If travelling from the UK to the Netherlands, or vice versa, there are multiple ferries that allow you to take your dog with you. Best of all, each of these ferry routes has pet-friendly cabins and also allows foot passengers to bring along pets. Find out more about the dog-friendly ferries between the UK and the Netherlands.
Can I Take My Dog on a Ferry to the Netherlands?
Yes, it’s possible to take your dog with you when travelling to Holland on a ferry. Each of the ferry companies that currently operates ferries to the Netherlands allows pets onboard, including Stena Line, DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries.
There are a variety of facilities onboard each of these ferries. All of the ferries now have pet-friendly cabins. Depending on the ferry there may also be dog kennels or the option to leave your pet in your vehicle.
Before taking a ferry to the Netherlands with your dog, you’ll need to have your paperwork in order. To travel from the UK to the Netherlands, your dog will require an EU animal health certificate (AHC), unless they already have an EU pet passport issued either in the EU or Northern Ireland. To travel to the EU, they will require a microchip and a valid rabies vaccine before being issued the certificate.
On your return journey to the UK, make sure your dog is administered a worming treatment by a vet, between 24 hours and five days before your arrival in the UK. If your EU animal health certificate was issued less than four months ago you can use this certificate to return to the UK, with the worming treatment entered on it.
Can Foot Passengers Take Dogs on the Ferry?
Luckily, if you’re planning on travelling to the Netherlands (and onwards) without your car, all of the ferries to the Netherlands allow foot passengers to bring pets on board. These pet-friendly ferries are also a great option for travelling to the UK on foot with a dog, after flying to Europe.
Dog-Friendly Ferries to the Netherlands
There are currently three ferry companies that operate ferry crossings between the UK and the Netherlands: Stena Line, DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries.
All of the crossings operate between the east coast of England and the coast of Holland, with a different route operated by each company. A key consideration in choosing a ferry is the English port of departure. For example, if departing from southern England, the Stena Line ferry departing from Harwich is probably most convenient.
Stena Line from Harwich to Hook of Holland
The Stena Line ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland is one of the most popular options for pet owners travelling to the Netherlands (or to England), thanks to the proximity of Harwich to London and southern England. It’s also very pet-friendly and easy to book, even with pets.
This ferry takes up to 9 1/2 hours on overnight crossings, with shorter crossings also offered during the daytime. Thanks to the presence of pet-friendly cabins, either option is great when travelling with pets.
There are a mix of two-berth inside and outside pet-friendly cabins, or larger five-berth pet-friendly cabins with a window. Up to three small pets under 15kg are permitted in each cabin, two medium-sized dogs under 30kg, or one large dog over 30kg.
On the two ships on this route, there is also the option of booking a kennel. The two kennel rooms remain accessible throughout the voyage, plus there is a TV channel showing CCTV footage from the kennels. (This is the option we used, prior to pet-friendly cabins being added.) There is also the option to leave pets in your vehicle, if travelling with a vehicle.
On the ferries there is a pet exercise outside on one of the decks. Although be warned it is just a bare deck, that my dog refused to use! Read my review of travelling between London and Amsterdam with my dog on this ferry, on the overnight sailing.
There is no additional fee for pets staying in a pet-friendly cabin, although the cabins themselves are more expensive. The fee for a pet to stay in a kennel is £22 or to stay in a vehicle is £19 (as of March 2026).
It’s possible to book any option online, including pet-friendly cabins. Simply select a pet-friendly cabin if desired at the cabin step, then add your pet to your booking at the next step. Recently, a limit of three pets per foot passenger has been imposed (or five pets per vehicle).
Find out more about travelling with pets on Stena Line ferries
DFDS Seaways from Newcastle to Amsterdam
If travelling from northern England or Scotland, one of the most popular options if the DFDS Seaways ferry to Amsterdam. The journey time on this ferry route is much longer – nearly 16 hours.
This ferry has pet-friendly cabins as well as dog kennels. The pet-friendly cabins are four-berth sea-view cabins that can accommodate up to two medium-sized dogs or other types of pets. Read this review by someone travelling one of the cabins.
If travelling with a cat or other pet, there is also the option to leave your pet in your vehicle, but this is not available for dogs. There are dog-friendly outdoor areas available for most of the voyage.
There is a pet fee of £30 of pet, regardless of whether they are travelling in a cabin, kennel or in your vehicle (as of March 2026). Foot passengers travelling with a pet can only book by calling the contact centre, otherwise book online.
Find out more about travelling with pets on DFDS Seaways ferries
P&O Ferries from Hull to Rotterdam
Another dog-friendly ferry from the north of England to Holland is the P&O ferry from Hull to Rotterdam. This journey time on this route is about 11 hours, with the service generally operating overnight.
This ferry route also now has pet-friendly cabins. There are six pet-friendly cabins, each a two-berth ensuite cabin with a window, although with a restricted view. Each cabin can accommodate two small or one medium/large dog. The pet-friendly cabins are located on deck 7, close to the exercise area and kennels.
It’s also possible to book one of the air-conditioned kennels, with three sizes available. While the kennels cannot be visited during the crossing, they are regularly checked by staff members overnight. Pets cannot remain in vehicles on this route.
There is a pet fee of £22 (as of March 2026), charged regardless of whether your pet travels in a kennel or cabin. The pet-friendly cabins cost more than standard cabins. It’s easy to make a booking with a pet online, including if travelling without a car.
P&O has also set up a pet exercise area at both the Hull and Rotterdam Ferry Terminals, for some last minute exercise before boarding the ferry.
Find out more about taking your pets on P&O ferries
Tips for Taking a Ferry to Netherlands with Your Dog
If wanting to book a pet-friendly cabin, be aware that they can book out quite quickly. Make a booking well in advance. Also be aware that when making a booking on the DFDS Seaways ferry as a foot passenger, you’ll need to call the call centre.
No matter how your pet is travelling on the ferry, make sure they are comfortable with their own bed, a water bowl and access to food. Check out the recommendations of the ferry company, and make sure all your paperwork is in order well in advance.
Other Options to Travel from the UK to Netherlands with a Dog
In addition to the direct ferries from the UK to Holland, there are a number of other options for transporting your dog to the Netherlands, including if you are travelling as a foot passenger.
Firstly, it’s possible to fly out of the UK with a dog in the cabin, although only limited airlines offer this option. I believe that KLM allow this – call up their call centre to confirm and make a booking. However, it is not possible to fly a dog back to the UK in the cabin, only as cargo.
There are also a large number of ferries that cross from the UK to France, that are often much quicker than the ferries to the Netherlands. The majority of these ferries only allow those with motor vehicles to bring along pets. The sole option allowing foot passengers to bring pets is the DFDS Seaways ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe, that now has dog-friendly cabins.
Alternatively, it’s also possible if you are travelling with a motor vehicle to take LeShuttle with a dog. From Calais to Amsterdam it’s about a four drive. Note that the Eurostar across the Channel does not allow pet dogs, only service dogs.
For a full list of options, see my guide to travelling with a dog between the UK and Europe.
You May Also Like
- Pet-Friendly Cabins on Ferries Between UK and Europe
- Travelling in Netherlands with a Dog
- Visiting Amsterdam with a Dog
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.