Ferry from Hull to Belgium
Not long ago, it was possible to sail directly from Hull to Belgium. While that route is no longer available, reaching Belgium by ferry remains easy. The most straightforward option is to travel via Rotterdam, a Dutch city located less than an hour from the Belgian border. Another alternative is to drive south and take a ferry from Dover, but for travellers starting in or around Hull, the overnight crossing is usually the more comfortable and enjoyable choice.
Routes
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.
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
This is the only cross-Channel route we haven’t personally sailed, so we can’t offer a first-hand opinion.
Ferry services from Hull to Belgium
In practice, Hull–Rotterdam with P&O Ferries is the most logical route. Rotterdam Europoort is located less than an hour from Belgium, making it an excellent gateway for onward travel. From Dover, you can choose between P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries for crossings to France.
Route information
We’ve travelled on this route ourselves and can confidently recommend it. One of the biggest advantages is the schedule: departures and arrivals are timed perfectly for an overnight journey, allowing you to make the most of your travel time while getting a full night’s rest.
There’s also plenty to do on board. The ships feature several restaurants and bars, a coffee shop, duty-free shopping, comfortable lounges and outdoor deck areas where you can enjoy the sea views. The overall design is a little traditional and perhaps slightly old-fashioned compared to some newer ferries, but it creates a cosy atmosphere. Most importantly, we found the cabins to be clean, comfortable and well maintained.
From arrival in Rotterdam Europoort to Belgium
Rotterdam Europoort is one of the closest ferry ports to Belgium. After disembarking, you’ll be on the motorway network within minutes, with straightforward routes towards Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent and Brussels.
- Belgian border: approximately 45–60 minutes by car
- Antwerp: approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by car
- Ghent: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car
- Bruges: approximately 2 hours by car
- Brussels: approximately 2 hours by car
Many travellers leave Hull in the evening, enjoy a night’s sleep on board and arrive in Belgium before lunchtime the following day.
By car
The Hull–Rotterdam route is particularly popular with motorists. Cars, motorcycles, campervans and caravans can all be carried on board. Once you arrive in Rotterdam, there is no need for additional ferry crossings or complicated transfers; simply drive off the ship and continue towards Belgium via the Dutch motorway network.
For many destinations in Belgium, travelling via Rotterdam adds surprisingly little extra driving time compared with taking a ferry to France. The fun of an overnight sailing often makes it the preferred choice for families, campervan owners and anyone planning a longer road trip across Europe.
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.
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