Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 1/6/2008

Question
Hi, i need some information about how can i arrive at Harwich from Amsterdam International Airport. I hear about a ferry direct to Harwich International Port. That's what i need.
I will arrive in Amsterdam in may 02, and i will leave Harwich to Amsterdam again in may 17.
Do you know about that ferry? What is the price, how many hours, etc?
Or if i can get a train in the Amsterdam Airport direct to HArwick?

Thank you for your attention

Fatima

Answer
Hi - the ferry runs from the Hook of Holland ("Hoek van Holland" in Dutch) to Harwich on these dates at 1430 and 2200, returning at 0900 and 2345.

The sailing takes approx 7 hours.

It is operated by Stena line, who are a very reputable company.

I'm assuming that with these timings you will be taking the night service, with a cabin, so here are those prices.

A single cabin is £86, approx $170 (inside cabin) or £96 ($200) for an outside (i.e. with a window) cabin, for the round trip, known here as a return.

If you are travelling by day, or with a companion, the "per person" fare is lower.

The Hook of Holland is on the western edge of mainland Europe and Harwich is one of the most easterly points in Britain, so a through rail journey would be very difficult, expensive and time consuming, as you would need to travel down to  Brussels in Belgium, take the Eurostar west to London, cross London to a different station and take a slow train back east to Harwich.

You can book the ferry online at http://stenaline.ferries.org

However, if you are not intending to complete your journey at Harwich - for example, if you are heading to London, let me know please, and I'll be happy to advise you.

You will also need to get from Amsterdam airport (called "Schiphol"), but fortunately this is one of the best airports in the world for onward journeys, with a large railway station built right into the airport (and with bright yellow, double decker trains, too!).

http://www.ns.nl is the website for Dutch railways - click the "English" button at the top of the page.

There are trains approximately every 30 minutes during the day, but on many you have to change to another train, so feel free to let me know what time you will arrive in Amsterdam and I will help you further.

The fare in second class is about £20 ($40) return and you can easily buy the ticket at the station on arrival.

Don't get on the train without a ticket though, as there are heavy fines.

There are machines in English, which take most credit cards or you can queue and speak to a member of staff at the ticket window.

The train journey time is approx 90 minutes - the Hook is the last stop, so you've no worries about missing your stop!

Please - do let me know if I can help further - and have a comfortable trip.

Happy to help!

Alun Hill MCIJ