Ferry to the UK from The Netherlands / Holland
Three direct ferry routes from the Netherlands to the UK
If you’re travelling from the Netherlands to the UK by ferry, there are three direct crossings to England. The best choice mainly depends on where in the UK you need to be after arrival.
- Hook of Holland to Harwich – usually the most logical option for London, East Anglia and much of southern England.
- Rotterdam to Hull – a strong choice for the Midlands, northern England and Yorkshire.
- Amsterdam/IJmuiden to Newcastle – ideal if you’re heading to northern England or Scotland.
Travelling in the opposite direction? See our separate guide to the ferry to the Netherlands from the UK.
Alternative: short crossings via France
For some travellers, especially those driving from the south of the Netherlands, it can also make sense to travel via Calais or Dunkirk and take a short Channel crossing to England.
- Dunkirk to Dover and Calais to Dover are short crossings of around 1.5 to 2 hours.
- The Channel Tunnel can also be a fast alternative if you want to avoid a ferry crossing altogether.
For most travellers from the Netherlands, one of the three direct ferry routes is the more relaxed option. But if price, speed or your starting point makes France more convenient, the Channel routes are worth comparing.
Map: crossings to the UK from Holland
Ferry Routes from Holland to the UK
The ferry map shows how to reach different parts of the UK from the Netherlands:
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Direct Crossings:
- Amsterdam to Newcastle (north England/Scotland).
- Rotterdam to Hull (central/north England).
- Hook of Holland to Harwich (south/central England).
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Via France:
- Crossings from Dunkirk or Calais, just a 3.5–4-hour drive from the Netherlands, are quicker (1.5–2 hours) for reaching southern England.
This gives clear options for travelling to all parts of the UK.
Which ferry from the Netherlands to the UK should you choose?
There are three direct ferry routes from the Netherlands to England. They all work, but they suit different trips. The best choice is usually not just about the sailing time, but about where you start in the Netherlands and where you need to be after arrival in the UK.
Direct routes from Dutch ports to England
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Hook of Holland to Harwich
- The most southerly Dutch route and usually the most logical choice for London, East Anglia and southern England.
- The crossing can be done by day or overnight, which makes it flexible for car travellers, foot passengers and Rail & Sail passengers.
- This is the route where cabins and upgrades can really change the journey. An overnight sailing with a good cabin feels very different from simply ‘taking the ferry’.
- Useful extra reading: our Harwich–Hook of Holland Rail & Sail experience and our guide to Stena Line cabins, tickets and upgrades, including the more comfortable cabin and Captain’s Class options.
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Rotterdam to Hull
- A comfortable overnight route into Yorkshire and northern/central England.
- Often a better fit than Harwich if you are heading towards the Midlands, Manchester, Leeds, York or Wales.
- Because it is an overnight ferry, it can save a long day of driving through England.
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Amsterdam/IJmuiden to Newcastle
- The most northerly route from the Netherlands and the strongest choice for Newcastle, Northumberland, Scotland and northern England.
- It is not the fastest way to London or the south, but it can be very logical if your final destination is further north.
- This route works best when you treat the crossing as part of the journey, not just as transport.
Pick your route
Already know which crossing fits your trip? Use our detailed route guides for the Hook of Holland–Harwich ferry, the Rotterdam–Hull ferry or the Amsterdam/IJmuiden–Newcastle ferry.
Still comparing the experience on board? These first-hand reviews give a better feel for what the crossings are actually like:
- Stena Line between Harwich and Hook of Holland on the Stena Britannica
- Harwich–Hook of Holland overnight Rail & Sail experience
- Stena Line cabins, tickets and upgrades between Harwich and Holland
- P&O Ferries between Rotterdam and Hull on the Pride of Hull
- DFDS between Amsterdam/IJmuiden and Newcastle on the Princess Seaways
Travelling the other way? We also have a separate guide for the ferry to the Netherlands from the UK.
Via France
If you’re open to driving to France first, crossings from France to England are shorter and cost-effective, perfect for those visiting southern England or London.
- Calais to Dover (operated by three ferry companies)
- Dunkirk to Dover (operated by DFDS): Takes 30 minutes longer but is easier to reach from the Netherlands.
Driving Times from Utrecht (central Netherlands):
- To Dunkirk: ~3 hours 15 minutes
- To Calais: ~3 hours 30 minutes
These options provide flexibility, whether you prefer direct routes from the Netherlands or shorter crossings via France.
On board impressions and ferry route maps
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- Ferries from England to the Netherlands + alternatives. From North to South: (1) Newcastle – Amsterdam (2) Hull-Rotterdam (3) Harwich-Hook of Holland. And alternatives via France (4) Dover-Dunkirk (5) Dover-Calais.
Summarised
For a direct ferry from the Netherlands to England, you are choosing between three main operators: Stena Line on Hook of Holland–Harwich, P&O Ferries on Rotterdam–Hull, and DFDS on Amsterdam/IJmuiden–Newcastle.
If you are prepared to drive south through Belgium or France first, the short Channel crossings are another option. Calais–Dover is served by P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries, while Dunkirk–Dover is operated by DFDS.
Key routes and crossing times
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Shortest direct Netherlands–UK crossing
- Hook of Holland to Harwich is the shortest direct ferry route from the Netherlands to England, with daytime and overnight sailings.
- It is usually the most logical route for London, East Anglia and southern England.
- For foot passengers, this is also the route to look at if you want a combined Rail & Sail journey via Harwich.
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Best central England option
- Rotterdam to Hull is a longer overnight crossing, but it lands you much better for Yorkshire, the Midlands, Manchester, Leeds and Wales.
- This route can save a tiring drive across southern England after arrival.
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Best northern England and Scotland option
- Amsterdam/IJmuiden to Newcastle is the longest direct crossing, taking more than 16 hours overnight.
- It makes most sense if your final destination is Newcastle, Northumberland, northern England or Scotland.
Cost and convenience
- Hook of Holland–Harwich is often the most practical low-cost direct route, especially for foot passengers using Rail & Sail or travellers heading towards London and the south.
- Rotterdam–Hull and Amsterdam/IJmuiden–Newcastle are usually more about comfort and saving driving time than finding the shortest sailing.
- Calais–Dover and Dunkirk–Dover can be cheaper or faster on the water, but only if the extra drive to northern France makes sense from your starting point in the Netherlands.
So the best route is not simply the shortest crossing. Choose Harwich for London and the south, Hull for central and northern England, Newcastle for Scotland and the far north, or the Channel routes if price and driving distance work in your favour.
Prices and availability for this crossing
Additional information before you travel
Before travelling by ferry from the Netherlands to the UK, check your travel documents, onboard practicalities and arrival rules. A few small details can make the crossing much easier, especially on the overnight routes.
- Bring a valid passport: For most travellers, a national ID card or driving licence is not enough for UK border control. Check the latest rules for your nationality before travelling.
- Check passport, ETA and border rules before departure: Requirements depend on your nationality and travel direction. EU visitors to the UK may need a UK ETA, while UK travellers going to Europe should also check Schengen, EES and ETIAS rules. We explain the main checks in our UK to Europe by ferry passport, ETA and border checklist.
- Download entertainment in advance: On longer night crossings, it is worth downloading films, series, music or children’s content before boarding. Wi-Fi can be limited or paid, and mobile roaming can become expensive once you are at sea.
- Foot passengers: The Netherlands–UK routes are not all the same for foot passengers. Hook of Holland–Harwich is especially useful because of the train connections on both sides.
- Travelling with young kids on a night ferry? A cabin can make a big difference. We have practical tips for travelling with kids on the ferry here.
- Drive on the left after arrival: Once you disembark in England, remember that traffic drives on the left. The first few roundabouts and junctions can feel strange if you are used to driving on the right.
- Worried about getting seasick? Longer crossings can be very comfortable, but it still helps to choose your seat or cabin wisely. See our tips on the best places on a ferry to avoid seasickness.
Luggage and pets
On most ferries from the Netherlands to the UK, you can bring a reasonable amount of luggage, especially when travelling by car. For overnight crossings, pack a small bag with everything you need on board, as you may not be able to return to the car deck during the sailing.
Pets are usually allowed, but the rules, accommodation options and fees differ by route and operator. Some crossings use kennels, pet-friendly cabins or car-deck arrangements, and the paperwork depends on your direction of travel and destination. We explain the main rules in our guide to travelling with a dog or pet on ferries.
Useful for travellers to the Netherlands
Tips for ferry travellers
Any update on the possibility of Newcastle – Norway ferry coming back please?
You would think with more and more people looking for ‘plane free travel/holidays’, this route would be coming on line sooner rather than later.
Personally, I don’t want to have to travel south as I ‘up north’ !!
thank you for any info.
Hi Very Snowy!
Thanks for your question, in this article you can find more info on the ferry from Newcastle to Norway: https://ferrygogo.co.uk/plans-for-ferry-between-newcastle-and-norway-in-2026/
So as you can read here: https://bergencruiseline.no/ it seems that is a plan in progress, but sailings will only start in 2026.
Best regards,