Ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam
Of all the direct crossings between the UK and the Netherlands, this one gets you nearest to Amsterdam: the DFDS overnight ferry from Newcastle docks at IJmuiden, about 20 miles from the city centre. It is also the longest crossing on offer, and that is precisely its appeal. You trade a day of motorway driving for an evening at sea, and step off the ship with Amsterdam half an hour away.
Routes
Our experience
In our experience, this is the most enjoyable ferry crossing to the Netherlands. It feels like part of the holiday rather than simply a means of transport and is also popular as a mini-cruise. The only drawback is that it leaves you slightly farther from many Dutch destinations than some of the other available routes.
Our experience
We found this to be a pleasant and relaxed crossing with a well-timed schedule. It is particularly well suited to travellers with a car, campervan or motorcycle, as onward travel options for foot passengers are somewhat limited from the arrival port.
Ferry services from Newcastle to Amsterdam
DFDS sails daily year-round between Newcastle (North Shields) and IJmuiden. Departure is in the late afternoon with arrival the next morning, a crossing of around 16 hours. Cars, campervans, motorcycles and foot passengers are all welcome, and a cabin is included for every passenger.
Map with suggested Newcastle – Amsterdam ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from Newcastle,hull to Amsterdam, 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.
Onboard experience
The King Seaways and Princess Seaways make this the most cruise-like of the Dutch routes, simply because you spend the most time on board: restaurants, bars, a cinema and evening entertainment, plus a long slow sunset over the North Sea if the weather cooperates. We would book dinner ahead on busy sailings, and it is worth being on deck as the ship swings into the locks at IJmuiden: a proper piece of Dutch engineering to start the holiday.
Photos from the journey
Just 20 miles from Amsterdam
IJmuiden sits at the mouth of the North Sea Canal, west of Amsterdam. By car the city is around 30 to 40 minutes via the A9; DFDS also runs a connecting coach from the terminal to Amsterdam Central Station, which is the easiest option if you are travelling without a vehicle. Haarlem, one of the prettiest towns in the country, is barely 15 minutes away and makes a tempting first stop before the capital.
By car
For drivers from Scotland and the North of England this route wins on simplicity: no run to the southern ports, and on arrival you skip the entire drive across the country. From IJmuiden the A9 and A5 bring you to Amsterdam’s ring road in half an hour. If you are heading beyond Amsterdam, note that the morning arrival puts you into Dutch rush hour; a coffee in Haarlem while it clears is the veteran move.
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By campervan
IJmuiden is the ideal arrival port for a campervan trip that starts in Amsterdam: campsites on the city’s edge, like those reachable via the A9, are under an hour from the ramp. Fares for campervans run higher than for cars, and this route is priced accordingly, so compare the total against Hull-Rotterdam if budget leads your planning.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry so expensive?
Partly because everything is included: a cabin is mandatory, the crossing takes sixteen hours, and DFDS is the only operator on the route. Compare the fare against a hotel night plus three hundred miles of fuel and the gap narrows, in our experience the evening on board is part of the holiday rather than a cost.
Is there an overnight ferry to Amsterdam?
Yes: the DFDS ferry from Newcastle sails overnight to IJmuiden, twenty miles from Amsterdam, with cabins included for everyone. The Hull and Harwich boats are also overnight options but dock further from the city.
Still weighing up your options?
We are a Dutch team and we have made all three direct crossings ourselves, and the photos on this site are our own. Tell us where you are starting and we will point you to the smartest way across.