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Ferry from the UK to Brussels

Here to help you decide

Brussels is located in the heart of Belgium, so you can’t simply step off a ferry and arrive there. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t travel to Brussels by ferry!

most frequent
Dover Calais
90 min
From£ 39
Foot passengeryes
Compare operators iSailed by Irish Ferries, P&O, DFDS. Compare times and prices.
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.

closest to Belgium
Dover Dunkirk
2 hr
From£ 35
Foot passengerno
Book with DFDS
Our experience

This is the only cross-Channel route we haven’t personally sailed, so we can’t offer a first-hand opinion.

best overnight
Hull Rotterdam
11 hr · overnight
From£ 89
Foot passengeryes
Book with P&O Ferries
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 Brussels

Most crossings depart from Dover, but you can also travel from northern England, with Hull to Rotterdam being one of the most popular ferry routes.

Route information

You can reach Belgium by ferry from almost every corner of the United Kingdom. Whether you travel from Dover, Harwich, Hull or Newcastle, there is usually a ferry route that brings you close to Belgium via France or the Netherlands.

There are currently no direct passenger ferries from the UK to Belgium, but several crossings take you within easy reach of Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges and the Belgian coast.

You can find the main ferry crossings here:
Ferries to Belgium.

From the arrival port to your destination

  • Dunkirk (France): approximately 2 hours to Brussels
  • Rotterdam Europoort (Netherlands): approximately 2 hours 5 minutes to Brussels
  • Hoek van Holland (Netherlands): approximately 2 hours 10 minutes to Brussels
  • Calais (France): approximately 2 hours 15 minutes to Brussels
  • IJmuiden (Netherlands): approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to Brussels
Us on board, sharing our own ferry experience

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.