Crossing guide
What the Newcastle to Amsterdam crossing is like
DFDS advertises a daily 17:00 departure from Newcastle and a morning arrival at about 09:45 Dutch time. The Netherlands is an hour ahead, so the time on board is nearer 15¾ hours than the clock suggests. With one sailing a day, the date you choose fixes the whole plan: the evening meal, the night in a cabin and the morning drive or coach into Amsterdam. DFDS describes its pet-friendly cabins as limited, so check those before anything else.
Leaving Newcastle
Sailings leave from the DFDS International Passenger Terminal at Royal Quays in North Shields, on the Tyne east of Newcastle city centre. DFDS gives check-in as 14:00 to 16:15 for the 17:00 departure. Without a car, Percy Main and Meadowell are the nearest Metro stations, and DFDS runs a connecting bus from Bewick Street, opposite Newcastle Central Station.
Arriving in Amsterdam
You land at IJmuiden, not in central Amsterdam. DFDS notes the terminal has no direct rail link and puts a taxi from the city at around 85 euros, so decide before you sail how you will cover that last stretch. Drivers are close to the Dutch motorway network, but should still allow for unloading and passport control.
Vessels
Ships commonly used on this route
King Seaways
Typical route vessel; assignment is not guaranteed. Check your booking for the ship actually operating.
Princess Seaways
Typical route vessel; assignment is not guaranteed. Check your booking for the ship actually operating.
DFDS names King Seaways and Princess Seaways for this route. They differ for dog owners: DFDS lists small and medium kennels only on King Seaways.
Dogs aboard
Travelling with a dog on DFDS
Heading out, your dog sleeps either in a pet-friendly cabin with you or in an onboard kennel; leaving a dog in the car is not an option on this route. DFDS’s pet cabins are four-berth sea-view cabins for up to two pets, reached by stairs only, and DFDS asks you not to book an ordinary cabin instead when they are gone.
- 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
- Book a pet-friendly cabin or a kennel when you book the crossing and add each pet; DFDS charges a per-pet fee on top. Dogs must be at least 16 weeks old, and pets cannot travel on DFDS’s mini cruise fares.
- On board
- Pets are not allowed in public areas, apart from assistance dogs. Keep the dog on a lead between car, cabin, kennel and the dog exercise deck; the cabin page says the exercise deck needs a pass from Guest Services.
Carrier and border rules change. Confirm every item with DFDS, the official sources below and your vet before you travel.
Cabin alerts
What SailSoon watches on this route
DFDS 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 DFDS.
- Pet-friendly cabins
- Cabins DFDS 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 DFDS.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam?
DFDS sails at 17:00 and arrives at about 09:45 local time the next morning. Because the Netherlands is an hour ahead of the UK, that is roughly 15¾ hours on board. Check the dated timetable, as times can change.
Which ships sail from Newcastle to Amsterdam?
King Seaways and Princess Seaways are the usual ships for this crossing. DFDS names King Seaways and Princess Seaways for this route. They differ for dog owners: DFDS lists small and medium kennels only on King Seaways. The ship on your booking is the one whose cabins and pet facilities apply.
Can I take my dog on the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry?
Yes, as a driver or a foot passenger, but only in a pet-friendly cabin or an onboard kennel. DFDS does not allow dogs to stay in the vehicle on Newcastle–Amsterdam, and pet cabins are limited, so book the pet space first.
What paperwork does my dog need for Amsterdam?
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 DFDS we watch pet-friendly, premium and standard cabins only. Kennel space is not monitored, so check and book kennels directly with DFDS.
Sources
Where these facts come from
- DFDS: Newcastle to Amsterdam (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- DFDS: Amsterdam to Newcastle (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- DFDS: pet-friendly cabins, Newcastle–Amsterdam (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- DFDS: Newcastle terminal (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- DFDS: Amsterdam (IJmuiden) terminal (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- Port of Tyne: terminal directions (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- DFDS: travelling with pets (reviewed 2026-09-11)
- GOV.UK: taking your pet dog abroad (reviewed 2026-09-11)
Member alerts
Get told when a Newcastle to Amsterdam 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 DFDS’s booking system.
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