Ferry from Harwich to Ostend
From Harwich you have two ways to reach Ostend, even though no ferry sails there directly. Stena Line to Hook of Holland, with a daytime and an overnight sailing, leaves you around two hours by car through Zeeland to the Belgian coast. For a shorter drive on the far side, Dover to Dunkirk puts you 45 minutes from Ostend.
Routes
There is no direct ferry on this route. To reach your destination, these are the crossings we recommend instead.
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.
Our experience
The daytime crossing takes up most of the day, but it’s often one of the more affordable options. Low-cost cabins are frequently available, giving you a private space to relax during the journey.
Our experience
This is the only cross-Channel route we haven’t personally sailed, so we can’t offer a first-hand opinion.
Who sails the alternatives
The Harwich–Hook of Holland route is operated by Stena Line using the Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica. Both ships offer cabins, restaurants, lounges and onboard facilities for passengers travelling to the Netherlands and beyond.
Map with suggested Harwich – Ostend ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from Harwich,dover to Ostend, 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
Harwich offers a more relaxed crossing than Dover, with larger ships, longer sailing times and a wider range of onboard facilities.
Photos from the journey
By car
Ostend is located on Belgium’s North Sea coast and can be reached in around two hours from Hook of Holland. The journey takes drivers through Zeeland and western Belgium before arriving at the coast.
Compare & book
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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.