Quai de France cruise terminal (Gare Transatlantique)
Quay of about 600 m with a covered walkway into the former transatlantic terminal, now part of the Cite de la Mer; guarded during calls.
Cherbourg, France
Cherbourg is a port town at the tip of the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy, on the English Channel. Cruise ships berth at the Quai de France, a 600 m quay with a covered walkway straight into the former transatlantic terminal, now the Cite… More about Cherbourg →
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Ship schedule by month
October 2026 · from today · all times local (Central European Time)
ShipDateArrivalDeparture
Showing 6 of 6 calls in October
Cruise Ships in Cherbourg
Today and the next 7 days · all times local (Central European Time)
Today · Fri 23 OctPeak
6,514 people in port
1 ship · ships alongside 08:00 – 20:00
54% busier than a typical day in Cherbourg. Busiest 08:00 – 20:00, when 1 ship is alongside.
Next 7 days
Quietest: Wed 28 Oct · busiest: Fri 23 Oct- Fri23 Oct6.5kPeak1 ship
- Sat24 Oct–No ships0 ships
- Sun25 Oct4.3kTypical1 ship
- Mon26 Oct–No ships0 ships
- Tue27 Oct1.8kQuiet1 ship
- Wed28 Oct1.3kQuiet1 ship
- Thu29 Oct–No ships0 ships
Thousands of people in port, guests plus crew. Crowd level compared with a typical Cherbourg day.
Planning a day in Cherbourg?
The crowd calendar shows every ship and how busy the port is, hour by hour, plus the quietest and busiest days for the next 90 days.
Where is the Cherbourg cruise port?
Cruise ships berth at the Quai de France in the Port of Cherbourg, a quay of about 600 m with up to 14 m depth. A covered pedestrian walkway leads straight into the Gare Transatlantique cruise terminal, part of the Cite de la Mer.
The terminal is fairly close to the town centre, and shuttles run on call days. Some cruises also start here.
Terminal
Getting to the Cherbourg cruise port
La Cite de la Mer → Quai de France cruise terminal
3.6 km · ~49 min by car
Passengers land in the old baggage hall of the Cite de la Mer; the walking route round the basin is about 3.6 km. Entry €21 adults, €15 ages 5–17.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
TransportTypical priceJourneyGood to know
Walk
Variesper person
Varies
Via the covered passenger walkway.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Driving to the port
Shuttles run on call days; the D-Day beaches by taxi or excursion. Caen-Carpiquet Airport is about 126 km by car, typically 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes. Distances and times are approximate.
Cherbourg Cruise Terminals
1 terminal
Parking at the Cherbourg cruise port
Private parking
Free/ day
Daily rate · per vehicle · confirm before travel
There is no official cruise parking. Check time limits before leaving a car for a week.
Parking facilities
FacilityServesRatesReservationRate notes
Free car park, Canton
Quai de France cruise terminal
~Free/day
—
Serves Quai de France cruise terminal · Reservation: —
Free; check time limits.
Free car park, Quai Caligny
Quai de France cruise terminal
~Free/day
—
Serves Quai de France cruise terminal · Reservation: —
Free; check time limits.
Gambetta Fontaine car park
Quai de France cruise terminal
Rates not yet published
—
Serves Quai de France cruise terminal · Reservation: —
—
Where to Stay Before Your Cruise
Pick the area first. Typical nightly prices, approximate.
Port and marina
EUR 118 / night
Closest to the terminal.
Typical hotel
EUR 118 / night
Pre-cruise stays by the marina and the Bassin du Commerce.
Hotels here
- Hotel Mercure Cherbourg Centre Port
- Ambassadeur Hotel
- Hotel Chantereyne
Town centre
EUR 107–128 / night
Shops and restaurants.
Typical hotel
EUR 107–128 / night
Stays in the centre and east of the basin, near restaurants and the shuttle drop-off.
Hotels here
- Hotel du Louvre
- Hotel Le Tiburon
Prices are approximate per night for two adults in EUR.
Eating in Cherbourg
- Coffee per item
- EUR 1.90
- per item
- Casual lunch per person
- EUR 20–50
- per person
- Restaurant dinner per person
- EUR 20
- per person
- Soft drink per item
- EUR 3.40
- per item
Prices are approximate.
Destination
About Cherbourg
Cherbourg is a port town at the tip of the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy, on the English Channel. Cruise ships berth at the Quai de France, a 600 m quay with a covered walkway straight into the former transatlantic terminal, now the Cite de la Mer maritime museum.
Some cruises also start here. On call days, shuttles link the terminal with the town centre. Excursions head to the D-Day landing beaches and Mont-Saint-Michel, as well as the gardens and coast of the Cotentin.
- Time zone
- Central European Time
- Currency
- EUR
Things to Do in Cherbourg
La Cite de la Mer
Maritime museum in the former transatlantic terminal, where cruise passengers land in the old baggage hall. Entry €21 for adults, €15 for ages 5–17.
Town centre
The shopping streets and squares of Cherbourg, a short walk or shuttle ride from the terminal.
D-Day beaches
The Normandy landing beaches, including Utah Beach, south-east of Cherbourg. The Utah Beach Museum is about 57 km (typically 50 minutes to 1 hour) by car from the terminal.
Mont-Saint-Michel
The abbey island of Mont-Saint-Michel, a long day trip south of Cherbourg.