How to travel from DEVON to FRANCE by ferry

Roscoff, a small port town in Brittany, France, is surprisingly accessible from South West England without flying.

 Thanks to Brittany Ferries’ overnight and daytime sailings from Plymouth, it’s possible to visit Roscoff for a short break or a relaxed cross-channel trip. 

Here’s exactly how the journey works, what to expect on board, and a few things you can do in Roscoff when you arrive.

What to expect on board Brittany Ferries from Plymouth to Roscoff

There are both overnight and daytime crossings available between Plymouth and Roscoff. The overnight sailing typically departs late evening and takes around 8 hours. The daytime sailing takes around 7 hours and usually departs around midday.

Passengers can travel either with a reserved seat or in a private cabin. Foot passengers can park at the official Brittany Ferries car park beside the terminal. It costs £13 for 24 hours, and if you’re delayed you can extend using the Pay By Phone App. Check-in at Plymouth is efficient, requiring only a passport.

I travelled as a foot passenger and parked at the official Brittany Ferries car park beside the terminal. It cost £13 for 24 hours, and I liked that I could extend it with the PayByPhone app in case of delays. Check-in was smooth – just needed my passport – and boarding involved walking on alongside the cars, which always feels slightly surreal!

Disembarkation can vary depending on the sailing but usually involves a short wait before foot passengers are escorted off, either via walkway or a shuttle bus to immigration. On the way to France, we had to wait for a gangway to be connected; on the way back, it was a quick walk off.

Seats vs cabins: what I experienced

On the outbound overnight ferry, I opted for a reserved seat in a private lounge—mainly to save money. Cabins were around £70 extra and I couldn’t justify that for such a short trip. 

The seat was fine: bigger than a plane seat, some recline, but no footrest. 

I brought a memory foam pillow from the ferry shop (£13) and used my raincoat as a makeshift blanket. 

It got cold, and the armrests made it tricky to stretch out. But the lounge lights were dimmed, and it was quiet enough to doze.

Coming back on the afternoon sailing, I had no choice but to book a cabin—there were no seats available by the time I reserved. It turned out to be a very welcome upgrade!

The cabin cost £34 and was better than I expected. 

I had a proper single bed (bunks available for two people), a private bathroom with a hot shower and a desk with charging sockets. After a busy day walking around Roscoff, I was glad to have a quiet space to retreat to.

Having now tried both options, I’d say a seat is manageable for one night—if you’re prepared and don’t mind a bit of discomfort. But a cabin makes the experience far more restful, especially if you’re travelling solo and need your own space to relax and charge your gear.

Facilities on board

Brittany Ferries ships include a self-service restaurant, bar, cinema, lounges, shop and areas for kids’ entertainment (especially on daytime sailings). 

On the overnight trip, there was a music quiz and a singer; on the return, it was more children’s activities with a mascot called Pierre.

I had dinner on board—mashed potato, peas, and a ratatouille-style mix. It cost €6.50 and was decent, though veggie options were limited. I also grabbed a vegan Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and a soy milk cappuccino in the morning.

Snacks and water are pricey on board (€2.50 for a small bottle), so next time I’ll bring my own refillable bottle pre-filled.

Things to do in Roscoff

I only had a few hours, but still managed to pack quite a bit in. Here are the main things I’d recommend:

• Île de Batz ferry trip: It’s about a 20-minute walk from the Brittany Ferries terminal to the Île de Batz ferry port. I pre-booked my ticket online (you can also pay cash on the boat). The island is beautiful—white-sand beaches, quiet streets, and a mild microclimate. I didn’t make it all the way to the botanical garden there, but just walking around was worth it.
• Jardin Exotique de Roscoff: Back on the mainland, I did manage to visit the exotic gardens. Entry was €6, cash only. The garden sits on a hillside and has a great viewpoint overlooking the coast. There are palm trees and colourful tropical plants thanks to the Gulf Stream.
• Maison des Johnnies et de l’Oignon de Roscoff: This small museum explores the town’s pink onions and the ‘Onion Johnnies’ who brought them to Britain. I wanted to go in, but they didn’t accept card and I hadn’t had a chance to withdraw euros at that point! Still, I found an information board nearby and learned how these onion sellers inspired the striped-shirt-and-beret stereotype.
• Cultural landmarks: On Île de Batz, I stopped by a 19th-century church built on the site of an older chapel. Roscoff also has visible Breton identity: flags and street signs in both French and Breton.

Travel tip

Shops and museums in Roscoff often close for lunch between 12:30 and 14:30. I also learned the hard way that some attractions only accept cash, so it’s best to carry a few euros even if you’re mostly using a card.

This ferry route between Plymouth and Roscoff is one of the few direct international sailings from South West England, and for me, it was a relaxed and scenic way to reach France. 

Whether you’re after a short break or making your way overland, the ferry experience itself is part of the journey—and it’s one I’d happily do again.

There could soon be a ferry between Devon and Wales! Read more about it here.

Or, for another alternative transport, take a look at my London to Penzance night train post.