Portsmouth International Port · Harwich International Port · Ferries & cruises
Portsmouth and Harwich: opposite directions from London
These two ports share a page because they serve similar purposes and take a similar time from Kent. They have nothing else in common. Portsmouth is south west past Guildford; Harwich is north east over the Dartford Crossing. Naming the port is the first thing.
Around two hours each, in directions a hundred and thirty miles apart. Everything about the route, the traffic pattern and the charges differs between them, so the port name matters more here than at any other booking on this site.
Two ports, two entirely different journeys
Similar times, opposite compass points.
Get a fixed fare for Portsmouth › Price confirmed at booking · pay by card · driver meets you in arrivals
South west, Hampshire
Ferries to France, Spain and the Channel Islands, plus cruises. Via the M25 and A3 or M3.
North east, Essex
Ferries to the Hook of Holland, plus cruises. Over the Dartford Crossing and up the A12.
Around two hours
Which is the only thing they share.
Crossing applies to Harwich
And not to Portsmouth. We confirm at the quote stage.
The two journeys
Same page, and you will only ever be doing one of them.
| Pick-up area | To Portsmouth | To Harwich |
|---|---|---|
| Dartford & Bluewater | 1h 55m – 2h 30m | 1h 25m – 1h 55m |
| Gravesend & Northfleet | 2h – 2h 35m | 1h 30m – 2h |
| Bromley & Orpington | 1h 50m – 2h 20m | 1h 40m – 2h 10m |
| Sevenoaks & Tonbridge | 1h 45m – 2h 15m | 1h 50m – 2h 20m |
| Rochester & Chatham | 2h 10m – 2h 45m | 1h 35m – 2h 5m |
| Maidstone & Aylesford | 2h 5m – 2h 40m | 1h 45m – 2h 15m |
| Canterbury & Ashford | 2h 35m – 3h 15m | 2h 15m – 2h 50m |
What each port serves
Both handle ferries and cruises, to very different places.
| Port | Serves |
|---|---|
| Portsmouth | France, Spain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Wight, plus cruise calls |
| Harwich | The Hook of Holland and northern Europe, plus cruise departures |
| Both | Foot passengers and drive-on traffic, with different arrangements |
| Check with your operator | Foot passenger provision and check-in deadlines vary and change |
| Tell us the deadline | Not the sailing time. We plan backwards from check-in |
Using either port
Name the port first, then the operator
It sounds obvious and it is the whole point of this page. These are not variations on one journey; they are two journeys in opposite directions with different roads, different traffic patterns and different charges. Once we have the port, the operator and the check-in deadline, the rest is straightforward.
Harwich means the Dartford Crossing
Which applies in both directions and is confirmed at the quote stage as to whether it sits inside your fare. It is also the least predictable part of that journey, in the same way it is for Tilbury, so we plan the Harwich runs with margin built in rather than on the optimistic estimate.
Portsmouth is a familiar run for us
South west on roads we use regularly for Southampton cruise work and for south coast events, which means the M3 and A3 corridors hold few surprises. Portsmouth is also the port for the Isle of Wight ferries, which our Cowes Week page covers separately if that is the trip.
Give us check-in, not departure
Consistent across every port page on this site. Sailing check-in closes well before the ship leaves, it varies by operator, and it is the time we actually work to. Read it off your booking and we will plan the pick-up backwards from it with proper margin.
Portsmouth and Harwich questions
Two ports, one page.
Why are two ports on one page?
Because they serve similar purposes and take a similar time from Kent. They are in opposite directions and have nothing else in common, so tell us which.
How far is each from Kent?
Both around two hours, with Portsmouth south west via the M25 and A3 or M3, and Harwich north east over the Dartford Crossing and up the A12.
Does the Dartford Crossing apply?
To Harwich, yes, in both directions, and we confirm at the quote stage whether it sits inside your fare. It does not apply to Portsmouth.
What does each port serve?
Portsmouth serves France, Spain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Wight plus cruise calls. Harwich serves the Hook of Holland and northern Europe plus cruise departures.
What time should we give you?
The check-in deadline from your booking, not the sailing time. Check-in closes well before departure and varies by operator.
Can you take foot passengers?
We take you to the port. Foot passenger arrangements on the crossings vary by operator and change, so confirm those directly when booking your sailing.
Is Portsmouth the Isle of Wight port?
It is one of them. Our Cowes Week page covers Isle of Wight sailings specifically if that is your trip.
Is the fare fixed?
Yes, agreed at booking for both legs, whichever port.
Ports and terminals
North east and south west.
