If you're looking for a ferry to Amsterdam from the UK, there are three crossings to the Netherlands, and none of them docks in the city itself. DFDS sails overnight from Newcastle to IJmuiden, Stena Line sails from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, and P&O Ferries sails overnight from Hull to Rotterdam.
I've set out what each operator says about the crossing, the cabins, travelling on foot and how you get from the port into Amsterdam. Fares are the "from" prices each operator showed when I checked on 13 November 2026. If you want the two-night DFDS trip with a day in the city, I cover that separately in my Amsterdam mini cruise guide.
The three ferries to the Netherlands compared
| Route | Operator | Crossing time | Sailings | Fare from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle–Amsterdam | DFDS | Around 16 hours 45 minutes | Daily, departs 17:00 | £74 per person, based on 4 people in an inside cabin with a car, one way |
| Harwich–Hook of Holland | Stena Line | From 6 hours 30 minutes | 4 daily | £93.50 single, car and driver |
| Hull–Rotterdam | P&O Ferries | 12 hours (P&O's route page) | Nightly | £196 for a standard ticket |
The three fares aren't like for like. DFDS's price is per person and includes a cabin share, Stena's is for a car and driver, and P&O's is a standard ticket price. Check the booking page for your own party and dates.
The three fares aren't like for like.
DFDS Newcastle to Amsterdam
This is the crossing sold as the ferry to Amsterdam, and the one I'd look at first if you live in the north of England or Scotland. DFDS says daily crossings take "around 16 hours and 45 minutes". The ferry leaves at 17:00. Check-in in Newcastle starts at 14:00 and closes at 16:15.
When I checked, DFDS showed fares from £74 per person, based on 4 people in an inside cabin with a car, one way. DFDS says the fare includes "a standard inside en suite cabin", and you can upgrade when you book. Its cabin range includes double bed, accessible and pet-friendly cabins, and premium Commodore cabins.
You can travel "with your vehicle or on foot", and DFDS says there are no baggage restrictions.
DFDS is also offering 15% off the cabin and vehicle fare on 2027 Newcastle–Amsterdam crossings if you book between 19 October 2026 and 1 February 2027. Commodore cabins are excluded, and the offer is non-refundable.
From IJmuiden into Amsterdam. The terminal is at IJmuiden, on the coast. DFDS runs a bus transfer from the terminal to Amsterdam city centre, operated by its partner Brouwers, from as little as £9.00 per person each way. DFDS says the bus leaves the terminal shortly after the ferry arrives, drops you off behind Central Station, and typically takes 30 minutes. You add it when you book.
DFDS's terminal page says there's no direct train to the terminal, though you can take a train to Beverwijk and then a public bus to IJmuiden.
Stena Line Harwich to Hook of Holland
Stena Line says Harwich to the Hook of Holland is "the most direct route to the Netherlands and Germany from the south of England", with 4 daily sailings and a crossing time "from only 6 hours 30 minutes". It uses the Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica. On both day and overnight sailings, Stena says its private en suite cabins are available, and there are no baggage charges.
When I checked, Stena showed fares from £93.50, single, car and driver.
Stena is also offering 20% off new Economy fares for 2027 travel (15 February to 30 November 2027) if you book by 15 November 2026.
From the Hook of Holland into Amsterdam. Stena says its port is an easy drive from Rotterdam (30 km), The Hague (20 km) and Amsterdam (85 km). Without a car, there's a metro from outside the terminal to Schiedam Centrum and Rotterdam. Stena says that from Schiedam Centrum you can join the NS rail system, and Amsterdam is under 1 hour 30 minutes away.
If you're coming from London or East Anglia, Stena's Dutchflyer Rail & Sail says train services from Greater Anglia stations take you to Harwich International Port, where you board one of the two Superferries to Holland.
P&O Ferries Hull to Rotterdam
P&O's overnight ferry runs between Hull and Rotterdam. Its FAQ says the ferry typically departs Hull Monday to Friday at 20:30 and Saturday and Sunday at 20:00. P&O lists the crossing time as 12 hours on its route page, and "approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes" in its FAQ.
P&O's route page shows standard tickets from £196, with Standard Flexi from £234. P&O lists cabins from Standard, Outside, Premier and Club up to State Room. There's also a new Sleep Lounge with 36 Sleep Recliners, from £39pp.
P&O is offering 15% off Hull to Rotterdam Long Breaks and Single tickets for 2027 travel if you book by 1 February 2027.
On foot. P&O says you can travel as a foot passenger on this route. Cabins are required for all foot passengers because of the overnight schedule, so the foot fare doesn't include one. P&O's foot passenger page showed an adult fare from £94, each way, and says check-in opens at 3pm and closes 90 minutes before departure.
From Europoort into Amsterdam. P&O's port address is the Europoort Ferry Terminal, and it says Rotterdam is a 30-minute drive from the port and shows 1h to Amsterdam. P&O says return coach transfers to Amsterdam or Rotterdam can be added when you book your ticket. I couldn't find the coach prices or times on P&O's pages, so check them when you book.
Arriving in the Netherlands
GOV.UK's Netherlands travel advice says the Netherlands follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must have a "date of issue" less than 10 years before you arrive, and an "expiry date" at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. You can travel without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as a tourist or to visit family or friends.
GOV.UK also covers the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES). You may need to register fingerprints and a photo, and there's no cost. It says you don't need to do anything before you reach the border, but EES may take each passenger extra time, so allow longer than usual.
If you're driving, GOV.UK says you can drive in the Netherlands on a UK driving licence, and it lists the documents to carry: your driving licence, insurance documents, vehicle documents and photo ID such as a passport. It warns that trams have priority over other traffic, and that speed cameras, speed traps and unmarked vehicles are widely used.
Driving in Amsterdam
Amsterdam's own site says the low emission zone covers all areas within the A10 ring road, and that driving on the A10 itself is allowed. Diesel cars with Euro 5 emission standard and above are allowed. There are no emission stickers, and if your vehicle meets the standards you don't need to register it. The fine for breaking the rules is €130 for cars.
Amsterdam also suggests you can park outside the emission zone and take public transport into the centre. At its Park and Ride car parks, the city says you pay €6 per 24 hours if you arrive on a weekend, or after 10.00 on a weekday, and you must use public transport to and from the centre to get that rate. The maximum stay is 4 days.
Questions about ferries to Amsterdam
Is there a ferry to Amsterdam from the UK?
Yes, DFDS sails from Newcastle to Amsterdam (IJmuiden) every day. Stena Line (Harwich–Hook of Holland) and P&O Ferries (Hull–Rotterdam) also sail to the Netherlands, and you travel on to Amsterdam from those ports.
How long is the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam?
DFDS says daily crossings take around 16 hours and 45 minutes, departing Newcastle at 17:00.
Can I get the ferry to Amsterdam as a foot passenger?
DFDS says you can travel with your vehicle or on foot from Newcastle, and P&O says foot passengers are accepted on Hull to Rotterdam, with a cabin required. Stena's Rail & Sail connects Greater Anglia train services to the ferry at Harwich.
How do I get from the ferry to Amsterdam city centre?
From IJmuiden, DFDS runs a coach transfer to the city centre, from as little as £9.00 per person each way. From the Hook of Holland, Stena says there's a metro to Schiedam Centrum and then NS trains, with Amsterdam under 1 hour 30 minutes away. P&O sells return coach transfers to Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
Which is the cheapest ferry to Amsterdam?
The operators show different kinds of "from" fares, so I can't rank them fairly. DFDS showed £74 per person for 4 in a cabin with a car, Stena £93.50 for a car and driver, and P&O £196 for a standard ticket.
Do I need a visa to go to Amsterdam?
GOV.UK says British citizens can travel to the Schengen area, including the Netherlands, without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for tourism or to visit family or friends. Your passport must meet the issue and expiry rules.
