Taking a ferry to Holland from UK is a great way to explore mainland Europe, especially if you want bring your own car. The Netherlands borders Belgium and Germany, and is within a few hours drive from France too, so you can reach much of Europe easily after arriving to a Dutch port. England to Holland ferries are offered throughout the year, and most of these crossings are super convenient overnight ferries, so for those of you keen to explore those famous Dutch ‘coffee’ shops, or if you’re in the market for a new pair of clogs, then read on! This post covers all the ferry routes to Holland from England, including details of the relevant ferry ports on both sides of the North Sea, which ferry companies offer each service, and where to get cheap ferry tickets. So grab yourself a Heineken and a slab of gouda, my lekkerdings, cos it’s time to set sail…
UK to Netherlands Ferries
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 ports are Newcastle (Tyne and Wear), Hull (Yorkshire), and Harwich (Essex). This is obviously much more convenient for most northerners, and Scots, as getting to Europe via France and the south coast ferry routes is likely to add hours onto the journey back in blighty, before even having set sail.
Ferry routes to Holland Map
Everyone loves a map, so here’s one I made of all the England to Holland Ferries, to help you visualize the routes and potential destinations…
England to Holland ferries: who operates each crossing?
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Ferry to Holland from Hull
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Ferry to Holland from Harwich
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Ferry to Holland from Newcastle
Hull to Rotterdam with P&O Ferries. The Hull to Rotterdam ferry is an overnight service, taking approximately 11 hours.
Harwich to Hook of Holland with Stena Line. This ferry runs twice daily, and the journey takes around 7-8 hours. One of the crossings also operates overnight, so you have the option to wake up refreshed and ready to explore.
Newcastle to Amsterdam (Ijmuiden) with DFDS Seaways. This overnight route, which takes around 15-16 hours arrives into Ijmuiden, which is just a short hop away from Amsterdam’s canals and cobblestone streets.
Booking ferry tickets
Now that you know which ferry to take, you need to book it. When searching for the cheapest England to Holland ferries, it’s usually best going direct to the company that offers that route, although do also check a ferry aggregator like Direct Ferries to compare and double check prices, as they often have some cracking deals. Booking direct with P&O, Stena Line, or DFDS though, should not only get you the best prices, but also the best customer service in case you need to make any changes to your trip for any reason. Booking a cheap ferry ticket is much like booking a flight – doing it in advance saves you money. Ferry companies release their cheaper seats and cabins early, so the sooner you know what your travel plans are, the better chance you have of getting good value!
Ferry routes to Holland: in summary
So there you have it. Whether you’re off to the Netherlands for a a city break, a stag do, or as the start of a European driving holiday, I hope that this guide to taking a ferry to Holland has helped you with your planning. If I’ve missed anything here, or if you think the post can otherwise be improved in any way, then please drop a comment below and let me know! Thanks, and don’t go overboard (either on the ferry or in Amsterdam 😉
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