Ferry to Denmark from the UK
Getting to Denmark
Regrettably, there are no direct ferry services from the UK to Denmark. In the past, there was the Harwich-Esbjerg ferry route.
First to France or the Netherlands
To reach Denmark by ferry and car, you’ll need to first book a ferry from the UK to the Netherlands or from the UK to France and then drive to Denmark. To get started, we recommend reviewing the ferry routes map below.
There are several ferry crossings to mainland Europe, and we will discuss the five most logical options to consider for your journey to Denmark.
Ferry Map: from the UK to Denmark
About these crossings
The ferries from Newcastle and Hull are night sailings. You can book Harwich-Hook of Holland as a night cruise and a day cruise. Puttgarden-Rodby is an important crossing (top-right corner) on this map, this crossing at the top right of the map is the best route to Copenhagen.
Travelling from the areas around Plymouth, Poole, or Portsmouth?
You might also consider boarding one of the Brittany Ferries vessels to the French regions of Normandy or Brittany and continue your trip to Denmark from here on onwards.
Step 1: get a ferry to the Netherlands or France first
When you arrive in the Netherlands or Northern France, you need to drive to Denmark. We listed the total travel time you'll need when travelling to the border of Denmark from the UK (time on the ferry included). Driving from the border of Denmark to Kopenhagen is 3 hours and 15 minutes.
- Hull-Rotterdam ⇒ Denmark: 19 hours
- Harwich-Hook of Holland ⇒ Denmark: 14 hours
- Dover-Calais ⇒ Denmark: 12 hours
- Newcastle-Amsterdam ⇒ Denmark: 23 hours
Step 2: get to Denmark
From Amsterdam or Rotterdam, it takes roughly 7 hours to drive to Denmark.
If you have to be on the island of Zealand (Sjælland), you can book the ferry Puttgarden-Rodby. The alternative to this crossing is Rostock-Gedser, but it is a little further to drive and is therefore much less interesting.
These crossings depart from northern Germany to Denmark and are useful for cutting a significant portion of the journey to Copenhagen. Alternatively, you can travel via the Little Belt Bridge and Great Belt Bridge, but that adds quite a bit of distance to your trip.
Crossings to Copenhagen (Germany to Denmark)
On board the ferries to Denmark
In the past year, we’ve boarded several ferries to the Continent ourselves, including the routes to Amsterdam, Hook of Holland, and Rotterdam. So, if you’re still unsure which crossing to choose, take a look at our experiences with these ferries on the blog.
In the past, there were several direct ferry routes from the UK to Denmark and Norway. In this post, you’ll find an overview of the historic ferry crossings from the UK to Denmark, such as the Harwich-Esbjerg and the Newcastle-Esbjerg route.
Recap of all options to Denmark
Prices and availability for this crossing
Your Ferry Trip to Denmark
Our online booking module below makes it easy to find and book your desired ferry crossing to the Netherlands or France. Simply select the UK as your place of departure, choose your destination and travel dates, and the system will display the best routes along with possible alternatives. From there, you can choose the ferry that best suits your needs and budget.
Additional Information
When travelling on ferries between the UK and Denmark (via France, the Netherlands, or Germany), here are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Bring your passport: Since Brexit, a driver’s licence or ID card is no longer sufficient for travel to Denmark.
- Download entertainment in advance: For longer crossings, it’s a good idea to download movies or series beforehand, as Wi-Fi on board can be expensive, and roaming in international waters can incur high costs.
- Travelling with young children on a night ferry? We’ve got helpful tips for travelling with kids to ensure a smooth journey.
- Driving in Europe: After disembarking, remember to drive on the right-hand side of the road. It may feel unfamiliar at first, but you’ll quickly adjust.
- Seasickness: Concerned about seasickness? Check out our tips to help prevent it during your crossing.
Luggage & Pets
On most ferries, there are no strict limits on the amount of luggage you can bring. Pets are welcome, but additional fees apply, and they must stay in designated kennels during the crossing. When travelling to Denmark, pets must meet specific entry requirements, including vaccinations and a pet passport. You can find specific regulations per country and ferry company policies in this post.
Hello – did there used to be a ferry that went from Scotland to Denmark? we have heard rumours but don't know if it ever existed. A real shame if it's no longer around!
Hi Megan,
We really wish there were more UK / Scandinavia connections, now all options are unfortunately ‘indirect'.
How long has the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam been going? I never knew there was a connection. It is such a shame there is only one a day; this is really good for people in the North West of England.
Hi William,
There are actually two ships on the route (KING SEAWAYS and PRINCESS SEAWAYS), crossing each other, but because of the distance there are indeed not much departures per day. The route started February 2011.