Taking the ferry to the Netherlands
Heading to the Netherlands with your own car, campervan or bike? You’re in luck: unlike some neighbouring countries, the Netherlands can still be reached directly by overnight ferry from the UK. We compare every route, including crossing times and first-hand observations from our own trips, so you can choose the option that best fits your journey.
The easy way over: sail overnight, wake up in the Netherlands
The three direct crossings all sail overnight, so you board in the evening, sleep in a cabin, and drive off rested the next morning. Hull to Rotterdam, Harwich to Hook of Holland and Newcastle to IJmuiden each carry cars, campervans and foot passengers.
We have made all three ourselves, more than once. If you can sail overnight, it is far and away the most relaxing way to bring a car across – no long French motorway drive at the far end, and you arrive fresh.
Check times & prices →Popular routes
The crossings UK travellers ask about most. Pick yours, or use the planner above.
See the routes on the map
Every way to reach the Netherlands by ferry, the ports each crossing arrives at, and the drive on from there. Tap a route for crossing times, fares and a booking link, or tap a port to see its crossings.
This map shows ferry routes from England to the Netherlands, with crossing times, fares and the ports they sail from. Tap a route for details, tap a port for its sailings, or zoom in for more.
How to reach the Netherlands by ferry
There are direct crossings that land you straight in the Netherlands, plus a shorter Channel option if you are starting in the south. Here are the three realistic ways to do it:
Direct, overnight from the north
Hull to Rotterdam and Newcastle to IJmuiden sail overnight, so you bring the car across while you sleep and arrive rested. Best if you are starting in northern England and want the least driving at the far end.
Direct, from the east coast
Harwich to Hook of Holland runs both day and night sailings and lands you right in the Randstad. A great option if Essex and the east are within easy reach for you.
The short Channel hop, via France
If you are in the south of England, a quick Dover crossing to France and a drive on can work too. The sailings are frequent and cheap, but it is a much longer drive once you land.
Why we built this site
When we looked for clear information on ferries to the Netherlands, we found the options scattered across different operators and booking sites, with no one simply explaining which crossing makes sense from where you start. Booking sites are happy to sell you a ticket, but they will not tell you that an overnight cabin from Hull beats a long drive through France, or that Newcastle lands you barely half an hour from Amsterdam.
So we built ferrytonetherlands.co.uk to do exactly that. We are a small Dutch team, and between us we have made all three direct crossings several times over. The photos of the ferries on this site are our own. We would rather tell you what a crossing is genuinely like than repeat a brochure.
Which crossing actually lands you closest?
It is the question we get asked most, and the answer is not always obvious. Newcastle to IJmuiden puts you about half an hour from Amsterdam. Hook of Holland and Rotterdam sit right in the heart of the Randstad, handy for Den Haag, Delft and the south. And if you are starting in the north of England, Hull is often the easiest port to reach. The right crossing depends as much on where you set off as where you are going.
Driving in the Netherlands: what UK drivers need to know
The daytime motorway limit that catches everyone out, the environmental zones (easier than you might think), tolls, cyclists, and the kit to pack. Everything to sort before you set off.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct ferry from the UK to the Netherlands?
Yes. There are three direct crossings: Hull to Rotterdam (P&O), Harwich to Hook of Holland (Stena Line) and Newcastle to IJmuiden, near Amsterdam (DFDS). All three carry cars, campervans and foot passengers, and the northern routes sail overnight.
Which ferry to the Netherlands is the cheapest?
It varies by season and how far ahead you book, but the overnight crossings are priced as a package that includes a cabin, which often works out well once you factor in the night’s accommodation and fuel you would otherwise spend driving. Booking early almost always saves the most.
Can I travel to the Netherlands as a foot passenger?
Yes, on all three direct routes – Hull to Rotterdam, Harwich to Hook of Holland and Newcastle to IJmuiden all take foot passengers. Each port has an onward bus or train connection, so you can reach the city centre without a car.
How long does the ferry to the Netherlands take?
The overnight crossings run roughly 11 to 15 hours by design, because they are timed to give you a full night aboard – you board in the evening and arrive the next morning. The Harwich to Hook of Holland day sailing is around 6.5 to 7 hours.
Do I need anything special to drive in the Netherlands?
Less than you might expect. The Netherlands does not require foreign cars to carry a hi-vis vest or warning triangle, and its environmental zones only restrict older diesels. You will want headlamp beam deflectors, your documents and a UK sticker. See our driving guide for the full picture.