Route Guide

Harwich to Hook of Holland: Ferry Guide 2026

OPERATOR Stena Line
CROSSING 6.5 - 9h
FREQUENCY 2 daily
CAR + 1 From EUR 329
SHIPS Britannica, Hollandica
BOOK AHEAD 2-4 weeks (summer)

Fare Classes

Day Crossing

From EUR 126 (car + driver)

  • Stena Hollandica (09:00 departure)
  • 7h 15m crossing
  • Standard seating included
  • Cabin available as upgrade
Patrick's Pick

Overnight Crossing

From EUR 329 (car + 1, cabin)

  • Stena Britannica (23:00 departure)
  • 9h crossing (board, sleep, arrive)
  • Cabin strongly recommended
  • Duty free click-and-collect

Stena Plus Lounge

Upgrade (check Stena Line)

  • Waiter service
  • Complimentary drinks and snacks
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Children 8+ only

The Journey: End to End

Arrive Port 90 min before
Check-in Closes 45 min before
Board 30-60 min before
Crossing 6.5-9h
Disembark 20 min
Onward 30 min to Rotterdam
Cabins & Seating

Both the Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica offer a range of cabin types. All cabins are en-suite with toilet, shower, towels, and shower gel.

Cabin TypeFeaturesPrice from
Standard InsideBunk or twin beds, TV, desk, climate control~EUR 48 supplement
SuperiorTea/coffee facilities, water, TVCheck Stena Line
DeluxeDouble bed, mini-fridge, tea/coffee, more spaceCheck Stena Line
Captain's ClassDouble bed, sea view, premium fittingsCheck Stena Line
Pet-FriendlyStandard cabin, pets allowed insideCheck Stena Line
AccessibleWheelchair-friendly layout, en-suiteCheck Stena Line

For the overnight sailing, a cabin is strongly recommended. Standard seating is available on both sailings, but nine hours in a reclining chair is a long night. The day sailing is more comfortable without a cabin.

The Stena Plus Lounge is available as an upgrade on both ships. Waiter service, complimentary drinks and snacks, newspapers. Children must be 8 or over.

Vehicle Logistics

Both ships carry cars, campervans, motorhomes, and motorcycles. There is a separate vehicle entrance at Harwich with a direct route to car check-in booths.

VehiclePrice fromNotes
Car + driverEUR 126Day crossing base fare
Car + 1 passenger + cabinEUR 329Overnight crossing
Campervan / motorhomeContact Stena LineHeight-dependent supplement

Check-in times: Day sailing opens 07:00, closes 08:15. Overnight sailing opens 20:00, closes 22:15. The vehicle deck is not accessible during the crossing.

Children aged 4-15 travel at 50% of the adult fare. Under 4s travel free without a seat or bed.

Port: Harwich

Harwich International Port is at Parkeston Quay, CO12 4SR. The terminal was recently refurbished and is air-conditioned.

By train: Harwich International station is adjacent to the terminal. A short walk connects the platform to the passenger building. Direct trains run from London Liverpool Street (1h 20m).

By car: Follow the A120 east from the A12/M25. Well signposted from the motorway.

Facilities: Cafe, gift shop, cash machine, information point, ample seating. Covered walkway to all berths. Vending machines at the car check-in area.

Parking: Available at the port. Check Stena Line for current rates.

Port: Hook of Holland

Hoek van Holland is on the Dutch west coast, 30km from Rotterdam. The terminal is at Stationsweg 10, 3151 HS.

By metro: Hoek van Holland Haven metro station is right outside the terminal. RET metro to Schiedam Centrum (25 min, EUR 4-6), then NS intercity train to Rotterdam (10 min) or Amsterdam (45 min).

By car: From the port, follow the A20/N20 towards Rotterdam (30 min). Amsterdam is about 85km (1 hour). The Hague is 20km (25 min).

Facilities: Cafeteria (open for day sailings), vending machines, short-term and long-term parking (credit card payment).

Seasonal Advisory

Year-round service: Stena Line operates 363 days a year on this route with 2 daily sailings in each direction.

Summer (June-August): Both sailings run at full capacity. Book cabins 2-4 weeks ahead for the overnight sailing. The day sailing is usually easier to book at shorter notice.

Winter: The service continues year-round with no frequency reduction. Seas may be rougher on the North Sea in winter months.

Ready to book?

Check prices on Stena Line

Compare day and overnight sailing prices on Stena Line's booking calendar.

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Patrick's Tips
Take the overnight

The overnight sailing is the better option if you are driving onwards. You board at 11pm, sleep, and arrive at 8am ready to drive. The day sailing uses a full day of holiday.

Book a cabin for the overnight

An inside cabin on the overnight is essential. Standard seating exists but nine hours in a chair is a long night. The cabin supplement is worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry?

The crossing takes between 6.5 and 9 hours depending on the sailing. The day sailing (09:00 from Harwich) takes about 7 hours 15 minutes. The overnight sailing (23:00) takes about 9 hours, arriving at 08:00.

Which ferry company sails Harwich to Hook of Holland?

Stena Line is the only operator, running two daily sailings in each direction. The ships are the Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica.

How much is the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry?

Fares start from about EUR 126 for a car and driver on the day sailing. The overnight sailing with a car, one passenger, and an inside cabin costs from about EUR 329. Prices vary by date and demand.

Can I take a car on the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry?

Yes. Both ships carry cars, campervans, and motorhomes. Vehicle check-in opens 2-3 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before.

Can I take a pet on the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry?

Yes. Stena Line offers pet-friendly cabins on this route. Pets must be pre-booked and stay in the cabin during the crossing.

How do I get from Hook of Holland to Amsterdam?

Hook of Holland has a metro station right outside the terminal. Take the RET metro to Schiedam Centrum, then transfer to an intercity train. Rotterdam is about 40 minutes, Amsterdam about 1 hour 45 minutes.

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