Ferry company
Stena Line
A profile of the Swedish ferry company - North Sea route to Harwich, ships, check-in, pets and fares
- Based in Gothenburg since 1962, part of Stena AB, around 40 ships on 20 routes across Europe
- Hoek van Holland - Harwich with up to 2 departures daily, from 6.5 hours by day or overnight
- Check-in in Hoek van Holland closes 45 minutes before departure, for vehicles and foot passengers alike
About Stena Line
Table of Contents
About Stena Line
Stena Line was founded in 1962 by Sten A. Olsson in Gothenburg, where the company is still headquartered today. It belongs to the Stena AB family group, which employs around 18,000 people worldwide; Stena Line itself says it has more than 8,750 employees from around 45 nations, around 40 ships and 20 routes with more than 34,700 departures a year, organised into seven regions from the Baltic to the Irish Sea. The North Sea route to Harwich joined the network in 1989 with the takeover of the Dutch Stoomvaart Maatschappij Zeeland. In 2014, Stena Line took over the operation of Celtic Link Ferries between Rosslare and Cherbourg.
Ships
On Hoek van Holland - Harwich, the sister ships Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica operate, both built in 2010 and among the largest ferries in the world. They have Standard, Superior and Deluxe cabins with en-suite bathrooms, plus accessible and pet-friendly cabins, several restaurants, cafes and bars, a duty-free shop, the Stena Plus Lounge with table service, a movie lounge and the Family Hub with activities for children. Both ships have recently undergone extensive refits, each completed in 18 days, with new restaurants and seating areas.
Routes to England
Of the routes compared on this page, Stena Line operates Hoek van Holland - Harwich: up to two departures daily, a day sailing in the early afternoon from 6.5 hours and an overnight crossing arriving in Essex the next morning. The location, parking and metro connection of the terminal are covered on the Hoek van Holland ferry port page. In Harwich, the train to London Liverpool Street stops right at the ferry terminal, which is why the route can be booked as Rail & Sail without your own car.
Check-in, vehicle and pet
Check-in in Hoek van Holland closes for vehicles and foot passengers alike at least 45 minutes before departure, and late vehicles will not be accepted on board. Passport and the ETA travel authorisation are required; see the entry requirements guide. Cars, motorbikes, motorhomes and caravans can all travel, with the fare based on length; details in the motorhome guide. Bicycles can travel because the route also carries foot passengers. Pets are declared when booking and have three options: staying in the vehicle, marked with a sign on the rear-view mirror and up to five pets per vehicle; a place in the heated onboard kennel; or a pet-friendly cabin. Animals are not allowed in restaurants, bars and shops, and there is a dog area on deck for exercise. More in the dogs and pets guide.
Tickets and fares
Stena Line offers the crossing in three fares: Economy, the cheapest option, with changes for a fee and no refund on cancellation; Flexi, with no rebooking fee and cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a small fee; and Premium, with rebooking and a full refund up to two hours before departure. Without a car, you can book the route through to London as Rail & Sail. Prices are shown in the booking window, with a comparison of all England routes in the price overview.
FAQ Stena Line
Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about Stena Line
Which route does Stena Line run to England? +
From the Netherlands, Hoek van Holland - Harwich, with a day sailing in the early afternoon and an overnight crossing; getting to the terminal is covered on the Hoek van Holland ferry port page. The company's other routes are on the Baltic, the Kattegat and the Irish Sea.
Which ships operate on Hoek van Holland - Harwich? +
The superferries Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica, built in 2010, with cabins for day and night sailings, restaurants, bars, a duty-free shop, the Stena Plus Lounge, a Family Hub and pet-friendly cabins.
When do I need to be at the port with Stena Line? +
Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure, for vehicles and foot passengers alike. Opening times for each departure are shown in the timetable.
Can I travel with Stena Line without a car? +
Yes. Foot passengers can take the metro right up to the terminal, and as Rail & Sail you book train and ferry through to London Liverpool Street in a single ticket; bicycles can also travel.
Does Stena Line carry pets? +
Yes, in three ways: the animal stays in your vehicle, travels in a heated onboard kennel, or in a pet-friendly cabin; there is a dog area on deck. Entry rules are covered in the dogs and pets guide.
What fares does Stena Line offer? +
Economy, the cheapest fare, with changes for a fee and no refund; Flexi, with free rebooking and cancellation up to 24 hours before departure; and Premium, with a full refund up to two hours before departure. Prices are shown in the booking window, with a comparison in the price overview.