Getting to Normandy

The more direct Brittany Ferry routes tend to be the most expensive,  but you need to offset extra milage and any overnight stops if you choose alternative routes.

PORTSMOUTH TO CAEN-OUISTREHAM

• Service operated by Brittany Ferries
• Crossing time: approximately 6 hours (option of 9h overnight travel)
• 3 sailings a day in each direction
• Crossings are carried out by two ferries: MV Mont St Michel and MV Normandie
• Crossing capacity: 2 100 passengers
• Cabins available for overnight sailings
• Ferry port located just 10 miles from Caen city centre
• Ouistreham to Arromanches 32km 37mins by fastest route.

PORTSMOUTH TO CHERBOURG

• Service operated by Brittany Ferries
• Weekly overnight sailings on the brand-new cruise ferry, Salamanca 
• Crossing time: approximately 8 hours
• 2 sailings a week in each direction
• Crossing capacity: 1 100 passengers
• Cabins available for overnight sailings
• Ferry port located two miles from Cherbourg city centre
• Cherbourg to Arromanches fastest route -  1hr 19mins 102km

NEWHAVEN TO DIEPPE

• Service operated by DFDS
• Crossing time: approximately 4 hours
• Up to 4 crossings a day in each direction
• Crossings are carried out by two sister ships: MS Seven Sisters and MS Côte d’Albâtre
• Crossing capacity: 600 passengers
• Cabins available for overnight sailings
• Ferry port is located one mile from Dieppe town centre. Dieppe is the closest port and beach to Paris.
• Dieppe to Arromanches – fastes route - 222km and 2hrs 30mins by toll roads, longer by minor roads.

PORTSMOUTH – LE HAVRE

• Service operated by Brittany Ferries
• Crossing time 7:59
• 5 sailings a week
• Le Havre is 132 km 1hr36 minutes from Arromanches on the fastest route.

POOLE TO CHERBOURG

• Service operated by Brittany Ferries
• Crossing time 4:30
• 7 sailings a week
• Service operated by Condor
• Crossing time 5:40
• 2 sailings a week

VIA CALAIS/DUNKIRK

• The ferry and Channel Tunnel crossing into Northern France is often a much cheaper option and more convenient for those starting from the South east of England but there is a long drive south to Normandy. Calais to Arromanches - Fastest route 4hrs via toll roads 383km. There are many ways to cross here – for best prices try price comparison sites like www.aferry.com​

Taking a military vehicle onto a ferry whether under its own steam or on a trailer is very straightforward as long as you are careful about booking in the correct dimensions. Boarding the ferries via loading ramps is easy and staff are helpful and will direct you and tether vehicles down if required. If you tow ypur vehicle or have a tall vehicle, you are normally loaded last, but you get off early!
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It is recommended to remove any gun mounts. Your vehicle may be searched by customs so make sure covers are removable.

Many member choose to travel in small groups – watch out for our social media groups updates about groups travelling from different areas down to the ports.

Please be aware that The Portsmouth Clean Air Zone was launched on 29 November 2021. For the Portsmouth CAZ, non-compliant vehicles are older Heavy Goods Vehicles (including some larger motorhomes), buses and coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles. Private cars and vans are not charged in Portsmouth’s CAZ.

By Air or Train

Normandy’s airport at Caen Carpiquet has no direct flight to the UK. A possibility is to travel with a stopover in Paris with transfer by the efficient, reliable and cheap railway from Paris to Bayeux – it takes 2hrs 30mins and costs from £30.  

Portsmouth CAZ Zone

Currently,  the Portsmouth CAZ zone begins just beyond the roundabout that is used to access the Brittany Ferries Port from the M27 and M275. It is clearly signposted beyond the roundabout so it should not effect members accessing the port.