Ferry from London to Belgium
From London, Belgium is closer than most people think: Dover is 90 minutes to two hours down the M20, the crossing to Calais or Dunkirk takes 90 minutes to two hours, and from Dunkirk the Belgian border is barely 40 minutes away. Bruges, Ghent and the coast are within half a day of leaving home. Prefer to sleep on board? Stena Line sails overnight from Harwich to Hook of Holland, about an hour and a half from Antwerp.
Routes
To reach your destination, these are the crossings we recommend.
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
A comfortable overnight crossing on large ferries. The sailing is short enough to get some rest while still arriving early in the Netherlands, leaving you with a full day to enjoy in Belgium. Thanks to excellent public transport connections, it’s also a popular choice with cyclists.
Ferry services from London to Belgium
The short crossings from Dover are run by P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries. An overnight alternative is Stena Line (Harwich to the Hook of Holland).
Map with suggested London – Belgium ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from London 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
Which crossing you pick shapes the whole day. The Dover boats are quick and functional, a rolling break between motorways; the Harwich ships make the sea leg part of the trip, with restaurants, lounges and cabins on the overnight sailing. We have enjoyed both, for different reasons and different schedules.
Photos from the journey
From the arrival port to your destination
From Calais or Dunkirk the Belgian border is well under an hour away, with Bruges, Ghent and the coast within easy reach – Dunkirk sits barely 40 minutes from the border. Sailing to Rotterdam or the Hook of Holland instead puts Antwerp about an hour to an hour and a half away, with the rest of Belgium beyond.
By car
For most travellers, the shortest route is to drive from London to Dover and take a ferry to either Calais or Dunkirk. Depending on traffic, Dover can usually be reached in around 1.5 to 2 hours from central London. From the French ports, the Belgian border is only a short drive away.
Compare & book
Pick your route to see live times and prices.
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By campervan
Most ferry operators accommodate campervans without any special requirements, although vehicle dimensions should be entered carefully when making a booking. During busy holiday periods, larger motorhomes can sell out earlier than standard cars, so advance reservations are recommended.
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.