Taking a ferry to the Netherlands from England is one of the easiest ways to reach mainland Europe with your own vehicle. Not only does Holland share borders with both Belgium and Germany, but northern France is also just a few hours’ drive away.
There are currently three direct ferry routes between England and the Netherlands, and this guide covers them all. You’ll find information on ferry ports, crossing times, operators, ticket prices and tips for finding the best deals.
So whether you’re planning to explore Amsterdam’s famous ‘coffee shops’, cycle through the Dutch countryside or simply buy yourself a new pair of clogs, grab a Heineken, a slab of Gouda, and let’s set sail, my lekkerdings!
ENGLAND TO HOLLAND FERRIES - THE COMPLETE GUIDE
Which UK Ferry Ports Serve the Netherlands?
There are three different ferry routes to Holland from the UK, and all of them depart from English ports, on the east coast. From north to south these are Newcastle (Tyne and Wear), Hull (Yorkshire), and Harwich (Essex).
Due to the location of those British ferry ports, travelling to Europe with your car via Holland will probably be way more convenient for most northerners and Scots, at least compared with getting there via England’s south coast ferry ports.
Should I Take a Ferry to Holland or France?
Of course getting to Europe with your car can also be achieved via other UK ferry routes. If Holland or Germany are your final destinations, though, it probably makes most sense to take a direct ferry to Holland, especially if you live up north and can depart via Newcastle or Hull.
If you live down south though, and can easily take a Dover/Calais or Dover/Dunkirk ferry instead, it may be smarter (and cheaper) to head to France first and then just head up to Holland, as it’s only a 3-4 hour drive through Belgium to Amsterdam (less if you’re visiting southern Holland or Belgium itself).
UK TO HOLLAND FERRY ROUTES MAP
With only three routes across the North Sea, my ferries to Holland map is a pretty straight forward one to understand…
FERRY ROUTES FROM ENGLAND TO HOLLAND
So who’s running the show? Below, you’ll find details about each ferry operator and the routes they cover, so you can book your ferry tickets to the Netherlands quickly and simply…
Route: Newcastle to Amsterdam (IJmuiden)
Operator: DFDS Seaways
Crossing time: Around 15h-16h
Frequency: Daily sailings (7 weekly)
Operating season: Year-round service
Typical fare range: £80–£300+ depending on cabin and vehicle requirements
Best for: Travellers from northern England and Scotland looking for a relaxed overnight crossing.
Wye aye, man! This overnight journey takes approximately 15-16 hours – so it’s the perfect slow travel experience, and you’ll arrive in IJmuiden, just a short trip from Amsterdam’s iconic canals and cobblestone streets. Don’t ask me why they spell it with a capital ‘J’, by the way.
Route: Harwich to Hook of Holland
Operator: Stena Line
Crossing time: Around 7h-8h
Frequency: Up to 2 daily sailings (14 weekly)
Operating season: Year-round service
Typical fare range: £50–£250+
Best for: The quickest and most flexible ferry route between England and the Netherlands, with two daily crossings, one of which is an overnight option.
Hook of Holland, by the way, has excellent public transport connections via the Rotterdam Metro system, so after disembarking you can reach central Rotterdam within about 30 minutes.
Route: Hull to Rotterdam
Operator: P&O Ferries
Crossing time: Around 11-12h
Frequency: Daily sailings (7 weekly)
Operating season: Year-round service
Typical fare range: £70–£300+
Best for: People driving to the Netherlands, Belgium or western Germany.
This overnight service takes around 11 hours, so there’s time to explore the on-board amenities, do a Kate & Leo up on deck, and still get a decent kip, ready to take on the port city of Rotterdam on arrival.
WHICH FERRY TO HOLLAND SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
With only three potential ferry routes to the Netherlands from the UK to choose from, the decision on which to choose is relatively straight forward:
Choose Harwich–Hook of Holland if you want the fastest crossing and easy rail connections at both ends.
Choose Hull–Rotterdam if you’re driving to Belgium, western Germany or the southern Netherlands.
Choose Newcastle–Amsterdam if you’re travelling from northern England or Scotland and prefer an overnight sailing.
HOW TO BOOK CHEAPEST TICKETS?
Now that you know which ferry route to take, it’s time to book your ticket. Just like flights, booking your ferry ticket early is the best way to save money. Ferry companies release cheaper tickets and cabins well in advance, so the sooner you book, the more likely you are to score a bargain.
For the best deals on England to Holland ferries, you can book directly with the ferry company operating your route, or if you want to compare prices across multiple companies, the definitely check out a ferry ticket aggregator like Direct Ferries, who have great deals and special offers running all the time.
Current UK to Holland Ferry Deals
DFDS Deal: Get 50% off selected cabins on Newcastle–Amsterdam mini cruises when booked by 15 July 2026. Travel is available between 1 June and 31 August 2026 and includes two nights onboard and time to explore Amsterdam.
FERRY ROUTES TO HOLLAND: CONCLUSION
So there you have it! Whether you’re heading to the Netherlands for a city break, a stag do, or starting a European road trip, I hope this guide on all the possible ferries to Holland has made your planning easier.
If you’re taking your car then don’t forget to buy a European Driving Kit before you leave too, as this includes all the legal requirements for items you must carry in your vehicle when driving in Europe.
If I’ve missed anything or if you’ve taken a ferry to Holland already and want to share your experience, then feel free to drop a comment below, as I’d love to hear it. If you’re also considering ferries to France, Ireland, or Spain, I’ve written guides on ferry travel to each of those countries too.
Thanks for reading, and remember – don’t go overboard (either on the ferry or in Amsterdam 😉
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