How did we choose this ferry service?
Depending on where you are staying between England and the Netherlands, you have several ferry options. At that time, we were hiking in the Peak District National Park. When you leave your hotel there in the morning (Yorkshire Bridge Inn for those interested), you basically have the whole day to drive to a ferry port for a night crossing. We wanted a night crossing so we could continue directly to our work the next day.
The options were Newcastle-Ijmuiden, Hull-Rotterdam, and Harwich-Hook of Holland. We ultimately chose Harwich-Hook of Holland because this route had the best price. Furthermore, the ferry departs at 23:00, giving us plenty of time to drive through England calmly.
Booking Tickets
Booking tickets was very easy, directly online through Stena Line. For two people with a car, we paid €455.80 (or £384). After booking, you receive an email with all the necessary instructions, so you know exactly what to do.
Check-in
We decided to have dinner at the port, so we arrived around 5:30 PM for check-in. There was already a line, but check-in was still closed. In the simple terminal, nothing was available, so we decided to turn around and look for a normal restaurant. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find anything quickly, so we ended up following the plan to eat on board. We did have to wait a bit for that.
Driving to the parking area
After check-in, you drive to the parking area, where you will have to wait again. You can spend your time in the Duty-Free shop, which mainly offers alcoholic beverages, by the way, at excellent prices.
Boarding at 8:30 PM
Boarding the ferry is always a nice experience. It feels like you’re stepping into a new world. Once on board, you park the car (make sure you know how to turn off your car’s motion alarm beforehand) and grab your suitcase to go to your cabin. Keep in mind that the whole process takes some time; we didn’t sit down for our dinner until around 9:30 PM.
On board with Stena Line
The Stena Line ferry has recently been renovated and looks very neat. The sleeping areas are fresh, clean, and spacious. The ship is large, but the common areas mainly consist of seating and dining options. It’s a functional crossing and offers less of a “cruise experience” compared to routes like Hull-Rotterdam or Newcastle-Ijmuiden. With a departure at 23:00, there’s also not much time to fully enjoy the onboard facilities. Many passengers retire to their cabins early.
For those interested, it’s definitely worth taking a look at the activity in the port of Harwich after departure. The view is surprisingly engaging!
Arrival in Hook of Holland
You don’t need to set an alarm because the onboard alarm clock will wake you up early! Keep this in mind if you want a little more rest. We decided to skip breakfast and snooze for a bit longer. We then watched from the deck as the ship docked, a beautiful moment to start the day.
Customs
Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you go through Customs. This process can take some time, so plan for some extra margin.
Driving and Navigation
In Hook of Holland, you can continue your journey by train to Rotterdam or continue with your own vehicle. For British travellers, it’s essential to be well-informed about the traffic rules in the Netherlands or other countries you’re traveling to. We recommend exploring the first few kilometres via Google Maps for this crossing. Especially if you need to adjust to driving on the right, the tricky roundabouts right after arrival can be a challenge. Take your time to adjust!
Pros and Cons of this Crossing
Pros:
- Modern and fresh ferry: The ferry has recently been renovated and offers a pleasant, comfortable environment.
- Many restaurants: There are plenty of dining options on board where you can order something.
- Fastest crossing: This is the quickest route between the Netherlands and England.
- Flexible sailings: Both day and night sailings are available.
- Good tax-free shops: At the port, you can shop affordably, especially alcoholic beverages.
- Accessible by public transport: Stations in both ports make this crossing ideal for travellers without a car, such as cyclists.
Deals for campers and caravans: Especially on the day crossing, there are excellent deals for larger vehicles.
Cons:
- Limited entertainment: The entertainment options on board are less extensive compared to the Rotterdam-Hull or IJmuiden-Newcastle routes.
- Long waiting times: Waiting times can be significant both at check-in and boarding.
- Late departure time: The night crossing departs quite late, meaning you are woken up very early, resulting in little sleep.
- Unexpected cons: A crossing can bring surprises that you only experience when you go through it yourself – but “don’t worry, be happy!” 😊
All in all, this Stena Line route is a good choice for a reliable and efficient crossing between the UK and the Netherlands.