Last updated: 26 October 2026 · By Steve Joury, cargo trip advisor at CargoHolidays
There’s no regular direct ferry from the UK to Portugal, but you can travel from the UK to Portugal by boat by sailing to northern Spain and driving or taking the train on. Freighters calling at Lisbon or Leixões (Porto) are another option. Here’s how.
Key facts at a glance
The most common way to go from the UK to Portugal by boat is the ferry from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao, then a drive of roughly a day across northern Spain to Porto, or a little longer to Lisbon. It’s ideal for anyone taking a car, moving house or touring. See UK to Spain by boat and moving to Portugal from the UK.
| Leg | Typical time |
|---|---|
| London – Paris (Eurostar) | About 2.5 hours |
| Paris – Barcelona or Madrid (high-speed) | A long day |
| Madrid – Lisbon / Vigo – Porto | Several hours (check current services) |
Overall, allow two to three days with overnight stops. Cross-border Spain–Portugal rail connections change, so check the latest timetable before booking.
Leixões (Porto) and Lisbon are regular calls for some container and ro-ro services linking Northern Europe with the Mediterranean, Africa and South America. Occasionally a passenger-carrying freighter can drop you in Portugal. Sines, south of Lisbon, is a major deep-sea container hub. Ask us about current rotations.
Madeira and the Azores are mostly reached by air today, though some cruises from UK ports call at Madeira on Canary Islands itineraries. See cruises without flying.
Not directly at present. Most people take the ferry to northern Spain and drive or take the train on.
Roughly a day’s drive, depending on stops and route.
Yes, via Paris and Spain, usually over two to three days.
Yes. Some services call at Leixões (Porto), Lisbon and Sines.
Yes. Some Canary Islands cruises from UK ports call at Madeira.
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