Ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam
Ferry to Amsterdam from Newcastle
Planning a holiday by car or camper to the Continent? This is the perfect crossing. The Newcastle to Amsterdam crossing is the northernmost ferry route from the UK to the Netherlands, making it ideal for travellers from Ireland, Northern England and Scotland to Europe. The route from Newcastle is popular with travellers heading to the Netherlands and beyond. The crossing itself is a comfortable overnight crossing that you can book either as a mini-cruise or as a regular trip.
The nearest alternative crossing is Hull-Rotterdam, which is also a good option if you are departing closer to Hull.
Ferry map: route Newcastle to Amsterdam
About this crossing
The crossing from Newcastle to Amsterdam takes approximately 17 hours. It departs daily from Newcastle around 17:00, arriving near Amsterdam the following morning at 09:45 local time. It is one of the most popular crossings from the UK to the Netherlands.
Ferry operators for this crossing
This route is currently operated exclusively by DFDS. You can travel with a car, motorbike, camper, bicycle, or as a foot passenger. Tickets start from £35 per person based on a 4-person inside cabin.
As an example, we recently took this crossing with a great deal, paying £420 for 4 people for a mini-cruise, which was a return trip. This offer included 50% off, and the price covered both the cabin and meals.
Minicruise Newcastle Amsterdam
DFDS offers special mini-cruises on this route, and we recently booked one ourselves. You can read about our experience in the Amsterdam to Newcastle crossing travel report. For this trip, you leave your car in the parking area at IJmuiden or Newcastle upon Tyne and board the ferry for a short city break or holiday. When booking, you can also reserve a table at one of the ship’s restaurants, either the buffet or the bistro.
There’s plenty to enjoy on board, making it feel like a real cruise. The ship has several bars, live entertainment, a team providing activities for children, as well as a cinema, an arcade, a sky bar, and more.
The next morning, you’ll arrive in Amsterdam, After breakfast, you can take the shuttle bus into the city and spend around 6 hours exploring. If you prefer, you can extend your stay with a hotel overnight before returning to the ferry in the late afternoon. Back on board, you can once again enjoy the restaurants, bars, and entertainment. The cabins are small but comfortable, and each has its own shower and toilet.
Prices and availability for this crossing
You can check the prices and availabily for the crossing to Amsterdam in the booking module below, you can easily book a ticket for the crossing. Simply select ‘UK’ for departure, then choose the Newcastle-Amsterdam route. You can also check ticket prices without commitment, or book directly outside of the booking module here.
Ferry schedule / timetable
The Crossing in Brief
Newcastle (England) ➜ Netherlands (Amsterdam/IJmuiden)
- Duration: 17 hours
- Ferry Company: DFDS
- Best Alternative: Hull to Rotterdam
Amsterdam – Newcastle Schedule
The ferry schedule is generally the same daily.
⛴️ Outbound: Newcastle to Amsterdam
- Boarding starts: 14:30
- Departure from Newcastle: 17:00
- Arrival in Amsterdam/IJmuiden: 09:45 (local time)
⛴️ Return: Amsterdam to Newcastle
- Boarding starts: 14:30
- Departure from IJmuiden/Amsterdam: 17:30
- Arrival in Newcastle: 09:15 (local time)
Sailing Time
The crossing takes approximately 16 hours and 45 minutes, but may vary due to weather conditions. Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure, at 16:15 in Newcastle and 16:45 in IJmuiden. It’s recommended to arrive at the DFDS terminal well in advance. Boarding is available from 14:30 onwards.
On board the Princess Seaways and King Seaways
DFDS operates the Princess Seaways and the King Seaways on the Newcastle to Amsterdam route. The King Seaways boasts 522 cabins and can carry 1,325 passengers, with space for approximately 600 cars on the parking deck. The Princess Seaways accommodates 1,250 passengers in 478 cabins and also has room for about 600 cars.
There is an à la carte restaurant (North Sea Bistro) and a buffet restaurant (Explorers Kitchen) on board, along with a kids’ entertainment area (Pirates Club) and an entertainment team. The ferry also features multiple bars with live music, a duty-free shopping area, an arcade, an onboard cinema, a sky bar, slot machines, and more. There is even a sea life workshop on board. All in all, there’s plenty to see and do during the crossing.
The combination of these amenities with the overnight accommodations offers an experience similar to a cruise. While true cruises are often more luxurious, the ships operating the crossing between Newcastle and Amsterdam are known as cruise ferries.
This is what the crossing from Newcastle to Amsterdam / the Netherlands looks like.
Is it possible to book the Amsterdam-Newcastle crossing without a cabin?
No, it is not possible to book the Amsterdam crossing without a cabin, as it is an overnight journey. Booking a cabin is required to ensure a comfortable stay during the crossing. Two-person cabins are available from €100 per crossing. Above, you can see what the inside of a cabin on the ferry to Newcastle looks like.
Deck Plan of DFDS Ships on the crossing to Amsterdam
To help you get a clear understanding of the ship and prepare for your journey, you’ll find a detailed overview of the deck plan for the DFDS ships below. The image shows exactly what is available on board and where the various facilities are located.
Best Alternative for the Crossing to Amsterdam
There are three direct ferry crossings from England to the Netherlands. Alternatively, you can also travel via France to reach the Netherlands. The Newcastle to Amsterdam route is outlined here. The two other direct crossings sail to Rotterdam (or nearby). As Rotterdam is only a one-hour drive from Amsterdam, if you live closer to Hull or Harwich, you might want to consider taking one of these crossings instead.
Taking the Ferry to the Continent from Scotland and Ireland
The ferry from Newcastle to IJmuiden is a popular choice for travellers from Scotland heading to mainland Europe. From Edinburgh, it’s just a 2.5-hour drive to the port in Newcastle, making this route an ideal option for those travelling from Scotland to the Continent. It’s also a good option if you’re travelling from Ireland or Northern Ireland to the Netherlands. However, you’ll first need to take a ferry from Belfast to Liverpool or Dublin to Holyhead, and then drive to Newcastle for the onward ferry to the Netherlands.
Below is a map showing the different routes to mainland Europe.
Additional Information
Luggage and Pets
DFDS allows a maximum of 50 kilograms of baggage per passenger. You must carry your baggage on board yourself, as there are no baggage trolleys available.
For bicycles, you need to select them as a mode of transport when booking, and you can bring a maximum of one bicycle per passenger.
You can bring a pet on this ferry for £30 per one-way trip. There are special pet-friendly cabins available on board, but note that pets are not allowed in public areas of the ship. It is also possible to have your dog stay overnight in the kennel. Due to the duration of the journey, a special area is provided on board for dogs to relieve themselves.
Please note that DFDS only allows pets on board if they comply with all applicable EU regulations for travelling with pets. If your pet does not meet these regulations, travelling with DFDS is unfortunately not possible. We recommend contacting your veterinarian at least four weeks before departure to arrange the necessary documents and preparations.
To the port of Newcastle
The address of the port is:
The ferry departs from the following address:
International Passenger Terminal 📍
Royal Quays, North Shields
NE29 6EE, United Kingdom
Port of IJmuiden (close to Amsterdam)
The DFDS terminal in IJmuiden is located approximately 30 kilometres west of Amsterdam. It is a relatively short distance and easily accessible from Amsterdam. The ferry to Newcastle departs from the Felison Terminal.
DFDS Ferry IJmuiden 📍 Sluisplein 33
1975 AG IJmuiden
Public Transport
Bus 382 from Connexxion runs from the DFDS terminal and stops at Amsterdam Sloterdijk. Additionally, there is a shuttle bus to Amsterdam Central Station that you can book through DFDS.
Useful Information for the ferry to Amsterdam
We recently took this crossing ourselves, travelling as a family with two adults and two small children (1 and 3 years old). Based on our experience, here are some tips:
- For small children, a Deryan travel tent is handy, especially if they are restless sleepers, as you can set it up in your cabin. Bed rails are available, but they may not be sufficient for the very youngest.
- You will be sailing through international waters, and roaming is only available via satellite connection, which is extremely expensive. Make sure to turn off roaming and opt for a Wi-Fi package onboard with DFDS. Once you arrive in England, mobile costs return to normal.
- The Wi-Fi is not suitable for streaming. Download any content you want to watch beforehand.
- The onboard time follows Dutch/German time.
- Bedding and towels are provided in the cabins.
- Card payments are accepted onboard, but having some cash for tips can be useful.
