England Ferry
Hoek van Holland – Harwich
The shortest ferry link from the Netherlands to England – a relaxed crossing of the North Sea to south-east England
- Up to 2 daily departures – day sailing from 14:15 and overnight sailing from 22:00
- Direct crossing from 6.5 hours with Stena Line on the superferries Britannica & Hollandica
- Vehicle package including your car, or book through as Rail & Sail to London Liverpool Street
Hoek van Holland - Harwich
With Stena Line across the North Sea to south-east England
The Hoek van Holland - Harwich route links the Rotterdam suburb of Hoek van Holland with Harwich in the English county of Essex in around 6.5 hours – the shortest ferry crossing from the Netherlands to England. Stena Line offers up to two daily departures: a day sailing in the early afternoon and an overnight service, so you can choose between a relaxed day on deck or arriving early in the morning. The terminal on Stationsweg lies around 30 kilometres west of Rotterdam and is easy to reach by car or directly by metro.
The superferries Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica operate the route, with cabins for the overnight crossing, several restaurants, bars and a duty-free shop. In Harwich, the train to London Liverpool Street stops right at the ferry terminal, so the journey also works as a Rail & Sail trip without your own car.
- Crossing time
- from 6.5 hrs
- Operator
- Stena Line
- Frequency
- up to 2x daily
Next departures
Route guide
Hoek van Holland - Harwich ferry at a glance
Everything about the Hoek van Holland - Harwich route with Stena Line: getting to the terminal, check-in times, on-board facilities, vehicle and pet rules, the Rail & Sail connection to London, and onward travel from Harwich.
Getting to Hoek van Holland terminal
The ferry departs from the Stena Line terminal at Stationsweg 10 in Hoek van Holland (port number 915), around 30 kilometres west of Rotterdam, about 20 kilometres from The Hague and roughly 85 kilometres from Amsterdam. By car, follow the A20 and A15 towards the coast to Hoek van Holland; unattended short- and long-stay parking is available right at the terminal, payable by card, contactless or in cash in euros.
Without your own car, the metro is a convenient way to get there: the RET metro stops directly in front of the terminal building at Hoek van Holland Haven station, linking the port with Schiedam Centrum and Rotterdam. From Schiedam Centrum, the NS rail network connects onward to the rest of the Netherlands.
Check-in and departure
Stena Line runs up to two sailings a day: the day sailing at 14:15 (13:45 on Sundays) and the overnight sailing at 22:00. Check-in closes at least 45 minutes before departure for both vehicles and foot passengers. For the day sailing, the check-in desk is open from 12:15 to 13:30, and for the overnight sailing from 18:15 to 21:15. Allow extra time during peak season, as vehicles that arrive late will not be able to board.
Bring a valid form of ID, as checks are carried out at the UK border. Entering the UK also requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA); you will find the details in our Entry Requirements guide.
On board
The superferries Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica operate the route. On board you will find several restaurants, cafés and bars, a duty-free shop, a movie lounge, free Wi-Fi and a family area with games. If you prefer somewhere quieter, upgrade to the Stena Plus Lounge, with table service and its own menu.
It is worth booking a cabin for the overnight crossing; cabins come in Standard, Superior and Deluxe categories, each with an en-suite bathroom. At the terminal in Hoek van Holland you can pay by card, contactless or in cash in euros; on board, card payment is standard.
Vehicle, bike and pets
Cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and caravans are all welcome; make sure you enter your vehicle dimensions correctly when booking, as the fare depends on length. If you are travelling by motorhome, you will find the details in our Motorhome guide. As the route also carries foot passengers, you can just as easily travel with a bicycle.
Pets are welcome and must be registered when booking. You have three options: your pet stays in the vehicle (up to five pets, marked on the rear-view mirror), you reserve a place in the heated on-board kennels, or you book a dedicated pet cabin. Pets are not allowed in restaurants, bars and shops; there is a dedicated dog area on deck for exercise. The car deck remains closed to passengers during the crossing.
Arrival in Harwich and onward travel
In Harwich, the ferry docks at Harwich International Port in the county of Essex. Harwich International railway station is right at the ferry terminal, so onward travel begins at the port with no need to change. Greater Anglia trains get you to London Liverpool Street station in around 1.5 hours.
Stena Line offers this rail link as a Rail & Sail package (Dutchflyer): you book train and ferry together on a single ticket from London Liverpool Street or any other Greater Anglia station, in both directions. On the Dutch side, onward travel by metro and NS trains is not included in the Rail & Sail ticket; these tickets are bought separately.
Tickets and fares
Stena Line offers the crossing in three fares. The cheaper Economy ticket allows changes only for a fee and is non-refundable on cancellation. With the Flexi fare, there is no rebooking fee, and you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a small charge. The Premium fare is the most flexible: rebooking and a full refund are possible up to 2 hours before departure.
Booking early gets you the best price; the day sailing and weekday departures are often cheaper. If you are travelling without a car, book the route as a through Rail & Sail ticket to London. The booking window shows current prices for your travel date.
FAQ Hoek van Holland - Harwich
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about the Hoek van Holland–Harwich ferry route
Which ferry company runs the Hoek van Holland to Harwich route?+
The route is operated exclusively by Stena Line. It uses the two superferries Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica, with cabins, restaurants, bars and a duty-free shop.
When do the ferries depart and how often?+
There are two departures a day from Hoek van Holland – a day sailing at 14:15 (13:45 on Sundays) and an overnight sailing at 22:00. From Harwich, the day sailing departs at 09:00 and the overnight sailing at 23:00. All times are local – note the one-hour time difference between the Netherlands and England. You will find exact times for your travel date in the timetable.
How long does the Hoek van Holland to Harwich crossing take?+
The day sailing takes around 6.5 to 7 hours. The overnight sailing is longer, at roughly 8.5 to 9.5 hours, so you arrive in England well rested in the morning.
How much does the Hoek van Holland to Harwich ferry cost?+
Stena Line offers the crossing in three fares: Economy (the cheapest option, changes for a fee, no refund on cancellation), Flexi (free rebooking, cancellation with refund up to 24 hours before departure) and Premium (maximum flexibility, full refund up to 2 hours before departure). If you are travelling without a car, book the route as a through Rail & Sail ticket to London. The booking window shows the current starting price for your travel date.
Tip: it pays to book early – the cheapest fares sell out quickly.
When do I need to be at the port and how does check-in work?+
Check-in closes at least 45 minutes before departure for both vehicles and foot passengers. For the 14:15 day sailing, check-in is open from 12:15 to 13:30, and for the 22:00 overnight sailing from 18:15 to 21:15. Bring a valid form of ID, and note that entering the UK requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) – details in our Entry Requirements guide.
Can I bring my dog on the ferry?+
Yes, dogs and other pets are allowed. You have three options: your pet stays in the vehicle (up to five pets, marked on the rear-view mirror), you book a place in the heated on-board kennels, or you book a dedicated pet cabin. Pets are not allowed in restaurants, bars and shops; there is a dedicated dog area on deck for exercise. Find out more in our Travelling with Pets guide. Check the pet entry requirements for the UK before you travel.
What facilities are on board?+
On board you will find restaurants, cafés and bars, a duty-free shop, a movie lounge, free Wi-Fi and a family area with games. For extra comfort, you can upgrade to the Stena Plus Lounge, with table service and its own menu. Cabins are available in Standard, Superior and Deluxe categories, each with an en-suite bathroom.