The Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry is a great option to consider when deciding how to get from UK to Netherlands, or even more specifically, London to Amsterdam.  We recently took the Stena Line ferry on our trip from London to Amsterdam, and are sharing everything you need to know about the journey and what to expect! 

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Full Review of Stena Line’s Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry

How to get from UK to Netherlands

There are obviously many ways to get from the UK to the Netherlands:

• You can fly over on a quick flight
• Take the Eurostar train
• Take a number of different ferry routes
• Take a bus
• Or even drive yourself via the Eurotunnel

When considering our options, we weighed time and price to come to our decision.  Since we were staying in London and headed to Amsterdam, but short on time, we were deciding between flying, taking the train or taking the Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry.  Out of the three options we narrowed it down to, flying was obviously the quickest, then train, then the ferry.  However the train prices were the most expensive of the three so we decided against it.

With the overnight Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry route being an option and it being the same price as flying, we decided to go with the ferry to get from UK to Netherlands.  Since we’d be sleeping on the ferry, it would save us a night of hotel costs, making it the cheapest option!

Getting from London to Amsterdam

To go from London to Amsterdam, the ferry you’ll want to take is the Harwich to Hook of Holland route on Stena Line.  You need to first get from London to Harwich to catch the ferry, and then go from Hook of Holland to Amsterdam.  Luckily the Stena Line ferry offers Rail and Sail tickets which make the journey quite seamless!

Stena Line Rail and Sail from London to Amsterdam

Stena Line’s Rail and Sail tickets include train travel from any Greater Anglia station to Harwich International Port, where you then board the ferry and sail across to Hook of Holland.  This combined rail and sail ticket is valid on any train from any Greater Anglia station on the day of your sailing.

Please note that the Rail and Sail ticket unfortunately no longer includes onward rail travel once in the Netherlands (still current as of January 2023).  You will need to purchase train tickets once you arrive at Hook of Holland, or purchase them online directly from NS (Dutch Railway company).

There are many convenient locations in London and East Anglia from which Greater Anglia trains depart, making this ticket very flexible.  Just be sure to check the Greater Anglia website for train times and any notices regarding rail disruptions, such as strikes.

Harwich Ferry Timetable

Stena Line offers two sailings per day: one in the morning and one in the late evening.  The morning sailing departs at 9:00am, and the evening sailing departs at 11:00pm.

Harwich to Hook of Holland Overnight Ferry

Departs Harwich 11:00pm

Check-in opens 8:30pm

Check-in closes 10:15pm

Arrives Hook of Holland 8:00am local time (Netherlands is one hour ahead)

The overnight ferry requires the mandatory purchase of a cabin.  Despite this additional expense, we found sleeping in an onboard cabin saved us money on our trip since we did not have to pay for a hotel.  We found the cabins to be quite reasonably priced.  They were also very comfortable – more details below.

Harwich to Hook of Holland Daytime Ferry

Departs Harwich 9:00am

Check-in opens 7:45am

Check-in closes 8:15am

Arrives Hook of Holland 5:15pm local time (Netherlands is one hour ahead)

The daytime ferry does not require the purchase of a cabin.  However, they are 50% off on the daytime sailings so they can be a good option for a private place to relax.

How much is the ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland?

One way Rail and Sail Ticket price:

Adult: From £49 for daytime sailing, and from £88 for overnight sailing

Child (4-15 years): £24.50

Infant (0-3 years): Free

The prices listed above are the cheapest fares available and must be purchased online at least 7 days in advance and are subject to availability.

Where to buy tickets for the Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry

Rail and Sail Tickets can be purchased directly on the Stena Line website.

Can I bring a pet with me on the Stena Line Ferry?

Yes, you can!  However, make sure to review all the rules and regulations here.  Pets travel for free on Greater Anglia trains, but you do need to make arrangements in advance for your pet on the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry.  You need to either book a pet cabin or an onboard kennel.  More details can be found here for the Harwich to Hook of Holland route.

How much luggage can I bring on the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry?

You can bring as much luggage as you need!  Fortunately there is no luggage limit on the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry.

Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry Review

Getting to Harwich

Harwich International Port is located 85 miles north-east of London and it is easy to get to using your Rail and Sail ticket.  Check the Greater Anglia website for the closest station to you to plan your route.  There are convenient Greater Anglia stations around London, such as London Liverpool Street, Ipswich, Colchester, Norwich and Cambridge.

Just make sure to print out your Rail and Sail e-ticket to show the train attendants your proof of paid fare.

The trains are very comfortable with free wifi and toilets available.  There are luggage racks by the doors, as well as shelves above the seats where you can put smaller bags.

The Greater Anglia trains will take you all the way to Harwich International Station which is directly connected to Harwich International Port.  Once you get off the train, simply walk up the stairs or take the elevator, cross the foot bridge, and you will be inside the Stena Line ferry terminal.  There are clear signs directing you where to go.

Harwich International Ferry Terminal

Once inside the ferry terminal, you will head towards Departures on your left, where you show your e-ticket to the attendant and then line up for security.

The security screening is much like at the airport: put your bags, coats and jewelery through the scanners, and walk through the metal detectors.

Once you’ve cleared security, you will have your passport checked, and then line up at the check-in desks.

Here you will need to show your e-ticket and passports again.  The agent will then give you your cabin number and key, then you’ll be on your way to the boat!  It’s a long walk up the ramps.

The whole process took us about 20 minutes.

Boarding the Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry

We chose to arrive at the terminal early so we could board as soon as check-in opened around 8:30pm.  This was ideal as we were able to get settled into our cabin, check out the onboard amenities, and still get a solid amount of sleep.  If you would like to have dinner on board, we recommend doing the same and arriving early.

Once you arrive at the boat, you will take an elevator up to deck 9, the main passenger deck.  If you have luggage with you, you’ll most likely want to head straight to your cabin to drop it off.  In that case, take another elevator up to the deck your cabin is on.  All passenger cabins are located on decks 10 and 11.

Once you arrive at your cabin, open the door by inserting your paper keycard to unlock it.

Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry Cabins

There is a wide range of cabins available for you to choose from when booking your ticket, from:

• Single cabins
• Family cabins
• Pet-friendly cabins
• Inside cabins
• Outside cabins with a window
• Bunkbeds
• Disabled cabins
• Comfort Class
• Captain’s Class
• And all the way to the luxurious Captain’s Suite

Whether traveling alone or with a family, you should be able to find a cabin class to suit your needs.  When booking a room with a young child 0-3 years old, you also have the option of adding on a child cot for an additional £6.00.

Comfort Class 2-berth Cabin

Since we were traveling as two adults and a child, we went with the Comfort Class, 2-berth Cabin with window.

Bed

This cabin comes with two beds: one double and one single.  Our daughter slept on the single while we shared the double.  The bed was a bit snug for two adults, but doable.  As for the mattresses, they are thin but comfy enough for one night’s sleep.  Two pillows are provided on the double bed, and one on the single.  Each bed comes with a comforter.

Minibar

What drew us to booking a Comfort Class cabin was the free minibar!  It was quite nice having complimentary snacks and drinks.  We were actually surprised how many drinks, including alcohol, were provided in the mini fridge.  Unfortunately we weren’t even able to finish them all.

The minibar came stocked with chips, nuts, chocolates, bottled water, carbonated water, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Heineken, wine, instant coffee and tea.

We appreciated that they actually gave us real coffee mugs and glasses, instead of just paper to-go cups.  There is also a kettle to boil water.

Bathroom

The en-suite bathroom was actually more spacious than I was expecting.  There is a full shower with strong water pressure, sink and toilet.

As for toiletries, all you will find is an all-in-one bottle in both the shower and by the sink.  It’s supposed to be used as hand soap, body wash and shampoo.  Next to the sink you will find two water glasses.  Above the toilet is the towel rack.  And outside the bathroom, on the side of the desk, you will even find a hair dryer!

One thing to note about the bathroom is there is a bit of a ledge when stepping in and out.  All three of us tripped on it, so be careful.

View

Since we booked an outside cabin, it came with a window.  However, due to us being on the overnight sailing, we could not see anything other than the ports.  It was December when we took the ferry so it was very dark when we boarded, and even when we arrived in the morning in the Netherlands.

If you’d like to save a bit of money, you might as well book an inside cabin as the window does not really make any difference on the overnight sailing.  We ended up just closing the blinds for the duration of the trip.

Electrical Outlets and Plugs

There are electrical outlets over each bed, as well as three by the desk area.  However, there is only one that is a Type G plug, which is the type used in England.  The other outlets are all Type C plugs, which is the type used in the Netherlands and most of Europe.  So, if you’re coming from London to Amsterdam, make sure you have the correct plug adapters.

Climate Control

The cabin does come with climate control so you can adjust how hot or cold you would like it.

TV

The cabin even comes with a flat screen TV above the foot of the bed, with a number of functioning channels.  We didn’t get a chance to flip through all the channels to see what was available, but our daughter did watch some kids shows on it.

Harwich to Hook of Holland Cabin Room Tour

Food Options on the Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry

Taste Buffet

For casual dining, visit the self-service Taste Buffet.  There are a variety of hot and cold options available, plus desserts and drinks.  Kids meals are also available, as are vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free options.

When booking your ferry ticket, you can also choose to add on pre-booked meals for dinner and breakfast, which will save you money.

Prices for 3 course dinner (as of January 2023):

• Adult: £20.00
• Child: £5.00

Prices for Breakfast Buffet (as of January 2023):

• Adult: £13.50
• Child: £7.00

Taste Buffet Hours:

• 5:30am-7:00am
• 11:30am-7:30pm
• 8:30pm-11:30pm

We chose to skip dinner on the ferry as we had already eaten dinner before boarding.  Instead, we opted for just dessert: a delicious Dutch apple pie, and a yogurt and chocolate milk for our daughter.

As for the breakfast buffet, we also skipped it as we wanted to maximize our sleeping time in our cabin.  Instead, we bought some pastries from the Barista Bar in the evening and brought them back to our cabin for breakfast.

Taste Plus Restaurant

If you’d prefer a more superior dining experience for dinner, you can dine at the Taste Plus Restaurant.  Pre-booked meals are also an option here, which again will save you money over paying on the spot.

Price for 3 Course Adult Menu: £33.00

The restaurant and options here did look quite nice, but unfortunately we were just too full to try it out for dinner.

Barista Bar Coffee House

The barista bar is a good option if you just want to walk up and get a quick coffee or snack.  They serve coffees and teas, yogurt, pastries, sandwiches and other small bites to eat.  We opted to purchase some pastries here to take back to our cabin for breakfast.

Bar

If you feel like having some alcoholic beverages, there is a bar on board located near the Taste Restaurant.

Deck Bar

The deck bar is located on the outside deck and is a great option to enjoy some sea views while enjoying a drink.  However it is only open when the weather permits.  As we sailed during winter, it was unfortunately closed so we did not get to check it out.

What is there to do on the Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry?

If you are worried that eight hours on a ferry will be boring, don’t worry – there is a lot to do on board!

Movie Theatre

If you’d like to sit back and take in a movie during your sailing, head to the onboard cinema!  There are three showings on the daytime sailing – check the movies and times posted outside the cinema doors.

You can purchase tickets from the Guest Service Desk.  Adults are €8.50, Children are €7 and a family is €25.

Unfortunately there aren’t any movies shown during the night time sailing.

Lounge

There is a lounge onboard that offers complimentary snacks, drinks, newspapers and magazines.  You must pay to upgrade your ticket to gain access to the lounge and it is only for ages 8 and over.

Slot Machines and Casino

There is a small casino area on the ship located near the Taste lounge and bar.  If you feel like playing some slot machines to pass the time, you can find them near the C-view lounge.  Guests must be 18 years old or over.

Duty Free Shops

If you fancy some shopping, there are some duty free shops on board!  We did not go inside them, but they appeared to be well-stocked.

Teen Town Game Room

If you are traveling with older kids, there is a game room located at the back of the ship.  There are a number of arcade games available to play.

Happy World Kids Play Area

And if you are traveling with younger kids, there is a super fun play area located near the Taste Buffet.

Our daughter loved it!  It was empty during our evening sailing so she had it all to herself.

Outside Deck

If you’d like to get some fresh air, or have a smoke, there is an outside deck area at the rear of the boat on deck 9.  There are a number of tables and chairs available.

Please note that the only area where smoking is allowed is on this outside deck. Smoking is not allowed in cabins.

Hook of Holland Arrival

Wake Up Call

At 5:30am English time (6:30am Netherlands time) you will be awoken by a general wake up announcement.  We were quite glad that they do this otherwise we probably would not have woken up in time to disembark the ship! Our alarms on our phones had been set but did not go off at the correct time due to the time change and there being no reception on the boat.

Disembarkation

The disembarkation process starts at 6:30am English time (7:30am Netherlands time).  You will need to make your way to deck 9 and line up by the red stairs when arriving at Hook of Holland.  Then you will take the elevator down to deck 7 and walk out the gangway.

It is a long walk down from the ship but there are moving walkways to speed things up if you wish to use them.

Passport Control

After your long walk down, you will need to line up for passport control.  The agent will review your passport and stamp it, and then you will be on your way!

How to get from Hook of Holland to Amsterdam

Step 1: Take the RET metro to Schiedam Centrum

Upon exiting the ferry terminal in Hook of Holland, immediately to your right you will find a ticket machine where you will need to purchase a RET metro ticket to get to Schiedam Centrum.

The ticket machine is conveniently available in four different languages: Dutch, English, German and French.

You will be give some ticket options on the screen.  The one you want to select and purchase is the RET 2 Hour ticket.  This ticket gives access to the RET network for two hours and is validated at first use.  It is sufficient to get you to Schiedam Centrum, since it is only eight stations away and takes 24 minutes.

The cost for the two hour ticket is €4 and can be paid with credit card.

Once you’ve purchased your ticket, you’ll have to head to the metro platform.  At this time (January 2023), the station is under construction so it is a longer walk, about 500 metres away, and it is uncovered.  The metro train runs every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends.

For details, timetables and the latest information, check out the RET website.

Step 2: Transfer at Schiedam Centrum

You will need to get off the RET metro at Schiedam Centrum Station. Trains to Amsterdam depart from the other side of the platform so you will first need to take the escalators or lift down to be able to transfer to the other side.

Once you’ve taken the lift down, you will be able to purchase your NS (Dutch Railways) ticket to Amsterdam Centraal. You can purchase a ticket at one of the self-serve machines at the station or purchase one online on the NS website (this saves you a little bit of money and can even be done in advance).

Step 3: Take NS Train to Amsterdam Centraal

There are a number of different train options to get to Amsterdam Centraal – some are direct and others require a transfer.  I used Google Maps to figure out the best option once we were there. We took the Intercity train which was the direct option.

NS Ticket Price: €16.30

Children under 4 years old are free

The journey takes just over an hour.  Trains are two floors.  We sat on the top floor and enjoyed the views.  Free wifi  and toilets are available on board.

Where to stay in Amsterdam

Once you arrive at Amsterdam Centraal, you are walking distance to so many sights, restaurants and hotels!  We like to stay close to Amsterdam Centraal so that we don’t have to walk far with our luggage.  We’ve stayed at both hotels listed below and found their locations to be perfect.

Mid-range to high end: Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam Hotel

Located less than 200 metres from Amsterdam Centraal station, the Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam Hotel makes a perfect base for exploring the city!  It’s super convenient to get to when getting off the train so you don’t have to walk very far with your luggage.  Then once you’ve dropped off your luggage, you are just a quick walk, tram ride, or train ride away from all that Amsterdam has to offer!

It’s a beautiful hotel with great service and comfortable rooms.

Budget to mid-range: Hotel ibis Amsterdam Centre

Located less than 300 metres from Amsterdam Centraal, this Ibis hotel is a great choice for something a little more budget-friendly.  Rooms are on the smaller side but they are clean and comfortable, and make a great base for exploring Amsterdam!

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We hope this detailed review helps you on your travels from London to Amsterdam on the Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry!

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