Ferry from Harwich to Amsterdam
There is no ferry that sails from Harwich into Amsterdam itself, but the journey barely suffers for it: Stena Line lands you at Hook of Holland, and Amsterdam is about an hour further by car or train. What makes this route special is that the public transport connection starts at the gangway, which is why so many car-free travellers choose it over flying.
Routes
Our experience
The daytime crossing takes up a large part of the day, but it is often one of the more affordable options available. Budget-friendly cabins are frequently offered, giving you a private space to relax during the journey.
Our experience
A comfortable overnight crossing on large ferries. The sailing is long enough to get some rest while still arriving in the Netherlands early in the morning. Thanks to excellent rail and public transport connections, it is also a popular choice among foot passengers and cyclists.
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.
Ferry services from Harwich to Amsterdam
Stena Line sails twice daily between Harwich and Hook of Holland: a daytime crossing of around seven hours and an overnight sailing with cabins. Travellers who want to dock nearer to Amsterdam can compare the Newcastle to IJmuiden route, which arrives 20 miles from the city.
Map with suggested Harwich – Amsterdam ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from Harwich,newcastle 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 daytime sailing is the quiet pleasure of this route: seven hours on a big, steady ship, and budget cabins are usually available if you want to sleep part of it. We treat it as the holiday’s first chapter rather than lost time. The overnight option lands you in the Netherlands at breakfast with the whole day for Amsterdam.
Photos from the journey
Around 50 miles from Amsterdam
From Hook of Holland, Amsterdam is roughly 50 miles. Drivers take the A20 and A4 north, about an hour and ten minutes outside rush hour. By public transport, metro line B connects to the rail network, and the total journey to Amsterdam Central runs around ninety minutes.
By car
Drivers get a short English leg (Harwich is 90 minutes from the M25), no France or Belgium to cross, and a toll-free Dutch motorway run to Amsterdam. Use the park-and-ride sites on the A10 ring: central Amsterdam parking is among the most expensive in Europe, and the trams from the P+R are quick.
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By campervan
Camping Zeeburg is one of the best-known bases for campervan travellers visiting Amsterdam, an easy 50-mile run from the Hook. Leave the van at the campsite and ride the tram or ferry in; driving a camper into the canal ring is nobody’s idea of fun.
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.