Portsmouth - Bilbao

With departures every three days, for much of the year, we offer the most convenient cruise style crossings to Spain. Sailing to Bilbao with P&O ferries is easy - whether you're camping with your family, surfing the high seas, sunning yourself at a beach resort or skiing in the Pyrenees, the only luggage limit is the size of your car. And you won't have to spend several hours with your legs squashed up behind the seat of the person in front. With a gym, sauna, designer outlets, and a wide choice of restaurants and bars, sailing on The Pride of Bilbao feels more like the high street than the high seas.

There are plenty of places to eat and drink on the Pride of Bilbao, including the Four Seasons with its carvery and buffet-style dining, the International Food Court serving tasty meals from around the world as well as traditional British fare, and the stylish Langan's Brasserie, with the highest quality food and wine served to your table. Or if you fancy something a little lighter, the onboard coffee shops sell a selection of light snacks, as well as a wide range of hot and cold drinks.

When you've eaten, why not relax with a glass of bubbly in the wine bar? With live cabaret-style entertainment at the Sunset Show Bar, onboard cinemas showing the latest films, a casino, piano bar and late-night disco, you'll never be stuck for something to do in the evenings. During the day, why not pamper yourself in the health spa and beauty salon or enjoy a visit to the hairdressers? You can also participate in the regular daytime events and competitions - anything from bingo to quizzes. Nature lovers can spot dolphins and whales from the observation deck as the ship sails through the Bay of Biscay. You will also be assured of a good night's sleep thanks to the boat's comfortable en-suite cabins, leaving you refreshed and ready to go.

There's plenty on board to keep your children entertained, from a soft play areas and a video room for younger passengers to video arcades featuring the latest interactive games. During the summer holidays P&O provide on-board children's entertainers as well as supervised drawing and painting sessions, allowing parents to sit back and enjoy their own space. Kids can also join the Junior Crew Club, where they'll be entertained with everything from face painting to arts and crafts to mini-discos. And remember to keep an eye out for the infamous Pirate Pete! The restaurants on board offer good value meals for all the family, and children eat at a discounted price in the Four Seasons restaurant. Free Heinz baby food is available for the youngest guests.

Upon arrival in Spain, you'll have the freedom to drive anywhere on the Continent. Bilbao is an ideal starting point for travelling on to Spain, Southern France and Portugal as it cuts out the long drive through France. The ferry departs from Portsmouth daily at 21:15 and cruises for two nights. The Bilbao-Portsmouth leg is shorter, departing at 13:15 and cruising for a single night. Excellent motorway connections from Bilbao mean that Madrid is just a three hour drive, whilst the pretty villages of the North are a perfect escape for those looking for a real taste of Spain. Bilbao is said by some to offer the best surfing experience in Europe, and the ski resorts of the Pyrenees are well within reach.

The Terminals

The Portsmouth-Bilbao crossing sails from Portsmouth's continental ferry port. The latest check-in time for both vehicles and foot passengers is 45 minutes before departure.
Portsmouth enjoys excellent motorway connections, and with links from the M3 and M25, as well as a direct connection with the M275, it is easily reached from London, the Midlands and the North. A newly built multi-storey car park provides 516 passenger parking spaces just metres from the main ferry terminal.
A National Express coach service runs directly from London Victoria to the port. A regular train service runs between Portsmouth and London Waterloo, with a journey time of 85 minutes. Trains also run from Cardiff. Portsmouth & Southsea railway station is a short bus or taxi ride from the port.

The Bilbao ferry terminal is located in a fishing village called Santurtzi, accessible from both the west (Santander) and the east (Madrid and Barcelona) via the A8. Take the N644 turn off and follow this road to the ferry port. There are no car parking facilities, but customers can leave their cars at the port at their own risk. Parking must be reported to the Port Authority upon arrival to cover security issues. Rail services to major Spanish cities and the entire Iberian peninsula run from Bilbao.

Disclaimer: Please note that departure and embarkation times given on this site are approximate averages, and are always subject to change due to weather conditions and other extenuating circumstances.