- Must visit
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Major museum with Dutch and European art from the Middle Ages to today. Visit for paintings, design and changing exhibitions in a landmark building.
Cheapest price on 17 Sept
£85
Average ticket price on 17 Sept
£120
Fastest journey on 17 Sept
7 h 15 m
Average journey duration on 17 Sept
7 h 38 m
Ferries on 17 Sept
2
Distance
245 km
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Colchester to Rotterdam is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Colchester to Rotterdam will cost around £120 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only £85.
On Thu 17 Sept, we found 2 ferries from Colchester to Rotterdam, including 2 direct services.
On Thu 17 Sept the direct ferries cover the 245 km distance in an average of 7 h 38 m but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 7 h 15 m .
The slowest ferries will take 8 h and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
Stena Line
Stena Line
Stena Line
Stena LineOmio recommends booking the ferry as it is the most popular option from Colchester to Rotterdam among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the ferry, with an average ticket price of £85 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 2h 58m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a ferry costs an average of £85, while a flight costs an average of £86.
Distance: 132 nautical miles (245 km)
Most popular Ferry | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£85 Average Price Cheapest | £86 Average Price | £27 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 30m Average total duration 7h 30m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 2h 58m Average total duration Fastest 58m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 13m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Colchester to Rotterdam:
A ferry is £0.67 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Colchester to Rotterdam costing on average £86.
Other travel options to Rotterdam take longer:
Ferry takes on average 7h 30m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 09:00 | Arrival Time 15:45 | Duration 6h45 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 08:00 | Arrival Time 14:45 | Duration 6h45 | Sailing Days Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 22:00 | Arrival Time 06:00 | Duration 8h00 | Sailing Days Tue |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 23:00 | Arrival Time 07:00 | Duration 8h00 | Sailing Days Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun |
The table below shows live departures for Colchester to Rotterdam ferries for tomorrow, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stena Line | 9:00 Harwich International Port | 7h15 | 17:15 Port of Hoek van Holland | 0 changesdirect | |
Stena Line | 23:00 Harwich International Port | 8h00 | 8:00 Port of Hoek van Holland | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare flight and ferry prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Ferries from Colchester to Rotterdam run on average 2 times per day, taking around 7h 30m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at £53 but you can travel from only £40 by flight.
There are 2 ferries per day. The earliest ferry runs at 09:00, the last at 23:00. The fastest ferry covers the 132 nautical miles (245 km) distance in 6h 45m. There are 9 sailings per week. Ferries from Colchester to Rotterdam are available to foot passengers.

Distance 132 nautical miles (245 km) |
Average sailing duration 7h 30m |
Cheapest ticket price £53 |
Ferries per day 2 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 9 |
Fastest ferry 6h 45m |
First ferry 9:00 |
Last ferry 23:00 |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Rotterdam — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Rotterdam trip today.
Major museum with Dutch and European art from the Middle Ages to today. Visit for paintings, design and changing exhibitions in a landmark building.
Contemporary art museum in the Museumpark, known for bold installations, photography and fashion exhibitions in a striking silver building.
Museum on Dutch and international photography in former warehouse buildings on Wilhelminapier. Expect strong documentary and art photography shows.
Lively market hall with dramatic ceiling artwork and striking horseshoe design. Worth visiting for the architecture and central location alone.
Waterside district with converted warehouses, historic ships and broad views. Pleasant for walking and seeing Rotterdam’s maritime character.
Historic harbour area transformed into a cultural quarter with quayside walks, architecture and river views. Good for a relaxed local-style stroll.
Raw herring served with onion and pickles. A classic Dutch street snack, widely eaten in Rotterdam and across the country, especially from fish stalls.
Small fried cod pieces, usually served with garlic or tartare sauce. A beloved Dutch fish snack commonly found at markets and harbours.
Crisp potato chips topped with mayonnaise, peanut sauce and chopped onion. This Dutch fast-food favourite is a familiar late-night choice in Rotterdam.
Refined dining with seasonal menus and polished service in an elegant riverside setting at Hotel New York.
Bustling Market Hall food venue known for excellent seafood, oysters and shellfish in a lively modern setting.
Popular food hall with varied local and international stalls, ideal for trying Dutch snacks in a casual central atmosphere.
Moderate for Western Europe: hotels and dining are not cheap, but public transport is efficient and budget eats are easy to find.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Small change for cafés is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Europoort Rotterdam -> Rotterdam Centraal
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Colchester to Rotterdam by ferry. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest ferry, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Rotterdam, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need