Crossing guide
What the Harwich to Hook of Holland crossing is like
Stena advertises crossings from 6 hours 30 minutes, with four daily sailings across the two directions. From Harwich its timetable shows a morning departure arriving in the late afternoon, about 7 hours at sea once the hour’s time difference is taken off, and a late-evening sailing arriving around 08:00 Dutch time, about 8 hours later. The night crossing is the one where a cabin matters, while the day sailing suits those heading straight on to Rotterdam or The Hague.
Leaving Harwich
Stena sails from Harwich International Port at Parkeston Quay, which Stena places about 85 miles north-east of London. Trains run direct to Harwich International station next to the terminal. Stena’s timetable closes check-in 45 minutes before departure for both cars and foot passengers.
Arriving in Hook of Holland
You land at Hook of Holland, on the coast between Rotterdam and The Hague, with Amsterdam about 85 kilometres away according to Stena. The metro outside the terminal runs towards Rotterdam, and drivers reach the Dutch motorways within minutes of leaving the port.
Vessels
Ships commonly used on this route
Stena Britannica
Typical route vessel; assignment is not guaranteed. Check your booking for the ship actually operating.
Stena Hollandica
Typical route vessel; assignment is not guaranteed. Check your booking for the ship actually operating.
Stena names its superferries Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica for the route.
Dogs aboard
Travelling with a dog on Stena Line
Outbound from Harwich, Stena’s Harwich pet information and ship pages list pet-friendly cabins and a limited number of heated kennels, plus an area on board for walking dogs. A pet cabin takes up to three small pets, two medium pets or one large pet, depending on weight. Stena itself recommends kennels for dogs, so compare both options when you book.
- Documents
- GOV.UK says pets living in England, Scotland or Wales need an animal health certificate from a vet to enter the EU, and cannot use a pet passport issued there. The certificate must be used to enter the EU within 10 days of issue.
- Rabies and microchip
- Microchip the dog before, or at the same time as, its rabies vaccination, then wait at least 21 full days after the first vaccination before travelling.
- Booking
- Add pets and choose a kennel or pet-friendly cabin at the extras stage of booking. Drivers may bring up to five pets and receive a coloured tag at check-in; foot passengers up to three, and must book a kennel or pet cabin.
- On board
- Stena says a pet left in a vehicle or kennel must stay there for the whole crossing, so decide before boarding where the dog will spend the voyage.
Carrier and border rules change. Confirm every item with Stena Line, the official sources below and your vet before you travel.
Cabin alerts
What SailSoon watches on this route
Stena Line monitoring currently covers the next 180 days. Dates further ahead are checked on a rotating schedule. Checks are made for two adults travelling with a car, so other party sizes or foot passengers may see different results. Prices we show are for the cabin or option only, not the full fare, and nothing is reserved for you: book and confirm the total price and pet terms with Stena Line.
- Pet-friendly cabins
- Cabins Stena Line marks as pet-friendly, when it offers them on the sailing. Check the pet rules and any pet charge on the booking page.
- Premium cabins
- The operator’s premium or deluxe cabin categories, including pet-friendly premium cabins where they exist.
- Standard cabins
- Ordinary private cabins for at least two people, inside or with a window.
- Not monitored
- Kennels, seats, shared berths, deck options and the full fare. Check those directly with Stena Line.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland?
Stena advertises crossings from 6 hours 30 minutes. From Harwich the day sailing takes about 7 hours and the night sailing about 8 hours, arriving around breakfast time in the Netherlands.
Which ships sail from Harwich to Hook of Holland?
Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica are the usual ships for this crossing. Stena names its superferries Stena Britannica and Stena Hollandica for the route. The ship on your booking is the one whose cabins and pet facilities apply.
Can I take my dog on the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry?
Yes, in a pet-friendly cabin or a heated kennel, and drivers can bring up to five pets. Foot passengers can bring up to three but must book a kennel or pet-friendly cabin.
What paperwork does my dog need for Hook of Holland?
GOV.UK says a dog living in Great Britain needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days old and an animal health certificate from a vet, used to enter the EU within 10 days of issue. A pet passport issued in Great Britain cannot be used. Check the official guidance before you travel, as rules change.
Does SailSoon alert me to kennels on this route?
No. On Stena Line we watch pet-friendly, premium and standard cabins only. Kennel space is not monitored, so check and book kennels directly with Stena Line.
Sources
Where these facts come from
- Stena Line: Harwich to Hook of Holland (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- Stena Line: Harwich port (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- Stena Line: Hook of Holland port (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- Stena Line: Stena Britannica (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- Stena Line: Stena Hollandica (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- Stena Line: can I bring my pet? (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- GOV.UK: taking your pet dog abroad (reviewed 2026-09-11)
Member alerts
Get told when a Harwich to Hook of Holland cabin appears
Create a free account, then set the dates and cabin types you need on this route. We email you when a matching cabin shows up in Stena Line’s booking system.
Already a member? Set an alert for Harwich to Hook of Holland.