Ferry from the UK to Amsterdam
Although there is no direct ferry from the UK to Amsterdam city centre, several routes arrive nearby. Ferries from Newcastle arrive at IJmuiden, while Harwich and Hull connect with Hook of Holland and Rotterdam. From all three arrival ports, Amsterdam can be reached by road or public transport.
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
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
We’ve travelled on every ferry route between Dover and the continent ourselves. We were particularly impressed by P&O Ferries thanks to its competitive fares, modern ships, clean facilities and spacious outdoor decks. For many travellers heading to the Netherlands, this is often the fastest and most affordable option.
Ferry services from the UK to Amsterdam
When people think of a ferry to Amsterdam, they often mean the Newcastle–IJmuiden route. While the ferry arrives close to Amsterdam, the terminal is actually located in IJmuiden, at the entrance to the North Sea Canal. From there, it still takes around 40 minutes to reach Amsterdam city centre.
That may sound surprising, but the difference is not as large as many travellers expect. The ferry terminals at Hook of Holland and Rotterdam Europoort are only around 1 hour and 10 minutes from central Amsterdam by car. As a result, there are several viable ferry routes to Amsterdam, and the best option often depends on where you are travelling from in the UK.
You can compare all available routes on our ferry routes to the Netherlands page.
Map with suggested the UK – Amsterdam ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from England 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
Travellers heading to Amsterdam can choose between all three direct ferry routes to the Netherlands. The onboard experience varies considerably, from daytime sailings with Stena Line to overnight crossings with P&O Ferries and DFDS.
Which Ferry Arrives Closest to Amsterdam?
Travellers heading to Amsterdam can arrive via Hook of Holland, Rotterdam Europoort or IJmuiden. IJmuiden is the closest arrival point at around 20 miles from the city centre, while Hook of Holland and Rotterdam Europoort are both around 50 miles away.
By car
Amsterdam can be busy and parking in the city centre is often expensive. Many visitors choose to use one of the city’s Park & Ride facilities before continuing into the centre. For more information, see our guide to driving in the Netherlands.
Compare & book
Pick your route to see live times and prices.
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By campervan
Many campervan travellers visiting Amsterdam stay at Camping Zeeburg, located just outside the city centre with public transport connections into Amsterdam.
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.