Ferry Companies for Belgium
Check prices & times »Because there's no direct ferry to Belgium, there's no single "Belgium" ferry company. Instead, you'll travel with one of the operators running the crossings to northern France or the Netherlands, then drive across the border.
The main companies are P&O Ferries, DFDS, Stena Line and Irish Ferries. Which one you use depends on the route you pick. This page is a quick guide to each and what they run.
Contents
Operators at a glance
| Company | Main Routes for Belgium | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| P&O Ferries | Dover–Calais; Hull–Rotterdam | View Guide |
| DFDS | Dover–Calais, Dover–Dunkirk | View Guide |
| Stena Line | Harwich–Hook of Holland | View Guide |
| Irish Ferries | Dover–Calais | View Guide |
P&O Ferries
P&O Ferries runs the frequent Dover–Calais crossing and the overnight Hull–Rotterdam route. Hull–Rotterdam is the closest modern equivalent to the old Hull–Zeebrugge service, landing about an hour from Antwerp.
Read our full P&O Ferries guide »DFDS
DFDS operates on Dover–Calais and runs the Dover–Dunkirk crossing, which lands closest to Belgium — handy for Bruges, Ghent and the coast. It's a strong choice for the Belgian coast and West Flanders.
Read our full DFDS guide »Stena Line
Stena Line runs the Harwich–Hook of Holland crossing, the fastest Dutch route, with good rail links. From the Hook of Holland it's a straightforward drive south into Belgium.
Read our full Stena Line guide »Irish Ferries
Irish Ferries also operates on the busy Dover–Calais route, adding to the operator choice on the shortest Channel crossing. From Calais, Bruges is around an hour and 20 minutes' drive.
Read our full Irish Ferries guide »Which company will I travel with?
It comes down to your route rather than your destination country. For the Belgian coast, Dover–Dunkirk is a strong pick. For the shortest crossing, compare P&O, DFDS and Irish Ferries on Dover–Calais. For Antwerp and the east, P&O's Hull–Rotterdam or Stena's Harwich–Hook of Holland work well. Comparing operators on price and timing is always worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ferry company goes to Belgium?
None directly — there's no direct UK–Belgium ferry. You travel with P&O, DFDS, Stena Line or Irish Ferries to France or the Netherlands, then drive in.
Who runs the ferry closest to Belgium?
DFDS on Dover–Dunkirk lands closest, ideal for Bruges, Ghent and the Belgian coast.
Which operator is best for Antwerp?
P&O Ferries on Hull–Rotterdam, or Stena Line on Harwich–Hook of Holland — both land within a short drive of Antwerp.
Can I compare operators to Belgium?
Yes — on Dover–Calais especially, P&O, DFDS and Irish Ferries all compete, so it's worth comparing price and timing.