Ferry from the UK to Belgium
Belgium lost its last direct ferry link with Britain in 2021, but reaching it by sea remains genuinely easy: boats leave for the near continent from ports all along the English coast, and every arrival port puts the Belgian border within an easy drive. We have sailed all the main options ourselves, and below we explain which route fits which journey.
Routes
Our experience
We’ve sailed with every ferry operator on the Dover–Calais route ourselves. We were particularly impressed by P&O Ferries thanks to its competitive fares, modern ships, clean facilities, spacious outdoor decks, and overall comfort. For most travellers heading to Belgium, this is often the fastest and most affordable option.
Our experience
This is the only cross-Channel route we haven’t personally sailed, so we can’t offer a first-hand opinion.
Our experience
We found this to be a pleasant and relaxed crossing with a convenient schedule. It’s particularly well suited to travellers with a car or motorcycle, as onward travel options for foot passengers are more limited.
Ferry services from the UK to Belgium
There are 5 logical ferry routes from English ports to Belgium. They are run by the well-known operators: DFDS (Newcastle, Dover), Stena Line (Harwich), P&O Ferries (Hull, Dover) and Irish Ferries (Dover).
Map with suggested the UK – Belgium ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from England to Belgium, with crossing times, fares and the ports they sail from. Tap a route for details, tap a port for its sailings, or zoom in for more.
Onboard experience
Travelling to Belgium by ferry can involve anything from a 90-minute Channel crossing to a full overnight sailing across the North Sea. Dover crossings are primarily transport ferries, while the routes from Hull, Harwich and Newcastle are operated by larger cruise ferries with cabins, restaurants and onboard facilities.
From the arrival ports to the Belgium border
Via Dover is the fastest and most popular way across: Calais alone sees up to 30 sailings a day in high season, and from Calais or Dunkirk you are inside Belgium within about 45 minutes. The longer North Sea crossings land in the Netherlands instead, one to two hours from the border: more time at sea, less driving on the English side. Whichever way you come, remember the continent drives on the right; the first roundabout outside the port is where British instincts misfire.
By car
Cars travel a good deal faster than ferries sail, so you can gain time by doing more of the journey by road yourself. That means the short Calais-Dover crossing (1.5 hours) gets you there quickest, even slightly faster than the Dover to Dunkirk crossing, which saves you a quarter of an hour’s driving in France but takes half an hour longer at sea. From the longer crossings (from Northern England and Scotland), Belgium is still easy to reach once you arrive. The Netherlands is not a very large country, and the motorways towards Belgium are toll-free and excellent. The only thing to note is that you often arrive in the Netherlands just before or around the morning rush hour, so you may run into traffic. It can get especially busy around Antwerp.
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By campervan
Travelling by campervan is usually a little more expensive than by car, because you take up more space on the parking decks. If you want to save on this, your best bet is to book a short crossing. The daytime sailing from Harwich also often has offers for campervan travellers. Newcastle-IJmuiden is often very pricey for campervans.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get a ferry to Belgium from the UK?
Not directly: the last direct route ended in 2021. You still cross easily by ferry via France (Dover to Calais or Dunkirk, then a 45-minute drive) or via the Netherlands on the overnight boats from Hull, Harwich or Newcastle.
Are there any ferry sailings from Belgium to England?
No direct sailings exist in either direction. Heading home, you board in Calais, Dunkirk, Hook of Holland, Rotterdam or IJmuiden, all within about two hours of Belgium by road.
How do I get to Belgium by car from the UK?
Cross from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk and you are inside Belgium within 45 minutes, or take an overnight ferry to the Netherlands and drive one to two hours south. Belgian and Dutch motorways are toll-free for cars.
Still weighing up your options?
We have sailed nearly every one of these crossings ourselves, and the photos on this site are our own. Tell us where you are starting and we will point you to the smartest way across.