Ferries to Belgium
Belgium is one of those ferry destinations where the map matters more than the route name. There is no direct passenger ferry from Ireland to Belgium at the moment, so most travellers sail to a nearby mainland port and drive the final stretch. For Bruges, Ghent and the Belgian coast, Rosslare – Dunkirk is often the neatest option. For Antwerp and northern Belgium, going via Britain and continuing to the Netherlands can make just as much sense. And if you would rather stay off the UK land bridge altogether, Rosslare – Cherbourg is the longer but cleaner mainland alternative.
How to get to Belgium from Ireland
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Ferry Routes to Belgium
From Ireland, Belgium is usually reached by ferry as a short final drive rather than as the port itself. There is no current direct passenger ferry into Belgium, so the real choice is between the closest mainland arrival, the most comfortable overnight option, or the simplest route that stays within the EU from start to finish.
Main Route Options and Connections
| Route Style | Travel Path | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Closest practical arrival for Belgium | Rosslare to Dunkirk | A very sensible option for Bruges, Ghent, Ypres and the Belgian coast, as you arrive close to the border and stay on the continent. |
| France-first mainland route | Rosslare to Cherbourg | Best if you want to avoid the UK land bridge altogether and do more of the trip by road through France. |
| Most direct Dutch arrival | Ireland to Britain + Harwich to Hook of Holland | Works well for Antwerp and northern Belgium, especially if you want a clean arrival on the Dutch side. |
| Proper overnight via Britain | Ireland to Britain + Hull to Rotterdam | Best if you prefer a longer night ferry with a cabin and like covering distance while you sleep. |
Useful Tips for Travelling to Belgium
- 1. Dunkirk is the most Belgium-like arrival without actually arriving in Belgium: especially handy for West Flanders and the Belgian coast.
- 2. Rosslare – Cherbourg is worth adding here: it is the cleaner mainland option if you want to stay out of the UK and do the rest by road through France and Belgium.
- 3. Do not list Rosslare – Rotterdam: that is not a current passenger route. If you want a Dutch arrival, think Harwich – Hook of Holland or Hull – Rotterdam after crossing to Britain first.
- 4. The old Hull – Zeebrugge route is now history: P&O ended that passenger service in 2021, so Hull – Rotterdam is now the relevant overnight North Sea option to mention.
⚠️ Ferrygogo tip
If your trip is mainly about Bruges, Ghent or the Belgian coast, Rosslare – Dunkirk is usually the first route to look at. If your trip starts closer to Antwerp, the Dutch arrivals can still make excellent sense. And if you want to skip the UK land bridge completely, Rosslare – Cherbourg deserves a proper place on this page.
If your trip is mainly about Bruges, Ghent or the Belgian coast, Rosslare – Dunkirk is usually the first route to look at. If your trip starts closer to Antwerp, the Dutch arrivals can still make excellent sense. And if you want to skip the UK land bridge completely, Rosslare – Cherbourg deserves a proper place on this page.
Belgium is less about finding one perfect ferry route and more about choosing the mainland arrival that fits your road trip best. The map matters here: sometimes the smartest Belgium ferry is the one that lands just outside Belgium.
