Ferries to the Netherlands
Getting from Ireland to the Netherlands is usually about choosing the route style that suits your trip best. There is no direct ferry on this route at the moment, so most travellers either go via Britain and continue to Hook of Holland or Rotterdam, or sail to France first and drive north through Belgium into the Netherlands. If you are travelling with your car, that France-first option can be a very sensible way to avoid the UK land bridge and keep the trip on the continent.
From Ireland to the Netherlands
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Ferry Routes to the Netherlands
From Ireland, reaching the Netherlands usually means choosing between two sensible ways of travelling: via Britain for the most direct arrival into Holland, or via France if you would rather avoid the UK land bridge. There is no current direct ferry from Ireland to the Netherlands itself, so the best option depends on whether you value the cleanest Dutch arrival or the simplest mainland route.
Main Route Options and Connections
| Route Style | Travel Path | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Most direct into the Netherlands | Ireland to Britain + Harwich to Hook of Holland | A sensible choice if you want to drive off the ferry already in the Netherlands. |
| Proper overnight to Holland | Ireland to Britain + Hull to Rotterdam | Best if you prefer a longer night ferry and like the idea of sleeping on board instead of breaking the trip with a hotel. |
| Avoid the UK Land Bridge | Rosslare to Dunkirk or Rosslare to Cherbourg + drive north via France and Belgium | Best if you would rather stay within the EU and skip the extra UK border step, even if that means a longer drive on the continent. |
Useful Tips for Travelling to the Netherlands
- 1. Hook of Holland is the neatest Dutch arrival: especially handy if your trip is centred on Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht or the western Netherlands.
- 2. Hull – Rotterdam feels more like a true ferry journey: it is a good fit if comfort matters and you want the sailing itself to cover part of the trip overnight.
- 3. France first can be the cleaner option: Rosslare – Dunkirk and Rosslare – Cherbourg avoid the UK land bridge altogether, which many motorists find easier.
Important Information Before You Go
⚠️ Ferrygogo tip
If your priority is arriving in the Netherlands itself, the UK route makes most sense. If your priority is avoiding the UK border step and keeping the journey on the continent, sailing to France first is often the cleaner option.
If your priority is arriving in the Netherlands itself, the UK route makes most sense. If your priority is avoiding the UK border step and keeping the journey on the continent, sailing to France first is often the cleaner option.
