Ferry to the Netherlands from the UK
Three direct crossings to the Netherlands
Or via Dover?
For those living in the north of England or Scotland, the DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam (IJmuiden) is probably the most convenient option. Alternatively, you might choose the P&O Ferries service from Hull to Rotterdam. If you're near Harwich or London, the Stena Line connection between Harwich and Hook of Holland could be your best choice.
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Ferry Map: UK to the Netherlands routes
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Crossings to the Netherlands
Ferry Guide to the Netherlands from the UK
Getting to the Netherlands by ferry
These are the best ways to travel from England to Holland by ferry.
Considering taking the ferry to the Netherlands? From England and the UK, you have several options. Some ferries sail directly to the Netherlands, while others, like the Dover-Calais or Dover-Dunkirk crossings (which land in Northern-France) might be more suitable if you're in southern England.
For those in the north of England or Scotland, the DFDS ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam (IJmuiden) is likely the most convenient option. If you're in central England, the P&O Ferries service from Hull to Rotterdam might be ideal. For those near Harwich or London, the Stena Line connection between Harwich and Hook of Holland could be your best choice.
Travelling to Holland by ferry is a very pleasant experience. The longer crossings offer plenty of entertainment and are very practical if you want to bring your own car.
There are three direct ferry services from the UK that take you to Rotterdam and Amsterdam. From there, you can continue your travels or, of course, stay in Holland. These ferries are ideal for further travel to destinations such as Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, or Norway.
The most logical crossings from the UK to the Netherlands are:
- Harwich – Hook of Holland: Affordable, fast, and with good train connections.
- Newcastle – IJmuiden / Amsterdam: A favourable starting point in the Netherlands, especially if you're travelling from the northern regions of the UK, Scotland, or Ireland.
- Hull – Rotterdam: Convenient for those departing from the Sheffield/Leeds area, located in the heart of the UK.
- Dover—Dunkirk (FR) & Drive to NL: A speedy ferry link that's both affordable and easy to book. The port of Dunkirk is slightly closer to Dover and somewhat smaller.
- Dover – Calais (FR) & Drive to NL: The most frequent ferry services daily. You can board DFDS, Irish Ferries, or P&O to reach northern France, from where you can drive to the centre of the Netherlands in approximately 4 hours.
Travel tip: Harwich to Hoek of Holland ferry is the fastest crossing
The daytime ferry service between Harwich and Hook of Holland (Rotterdam) offers the quickest crossing from England to the Netherlands, taking 6.5 hours. Alternatively, you can book this as a night cruise, allowing you to begin your day refreshed the following morning. If you live closer to Hull or Newcastle either one of these crossings make more sense.
Ferries to The Netherlands from the UK
Travelling from the UK to Holland by ferry or mini cruise is convenient. After boarding you can eat, drink or enjoy a show. You can sleep and wake up in The Netherlands on some routes.
Three ferries sail directly to the Netherlands, depending on where you live in England. These are Newcastle-Amsterdam, Hull-Rotterdam and Harwich-Hook of Holland. The latter is the shortest direct crossing and docks not far from Rotterdam.
Arriving in The Netherlands
When you arrive, you can continue your journey in your car or public transport (check the 9292.nl website for this). Some ferry companies offer a bus to the nearest big city.
Ferries from the UK via France to the Netherlands
In addition to direct departures from the UK, travelling to Holland via France is also an option. Although you may need to drive southwards to Dover first, the crossings are much shorter. This can be a perfect option for tourists from southern England and London.
There are two ferry routes across the Channel between France and England that can be a good alternative for your trip to the Netherlands. Three ferry companies operate from Dover to Calais, while DFDS runs a ferry between Dover and Dunkirk. Although the Dunkirk crossing takes about half an hour longer, the destination port is closer to the Dutch border.
To give an idea of travel times, here’s how long it takes to reach Utrecht, a city in the centre of the country:
- Duration by car from Dunkirk to Utrecht: approximately 3 hours 15 minutes
- Duration by car from the port of Calais to Utrecht: approximately 3 hours 30 minutes
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