Ferries from Ireland to the Netherlands
Ferries to the Netherlands mainly operate from the UK, with routes to ports such as Hook of Holland and Rotterdam. If you are travelling from Ireland, there is currently no direct ferry connection, but there are several easy and well-used routes via Britain or northern France.
To travel from Ireland to the Netherlands with your own vehicle, there are roughly three main route options. You can see how these routes connect on the interactive ferry map above.
- Take a short crossing from Dublin to Holyhead, drive across Britain to ports such as Hull or Harwich, and continue with an overnight ferry to the Netherlands, arriving in the morning.
- Take a short crossing to Britain and continue via Dover, followed by a drive to the Netherlands. This option involves more driving but offers greater flexibility.
- Take an overnight ferry to northern France, then continue driving the next day and arrive in the Netherlands later that day.
Ferry routes to the Netherlands via the UK
One advantage of travelling via the United Kingdom is that you can leave in the morning and board a direct overnight ferry to the Netherlands later that same evening. To do this, you first need to reach the United Kingdom. These are the main crossings for that part of the journey:
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Once in the UK, you can choose one of the ferry ports with departures to the Netherlands. Hull in particular connects well with the popular Holyhead to Dublin route.
Ferry routes to the Netherlands via France
It is also possible to travel to the Netherlands via France. For this, you can either take the direct route from Rosslare to Dunkirk, or first travel to the United Kingdom and then make the short crossing from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk. From there, you can continue north towards the Netherlands.
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What are the ferry crossings like?
Each route has a different feel, depending on the length of the crossing and the type of ship used.
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- Hull-Rotterdam: These are true overnight cruise ferries, designed for longer (overnight) journeys. You’ll typically find cabins, restaurants, bars and lounges on board.
- Harwich-Hook of Holland: A shorter and more direct crossing, but still operated by large ferries with good onboard facilities such as restaurants, seating areas and cabins. It’s more about efficient travel than entertainment.
- Via Dover or the Channel Tunnel: This is the fastest and most flexible option once you’re in the UK, with very frequent departures. It’s less about the ferry experience and more about getting across quickly.
- Rosslare-Dunkirk: This is a longer overnight crossing to northern France (around 24h ), with a more functional ferry that also carries significant freight. Cabins are available on board, along with restaurants and basic facilities, but the overall experience is more straightforward than on the main UK-Holland routes. From Rosslare, Cherbourg is also an option, but it means a long drive to the Netherlands.
