If you're looking for a ferry to Germany from the UK, here's what the operators list today. When I checked their own route lists on 11 November 2026, none showed a sailing between the UK and Germany. The routes they list from German ports go to the Baltics and Scandinavia.
The practical way to reach Germany by sea is to cross to the Netherlands and drive east. Three ferries cross from England to Dutch ports, and from there you drive east. Here are the crossings as the operators describe them, and GOV.UK's rules for entering and driving in Germany, including low-emission zones.
The practical way to reach Germany by sea is to cross to the Netherlands and drive east.
What the operators' route lists show
- DFDS lists Newcastle to Amsterdam under "Ferry to Holland". Its only route under "Ferry to Germany" is Klaipeda - Kiel, one of its Baltic routes.
- Stena Line sails from Kiel to Gothenburg, Rostock to Trelleborg and Travemünde to Liepāja. Its routes from Great Britain go to Belfast, Dublin, Rosslare and Hook of Holland.
- Color Line sails between Kiel and Oslo.
- Scandlines sails between Germany and Denmark on Puttgarden–Rødby and Rostock–Gedser.
The ferries from the UK to the Netherlands
These are the fares the operators showed when I checked on 11 November 2026.
| Route | Operator | Crossing time | Sailings | Fare from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harwich–Hook of Holland | Stena Line | From 6 hours 30 minutes | 4 daily | £93.50 single, car and driver |
| Hull–Rotterdam | P&O Ferries | About 11 hours 30 minutes | Nightly | £196 for a Standard ticket |
| Newcastle–Amsterdam | DFDS | Departs 17:00, arrives 09:45 (listed as 15 hours 45 minutes) | Daily | £74 per person, based on 4 people in an inside cabin with a car, one way |
Harwich–Hook of Holland (Stena Line). Stena Line calls this "the most direct route to the Netherlands and Germany from the south of England". It offers "4 daily sailings with a crossing time from only 6 hours 30 minutes". Stena Line says Hanover is "just over a four hour drive north-east from the Hook of Holland".
Hull–Rotterdam (P&O Ferries). P&O Ferries says the overnight crossing "takes approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes". The ferry typically leaves Hull at 20:30 Monday to Friday and at 20:00 on Saturday and Sunday. You arrive at Europoort, which P&O says is a 30-minute drive from Rotterdam.
Newcastle–Amsterdam (DFDS). The ferry leaves Newcastle daily at 17:00, and check-in closes at 16:15. DFDS mentions "easy onward connections to Belgium, Germany and beyond" from Amsterdam.
The Holland ferries hub has more on each route.
Entry rules for Germany
GOV.UK's Germany travel advice says Germany follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must have a "date of issue" less than 10 years before the date you arrive, and an "expiry date" at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
You can travel to the Schengen area, which includes Germany, without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as a tourist or to visit family or friends. At German border control, you may need to show a return or onward ticket and prove you have enough money for your stay.
If you're driving in from the Netherlands, note that GOV.UK says "a temporary reintroduction of border controls is currently in place at Germany's land borders".
GOV.UK also says you cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries, and you must declare any amount above 10,000 euros in cash or other payment types.
Driving in Germany, and low-emission zones
GOV.UK's Germany advice says:
- You can drive in Germany for up to 6 months with your UK photocard driving licence.
- If you're driving a vehicle that doesn't belong to you, you may need to show written permission from the registered owner.
- Some inner-city areas have an environmental zone ("Umweltzone"). Only vehicles that meet specific exhaust emission standards can enter.
GOV.UK doesn't spell out the zone sticker rules on its own page. It points drivers to the German environment ministry for more information, so check there before you drive into a city centre.
You may also need a UK sticker. GOV.UK says you don't need one if your number plate has the UK identifier with the Union flag. You must display one if your plate has numbers and letters only, a GB identifier with the Union flag, a European Union flag, or the national flag of England, Scotland or Wales.
Going further: ferries from Germany to Scandinavia
Germany is also the jumping-off point for several Scandinavian crossings.
| Route | Operator | Crossing time |
|---|---|---|
| Kiel–Oslo | Color Line | Leaves 14:00, arrives 10:00 the next morning |
| Kiel–Gothenburg | Stena Line | 14 hours, overnight |
| Puttgarden–Rødby | Scandlines | 45 minutes |
| Rostock–Gedser | Scandlines | 2 hours |
Scandlines asks you to check in at least 15 minutes before departure. Stena Line's Kiel–Gothenburg fare started from £168 (single, car, driver and cabin) when I checked on 11 November 2026.
Questions about the ferry to Germany from the UK
Is there a direct ferry from the UK to Germany?
None of the route lists I checked on 11 November 2026 (DFDS, Stena Line, Color Line and Scandlines) shows a sailing between the UK and Germany. The way by sea is a ferry to the Netherlands and a drive east.
Which crossing is quickest for Germany?
Stena Line's Harwich–Hook of Holland crossing takes from 6 hours 30 minutes. Stena Line calls it "the most direct route to the Netherlands and Germany from the south of England".
How far is Germany from the Dutch ferry ports?
Stena Line says Hanover is just over a four-hour drive north-east from the Hook of Holland. None of the operators gives driving times to other German cities.
Do I need a sticker for German low-emission zones?
GOV.UK says some inner-city areas have an environmental zone ("Umweltzone"), and only vehicles that meet specific exhaust emission standards can enter. For the sticker details, GOV.UK refers you to the German environment ministry.
Can I drive in Germany on my UK licence?
Yes. GOV.UK says you can drive in Germany for up to 6 months with your UK photocard driving licence.
