Ferry from the UK to Ostend
Ostend was a ferry port for a century and a half, but the last passenger service ended in 2013, so today no boat sails there from the UK. The good news is that the Belgian coast is only a short drive from the French ports: from Dunkirk it is about 45 minutes to Ostend, from Calais a little over an hour, and both are served by sailings all day from Dover. From the east or north, Harwich to Hook of Holland and Hull to Rotterdam leave a drive of roughly two hours.
Routes
This ferry no longer runs. To reach your destination, these are the crossings we recommend instead.
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
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
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.
Who sails the alternatives
The most popular option is to travel from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk with P&O Ferries, DFDS or Irish Ferries. Both French ports are located close to Belgium, and Ostend can be reached in around one to two hours by car.
Travellers coming from London and the east of England may also consider Stena Line’s Harwich–Hoek van Holland route. From the Dutch port, Ostend is roughly a two-hour drive away.
For those travelling from northern England or Scotland, overnight crossings such as Hull–Rotterdam with P&O Ferries and Newcastle–Amsterdam with DFDS offer alternatives. While these routes arrive in the Netherlands, they provide direct motorway connections towards Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges and Ostend.
Map with suggested the UK – Ostend ferry routes
This map shows ferry routes from England 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.
From the arrival port to your destination
Both Calais and Dunkirk are optional arrival ports for travellers heading to Ostend. Dunkirk is the closest option, located around 75 km (47 miles) from Ostend, while Calais is approximately 115 km (71 miles) away.
From either port, the journey follows the A16/E40 motorway, crossing into Belgium shortly after leaving France. Depending on your arrival port and traffic conditions, the drive to Ostend typically takes between one and one-and-a-half hours.
For many travellers from England, the short Dover crossings to Calais and Dunkirk remain the fastest and most practical way to reach the Belgian coast.
Frequently asked questions
Is there still a ferry to Ostend from the UK?
No. The historic Dover-Ostend and Ramsgate-Ostend services ended years ago. Today you sail to Dunkirk, about 40 minutes by road from Ostend, or to Calais, and follow the coast in.
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.
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