popular option from Portsmouth to Santander among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the ferry, with an average ticket price of £179 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 34m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a ferry costs an average of £179, while a flight costs an average of £413.
Distance: 454 nautical miles (841 km)
Most popular Ferry | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£179 Average Price Cheapest | £413 Average Price | £46 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
34h 48m Average total duration 33h 48m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 5h 34m Average total duration Fastest 3h 34m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 14h 57m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular ferry company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Portsmouth to Santander:
A ferry is £234 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Portsmouth to Santander costing on average £413.
Other travel options to Santander take longer:
Ferry takes on average 33h 48m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Brittany Ferries | Departure Time 23:30 | Arrival Time 07:00 | Duration 31h30 | Sailing Days Wed, Thu |
Operator Brittany Ferries | Departure Time 20:30 | Arrival Time 06:00 | Duration 33h30 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue |
Operator Brittany Ferries | Departure Time 21:00 | Arrival Time 06:00 | Duration 33h00 | Sailing Days Fri |
Operator Brittany Ferries | Departure Time 22:00 | Arrival Time 07:00 | Duration 33h00 | Sailing Days Fri, Sun |
Operator Brittany Ferries | Departure Time 01:00 | Arrival Time 08:30 | Duration 31h30 | Sailing Days Sat |
The table below shows live departures for Portsmouth to Santander ferries for today, Wednesday 23 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 23:30 Portsmouth | 31h30 | 7:00 Santander | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, flight and ferry prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Ferries from Portsmouth to Santander run on average 1 times per day, taking around 33h 48m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at £37 but you can travel from only £30 by flight.
There are 1 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 01:00, the last at 23:30. The fastest ferry covers the 454 nautical miles (841 km) distance in 31h 30m.

Distance 454 nautical miles (841 km) |
Average sailing duration 33h 48m |
Cheapest ticket price £37 |
Ferries per day 1 |
Direct ferries Available |
Fastest ferry 31h 30m |
First ferry 1:00 |
Last ferry 23:30 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of Santander — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santander trip today.
Museum in a historic market building covering Santander’s prehistory, Roman past and medieval development through well-presented local finds.
Large art centre on the waterfront with modern and contemporary exhibitions, a striking building and broad views over the bay.
Museum dedicated to Cantabrian maritime history, fishing and oceanography, with aquariums and displays suited to adults and children.
Historic gardens by the bay and Centro Botín, ideal for a gentle walk among monuments, flowerbeds and harbour views.
Headland park with the palace, coastal paths, beaches and sea views; one of Santander’s classic places for walking and photography.
Clifftop viewpoint and green space above the sea, popular for sunsets, dramatic waves and broad views of the Cantabrian coast.
Hearty Cantabrian bean stew with white beans, chorizo, morcilla and pork. A regional cold-weather classic closely tied to Santander and wider Cantabria.
Fresh anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea, often salted or preserved in olive oil. Santander is especially known for high-quality bocarte and anchovy traditions.
Bonito tuna cooked with onions, peppers and tomato. A beloved summer dish across Cantabria, showcasing local fishing and seasonal produce.
Established dining room specialising in fish and seafood rice dishes, offering polished service and a classic Santander feel.
Traditional seafood restaurant known for fresh fish, shellfish and classic Cantabrian cooking in a smart but approachable setting.
Popular traditional venue for rabas, seafood tapas and casual local eating, especially good for sampling classic Santander flavours.
Moderate for Spain: hotels and dining are fair, while local buses and casual meals stay reasonably priced for tourists.
Tipping is modest. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service; small change for cafés; round up taxi fares.
Official public transport app
Santander Port -> Estación de Santander
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Portsmouth to Santander by ferry. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest ferry, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Santander, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Portsmouth to Santander ferries use the Portsmouth International Port to Santander Port port pair. Use this guide to compare Portsmouth and Santander ports on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like port facilities and services.
Portsmouth International Port is 1 km from Portsmouth city centre. Public transport options include:
Portsmouth International Port has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food options include: The Ship and Castle (0.6km), The John Jacques (0.8km), The Lady Hamilton (0.9km)
Free WiFi. ATMs are available near the main entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Portsmouth International Port.
Available at Portsmouth International Port: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Portsmouth International Port: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Portsmouth International Port.
Santander Port has practical services for this route, including Accessibility.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santander Port: The place has an entrance that is wheelchair-accessible.