Ferry from Newcastle to Ostend
From Newcastle, the Belgian coast is one overnight sailing and about three hours of driving away, even though no ferry sails to Ostend itself. The sensible route is the DFDS crossing to IJmuiden, then motorway through the Netherlands and western Belgium to the coast. It is a fair drive at the far end, but you arrive rested and skip the trip to Dover altogether.
Routes
There is no direct ferry on this route. To reach your destination, these are the crossings we recommend instead.
Our experience
In our experience, this is the most enjoyable ferry crossing to the Netherlands. It feels like part of the holiday rather than just transportation and is also popular as a mini-cruise. The only downside is that it leaves you a little farther from Belgium than some of the other 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.
Map with suggested Newcastle – Ostend ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from Newcastle,hull,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
The overnight sailing provides a comfortable alternative to driving through southern England before reaching mainland Europe. Restaurants, bars and cabins are all part of the experience.
Photos from the journey
By car
Ostend is located on Belgium’s North Sea coast and can be reached in approximately three hours from IJmuiden. The route passes through Zeeland and western Belgium before arriving at one of the country’s most popular seaside destinations.
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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.