Ferry to UK from The Netherlands
Most booked ferries: Holland-United Kingdom
3 direct crossings from The Netherlands to the UK
If you want to go by ferry to the UK from the Netherlands, you can travel via 3 different routes. This you can travel to the south, center or to north of England. This last crossing also takes you in the direction of Scotland.
There are a number of short crossings from France to England via ‘the Channel'. With 1.5 to 2 hours, this is a quick and cheap crossing. The train through the channel tunnel can also be an interesting choice.
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Travel tip: The Harwich ferry is the fastest crossing
The daytime ferry service between Hoek van Holland and Harwich is the fastest crossing from The Netherlands to England. It takes 6,5 hours. You can also book this as a night cruise, after which you can start your day fresh the next day.
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Ferries from the Netherlands to the UK
There are 3 ferries sailing from the Netherlands to England and (indirectly) to Scotland. These are the boats between Hoek van Holland-Harwich, Rotterdam-Hull, and IJmuiden-Newcastle. The boat to Harwich takes you the most southerly and the boat to Newcastle the most northerly. Hull is an interesting destination for those who want to travel to central England.
Netherlands ⇔ UK
Ferries from the Netherlands to the UK via France
In addition to direct departure from the Netherlands, it is also possible to travel to England via France. Although you have to drive to France first, the crossings are a lot shorter. This is certainly a good option for travelers to southern England and London, for example.
There are three ferry routes across the Channel between France and England. Two shipping companies depart from Calais to Dover and shipping company DFDS operates a ferry between Dunkirk and Dover. This last crossing takes half an hour longer, but the departure port is easier to reach from the Netherlands.
From Utrecht, a city in the center of the Netherlands, the travel times are as follows:
- Duration by car from Utrecht to Dunkirk: ± 3 hours 15 minutes
- Duration of the car journey from Utrecht to the port of Calais: ± 3 hours 30 minutes
Netherlands ⇔ France ⇔ UK
Dover-Calais
Dover-Dunkirk
Frequently Asked Questions:
Three ferry companies sail to England from the Netherlands. These are P&O ferries, Stenaline and DFDS. The ferries from France to Dover are from P&O ferries and DFDS.
By boat to England from the Netherlands can be done in 6.5 hours. This is how long the shortest crossing takes between Hoek van Holland and Harwich (day trip). The longest crossing, on the other hand, takes more than 16 hours (night sailing). This one goes between IJmuiden / Amsterdam and Newcastle.
On average, the Hoek van Holland – Harwich crossing is the cheapest crossing between the Netherlands and England. Stenaline offers a very affordable Ferry & Train ticket of €51 per person for a single journey (or £49) with this ticket you can travel for free by train to Greater Anglia train stations in England.
The shortest distance you can travel to England by ferry is 196 km (122 miles) as the crow flies. This is the crossing Hook of Holland – Harwich.
Depending on whether you bring a car and book a cabin, the costs for the ferry to England vary considerably. As a foot passenger, you can join a single journey between Calais and Dover for €36 and Hook of Holland-Harwich for €51. A family in a standard camper back and forth between IJmuiden and Newcastle can add up to more than €1000.
