Check-in & boarding
When to be at King George Dock, what to have ready for the Netherlands and how the border works when you arrive at Europoort in the morning.
- At the terminal at least 90 minutes before departure
- Passport issued less than 10 years before you arrive
- EES registration on arrival at Europoort
Check-in in Hull and arrival at Europoort
Table of Contents
Check-in times in Hull
With a car, van or motorbike you need to be at the terminal at King George Dock at least 90 minutes before departure. Foot passengers check in inside the terminal building, where check-in opens at 15:00 and closes 90 minutes before departure. The same 90 minutes apply if you travel with a dog. The ferry leaves Hull in the evening, and the timetable shows the time for your date.
All times are local. The Netherlands is one hour ahead of the UK, so everything at Europoort, including the return sailing, runs on Dutch time.
What to have ready
At check-in you show the passports of everyone travelling and your booking, and staff send you to a waiting lane. Your vehicle has to match the booking, including a roof box, bike rack or trailer. If it is longer or higher than booked, you may have to pay a surcharge at the terminal.
Take what you need for the night out of the car before boarding: wash bag, clothes for the morning, medication and chargers. The vehicle decks are closed during the crossing, so you can't go back for anything.
If you have booked a reclining seat in the Sleep Lounge, your seat is allocated at check-in. The cabins and the lounge are described on the cabins page.
Passport rules for the Netherlands
With a British passport you enter the Schengen area at Europoort. On the day you arrive, your passport must meet two conditions:
- it was issued less than 10 years before the day you enter
- it is valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area
You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Time spent in other Schengen countries during the previous 180 days counts towards the 90 days.
EES at Europoort
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) has replaced passport stamps. On the short crossings from Dover the checks take place before you leave the UK. Sailing from Hull, you register when you arrive at Europoort.
There is nothing to do in advance, and registration is free. The first time, your face is photographed and your passport scanned. Adults and children aged 12 and over also give fingerprints, while younger children may only have a photo taken. Your record lasts three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. On later trips your passport is scanned and your identity confirmed with a photo or a fingerprint. Allow a little extra time at the border.
ETIAS, the EU's travel authorisation for visa-free visitors, is not in operation yet, so you don't need it for this trip. The EU will announce the start date several months ahead.
Coming home to Hull
With a British or Irish passport you don't need an ETA for the return. Travellers in your group on other passports may need one, unless they hold a UK visa or have permission to live, work or study in the UK. The ETA has to be approved before they set off, and the application is on GOV.UK.
Driving in the Netherlands in a UK car
- UK identifier: if your number plate shows the UK identifier with the Union flag, you don't need a sticker. If it shows no identifier, a GB identifier, an EU flag or the flag of England, Scotland or Wales, put a UK sticker on the car. Cover or remove an old GB sticker.
- Driving licence: your UK photocard licence is enough, and you don't need an international driving permit. You can't drive on a provisional licence.
- Log book: carry your V5C, or a VE103 if the car is hired or leased.
- Insurance: take your insurance certificate and check that the policy covers the Netherlands. You don't need a green card.
Low-emission zones and the drive from Europoort to Rotterdam and Amsterdam are covered on the getting there page.
With a dog
For the Netherlands your dog needs an animal health certificate issued for this trip. P&O Ferries checks the papers free of charge in advance if you send them at least 24 hours before departure, and they are checked again at check-in. The rules for the outward trip and for coming home are on the pets page.
Arriving at Europoort
The ferry docks at Europoort in the morning, and disembarkation starts about 15 minutes after docking. Drivers are called to the vehicle decks shortly before, so you go down to your car, and then comes the border check with your EES registration. The terminal is described on the Rotterdam ferry terminal page.
FAQ
Questions about check-in and entry
How early do I need to be at the terminal in Hull? +
At least 90 minutes before departure, whether you travel with a vehicle or on foot. Foot passenger check-in in the terminal building opens at 15:00. The departure time for your date is in the timetable.
Which passport rules apply for the Netherlands? +
Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive, and it must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. Check the issue date as well as the expiry date.
Do I need to do anything for EES before I travel? +
No. You register at the border when you arrive at Europoort. The first time, your face is photographed and your passport scanned, and adults and children aged 12 and over also give fingerprints. Registration is free and lasts three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Do I need an ETA to come back to Hull? +
Not with a British or Irish passport. Travellers in your group on other passports may need one, unless they hold a UK visa or have permission to live, work or study in the UK. The ETA has to be approved before they travel.