Ferry from London to Brussels
Brussels has no ferry port, so from London it comes down to the quickest way to the near continent. That is the short Channel crossing from Dover: an easy run down the M20, barely 90 minutes at sea, and around two hours on from Dunkirk or Calais. Prefer to sleep on board? Harwich to Hook of Holland sails overnight and lands you a similar drive from Brussels.
Routes
To reach your destination, these are the crossings we recommend.
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 Brussels
The short crossings from Dover are run by P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries. It’s also possible to drive to Harwich and board a Stena Line ferry to Hook of Holland.
Map with suggested London – Brussels ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from London to Brussels, 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
Brussels sits in the middle of Belgium, so it is the furthest to drive from every port. From Calais or Dunkirk it is around two hours on the E40; from Rotterdam or the Hook of Holland a similar two hours through Antwerp.
| Route | Drive to Brussels |
|---|---|
| Calais | ~2 hrs |
| Dunkirk | ~2 hrs 15 min |
| Hook of Holland | ~2 hrs 30 min |
By car
The drive from Calais to Brussels is about 2 hours (around 200 km), mostly on motorways.
Belgium has some of the busiest motorways in Europe. Traffic around Brussels can be heavy during weekday rush hours, especially between 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–18:30.
Compare & book
Pick your route to see live times and prices.
Compare prices →
We send you to the ferry operator or price comparison
By campervan
Campsites and motorhome stopovers can be found around the city, allowing visitors to explore the Belgian capital without having to drive into the busy city centre.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to get to Brussels from the UK?
With a car, the Dover-Dunkirk ferry plus fuel usually undercuts everything else. Without a car, an advance Eurostar fare is often cheaper than any ferry-and-rail combination once the connections are added up.
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.