You're standing on the deck at North Shields, wind whipping your hair, watching the Tyne slowly recede. Most people think the newcastle to amsterdam ferry is just a floating bus. They’re wrong. It’s a 15-hour transition between two entirely different worlds, and honestly, if you treat it like a budget flight, you’re going to have a miserable time.
I’ve done this crossing in Force 8 gales and in glass-calm summers. I’ve seen the stag parties and the quiet retirees. There’s a specific rhythm to the DFDS King Seaways and Princess Seaways—the two ships that run this route—that you won't find on the short hops from Dover.
🔗 Read more: The Ritz Paris France: Why It’s Still the World's Most Famous Hotel (and What Most People Miss)
Let's be real: you aren't actually landing in Amsterdam.
The ship docks in IJmuiden. That’s a gritty, industrial port about 30 kilometers west of the Dam. If you don't have a plan for that final leg, you'll end up standing on a cold quay wondering where the tulips are.
The Reality of the IJmuiden Trek
Most travelers book the "all-in" coach transfer. It’s easy. It’s also crowded. When 1,000 people disembark at once, the queue for the buses can be a bit of a nightmare.
If you’re driving, you have it easy. You roll off the ramp, hit the A22, and you're in the city center in 40 minutes, depending on the nightmare that is Amsterdam traffic. But if you’re a foot passenger? Consider the public bus (Line 382) to Amsterdam Sloterdijk. It’s often faster than waiting for the official DFDS shuttle to fill up, and it gives you a glimpse of the "real" North Holland that isn't just postcard-perfect canals.
Don't expect luxury. It’s a ferry.
The cabins are tight. Unless you’ve shelled out for a Commodore De Luxe suite, you’re basically sleeping in a very clean, very vibrate-y metal box. But there’s something weirdly cozy about it. The hum of the engines acts like white noise.
Eating on the North Sea: A Survival Guide
Food on the newcastle to amsterdam ferry is where things get expensive fast.
The 7 Seas buffet is the "big" experience. It’s got everything from North Sea shrimp to roast beef. It's fine. It's actually better than fine—it’s impressive for a ship—but it’ll set you back nearly £40 if you don't pre-book.
Here is what nobody tells you: bring your own snacks for the first few hours, but eat breakfast on board.
💡 You might also like: Finding Your Way: A Map of Mt Fuji and Why Google Maps Isn't Enough
The breakfast buffet is genuinely worth it. Watching the Dutch coastline appear through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the restaurant while drinking decent coffee is the best way to start the trip. If you’re on a budget, the "Little Italy" pasta place is the sweet spot. It’s cheaper than the steakhouse (North Sea Beverage and Grill) and fills the hole.
Why This Route Beats Flying (Sometimes)
Flying from Newcastle (NCL) to Schiphol (AMS) takes about 70 minutes. The ferry takes 15 hours. Why on earth would anyone choose the slow boat?
- Luggage. You can bring a literal trunk of clothes and three crates of Newcastle Brown Ale if you want. No liquid restrictions. No "will it fit in the overhead locker" anxiety.
- Stress. Schiphol has been a mess lately. Long security lines, lost bags, the general misery of airport terminals. On the ferry, once you're through the tiny terminal at North Shields, you're on vacation. You have a beer. You watch the sunset.
- The Morning Arrival. You wake up at 9:00 AM in a new country. No jet lag. No 4:00 AM alarm to catch a budget flight.
It’s about the "slow travel" vibe. If you’re in a rush, you’re doing it wrong.
Seasickness and the Dogger Bank
The North Sea is shallow. Shallow water gets choppy fast.
Even the big stabilizers on the Princess Seaways can’t stop a proper winter swell. I’ve seen the corridors looking like a scene from Inception, with people bouncing off the walls. If the forecast says anything above a Force 6, take the pill. Take it two hours before you sail. Once you feel sick, it’s too late. The guest services desk sells pills, but they’re pricey.
The "sweet spot" for stability is deck 4 or 5, mid-ship. The higher you go (into the fancy cabins), the more you feel the sway. It's a cruel irony of maritime engineering.
Entertainment: The Good, The Bad, and The Bingo
There’s a cinema. There’s a casino. There’s a "show bar."
The live music is usually a duo playing covers of "Sweet Caroline" and "Don't Stop Believin'." It’s kitschy. It’s loud. It’s exactly what you expect from a British-Dutch ferry crossing. If that's not your scene, the Sky Bar on the top deck is the place to be. Even in the rain, there are covered areas where you can watch the sea.
There’s something incredibly meditative about being in the middle of the North Sea at midnight, with no light pollution, just the white foam of the wake glowing in the dark.
Specific Logistics You Need to Know
- Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure. They are strict. If you show up 44 minutes before, you might be watching the ship pull away from the Tyne.
- Passport control is at both ends. Since Brexit, this takes longer. Be prepared to stand in a cold terminal for a while in IJmuiden.
- The "Duty-Free" shop is actually decent. It’s not just cheap perfume; they have some solid whiskies and Dutch spirits you can’t easily find in the UK.
- Wi-Fi is satellite-based. It is slow. It is expensive. Download your Netflix movies before you leave your house in Jesmond or Gateshead.
The Return Leg: Amsterdam to Newcastle
Coming back feels different. Everyone is tired. Everyone is carrying bags of stroopwafels and souvenirs from the Nine Streets.
The ship leaves IJmuiden at 5:30 PM. Make sure you're on deck for the departure. Watching the massive locks at IJmuiden operate is a feat of engineering that most tourists never see. You’re literally being lowered or raised to sea level.
✨ Don't miss: Kailasa Temple Ellora Photos: What Most People Get Wrong
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of the newcastle to amsterdam ferry, follow this exact sequence:
- Book 4+ months in advance. Prices fluctuate like flight tickets. Last-minute bookings during school holidays are extortionate.
- Pre-pay your meals. You’ll save about 20% compared to paying on the ship.
- Pack a small "cabin bag." If you're driving, you won't have access to your car once the ship sails. Keep your toiletries, pajamas, and chargers in a separate rucksack.
- Check the "Windy" app. Look at the swell height for the North Sea. If it’s over 2.5 meters, buy the strong sea sickness tablets from a pharmacy, not the supermarket.
- Use the IJmuiden-Amsterdam bus. Avoid the tourist shuttle if you want to save £10 and get to the city 15 minutes faster.
This isn't just a transport link; it's a rite of passage for North East travelers. It’s a bit creaky, a bit salty, and 100% better than sitting in a middle seat on a Boeing 737.
The Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry remains the best way to transition from the rugged coast of Northumberland to the winding canals of the Netherlands without losing your mind in an airport security queue. Just remember: bring a jacket, take the pill, and don't expect the Wi-Fi to work.