- Must visit
Colchester Castle Museum
Main city museum inside the castle, covering Roman Colchester, local archaeology and later history in a dramatic historic setting.
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The cheapest and fastest ferries from Rotterdam to Colchester
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 18 Sept
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£77
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£92
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
6 h 30 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
8 h
Ferries on 18 Sept
4
Distance
245 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap ferry ticket from Rotterdam to Colchester is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Rotterdam to Colchester will cost around £92 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap ferry tickets today for only £77.
Fast ferries
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 4 ferries from Rotterdam to Colchester, including 4 direct services.
On Fri 18 Sept the direct ferries cover the 245 km distance in an average of 8 h but if you time it right, some ferries will get you there in just 6 h 30 m .
The slowest ferries will take 9 h 30 m 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.
13:156h30Rotterdam19:45Colchester£771One-way0 changes- 12:156h30Rotterdam18:45Colchester£771One-way0 changes
- 20:009h30Rotterdam5:30Colchester£901One-way0 changes
- 21:009h30Rotterdam6:30Colchester£1251One-way0 changes
- 13:156h30Rotterdam19:45Colchester£771One-way0 changes
- 12:156h30Rotterdam18:45Colchester£771One-way0 changes
- 21:009h30Rotterdam6:30Colchester£1251One-way0 changes
- 20:009h30Rotterdam5:30Colchester£901One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare flight and ferry for Rotterdam to Colchester
Omio recommends booking the ferry as it is the most popular option from Rotterdam to Colchester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the ferry, with an average ticket price of £86 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 2h 55m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a ferry costs an average of £86, while a flight costs an average of £124.
Distance: 132 nautical miles (245 km)
Compare ferry with
Most popular Ferry | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£86 Average Price Cheapest | £124 Average Price | £49 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 37m Average total duration 7h 37m Onboard + 1h 0m Additional time* | 2h 55m Average total duration Fastest 55m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 2m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from Rotterdam to Colchester is a ferry with an average price of £86.
This is compared to other travel options from Rotterdam to Colchester:
A ferry is £38 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Rotterdam to Colchester costing on average £124.
The fastest way to travel from Rotterdam to Colchester is by flight with an average journey time of 55m.
Other travel options to Colchester take longer:
Ferry takes on average 7h 37m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Rotterdam and Colchester including taking a flight and ferry.
Rotterdam to Colchester Ferry Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Sailing Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 21:00 | Arrival Time 06:30 | Duration 9h30 | Sailing Days Fri |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 20:00 | Arrival Time 05:30 | Duration 9h30 | Sailing Days Fri, Sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 13:15 | Arrival Time 19:45 | Duration 6h30 | Sailing Days Fri, Sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 12:15 | Arrival Time 18:45 | Duration 6h30 | Sailing Days Fri, Sat |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 22:00 | Arrival Time 06:30 | Duration 9h30 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 13:45 | Arrival Time 19:45 | Duration 7h00 | Sailing Days Sun |
Operator Stena Line | Departure Time 14:15 | Arrival Time 19:45 | Duration 6h30 | Sailing Days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu |
Live departures
Rotterdam to Colchester ferry times
The table below shows live departures for Rotterdam to Colchester ferries for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated ferry journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stena Line | 14:15 Port of Hoek van Holland | 6h30 | 19:45 Harwich International Port | 0 changesdirect | |
| Stena Line | 22:00 Port of Hoek van Holland | 9h30 | 6:30 Harwich International Port | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last ferry of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Rotterdam to Colchester by flight or ferry
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.
Fri
18 Sept
18 Sept
Sat
19 Sept
19 Sept
Sun
20 Sept
20 Sept
Mon
21 Sept
21 Sept
Tue
22 Sept
22 Sept
Wed
23 Sept
23 Sept
Thu
24 Sept
24 Sept
Journey information
Overview: Ferry from Rotterdam to Colchester
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Ferries from Rotterdam to Colchester run on average 2 times per day, taking around 7h 37m. Cheap ferry tickets for this journey start at £56 if you book in advance.
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 30m. There are 8 sailings per week. Ferries from Rotterdam to Colchester are available to foot passengers.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Official Omio partners on this route
Distance 132 nautical miles (245 km) |
Average sailing duration 7h 37m |
Cheapest ticket price £56 |
Ferries per day 2 |
Direct ferries Available |
Average weekly sailings 8 |
Fastest ferry 6h 30m |
First ferry 9:00 |
Last ferry 23:00 |
Cabins Available |
Vehicles Available |
Foot passengers Available |
Cheapest Month Dec |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 1 day |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Ferry operators: Stena Line from Rotterdam to ColchesterYou can travel by ferry between Rotterdam to Colchester with Stena Line for as low as £56. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey.
Stena Line
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Stena Line Duration
6h 30m
Cheapest Stena Line Price
£56
Stena Line frequency
2 a day
Complete guide to Colchester
Things to do in Colchester
Discover the best of Colchester — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Colchester trip today.
- Recommended
The Natural History Museum
Natural history museum in a former church, with displays on Essex wildlife, geology and environment, suited to families and curious visitors.
- Recommended
Hollytrees Museum
Museum charting the city’s social history, from everyday objects to changing local life, housed in a restored historic building.
- Must visit
Castle Park
Central park beside the castle with lawns, mature trees and Roman remains. Ideal for a stroll, picnic or pause between sights.
- Recommended
High Street
Historic main street lined with shops and civic buildings, useful for exploring the town centre and taking in everyday city life.
- Recommended
Dutch Quarter
Characterful district of timber-framed houses and narrow streets, known for its historic atmosphere and photogenic townscape.
- Gluten-free
Colchester Oysters
Native Colchester oysters, served raw or dressed. They have been harvested locally since Roman times and are the town’s best-known traditional food.
- Gluten-free
Smoked Eel
Smoked eel from the Essex coast and estuaries, traditionally cured and smoked for a rich flavour tied to local fishing heritage.
- Gluten-free
Essex Clanger
A traditional Essex bake made with potatoes, onions and pork or beef, slowly cooked until soft. It is a longstanding county comfort food.
Le Talbooth
Fine dining restaurant in Dedham Vale near Colchester, known for polished British cooking and a refined countryside setting.
Church Street Tavern
Established restaurant serving modern British dishes and seafood in a smart yet relaxed setting near the town centre.
Timbers
Popular casual venue for brunch, coffee and seasonal plates, with a friendly atmosphere and strong local reputation.
British pound sterling (£)
Moderate for England: hotels and dining cost less than London, but more than smaller UK towns. Buses are reasonable; central sightseeing is mostly low cost.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- £8-15 for fast food or a simple meal.
- Mid-range
- £18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
- Fine dining
- £50+ per person for upscale restaurants.
- Coffee
- £2.80-4 for cappuccino.
Tipping culture
Service is sometimes included. If not, tip about 10% in restaurants for good service. Taxis are often rounded up or tipped 10%. Cafés usually do not expect tips, but small change is appreciated.
FAQs: Rotterdam to Colchester ferries
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Rotterdam to Colchester 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 Colchester, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap ferry tickets from Rotterdam to Colchester can start from as little as £56 when you book in advance. The average ferry ticket price for Rotterdam to Colchester is £86; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by ferry from Rotterdam to Colchester is 6h 30m to travel the 245 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest ferry from Rotterdam to Colchester leaves at 9:00. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest ferry from Rotterdam to Colchester leaves at 23:00.
Yes, there are 2 direct ferries a day from Rotterdam to Colchester with Stena Line. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct ferries.
Yes, you can book a cabin on sailings from Rotterdam to Colchester with Stena Line
Yes, travelling with a vehicle from Rotterdam to Colchester is possible with Stena Line.
Yes, travelling as a foot passenger from Rotterdam to Colchester is possible with Stena Line. We recommend arriving at least one hour before the trip if you are travelling on foot but please check specific times for each route. If you need to book your travel to the departure port, check our trains, buses, and flight options on Omio.
When taking a ferry from Rotterdam to Colchester, you can count on Stena Line for the best way to get you to Colchester. You can also check all possible ferry operators who offer a service between Rotterdam and Colchester and compare the amenities they offer before buying a ferry ticket.
A trip to Colchester from Rotterdam is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 6h 30m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a ferry from Rotterdam to Colchester is December.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Rotterdam and Colchester including taking a flight and ferry.
More options for your journey from Rotterdam to Colchester
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular ferries to and from Colchester and Rotterdam
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