Ferry from London to Antwerp
From London, the fastest way to reach Antwerp by ferry is to drive to Dover and take a short crossing to Calais or Dunkirk. After arriving in France, Antwerp is only around two hours away by car. If you prefer a more relaxed journey, you can also take an overnight ferry to Hook of Holland. These longer crossings allow you to travel while you sleep, and Antwerp is just 1 to 1.5 hours from the Dutch arrival ports.
Routes
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 Antwerp
The short crossings from Dover are run by P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries and the Harwich to Hook of Holland route by Stena Line.
Map with suggested London – Antwerp ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from London to Antwerp, 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.
From the arrival port to your destination
Antwerp sits in the north of Belgium, closest to the Dutch ports. From Rotterdam it is about an hour to an hour and a half on the A16 and E19; from the Hook of Holland a little under two hours. The short Channel crossings reach it too, but Calais and Dunkirk are around two hours away on the E40 and E17.
By car
The drive from London to Antwerp is straightforward and surprisingly quick. Most travellers follow the M20 to Dover before taking a ferry to either Calais or Dunkirk. Once in France, Antwerp can usually be reached in around two hours via the E40 and E17 motorways.
From central London, the total driving distance is approximately 230 to 260 miles (370 to 420 km), depending on the ferry route chosen. In normal traffic conditions, the journey can often be completed in around six to seven hours, including the ferry crossing.
One advantage of travelling via Belgium is that Antwerp is one of the first major cities you’ll encounter after crossing the Channel. This makes it a popular destination for weekend breaks, business trips and road trips further into Europe.
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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.