Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg in Denmark
From 29th September 2014, DFDS Seaways will no longer be running the passenger service between Harwich and Esbjerg in Denmark. There are currently no direct ferries operating between Britain and Scandinavia.
However, you can still reach Denmark by ferry using either our Newcastle to Amsterdam or Hull to Rotterdam routes and continue to enjoy safe and relaxing ferry travel to mainland Europe.
The Hull to Rotterdam route features overnight crossings similar to our Hull to Zeebrugge service. Your ticket will include a comfortable cabin and the ships boast a range of dining and entertainment options, including two cinema screens and a casino. You’ll then disembark in Rotterdam which offers excellent road links to Germany and then onto Denmark.
From Amsterdam, you will follow a similar route as if arriving in Rotterdam. You will take a scenic drive through Holland, into Germany and onwards to Denmark.
Why not have a look at our Holland or Germany Destination Guides for inspiration on places to see and do while making your road trip.
It would be nice now for DFDS to put on a ferry again that takes passengers between Uk and Denmark for 2022 now ships are more economically with the fuel they consume, and with duty free back on which has good profit margins for DFDS Let’s hope they are looking to reconsider after shutting the last passenger route to Scandinavia.
Hi Mick
Thank you for this comment, we here at Ferry To Europe, 100% agree with your comment. We feel this route is a huge loss and we hope that DFDS reconsider as well. We would love to be able to provide all our customers with some direct options to Scandinavia. We of course will keep you updated with any changes. Thank you.
Dear Sir, I am appalled that a company with your reputation of being the “leading ferry company in the world /Europe” has obviously FAILED to run a service from England to Denmark (Harwich – Esbjerg). This would appear to be a total failure of your marketing department. I look forward to hearing from you as to what, if anything you are going to do about restoring this route.
Yours faithfully, Thomas Baxter
Hi Thomas. We here at Ferryto.eu are disapointed of this closure, however I think you wanted to direct your message to DFDS Seaways. We don’t actually operate any ferries, we are just an information website. You can contact DFDS through their customer services
I would love to use the ferry to take my motorcycle to Denmark and then onto Sweden and Norway this summer. However, a return journey for me and my bike is over £600! – mainly because I have to book a 2-berth cabin just for myself… Unfortunately, I will have to look for alternative holiday options this summer. Very disappointing.
Hi Nick.
That is unfortunate with regards to the price for your travel. The amount of cabin space on the Harwich Esbjerg ferry is limited and if you are not sharing then it’s going to be expensive. If you are travelling as a party of 4 or 6, then this will get you best value for money. Unfortunately couples and sole travellers have to pay a premium.
If you can delay your travel until September you could save about £200.
If you don’t mind some extra driving, then why not try taking the Harwich to Rotterdam ferry and driving north to Denmark, it would be about a 5 or 6 hour drive up to Denmark from Rotterdam and if you take the day sailing (no cabin) you could get you your ferry travel for less than £100.
Hope this helps. Let us know what you decide to do.
What do you mean by “unfortunately”. It is obviously a company choice to discriminate against single travellers which you can do because you have a monopoly.
We (Ferryto.eu) do not operate this ship, that is done by DFDS Seaways.
However in defense of DFDS, they have not made a company choice to discriminate against single travelers. It’s simply a case of limited cabin space on this route. There are no single cabins on this route and only space for just over 600 passengers.
Sounds great if you have a car, but what about those who don’t? We are discriminated against (sob!). Denied the wonders of Denmark!
Foot passengers are welcomed on the Harwich to Esbjerg feryy. You don’t need a car!
If I am to travel to denmark by ferry I would need a kennel for my large dog.
However, when I try to book on line a kennel does not seem to be ever available.
Can you please advise if a kennel is available, and if not what do we do with the dog for such a long period? Can you keep the dog with you in the cabin?
No dogs are permitted on this route.
After dealing with Heathrow, Luton and Stansted airports for far too long, the ferry to Denmark made travelling fun again. It was so much less hassle and stress than flying and was actually exciting sailing over to Denmark.
The DFDS ferry is not a cruise, so not quite as grand as an ocean liner but your only on the boat for 1 night each leg. The cabins were basic but clean with an en suite and actually a rather comfy bed. I travelled with my wife and 2 grown up children, so the 4 bed cabin was quite cramped, but it was just for sleeping in, the rest of the time you can spend relaxing just about any where else on the ship.
I loved it and will do it again!
I have used this ferry at least once a year for the past few years, my father bought a cabin in Denmark a few years back and for the foreseeable future I don’t really see us going anywhere else but there for our “main summer holiday”. We use the ferry as it’s the only one that actually connects the UK with anywhere in Scandinavia and I want to take the car.
I live just outside London so suits me to drive to Harwich then overnight to Denmark – I must admit I have not spent anytime in Esbjerg, looks nice enough but we are always super keen to get to the cabin, which is about two hours form Esbjerg in Langeland.
I’ve heard that the DFDS ferry to Denmark has less facilities than other overnight ferries, but I always think it’s really good, nice cabin, even the inside one didn’t bother me, you can go up to the deck if you want to see out.