Ferry to England Timetable
P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries connect the continent with England - Calais to Dover in 90 minutes (around 35 sailings a day), Amsterdam to Newcastle in 16 hours, and Rotterdam to Hull in 11 hours.
The short way across the Channel
Calais - Dover is the densest ferry link in Europe: the ships run at close intervals through the day and regularly at night as well, so you barely have to plan around the timetable. Miss a sailing and the next is rarely far off, although your ticket may tie you to a specific departure.
The overnight boats from the Netherlands
Two routes replace the drive through Belgium and France, and a night's accommodation with it. Rotterdam - Hull lands in northern England, Amsterdam - Newcastle further north again and therefore closest to Scotland. Both leave in the evening and arrive the next morning, normally once a day in each direction.
If you are coming from western Germany or the Netherlands and heading for central or northern England, these two save more time on land than the longer crossing costs.
What to watch out for in the timetable
All three routes run all year. In high season extra sailings are added; in winter the service can thin out on individual routes. Set your actual date above rather than carrying over a pattern from another month.
On the overnight boats the cabin is part of the journey. During the holidays cabins and vehicle spaces go before the crossing itself sells out, and then a free departure in the timetable does not yet mean you have somewhere to sleep.
Allow for border control on every Channel route. It happens before boarding and makes the time at the port longer than on any ferry link inside Europe.
FAQ
Ferry Timetable FAQ
The most common questions about the ferry timetable and departure times to England.
How often do ferries sail to England? +
It depends on the route. On the Calais - Dover Channel crossing, ferries run on a very tight schedule - roughly every 30 to 60 minutes during the day, with regular sailings overnight too. Dunkirk - Dover operates up to twelve times a day. The overnight ferries on the Rotterdam - Hull and Amsterdam - Newcastle routes typically sail once a day in each direction.
What time do the overnight ferries leave the Netherlands? +
The overnight ferries depart in the evening and arrive the next morning. Rotterdam - Hull sets off in the evening and takes around 11 to 12 hours, while Amsterdam - Newcastle also departs in the evening and takes roughly 16 to 17 hours. You will see the exact departure time for your date when you book on the relevant route page.
Do ferries to England run all year round? +
Yes, the main Channel routes and the overnight ferries from the Netherlands operate year-round. Extra crossings are added during peak season, while the timetable can thin out on some routes in winter. If you are travelling during school holidays, book early so vehicle spaces and cabins are still available.
Where can I find confirmed departure times for my travel date? +
The live timetable above shows current departures. For the confirmed times and price for your specific date and vehicle, check the booking step on the relevant route page, such as Calais - Dover or Amsterdam - Newcastle.