Ferry from Hull to Ostend
From Hull, Ostend is one overnight sailing and about two hours of driving away, with no need to go anywhere near Dover, even though no ferry sails to Ostend itself. P&O’s overnight crossing to Rotterdam Europoort leaves every evening, and from the terminal it is motorway to the Belgian coast, passing Antwerp and Ghent on the way. We have done this crossing more than once: you sleep through the North Sea and do the Belgian part fresh.
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
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.
Map with suggested Hull – Ostend ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from Hull,dover,harwich 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
Hull–Zeebrugge may be gone, but the Rotterdam service remains one of the closest alternatives. The crossing is operated by large cruise ferries with cabins, restaurants and entertainment facilities.
Photos from the journey
From the arrival port to your destination
Although the ferry arrives in the Netherlands rather than Belgium, Antwerp can be reached in around 1 hour and 15 minutes by car. For many travellers from northern England and Scotland, Hull to Rotterdam is one of the most practical routes to Belgium.
By car
Rotterdam Europoort is located close to the Belgian border and offers excellent motorway connections. Many travellers heading to Belgium choose this route because it allows them to avoid the long drive to Dover. There are no motorway tolls for passenger cars in Belgium.
| Journey | Approx. Time |
|---|---|
| Hull – Rotterdam Ferry | ~11 hrs |
| Rotterdam – Antwerp | ~1 hr 15 min |
| Rotterdam – Brussels | ~2 hrs |
| Rotterdam – Bruges | ~2 hrs 30 min |
Compare & book
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By campervan
The Hull to Rotterdam route is particularly popular with motorhome travellers. An overnight crossing means you can wake up on the continent and continue your journey straight into Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany. It’s worth booking well in advance, as motorhome fares can increase significantly when vehicle space on board becomes limited, especially during the summer season and busy holiday periods.
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.