London to Amsterdam via Overnight Ferry - A Weekend Adventure
Sep 27th, 2010, 04:48 AM
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London to Amsterdam via Overnight Ferry - A Weekend Adventure
Bikerscott and I just got back from a weekend in Amsterdam and thought I would share this mode of transport with all of you.
I had always thought getting to Amsterdam was best via plane from London. However my parents planned a last minute trip to Europe this month and wanted to visit Amsterdam. As they are on a budget it was too late to book affordable flights. So looked into plan B – the overnight ferry. We booked at www.stenaline.com two weeks prior to this weekend.
It works like this… Depart London Liverpool Street Station at 19:18 by train to Harwich International. The train arrives directly at the ferry terminal; we simply walked off the train into the ferry terminal, checked in at the Stena Line desk & walked through passport control onto the ferry. We boarded the ferry from around at around 21:00. Check in closes at 23:00. You can have dinner on board as they have a couple restaurants, or bring food along.
We sailed from Harwich to Hoek van Holland on Stena Line's overnight superferry, leaving at 23:45 & arriving at 07:45 next morning. This is Stena Line's superb new superferry 'Stena Hollandica', the largest ferry of her kind in the world. She's a floating hotel with over 1,400 beds, as all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower, satellite TV, free WiFi internet access, power sockets for mobiles or laptop, and soap, shampoo/shower gel, towels & bedding all provided. The ferry has a bar, wine bar, self-service & à la carte restaurants, shop, cinema showing the latest releases, Guest Services desk, & children's play area. The crossing is almost always smooth & comfortable which makes it very easy to sleep, as do the top quality Swedish 'Dux' mattresses. Although I could definitely tell we were on the water so may not be ideal for those that get seasick! A cooked breakfast is available in the restaurant in the morning. At Hoek van Holland, the ferry terminal is right next to the station, we walked off the ferry via the passenger gangway, through passport control and straight onto the station platform.
We then travelled from Hoek van Holland to Rotterdam Centraal by frequent Sprinter train, leaving every 15-30 minutes from platform 2. There's a train at 08:07 arriving at Rotterdam Centraal at 08:38.
We travelled from Rotterdam to Amsterdam by InterCity train, leaving Rotterdam Centraal daily at 08:58 and arriving at Amsterdam Centraal at 10:03. Many of these InterCity trains are double-deckers, we took a top deck seat for the best views.
Travel tip: In Rotterdam, the sprinter from Hoek van Holland normally arrives at platform 1 and the train to Amsterdam & Den Haag normally leaves from platform 8 or 9.
We checked into our hotel and were out and about by 10:30! We had breakfast, then took a canal boat ride to get our bearings. Then we wandered around the old and new side of town, and of course the famed red light district. We sampled many pubs and had a few drinks. We visited the flower market, then had dinner at an Indonesian place nearby for an excellent meal. After that we headed back to our hotel and played pool and drank wine until midnight.
Sunday my parents went to the Anne Frank house while we had breakfast. We then took them for lunch and then took the 3 hour walking tour, which was excellent. We had a couple drinks then headed back to the hotel to pick up the luggage and were back on the train at 19:00 to head home.
The train left Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 by InterCity train to Rotterdam Centraal, arriving at 20:02.
We then travelled from Rotterdam to Hoek of Holland by a local Sprinter train. This local train runs every 15-30 minutes, normally leaving from platform 1. There's a train at 20:13 arriving at Hoek Van Holland Haven at 20:42.
We jumped off the train, went through to the ferry check-in and sailed from Hoek van Holland to Harwich by overnight Stena Line superferry, leaving at 22:00 & arriving at 06:30 next morning. This isn’t the new superferry but was still huge and had a restaurant, lounge etc. There were no tvs or hairdryers in this ferry and you can tell its slightly older by the decor. At Harwich, the ferry terminal is right next to the station, we walked off the ferry through passport control and onto the station.
We then travelled from Harwich to London by train, leaving Harwich at 07:10, arriving London Liverpool Street station at 08:48. Bikerscott and I were both back at work this morning by 9:30!
Total cost:
London Liverpool Street – Any Dutch station return train £168
2 berth cabin return (you can pay more for bigger/nicer berths) £80
Credit card fee £5
Total £253
So we got all the transport tickets and 2 nights stay for £243 per couple! Much cheaper than planes, transport to the airport, and 2 nights hotel.
Hope this helps others, and I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have!!
I had always thought getting to Amsterdam was best via plane from London. However my parents planned a last minute trip to Europe this month and wanted to visit Amsterdam. As they are on a budget it was too late to book affordable flights. So looked into plan B – the overnight ferry. We booked at www.stenaline.com two weeks prior to this weekend.
It works like this… Depart London Liverpool Street Station at 19:18 by train to Harwich International. The train arrives directly at the ferry terminal; we simply walked off the train into the ferry terminal, checked in at the Stena Line desk & walked through passport control onto the ferry. We boarded the ferry from around at around 21:00. Check in closes at 23:00. You can have dinner on board as they have a couple restaurants, or bring food along.
We sailed from Harwich to Hoek van Holland on Stena Line's overnight superferry, leaving at 23:45 & arriving at 07:45 next morning. This is Stena Line's superb new superferry 'Stena Hollandica', the largest ferry of her kind in the world. She's a floating hotel with over 1,400 beds, as all passengers travel in a cosy private cabin with en suite toilet & shower, satellite TV, free WiFi internet access, power sockets for mobiles or laptop, and soap, shampoo/shower gel, towels & bedding all provided. The ferry has a bar, wine bar, self-service & à la carte restaurants, shop, cinema showing the latest releases, Guest Services desk, & children's play area. The crossing is almost always smooth & comfortable which makes it very easy to sleep, as do the top quality Swedish 'Dux' mattresses. Although I could definitely tell we were on the water so may not be ideal for those that get seasick! A cooked breakfast is available in the restaurant in the morning. At Hoek van Holland, the ferry terminal is right next to the station, we walked off the ferry via the passenger gangway, through passport control and straight onto the station platform.
We then travelled from Hoek van Holland to Rotterdam Centraal by frequent Sprinter train, leaving every 15-30 minutes from platform 2. There's a train at 08:07 arriving at Rotterdam Centraal at 08:38.
We travelled from Rotterdam to Amsterdam by InterCity train, leaving Rotterdam Centraal daily at 08:58 and arriving at Amsterdam Centraal at 10:03. Many of these InterCity trains are double-deckers, we took a top deck seat for the best views.
Travel tip: In Rotterdam, the sprinter from Hoek van Holland normally arrives at platform 1 and the train to Amsterdam & Den Haag normally leaves from platform 8 or 9.
We checked into our hotel and were out and about by 10:30! We had breakfast, then took a canal boat ride to get our bearings. Then we wandered around the old and new side of town, and of course the famed red light district. We sampled many pubs and had a few drinks. We visited the flower market, then had dinner at an Indonesian place nearby for an excellent meal. After that we headed back to our hotel and played pool and drank wine until midnight.
Sunday my parents went to the Anne Frank house while we had breakfast. We then took them for lunch and then took the 3 hour walking tour, which was excellent. We had a couple drinks then headed back to the hotel to pick up the luggage and were back on the train at 19:00 to head home.
The train left Amsterdam Centraal at 19:00 by InterCity train to Rotterdam Centraal, arriving at 20:02.
We then travelled from Rotterdam to Hoek of Holland by a local Sprinter train. This local train runs every 15-30 minutes, normally leaving from platform 1. There's a train at 20:13 arriving at Hoek Van Holland Haven at 20:42.
We jumped off the train, went through to the ferry check-in and sailed from Hoek van Holland to Harwich by overnight Stena Line superferry, leaving at 22:00 & arriving at 06:30 next morning. This isn’t the new superferry but was still huge and had a restaurant, lounge etc. There were no tvs or hairdryers in this ferry and you can tell its slightly older by the decor. At Harwich, the ferry terminal is right next to the station, we walked off the ferry through passport control and onto the station.
We then travelled from Harwich to London by train, leaving Harwich at 07:10, arriving London Liverpool Street station at 08:48. Bikerscott and I were both back at work this morning by 9:30!
Total cost:
London Liverpool Street – Any Dutch station return train £168
2 berth cabin return (you can pay more for bigger/nicer berths) £80
Credit card fee £5
Total £253
So we got all the transport tickets and 2 nights stay for £243 per couple! Much cheaper than planes, transport to the airport, and 2 nights hotel.
Hope this helps others, and I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have!!
Sep 27th, 2010, 05:12 AM
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thanks great post have done this also
www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/rail-and-sail/holland
from 29 Quid on sales if careful...
www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry/rail-and-sail/holland
from 29 Quid on sales if careful...
Sep 27th, 2010, 05:27 AM
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The Indonesian place was called Sampurna (Singel 498, www.sampurna.com) - really good, not too expensive, very friendly staff (as recommended two years ago by Peter from Boogaards B&B)
Breakfast while the in-laws were at the Anne Frank house was at Sara's Pancake House (Raadhuisstraat 45) - very tasty pancakes/omelettes etc, although VERY small with only one chef so be prepared for a wait if it's busy. Seemed to be quite a few locals in, which is always a good sign.
Favourite pub is Int Aepjen (Zeedijk 1), very small and atmospheric, in one of the two oldest wooden-fronted buildings in Amsterdam. Close to the Red Light district, but not overrun with stoned/drunk teens. Also seems to be quite a few locals in.
Breakfast while the in-laws were at the Anne Frank house was at Sara's Pancake House (Raadhuisstraat 45) - very tasty pancakes/omelettes etc, although VERY small with only one chef so be prepared for a wait if it's busy. Seemed to be quite a few locals in, which is always a good sign.
Favourite pub is Int Aepjen (Zeedijk 1), very small and atmospheric, in one of the two oldest wooden-fronted buildings in Amsterdam. Close to the Red Light district, but not overrun with stoned/drunk teens. Also seems to be quite a few locals in.
Sep 27th, 2010, 08:52 AM
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As Jamikins noted, the night sailing from Harwich is in a brand new ship, while the night sailing from Holland is currently in a smaller, older ship. A second new ship is due in service on 9 October to replace the older ship.
I travelled in the new ship in July. The cabins are very good: spacious and with good bathrooms, and satellite TV.
I travelled in the new ship in July. The cabins are very good: spacious and with good bathrooms, and satellite TV.
Sep 28th, 2010, 03:39 AM
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Thanks Jamikins... brings back memories.
I did that route to Amsterdam in 1972. I was 18. All I remember is the beer dropped to an insanely low price as soon as the boat crossed the 3 mile limit!
:^)
I did that route to Amsterdam in 1972. I was 18. All I remember is the beer dropped to an insanely low price as soon as the boat crossed the 3 mile limit!
:^)
Sep 28th, 2010, 03:51 PM
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Ah so nice to read Peters name here, we had a wonderful stay with him back in 2007 before he moved into the new premises. Maybe we will get back there one day.
Very interesting trip report, you are so lucky to be able to jump on a train and ferry and be in another country! Thanks for posting, its always good to read of alternative ideas to get us travelling.
Very interesting trip report, you are so lucky to be able to jump on a train and ferry and be in another country! Thanks for posting, its always good to read of alternative ideas to get us travelling.
Feb 11th, 2012, 01:35 PM
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The website "The Man in seat 61" (www.seat61.com) explains this ferry trip in detail, as well as how to make the trip via the chunnel on the train. He provides lots of pictures.
Feb 14th, 2012, 12:30 AM
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I did this trip last year, just in reverse. I had never taken such a ferry before and the trip exceeded my expectations. It's a great way to travel and the late departure/early arrival meant I was not wasting sightseeing time travelling by plane or train.
I am just sorry the itinerary for my next trip does not lend itself to completing this trip again.
If I had one complaint is that the wake up call (via in room speaker) was Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy". Nooooo!!!
I am just sorry the itinerary for my next trip does not lend itself to completing this trip again.
If I had one complaint is that the wake up call (via in room speaker) was Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy". Nooooo!!!
Feb 14th, 2012, 03:15 AM
#15
Looks atmost as good as the similar trips from Hull to Zeebrugge and Rotterdam. The upgrade restaurants for these ships are very good or you can struggle by with unlimited buffets in the standard restaurant
Apr 18th, 2015, 05:31 PM
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Hi, there:
We plan to try this too, but have a question and hope to get some clarifications:
You mentioned this :"We checked into our hotel and were out and about by 10:30AM! " Can you check into your hotel that earlier? Or you have to pay extra day of check in that earlier? Please let us know. thx!
We plan to try this too, but have a question and hope to get some clarifications:
You mentioned this :"We checked into our hotel and were out and about by 10:30AM! " Can you check into your hotel that earlier? Or you have to pay extra day of check in that earlier? Please let us know. thx!
Apr 18th, 2015, 05:53 PM
#19
>>Can you check into your hotel that earlier? <<
IF a room is available you can check in then. However it isn't guaranteed and is very likely a room won't be ready. If not, you drop your bags at the hotel and come back later after check in time.
If you want a guarantee then you would need to book the room for the previous night
IF a room is available you can check in then. However it isn't guaranteed and is very likely a room won't be ready. If not, you drop your bags at the hotel and come back later after check in time.
If you want a guarantee then you would need to book the room for the previous night
