Ferry from Hull to Rotterdam
Hull to Rotterdam is the North of England’s own gateway to the continent: a daily overnight crossing run by P&O Ferries. You board in the evening, have dinner while Yorkshire slips away behind you, and wake up in the largest port in Europe. For travellers from the Midlands northwards it saves the long drive to the southern ports entirely, which is exactly why it has been a fixture on this coast for decades.
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.
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.
Ferry services from Hull to Rotterdam
P&O Ferries sails every evening in both directions, arriving the following morning. The crossing takes around eleven hours, and cars, campervans, motorcycles and foot passengers are all carried. Cabins are included in the fare: everyone sleeps in a bed, not a reclining chair.
Map with suggested Hull – Rotterdam ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from Hull,harwich to Rotterdam, 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
This is the route people mean when they talk about a mini cruise. The Pride of Rotterdam and Pride of Hull are big, comfortable ships, and the evening on board is part of the trip: dinner, a drink, live music if you are lucky, and the North Sea doing its thing outside. We have always found the overnight format the most restful way to start a driving holiday, and arriving rested at eight in the morning gives you a full first day.
Photos from the journey
From Europoort into the Randstad
The ship docks at Rotterdam Europoort, on the western edge of the port area. From there the Dutch motorway network does the rest.
| Destination | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam centre | ~25 miles | ~40 min |
| Delft | ~30 miles | ~45 min |
| Amsterdam | ~53 miles | ~1h 10m |
By car
Board in the evening, sleep through the miles, and start fresh: for drivers this route replaces around 250 miles of British motorway with a night’s sleep. After disembarking at Europoort you are on the A15 within minutes. Rotterdam’s rush hour is real, so if you are heading for the city centre, expect the 40-minute drive to stretch a little on weekday mornings. Dutch motorways are toll-free.
Compare & book
Pick your route to see live times and prices.
Compare prices →
We send you to the ferry operator or price comparison
By campervan
A favourite among campervan travellers from the North: no long haul to Dover, and you arrive with the whole of South Holland on your doorstep. Kinderdijk, Delft and the coast are all within an hour. Campervans pay more than cars for deck space, but the included cabin softens the difference compared with paying separately elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct ferry from Hull to Rotterdam?
Yes: P&O Ferries sails every evening from Hull to Rotterdam Europoort, arriving the next morning. It is one of only three direct ferry routes left between Britain and the Netherlands.
How long does the Hull to Rotterdam ferry take?
Around eleven hours, overnight. You board in the evening, sleep in an included cabin, and dock at Europoort around breakfast time the following morning.
Do you get a cabin on the Hull to Rotterdam ferry?
Yes, a cabin is included in every fare, so everyone sleeps in a bed rather than a seat. Sea-view and premium cabins are available as upgrades.
What is the Hull to Rotterdam ferry like on board?
A proper evening out, in our experience: cinema, casino, bars and live entertainment. One warning from our own crossing, the buffet closes quite early, so eat before you explore the ship. And note that check-in closes a full 90 minutes before departure, earlier than many travellers expect.
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.