Ferries the Netherlands
Ferry routes to, from and within the Netherlands
Ferries to the Netherlands
Ferry Guides the Netherlands
Dutch Wadden Islands Ferries
Ferry Guides Wadden Islands
Ferries from the Netherlands
Island Guides ferries departing from the Netherlands
14 Ferry connections
Trending ferries
Information for ferry travellers
About the ferry routes in and around Holland
Getting to The Netherlands
There are four international ferry crossings to the Netherlands, which is sometimes referred to as Holland. Three routes connect the UK with the Netherlands, and there is also one direct ferry from Norway. Since 2022, the Kristiansand-Eemshaven ferry between Norway and the Netherlands has been added. This is a very popular ferry, so it’s best to book well in advance.
You can also travel to the Netherlands by ferry via Dover-Calais or by ferry from Norway via Germany.
For travellers from England, the Eurotunnel is also a good option to travel to the Netherlands. This is a good alternative to the ferry, especially if you want to travel to Amsterdam without a car. The Eurostar train offers possibilities.
Amsterdam is the most popular destination in the Netherlands. The city is quite easy to reach by ferry from the UK, both as a foot passenger and with your own car.
Domestic ferry routes
The most important ferry connections within the Netherlands are the ferry services to the Wadden Islands. From the Dutch mainland, you can go to five Dutch islands. During summer, it is also possible to travel between some of the islands.
Active pensioners walking on the beach near the coastline on West Frisian Waddensea island Texel, Netherlands
Popular ferries departing from the Netherlands
Of course, many people go to Great Britain and Scotland from the Netherlands, but the boat to Norway is a unique route. This ferry sails a considerable distance and prevents you from having to travel all the way through Denmark and possibly Sweden to Norway.
FAQ
What people like to know
These ferry companies sail to the Netherlands: DFDS and P&O Ferries from the UK and Holland Norway Lines from Norway.
The cheapest ferry directly to the Netherlands is often the Harwich-Hook of Holland ferry operated by Stenaline. For travelers from the UK, it can be very cheap to travel via France since the Channel crossings are not as expensive as the bigger ferries to Holland.
When you travel from the Nordics to Holland, it is often cheaper to travel via Denmark or Germany.
Yes, it is usually possible to take the dog on board the boat to Holland. On the longer crossings, kennels can often be booked or the dog is allowed in the cabin. There are some formalities. For example, the dog must have an animal passport, a microchip, a timely rabies vaccination and treatment against tapeworm.
If these rules are not followed, there is a risk that the dog, cat or ferret will have to be quarantined for four weeks. More info regarding bringing pets on ferries.
When using the name Holland, the Netherlands is often referred to. Officially, Holland only consists of the provinces of North and South Holland.
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Hello good afternoon i would ask you ,there is some ferry which start from South spain to netherland or from spain france ?
Hi Luigi,
I'm afraid there isn't. There are ferries from Northern Spain to the UK and Ireland. If you travel from either Bilbao or Santander to Portsmouth (UK) and a ferry from Portsmouth to France for example. But there isn't a direct passenger ferry from Spain to the Netherlands.
Is there a ferry from the east coast of US to Netherlands?
@Beldina, you have the Queen Mary 2 that makes Transatlantic Crossings from Southampton UK (and sometimes (rarely) stops in The Netherlands). This is an expensive trip though, not really a ferry. A cheap way to cross the Atlantic Ocean is not possible.