Amsterdam - Newcastle ferry

The overnight ferry saves you a long day of driving. Coming from Germany, for example, you drive towards the Netherlands in the morning, reach IJmuiden in the afternoon and have the roads of northern England ahead of you the next morning, well rested and without the detour via the English Channel. For trips to Scotland, the Lake District or Northumberland, this is the most direct route. The exact departures for your date are in the timetable.

Getting to the terminal

The ferry does not leave from Amsterdam itself but from IJmuiden on the North Sea coast, west of the city at the mouth of the North Sea Canal. The DFDS terminal is right at the port, with parking for anyone boarding without a car. Without your own vehicle, you can take the DFDS transfer bus from Amsterdam Centraal, or the train to Beverwijk and then the local bus to IJmuiden.

In England the ferry arrives at the port of North Shields at the mouth of the Tyne, east of Newcastle city centre. A DFDS transfer bus runs into the city here too. Both terminals are described on the IJmuiden ferry terminal and Newcastle ferry terminal pages.

Check-in and departure

Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure. If you are travelling by car, allow more time, as there are security checks at every port before boarding. To enter the UK, every traveller needs a valid passport; most EU citizens can no longer use a national ID card. Visitors to the UK also need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for every person, including every child, which you apply for online from the UK government before you travel. Allow a few days for this. The Check-in page explains deadlines, documents and the process by car or on foot.

On board the King Seaways and Princess Seaways

DFDS runs two cruise ferries of the same size on the route, the King Seaways and the Princess Seaways, which take turns. Both are 163 metres long, were last fully refurbished in 2024 and have several hundred cabins. The crossing is a night on board, so a cabin is part of your booking: from Economy cabins with up to four beds to double-bed and sea-view cabins and the Commodore cabins with lounge access. Every cabin has its own bathroom. The Cabins page explains which category suits whom.

You can eat at the Explorer's Kitchen buffet restaurant or à la carte at the North Sea Bistro, and Coffee Crew is there for a coffee in between. There are also bars, two cinemas, a duty-free shop and activities for children. There is no limit on luggage. In the morning the breakfast buffet opens at 07:00 and runs until the ship docks. There is more about the ships on the DFDS page.

If you want to sail the route for its own sake, book it as a mini cruise: two nights on board with a day in Newcastle in between. The Mini cruise page explains how it works.

Vehicles, bikes and pets

Cars, motorhomes, vehicles towing a caravan or trailer, and motorcycles travel on the vehicle decks. Give the exact dimensions of your vehicle when you book, including roof box, bike rack and trailer, as these determine your space and your price. The vehicle deck is closed overnight, so take everything you need for the crossing with you to your cabin. Vehicles with low ground clearance check in earlier. Tips for motorhome drivers are on the Motorhomes & caravans page, and for cyclists and foot passengers on the On foot & by bike page.

Dogs, cats and ferrets can travel if their paperwork for the UK is in order. Dogs do not stay in the car: they travel with you in one of the few pet cabins or in a kennel on board, with access to a dedicated dog deck. Pet cabins are limited, so add your dog to the booking early. The Dogs & pets page explains the entry rules and the tapeworm treatment before arrival.

Arrival and onward travel

In the morning the vehicle deck usually opens shortly before the ship docks, and announcements call the decks one after another. All passengers leave the ship at the port. In the UK you drive on the left from the very first metre. From North Shields you are quickly on the main roads heading north: the Scottish border is only around 90 km away. Foot passengers take the bus into Newcastle city centre, with connections to trains and long-distance coaches.

In the other direction you arrive in IJmuiden in the morning, and the Dutch motorway network gets you quickly on your way, for example towards Germany. The Getting there & onward travel page covers the journey before and after the ferry.

Tickets and fares

DFDS sells the crossing at dynamic prices: the travel date, vehicle, number of passengers and cabin category determine the fare. Outside school holidays and midweek, the overnight ferry is usually cheaper than on summer weekends, and booking early gives you a better chance of the cabin you want. The only fair comparison is the total price for the same departure with the same cabin. The starting prices for each vehicle type are on the Prices & fares page, and you can book directly with the booking button at the top.