Everything you need for your Brittany Ferries crossing from Plymouth to Santander. Written by UK ferry passengers who know this route.
A 20-hour mini-cruise across the Bay of Biscay • Real ferry experience • Direct to northern Spain
The Plymouth to Santander ferry is the South West of England’s direct sea link to northern Spain — and the only ferry to Spain from the West Country. Operated by Brittany Ferries aboard the flagship Pont-Aven, the crossing takes around 20 hours: a single night aboard a full cruise-ferry, so you skip 600 miles of French driving and arrive on the Spanish coast the following afternoon.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Plymouth to Santander ferry — the Pont-Aven and its cabins, 2027 timetables, onboard dining and facilities, the Plymouth and Santander port guides, plus the very best of Cantabria, the Picos de Europa, the Basque Country and beyond. Whether you’re travelling by car, motorhome, motorbike or as a foot passenger, you’ll find a detailed guide for every part of your journey.
Sailings run twice a week from Plymouth — on Sundays and Wednesdays in 2026, with the final sailing on 1 November, and on Sundays and Tuesdays when the 2027 season starts on 21 March. The Pont-Aven carries cars, motorhomes, motorbikes, cyclists, foot passengers and pets — and with 650 en-suite cabins, a swimming pool, two cinemas and three restaurants, the crossing itself is genuinely worth looking forward to.
A single night aboard. Crossings run from about 20h 15m up to 22 hours depending on the sailing.
2026: out from Plymouth on Sundays & Wednesdays, back from Santander on Mondays & Thursdays, final sailings 1–2 November. 2027: out Sundays & Tuesdays, back Mondays & Wednesdays, from 21 March.
Brittany Ferries’ flagship cruise-ferry — pool (May–Sep), Le Flora fine dining, Le Grand Pavois show bar, Le Fastnet piano bar, two cinemas and spa.
Foot passenger lead-in fare; car + 2 from £158. A cabin (from £102) or reserved seat (£14) must be added for the overnight crossing. Book early for the best prices.
The Bay of Biscay is one of Europe’s finest spots for spotting whales and dolphins from the deck.
Comprehensive guides covering ferry booking, the Pont-Aven and its cabins, travel styles, Santander and northern Spain destinations, and practical tips — all written from a UK ferry passenger’s perspective.
Your complete ferry guide: the Pont-Aven cruise-ferry, cabins, timetables, onboard dining and facilities, the Plymouth and Santander port guides, and booking tips. Everything from Devon departure to Spanish arrival.
Heading to Spain with the car, a motorhome, on a motorbike, or as a foot passenger? Complete guides for every way of crossing — with EU travel requirements, accessibility, booking tips and advice from people who’ve done it.
Santander opens up the whole of “Green Spain”. Complete guides to the city itself, onward routes to Bilbao, San Sebastián and the Picos de Europa, and the best day trips in Cantabria — from medieval Santillana del Mar to the Altamira caves.
Arriving with your own car opens up the whole of Spain — toll-free into Asturias, east to the Basque Country, south to Madrid or all the way to Andalusia. Every guide below is built around starting from the ferry terminal at Santander.
Seville, Córdoba and Granada — via Madrid on the toll-free A-1/A-4
A 10-day itinerary, named aires and campsites across northern Spain
Sailing straight to Santander saves you a 600-mile haul down through France. Ideal for travellers from Devon, Cornwall and the South West — you arrive rested, in Spain, with a full tank.
Santander is the gateway to Cantabria, the dramatic Picos de Europa, Asturias and the Basque Country. Bilbao is just over an hour away; the mountains, barely more.
The Pont-Aven is Brittany Ferries’ flagship. Expect a swimming pool (May–September), Le Flora à la carte restaurant, La Belle Angèle self-service, Le Grand Pavois show bar, Le Fastnet piano bar, spa, two cinemas and 650 en-suite cabins. The crossing is part of the holiday.
A favourite with motorhomers heading into Iberia. Dogs travel too, in pet-friendly cabins or onboard kennels. You’ll need an Animal Health Certificate for EU travel, and a muzzle for your dog on board.
Santander is your gateway to northern Spain — green, mountainous and far less crowded than the Mediterranean coast. Here’s how far you can go.
*Drive times are approximate based on typical road conditions and are for guidance only.
Comprehensive guides covering everything from the Pont-Aven and its cabins to the best of Cantabria and northern Spain. Your complete Plymouth to Santander resource.
The Plymouth to Santander ferry crossing takes approximately 20 hours 15 minutes to 22 hours, depending on the sailing and conditions. It’s an overnight cruise-ferry — you sail in the afternoon and arrive in Santander the following afternoon, spending one night aboard the Pont-Aven.
Brittany Ferries sails twice a week each way. In 2026, outbound crossings from Plymouth depart on Sundays and Wednesdays and return crossings from Santander on Mondays and Thursdays, with the final sailings on 1 November (from Plymouth) and 2 November (from Santander). The 2027 season starts on 21 March, with departures from Plymouth on Sundays and Tuesdays and from Santander on Mondays and Wednesdays. See the complete 2027 timetable →
The Plymouth to Santander ferry starts from £158 for a car and two passengers, and from £34 for a foot passenger, one-way. Every passenger must also book a cabin or a reserved seat in both directions — reserved seats are £14 and cabins start from £102 — on top of the travel fare. Motorhomes start from £204.50. Book early as prices rise with demand. See the complete pricing guide →
The Pont-Aven, Brittany Ferries’ flagship, operates almost every sailing on the Plymouth to Santander route (the final two sailings of 2026, on 1 and 2 November, are on the Armorique). Built in 2004, she carries around 2,400 passengers and 650 cars, with 650 en-suite cabins, a swimming pool (May–September), two cinemas, Le Flora à la carte restaurant, La Belle Angèle self-service, Le Grand Pavois show bar, Le Fastnet piano bar and spa treatment rooms. Full Pont-Aven ship guide →
Yes — every passenger must book either a cabin or a reserved seat, for both outward and return journeys. Reserved seats are £14 and cabins start from £102 for a 4-berth. The Pont-Aven has 650 en-suite cabins with air conditioning, in two and four-berth options including Club, De Luxe and Commodore grades. Nine wheelchair-accessible cabins are also available. Complete cabins guide →
Yes — the Plymouth to Santander ferry is one of the most popular routes for motorhomes and campervans heading into Spain and Portugal, bypassing the long drive through France entirely. Motorhomes up to 4m height and 9m length are accepted, with fares from £204.50 for a motorhome and two passengers. A cabin or reserved seat must also be booked. Full motorhome guide →
Yes — foot passengers are welcome on every Plymouth to Santander sailing, with fares from £34 one-way. A cabin or reserved seat must also be booked for the overnight crossing. Getting to the port without a car is straightforward: Plymouth’s main railway station has regular GWR services from London, Bristol and Exeter, and it’s a short taxi ride on to Millbay. Foot passenger guide →
Yes — Brittany Ferries accepts dogs, cats and ferrets on the Plymouth to Santander route. Pets must travel with a vehicle, stay in a pet-friendly cabin or onboard kennel, and cost £50 per pet per crossing. Dogs must be muzzled and on a lead whenever they’re outside the cabin or kennel. For EU travel you’ll need a microchipped pet, a valid rabies vaccination and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by a vet no more than 10 days before you enter the EU — it then covers your return to Great Britain for up to six months. Full pet travel guide →
The Plymouth to Santander ferry puts you straight into Green Spain — Cantabria, the Picos de Europa and the Basque Country — without the long drive through France. Book early for the best fares on the Pont-Aven, pack your passport, and let the mini-cruise begin.
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Comprehensive guides • Real ferry experience • Complete Santander & northern Spain resource