Ferry Ports for Belgium
Check prices & times »Since there's no direct ferry to Belgium, there are no UK–Belgium ferry ports. Instead, you'll sail from a UK port to one in northern France or the Netherlands, then drive across the border into Belgium.
This guide covers the UK departure ports and the near-continent arrival ports you'd use, and which parts of Belgium each one suits. For full detail on the crossings themselves, see our France and Holland guides.
Table of Contents
UK departure ports
Dover
- Crossings: Dover–Calais, Dover–Dunkirk (to France)
- Location: Kent, south-east England
- Best for: Bruges, Ghent, the Belgian coast, Brussels
- Onward drive: Bruges around 1h20 from Calais
Dover is the main gateway for Belgium, with frequent crossings to Calais and Dunkirk. Dunkirk lands closest to the border, making it especially handy for the Belgian coast, Bruges and Ghent.
Hull
- Crossing: Hull–Rotterdam (to the Netherlands)
- Location: East Yorkshire
- Best for: Antwerp and eastern Belgium
- Note: closest equivalent to the old Hull–Zeebrugge route
Hull runs the overnight crossing to Rotterdam, the nearest modern replacement for the old Hull–Zeebrugge service. From Rotterdam it's around an hour's drive to Antwerp, making Hull a strong choice for northern travellers.
Harwich
- Crossing: Harwich–Hook of Holland (to the Netherlands)
- Location: Essex
- Best for: Antwerp, Brussels, and foot passengers
- Note: strong rail links
Harwich runs the fast crossing to the Hook of Holland, with good rail connections. From there it's a straightforward drive or train south into Belgium, making it a good option for car-free travel.
Arrival ports near Belgium
Dunkirk
- Crossing: from Dover
- Location: northern France
- Onward: closest arrival port to Belgium
- Best for: Bruges, Ghent, the coast
Dunkirk is the closest arrival port to Belgium, a short drive from the border. It's the natural choice for the Belgian coast and West Flanders, and often the smoothest route to Bruges and Ghent.
Calais
- Crossing: from Dover
- Location: northern France
- Onward: Bruges around 1h20 by road
- Best for: the Belgian coast and Brussels
Calais is the busiest Channel port, with the most frequent crossings and the widest operator choice. Bruges is around an hour and 20 minutes' drive, and it's well placed for onward travel across Belgium.
Dutch ports (Rotterdam & Hook of Holland)
- Crossings: Hull–Rotterdam, Harwich–Hook of Holland
- Location: the Netherlands
- Onward: Antwerp around 1 hour from Rotterdam
- Best for: Antwerp and eastern Belgium
The Dutch ports of Rotterdam (Europoort) and the Hook of Holland put you within a short drive of eastern Belgium. Antwerp is around an hour from Rotterdam, making these the best arrival points for the east of the country.
Which ports should you choose?
A quick way to decide:
- Bruges, Ghent, the coast: Dover to Dunkirk
- Brussels: Dover to Calais or Dunkirk, or the Dutch routes
- Antwerp: Hull to Rotterdam, or Harwich to Hook of Holland
- Without a car: Harwich to Hook of Holland, for the rail links
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ferry port in Belgium for UK ferries?
Not for passengers — there's no direct UK–Belgium ferry. You sail to a French or Dutch port and drive across the border.
Which UK ports have ferries towards Belgium?
Dover (to Calais and Dunkirk), Hull (to Rotterdam) and Harwich (to Hook of Holland) — all requiring an onward drive into Belgium.
Which arrival port is closest to Belgium?
Dunkirk in northern France is the closest, a short drive from the border and ideal for the Belgian coast, Bruges and Ghent.
Which port is best for Antwerp?
Rotterdam, reached by the Hull crossing, is about an hour from Antwerp; the Hook of Holland from Harwich also works well.
Which port is best without a car?
Harwich to the Hook of Holland, thanks to its strong rail links for onward travel into Belgium.