Cycling to the Netherlands? Harwich to Hook of Holland Ferry Explained!

Thinking of cycling from the UK to the Netherlands? In this video, we’ll show you exactly how we travelled from Harwich (UK) to Hook of Holland (Netherlands) with your bicycle — step-by-step. 🚲⛴

We’ll cover:

• Arriving at Port
• Boarding with a bicycle
• Costs, timings & what to expect on board
• Where to park your car

Whether you’re planning a bikepacking trip across Europe or just curious about this classic route, this guide has everything you need to make your journey smooth and stress-free.

📍 Route: Harwich International Port → Hook van Holland
🎥 Shot in: Summer 2025

👍 If this video helped, please like, share, and subscribe for more cycling and adventure travel guides!

#FerryTravel #CycleTouring #Bikepacking #HarwichtoHookofHolland #CyclingEurope #UKtoNetherlands #TravelGuide #CyclingLife #BicycleTravel #TravelTips

Good morning from Haritch International Port. We’re um we’re heading over to the Netherlands today. So hopefully I’m going to be able to record enough of this so you guys know what to expect if you ever bring your bike to the port. So, as we’ve just pulled into uh the passport control and everything, which is over there, uh we’ve been told that the bike’s going towards the end. So, we’re waiting by the uh facilities entrance at the minute just over there. But I think you can see our ferry in the distance at the back over there. But it’s just unloading the people that have just come. So yeah, so far so good. So we’ve joined the queue. How you feeling? Good. Excited? Yeah. Yeah, tired. It’s been a It’s been a a long day so far. We got We left at 12:00. It feels extremely weird being in the line when there’s uh when you’re on the bikes. Look at us two just stood here with the bikes when we’re in the uh line of cars with the traffic. It’s an odd feeling. So, we’re lane one. It’s all been quite plain sly so far, hasn’t it? Yeah. Yeah. We had to queue up with the traffic and then um check our passports. Yeah. Check the passports and then we didn’t have to do any security checks. We Yeah. just rode straight through and now we’re just waiting to get on there. Go B. Up you go. Go on. Want those legs? You got it. It’s not what you want first thing in the morning, is it? Just by the bump. Hang up. We’re in the ship. Cyclist dismount. [Music] We’ve just got on the ferry. We’ve just got set up. Um, when you come, you leave your bikes in this area. Look. So, you attach them to these fences. So, there’s quite a few other people with us as well. Nobody tells you what to do. So, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. There’s nobody guarding you or anything, so you just kind of have to figure it out for yourself. It’s a long walk up these stairs, but we’ve made it to deck 9. There is elevator there. Yeah, there is an elevator, but we chose not to use it. Oh, wow. So there’s a map of the ship. So, we’re on the early ferry, but the um the duty-free doesn’t seem to be open yet. I’m not sure if that’s just cuz we’re not at sea or if it’s just really early. Oh, let’s keep going off tomorrow for coffee and snakes. I think we might potentially be at the highest point we can get to. There’s a couple of decks up there, but they uh it says no entrance. So, there’s a couple of hours before Well, there’s a there’s about an hour before we set sail. So, I think what we’re going to do is we’re going to get some breakfast and then try and catch us sailing out of here on this deck. Yeah. So, we’ve officially set sail. We’re on the move. I’m going to do a little bit of exploring. See what I can find. [Music] So, we found all the cabins. It’s really quiet though. There doesn’t seem to be many people in the cabins, does it? No. They’re all being cleaned at the minute. And there’s a lot of work going on. So, there’s a load of cabins. Uh, there’s only really one floor of entertainment area. So, I mean, it’s big enough just for the amount of time we’re spending on it, and there’s plenty of food available, which is, as you know from previous videos, is perfect for us. Have a look at that. You really got all the safety instructions? Yeah, I’m not just Hopefully we won’t need that on this on this cruise. Just in case we do. We want to be there fast. Yeah, on the boat. Women and children first. Is that still a thing? Hopefully we won’t find out. So that’s us officially leaving Harage behind over there. It sucks. £17 for a muffin, a bagel, water, and a peach iced tea. It’s not bad, actually. So, we’re about 4 hours in now. Almost 4 hours, should I say? Um, the uh the restaurant’s quite busy at the minute, so we’re going to go get some food in a bit once the cues have died down. I can’t do much filming inside because there’s loads of kids about. So, I’m trying to pick up little bits where I can just to kind of give you an idea of what it’s like on board, but someone’s flagging a bit. She’s very tired. Yeah, it’s all right. It’s better now that we’re outside. Yeah, we’ve come outside cuz the air con’s on inside and someone’s very cold. But outside the sun’s shining and the wind must be on the other side of the ship. So, it’s quite nice out here. So, there are two more decks up there, but I have no idea how we get up to them. I found a door, but it says private personnel only. I’m going to try and find a way in, but I don’t think I’ll be able to. Fancy a bit of basketball or football. I promise it is actually a lot warmer than it looks. I think that deck is for the staff. That’s why we’re not allowed up there, which is a shame because it have been a nice view from up there. Know traveling by uh ferry is a lot longer than going on a plane, but I just think this is more fun. There’s so much to so much to do on board. It’s really cool. I’m really enjoying it anyway. I know it’s not for everybody, but it’s just relaxing. And I promise it’s not that cold. She looks like she’s off on an Arctic exploration. I’m not 100% how uh green the travel is, though. Can somebody tell me in the comments as well what this is for? I think it’s for washing the windows down there from the outside. There’s quite a lot of traffic out there today. Tell you what though, well, it’s scorcher at the minute. It’s such a nice day. So, we decided on pizza for lunch. £1950 for this and two drinks. Looks quite good to be honest. So, we’re just pulling into the Hook of Holland now. I think we got about 30 minutes until we actually land at port. Um, yeah, we’re getting excited now. I haven’t been on a ferry yet since my uh my undert went to Germany on a coach, but I can tell you I’ve really enjoyed this. It’s been good fun, hasn’t it? Now we’ve just got a bike for eight years. I hope I’ve given you enough sort of insight as to what it’s like on board. Like I say, with the being loads of children around, I’ve not been able to do much filming. But yeah, first time on a ferry in, like I say, 15 years. I’ve really, really enjoyed it. apart from Megan being really really cold. Although she sat outside now and it’s boiling again. So yeah, it’s all been really good fun. Have you seen a pus yet? We definitely haven’t. Now the orange leaf and are situated at the back of the ship. There we go. [Music] All right. And just like that, we’re in the Netherlands. That was quite easy, wasn’t it? Yeah, it was. It was just a little bit like not very good for maneuvering bicycles. Yeah, it was quite tight man moving the cars through, but it didn’t help that a lady had fallen over as well and done some damage to her leg. But anyway, we’re here now. So now ready for the adventure. Thank you very much for watching this one. It’s easy. Try it yourselves. We’ll see you soon. Bye.