Ferry
Getting to Rotterdam by ferry
Travelling to Rotterdam by ferry from the United Kingdom is a convenient option, especially if you’re bringing your own car or prefer to avoid flying. Several ferry routes currently connect British ports with the Netherlands, making it easy to continue your journey to Rotterdam.
| ℹ️ Quick Information | |
|---|---|
| ⛴️ Main ferry operators | P&O Ferries, Stena Line and DFDS |
| 📍 Nearest ferry port | Rotterdam Europoort |
| 🚇 Transport to the city centre | Metro, shuttle bus or car |
| 🚗 Travelling with a car | Yes, on all major routes |
There are currently three main ferry routes connecting the United Kingdom with ports in the Netherlands. Here are the different options:
P&O Ferries
Route: Kingston upon Hull – Rotterdam Europoort
Journey time: approximately 11 hours.
Frequency: daily departures.
Destination: Europoort ferry terminal, approximately 35 km from Rotterdam city centre.
This route is ideal for travellers coming from the north of England. It is also an excellent option if you’re travelling with your own car, motorcycle or motorhome.
You can find more information here.
The P&O Ferries terminal is located at Rotterdam Europoort, approximately 35 km from the city centre.
📍 Address: Luxemburgweg 2, 3198 LG Europoort
🚢 Port number: 5805
🅿️ Parking: Free for passengers
Stena Line
Route: Harwich – Hoek van Holland
Journey time: less than 7 hours.
From Hoek van Holland, you can easily reach Rotterdam city centre in around 30 minutes by metro.
It is one of the fastest and most convenient ferry routes for travelling to Rotterdam.
You can find more information here.
DFDS Seaways
Route: Newcastle – IJmuiden
Journey time: approximately 17 hours.
Although this ferry does not arrive directly in Rotterdam, it can be a good option if you’re planning to visit several cities in the Netherlands.
You can find more information here.
Accessing Europoort
From Rotterdam, follow the signs for “Europoort” on the city’s ring road. Then take the N15 and follow the signs for “England”. The route is well signposted, making the ferry terminal relatively easy to find.
There is no direct public transport service to the Europoort ferry terminal. However, you can book a shuttle bus connecting Europoort with Rotterdam city centre. Departure times from Europoort to Rotterdam are:
Monday to Friday: 08:30
Saturday and Sunday: 09:45
The arrival and departure point in Rotterdam is the bus station on Conradstraat, next to Rotterdam Centraal.
Departure time for the return journey: 18:00
These transfers can be booked online in advance when booking your ferry and are a convenient option if you’re travelling without a car.
From Hoek van Holland to Rotterdam
If you travel with Stena Line, you will arrive at the port of Hoek van Holland, which has excellent public transport connections with Rotterdam.
Metro Line B connects Hoek van Holland directly with Rotterdam city centre without the need to change trains.
Total journey time: approximately 30 minutes.
Travelling to Rotterdam by ferry is a convenient option if you’re coming from the United Kingdom, especially if you want to bring your own vehicle or enjoy a more relaxing journey before starting your visit to the city.
Other options to get to Rotterdam
Eindhoven Airport | Schiphol Airport | Rotterdam-Airport | By road | By train