Stena line harwich to hook of holland

[Craig2601]

Hi!
Got a few questions about this journey:
1. How would you go about booking this journey with the fip coupons?
2. And is it just port tax you would have to pay?
3. Is it only daytime sailings available for travel or can you travel on night sailings?
Thanks very much.

 

[306024]

My favourite way to leave the country

Apply for your FIP coupon for the ferry in just the same way as you would for continental rail travel. It is one of the boxes to tick on the form.

You will need port tax for each journey. I usually get mine a few days in advance at Harwich, but I guess you can simply pay before you board if travelling on the day sailing. Never tried that. Alternatively call Stena line to see if they will sell you the port tax over the phone in advance.

You can travel on the night sailings too but you will need to book a cabin, they don't let you sleep on deck. The number of cabins for rail staff is quota controlled so book those as soon as possible. If you are using the night sailings again just ring Stena to book both the cabin and the port tax.

Although the ships don't look busy with foot passengers the volume of freight is considerable and is really what makes the route pay.

 

[Craig2601]

My favourite way to leave the country

Apply for your FIP coupon for the ferry in just the same way as you would for continental rail travel. It is one of the boxes to tick on the form.

You will need port tax for each journey. I usually get mine a few days in advance at Harwich, but I guess you can simply pay before you board if travelling on the day sailing. Never tried that. Alternatively call Stena line to see if they will sell you the port tax over the phone in advance.

You can travel on the night sailings too but you will need to book a cabin, they don't let you sleep on deck. The number of cabins for rail staff is quota controlled so book those as soon as possible. If you are using the night sailings again just ring Stena to book both the cabin and the port tax.

Although the ships don't look busy with foot passengers the volume of freight is considerable and is really what makes the route pay.

Thanks very much!

 

[ge-gn]

My favourite way to leave the country

Apply for your FIP coupon for the ferry in just the same way as you would for continental rail travel. It is one of the boxes to tick on the form.

You will need port tax for each journey. I usually get mine a few days in advance at Harwich, but I guess you can simply pay before you board if travelling on the day sailing. Never tried that. Alternatively call Stena line to see if they will sell you the port tax over the phone in advance.

You can travel on the night sailings too but you will need to book a cabin, they don't let you sleep on deck. The number of cabins for rail staff is quota controlled so book those as soon as possible. If you are using the night sailings again just ring Stena to book both the cabin and the port tax.
Although the ships don't look busy with foot passengers the volume of freight is considerable and is really what makes the route pay.

Indeed you can pay the port tax over the phone with the extremely helpful Stena staff. If only all call centres had knowledgeable staff. You can book everything over the phone in one 5 minute call.

 

[Ayman Ilham]

I have a question, how is the availability for foot passengers? Would I be able to book the next ferry just as I arrive at the port from the train? If it's that easy I'll go there instead of using the Eurostar whenever I do Interrail Global!

 

[30907]

Off the top of my head I doubt the day sailings ever sell out.
As a matter of fact, you can still book tonight's sailing but cabins are limited and a bit expensive. And I wouldn't risk it on a busy Friday or Sunday night.

 

[306024]

Yep, day sailings no problem for the odd foot passenger turning up on the day. These ships are huge. But cabin availability on night services can sell out so you could be told to come back in the morning.

Remember it is still a replacement bus service from Hoek to Rotterdam at present until the Rotterdam metro extension is commissioned.

 

[47513 Severn]

There is a surcharge for booking at the port. I've just looked it up and appears to only be £4 for foot passengers, see:
https://www.stenaline.co.uk/FAQs/amending-cancelling-bookings/why-was-a-fee-applied
I was a little surprised to read that as I'm sure it was eyebrow raisingly more when I had occasion to do so at Hoek a few years ago, something in excess of €20 as I recall.

As others have said, it does sell out a peak times, particularly Friday nights in the summer or if there are coach/school parties aboard. You might as well book in advance even if it is at the last minute before setting off. That would save you a wasted trip to Harwich or the port booking fee.

I would also recommend booking a cabin for the day sailing. They are half the night price and can provide a welcome base for the journey. Six hours is a long time in the lounges if there are a couple of coaches of school kids on board!

 

[Please Explain]

Indeed you can pay the port tax over the phone with the extremely helpful Stena staff. If only all call centres had knowledgeable staff. You can book everything over the phone in one 5 minute call.

Guess you got lucky there..

Whenever I have delt with Stena on the phone its been a bit of a nightmare. On hold for ages, call centre in god knows where on the other side of the world with staff who have great difficulty understanding a Scottish accent (even when toned down very clear and slow!).

P&O on the other hand are fantastic. I call them on the landline number and speak to their excellent staff in Dover who know how to get things done and have no problem with you paying cash at the port for the £3 port tax to Calais.

Top tip for P&O:
It's a well kept secret, but we get a 50% discount on the Club Lounge on Dover-Calais as rail staff! Ask them about it when you call, its well worth the extra £9 to escape le Transmanche Zoo at sea! You'll be offered a nice glass of champagne and other freebies as well!!

 

[craigybagel]

Indeed you can pay the port tax over the phone with the extremely helpful Stena staff. If only all call centres had knowledgeable staff. You can book everything over the phone in one 5 minute call.

Guess you got lucky there..

Whenever I have delt with Stena on the phone its been a bit of a nightmare. On hold for ages, call centre in god knows where on the other side of the world with staff who have great difficulty understanding a Scottish accent (even when toned down very clear and slow!).

My experience of dealing with Stena Line has always been the former, their call center staff were wonderful! Granted I've only been dealing with them on their Irish Sea Routes, but using the number listed on the staff travel website got me through to an office in Wales and they were able to process my booking over the phone in no time.