Ferry to the Netherlands from the UK
Ferries from England to the Netherlands
There are three direct ferry services from the UK to Rotterdam and Amsterdam. From these ports, you can either continue your journey or stay in the Netherlands. These ferries are perfect for a holiday in the Netherlands and for onward travel to destinations such as Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, or Norway.
We’ve sailed on all three ferry routes between the UK and the Netherlands, so let’s take a closer look at each of these crossings.
Map: ferry routes to the Netherlands from the UK
About these crossings
There are three direct ferry routes from the UK to the Netherlands, along with two good alternative crossings via France.
In the map above, you can see these routes, from north to south: Newcastle to Amsterdam, Hull to Rotterdam, and Harwich to Hook of Holland. Via France, there’s also Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais.
The ferry map provides a clear overview of how to reach the Netherlands from different parts of the UK. Your choice will depend on your departure point and your intended destination in the Netherlands.
The crossings in short:
Getting to the Netherlands by ferry
Thinking of taking the ferry to the Netherlands? You have several options when sailing from England. Some ferries travel directly to the Netherlands, while others, like the Dover-Calais or Dover-Dunkirk crossings (which arrive in northern France), might be better suited if you're departing from southern England.
For those in the north of England or Scotland, the DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam (IJmuiden) is likely the most convenient. If you're in central England, the P&O Ferries service from Hull to Rotterdam could be ideal. And for travellers near Harwich or London, the Stena Line route between Harwich and Hook of Holland might be your best option.
Travelling to the Netherlands by ferry is a comfortable experience. The longer crossings provide plenty of entertainment and are particularly practical if you plan to bring your car. With the night crossings, you can cover a long distance while enjoying a good night’s rest.
The most logical ferry crossings from the UK to the Netherlands are:
- Harwich – Hook of Holland: Affordable, fast, and well-connected by train.
- Newcastle – IJmuiden/Amsterdam: A great starting point in the Netherlands, particularly if you're travelling from northern England, Scotland, or Ireland.
- Hull – Rotterdam: Convenient for those departing from the Sheffield/Leeds area, located in the heart of the UK.
- Via France, to either Dunkirk or Calais
- Dover – Dunkirk (France) & Drive to the Netherlands: A quick and affordable ferry service, easy to book. The port of Dunkirk is closer to Dover and smaller, making it a quieter option.
- Dover – Calais (France) & Drive to the Netherlands: The most frequent ferry route, with daily sailings by DFDS, Irish Ferries, and P&O. From Calais, you can drive to the Netherlands in around 4 hours.
Pick your route
Have you made your choice yet? We also have specific guides for the crossings from (1) Hull to Rotterdam, (2) Newcastle to Amsterdam, and (3) Harwich to Hook of Holland.
Still unsure and curious about our onboard experiences? Take a look here to explore the experience on:
The only direct ferry between England and the Netherlands offering a daytime service is the Harwich to Hook of Holland route. This crossing takes 6.5 hours and is also available as a night sailing.
Prices and availability for these crossings
You can select UK as place of departure below and select the crossings to the Netherlands.
Want to travel via France? You can find those crossings further down on this page.
On board the ferries to the Netherlands
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- Ferries from the UK to the Netherlands: 3 direct crossings, 2 via France. From north to south: Newcastle to Amsterdam, Hull to Rotterdam, Harwich to Hoek van Holland. Via France: Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais.
How early should you arrive?
On most of the ferries, you can start boarding quite early, like 3 hours in advance. Check-in closes in general 45 mins before departure. Check-in and boarding times can be found on your booking confirmation, make sure to be in time. Especially when you make the crossing by car.
Ferries from the UK via France to the Netherlands
In addition to direct departures from the UK, travelling to the Netherlands via France is another option. Although you may need to drive south to Dover first, the crossings are much shorter. This can be a great choice for travellers from southern England and London.
There are two ferry routes across the Channel between France and England that offer a good alternative for your trip to the Netherlands. Three ferry companies operate services from Dover to Calais, while DFDS runs a ferry between Dover and Dunkirk. Although the Dunkirk crossing takes about half an hour longer, the port is closer to the Dutch border.
To give you an idea of travel times, here’s how long it takes to reach Utrecht, a city in central Netherlands:
- Duration by car from Dunkirk to Utrecht: approximately 3 hours 15 minutes
- Duration by car from Calais to Utrecht: approximately 3 hours 30 minutes
Ferry schedule / timetable
The ferries from Hull and Newcastle operate once a day as night crossings. From Harwich, you can choose between day and night crossings. This means there are four direct sailings per day between the UK and the Netherlands.
If you choose to travel via France, there are many more sailings per day.
Additional Information
When travelling on crossings from the UK to the continent, there 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.
- Download entertainment in advance: On longer night crossings, it’s a good idea to download series or movies beforehand, as Wi-Fi on board can be expensive, and roaming in international waters is costly.
- Foot passengers: Not all ferries accept foot passengers, so check ahead.
- Travelling with young kids on a night ferry? We’ve got some helpful tips for travelling with kids here.
- Remember to drive on the right-hand side of the road after disembarking. It can be confusing for the first 10 minutes, but you'll adjust quickly.
- Worried about getting seasick? In this article, you’ll find some tips to help prevent it.
Luggage & Pets
On most ferries, there are no restrictions on the amount of luggage you can reasonably bring. Pets are allowed, but additional fees apply, and they must stay in designated kennels on board. For some destinations, like for example France, pets must meet specific requirements, such as certain vaccinations and a pet passport. You can find country-specific regulations and company policies in this post.
