England Ferries
Amsterdam – Newcastle
Overnight with DFDS across the North Sea – with cabin, restaurant, duty-free and live entertainment on board
- Daily departure – a relaxed overnight crossing of around 17 hours
- Direct DFDS service from IJmuiden (near Amsterdam) to North Shields
- Cabin, restaurants, cinema and duty-free shop on board the King Seaways
Amsterdam - Newcastle
Overnight with DFDS from Holland to northern England
The Amsterdam-Newcastle route connects the Dutch North Sea port of IJmuiden with North Shields near Newcastle - overnight, in around 16 hours and 45 minutes. It is operated exclusively by DFDS, with one daily departure from IJmuiden at 17:30. The terminal lies about 20 kilometres west of Amsterdam; a DFDS transfer bus brings foot passengers from central Amsterdam to the port.
The sister ships King Seaways and Princess Seaways operate the route. As it is an overnight crossing, a cabin is included; on board you will find restaurants, bars, a cinema and a duty-free shop. After arriving in North Shields, you are in central Newcastle in around 20 minutes - an ideal starting point for Northumberland, the Lake District and Scotland.
- Crossing
- around 16 hrs 45 min
- Shipping line
- DFDS
- Frequency
- daily
- From price
- €34
Next departures
Route guide
The Amsterdam-Newcastle ferry at a glance
Everything about the overnight ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle with DFDS: getting to the terminal in IJmuiden, check-in times, on-board facilities on the King Seaways and Princess Seaways, vehicle and pet rules, and onward travel from North Shields.
Getting there and the IJmuiden terminal
The ferry does not depart from Amsterdam itself, but from IJmuiden, around 20 kilometres west on the North Sea coast. Set your sat nav for the terminal at Sluisplein 33, 1975 AG IJmuiden. There is no direct rail link to the terminal; from central Amsterdam, the DFDS transfer bus (also known as the Brouwers bus) takes you to the port. If you are driving, IJmuiden has a guarded, fenced car park with CCTV that you can book in advance; it closes once the ferry has sailed and reopens for your return.
Check-in and departure
The ferry sails daily at 17:30 from IJmuiden. Check-in opens at 13:00 and closes at 16:45, i.e. 45 minutes before departure. In the other direction, the ship leaves North Shields at 17:00, with check-in open from 14:00 to 16:15. Vehicles check in at the signposted vehicle counters, while foot passengers check in at the terminal building and board via a pedestrian bridge. For low-slung or lowered vehicles, DFDS recommends arriving around 45 to 60 minutes after check-in opens. Since this is a crossing between mainland Europe and the UK, you will need a valid passport; keep your booking confirmation and any vehicle or pet documents to hand as well.
On board
The sister ships King Seaways and Princess Seaways operate the route. As it is an overnight crossing, a cabin is included; you can choose from economy, sea-view and double-bed cabins, as well as accessible and pet-friendly cabins. For food, there is the Explorer's Kitchen buffet restaurant, the à la carte North Sea Bistro, and the Coffee Crew café serving Starbucks coffee, plus bars, live music, a cinema and a duty-free shop. You can pay on board by card or cash, in either euros or pounds sterling - so there is no need to sort out a separate currency just for the crossing.
Vehicle and pets
You can bring your car, motorhome or motorbike; a standard car up to 1.85 metres in height and 5 metres in length is charged as a normal vehicle, with larger vehicles declared accordingly when booking. Tips for travelling by motorhome are covered in our motorhome guide. Pets can travel too and must be registered when booking: pet-friendly cabins allow up to two medium-sized dogs inside, and there are exercise areas on deck open for almost the entire crossing. What dogs and cats need for the trip to England is covered in our guide to travelling with pets.
Arrival in Newcastle and onward travel
In England you arrive at the International Ferry Terminal in Royal Quays, North Shields (NE29 6EE), north-east of Newcastle. By car, you are in central Newcastle in around 20 minutes; the DFDS transfer bus (Go North East) takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Foot passengers can reach the local transport network via the nearby Percy Main and Meadowell Metro stations. Newcastle is a great base for exploring northern England and Scotland: Northumberland, the Lake District, the Scottish border and Edinburgh are all within easy day-trip reach.
Tickets and fares
Because a cabin is included for the overnight crossing, it is already factored into the ferry price; how much you pay depends on the travel period, cabin category, vehicle and number of passengers. Booking early secures DFDS's early-bird discount of up to 15%. Changes to your booking can be made online via the Manage My Booking area; a rebooking fee and any price difference may apply. The current prices for your travel date are shown in the route's booking window. If you would rather experience the route as a short break, details of the two-night mini-cruise with a day in Newcastle are covered on its own guide page.
FAQ Amsterdam - Newcastle
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Amsterdam-Newcastle ferry route
Where exactly does the ferry depart from and arrive?+
The ferry departs from IJmuiden on the Dutch North Sea coast, about 20 km west of Amsterdam; the terminal is at Sluisplein 33, 1975 AG IJmuiden. In England you arrive at the International Ferry Terminal in Royal Quays, North Shields (NE29 6EE) near Newcastle.
How long does the crossing take and when does the ferry sail?+
The overnight crossing takes around 16 hours 45 minutes. From IJmuiden the ferry departs daily at 17:30, and from North Shields at 17:00. You will find the exact departures in the timetable.
Which shipping line and ships operate the route?+
The route is operated exclusively by DFDS. The two sister ships King Seaways and Princess Seaways are in service.
What does the ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle cost?+
The price depends on the travel period, cabin category, vehicle and number of passengers; because it is an overnight crossing, the cabin is already included. Booking early can save you up to 15% with DFDS's early-bird offer. The current prices for your travel date are shown in the route's booking window.
Do I need a cabin for the crossing?+
Yes. Since this is an overnight crossing, a cabin is included. You can choose from economy, sea-view and double-bed cabins, as well as accessible and pet-friendly cabins, all with their own bathroom.
Can I bring my car, and when do I need to check in?+
Yes, cars, motorbikes and motorhomes are all carried. In IJmuiden, check-in opens at 13:00 and closes at 16:45; in North Shields it runs from 14:00 to 16:15 - in each case 45 minutes before departure. Tips for travelling by motorhome are covered in our motorhome guide.
Can I bring my dog on board?+
Yes, dogs and other pets can travel too and must be registered when booking. In the pet-friendly cabins, up to two medium-sized dogs are allowed inside; there are also designated exercise areas on deck. Our guide to travelling with pets covers what you need for entry into England.