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 route most travellers pick is 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
There is no direct ferry on this route. To reach your destination, these are the crossings we recommend instead.
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.
Who sails the alternatives
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 departure port for onward travel. From Dover, you can choose between P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries for crossings to France.
Map with suggested Hull – Belgium ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from Hull,harwich,dover 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
The Pride of Hull and Pride of Rotterdam turn the journey into an evening out: dinner on board, a drink, entertainment if you are lucky, then a proper cabin. You wake up in Rotterdam with Belgium an easy morning drive away, which beats arriving at Dover with the whole continent still ahead of you.
Photos from the journey
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 signposted motorway 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.
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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.