Netherlands advice

[kingmid]

I’m booked on Hull/Rotterdam ferry early September and as it’s 7 years since we visited Netherlands I have a few questions.

First time on this ferry as always used the tunnel but fed up of the long drive to Folkestone. Has anyone used the pet cabins and if so any tips or issues crop up?

Next, food. We’ll have a couple of days food to start us off plus dry dog food - was your fridge checked or any food confiscated?

We plan to go to Texel and then work our route from there. Does anyone have any recommendations for places to stay on Texel - we’re happy with sites or Camperplaats. Lastly, we have Mastercard & Visa, but last time it was very hit and miss with these and we needed a fair bit of cash. Is this still the same?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Kingmid

 

[Bleau’s]

We go to texel regularly and stay on the small campsite attached to boutique hotel texel and you can use all the hotel facilities including warm bread in the morning.A lot of places are still cash or MasterCard debit .

 

[ivorantony]

Likewise we have use this campsite and also the hotel when attending a flyin at the local airfield
Both were very good with excellent facilities, good breakfast at the hotel and it’s close enough to all the main towns with excellent cycling ways,

 

[Brains]

We are regular users of the Harwich/Hook of Holland ferry.

• Never had food checked (but they do check for stowaways and making sure your gas is off)
• We always take a night crossing in a cabin, it saves a day, cabins are good.
• We dont have pets, but they do have a pet area on the deck.
• We stock up on food at Albert Heijn supermarket in Hook of Holland, 200m from the ferry and you can get a motorhome in the car park.
• On the return we stay at Delftse Hout campsite at Delft. (Walking distance to the centre of town, 30 mins from ferry)
• Texel - MAKE SURE YOU BOOK!!!! In high season, without a booking they will not let you on the ferry to the island.
• We thought in July 22, with 80 sites on the island, we would not have a problem. The island was full, so we never got on the ferry.
• (We have been to Texel before and since, but booked ahead)
• Our favourite campsite on Texel is Korn Aar
• Cards: We tend to use our Starling €uro account cards which is backed by Mastercard. As you say, hit and miss as to what works in the Netherlands.
• We did find (in 2024) the ATM's at Albert Heijn worked, but the tills did not, so we had to get cash from their ATM to put into the till so they could restock the ATM !

 

[JnJ]

We have been in the Netherlands for the last 3 weeks. we came Harwich/ Hook of Holland, no food checks.
You will definitely need a Mastercard because Visa is not widely used.
We have a Starling card (not Euro one) and have used it everywhere without problem, even Albert Heijn.
You may need some Euros because some smaller campsites prefer cash. However beware, we have found that atms are now run by one company rather than individual banks, they are bright yellow Geldermat machines and they charge €7 to withdraw from a UK account.
There are Lidl and Aldi stores everywhere too but many are in housing estates with very limited parking so we always check out Google maps to find one with a large carpark, several near larger towns have underground parking which are obviously no good for motorhomes.
If you are unable to book a campsite it is easy to visit Texel by bike because there is a huge deck on the ferry just for bikes.(though Texel is usually very windy!) I think there is aire camping on the harbour at Den Helder not been for a while.
Using the service bus anywhere is quite expensive.

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[kingmid]

Many thanks for this very helpful information especially about booking ahead on Texel, which we’ll do. We were aware from our last trip that supermarkets don’t have motorhome suitable car parks and shopped mostly by bike.

We too hope to finish at Delftse Hout because there is a vet we can walk to -despite it being expensive -the vet and the site. Still, really looking forward to it! Thanks again.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Word of warning

Don’t eat the special cakes

 

[Barchetta47]

We have been in the Netherlands for the last 3 weeks. we came Harwich/ Hook of Holland, no food checks.
You will definitely need a Mastercard because Visa is not widely used.
We have a Starling card (not Euro one) and have used it everywhere without problem, even Albert Heijn.
You may need some Euros because some smaller campsites prefer cash. However beware, we have found that atms are now run by one company rather than individual banks, they are bright yellow Geldermat machines and they charge €7 to withdraw from a UK account.
There are Lidl and Aldi stores everywhere too but many are in housing estates with very limited parking so we always check out Google maps to find one with a large carpark, several near larger towns have underground parking which are obviously no good for motorhomes.
If you are unable to book a campsite it is easy to visit Texel by bike because there is a huge deck on the ferry just for bikes.(though Texel is usually very windy!) I think there is aire camping on the harbour at Den Helder not been for a while.
Using the service bus anywhere is quite expensive.

lol

 

[PlacidoD]

I’m booked on Hull/Rotterdam ferry early September and as it’s 7 years since we visited Netherlands I have a few questions.

First time on this ferry as always used the tunnel but fed up of the long drive to Folkestone. Has anyone used the pet cabins and if so any tips or issues crop up?

Next, food. We’ll have a couple of days food to start us off plus dry dog food - was your fridge checked or any food confiscated?

We plan to go to Texel and then work our route from there. Does anyone have any recommendations for places to stay on Texel - we’re happy with sites or Camperplaats. Lastly, we have Mastercard & Visa, but last time it was very hit and miss with these and we needed a fair bit of cash. Is this still the same?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Kingmid

I did the Hull-Rotterdam trip once during Covid and I am travelling out again on (01/09/25). Not sure there is much I can add to earlier posts save to add that there are now daytime motorway speed limits to reduce pollution that may impact upon your journey time. Not sure they will have been around when you last did the journey?

P.S. Not stopping in the Netherlands. I shall be on German motorways by lunchtime.

 

[Jo May]

I’m booked on Hull/Rotterdam ferry early September and as it’s 7 years since we visited Netherlands I have a few questions.

First time on this ferry as always used the tunnel but fed up of the long drive to Folkestone. Has anyone used the pet cabins and if so any tips or issues crop up?

Next, food. We’ll have a couple of days food to start us off plus dry dog food - was your fridge checked or any food confiscated?

We plan to go to Texel and then work our route from there. Does anyone have any recommendations for places to stay on Texel - we’re happy with sites or Camperplaats. Lastly, we have Mastercard & Visa, but last time it was very hit and miss with these and we needed a fair bit of cash. Is this still the same?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Kingmid

Is your dog a good traveller? Anxious? We took out 14-year-old on that route - blew up a force 8 and we thought we'd find the dog expired on arrival. It's a long time to leave them. From memory (20 years ago) I THINK you can go down to that deck with a member of crew, but we chose to give her a quick pee before we left and leave her alone. Luckily, she was fine.
Consider a mild tranquilizer for the hound perhaps?

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[kingmid]

Thanks, she’s a good traveller. We usually use the tunnel, but we tested the water in a pet cabin on Caen /Portsmouth last year and she coped fine. We have booked a pet cabin this time too - not so sure I’d use the kennels.

 

[kingmid]

I did the Hull-Rotterdam trip once during Covid and I am travelling out again on (01/09/25). Not sure there is much I can add to earlier posts save to add that there are now daytime motorway speed limits to reduce pollution that may impact upon your journey time. Not sure they will have been around when you last did the journey?

P.S. Not stopping in the Netherlands. I shall be on German motorways by lunchtime.

Thanks, will check these out as not aware of them.

 

[The Coops]

We use the AniCura Direnkliniek : Crommelinplein 5, 2627 BM Delft, Netherlands its the cheapest we have found in Delft about £15 cheaper than the posh one near the campsite, its just over the tramway past the bus/train station and of course they speak english!

 

[PlacidoD]

Thanks, will check these out as not aware of them.

Speed limits in the Netherlands - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Just spotted that from April 2025 there are some newly created exemptions:

"If environmental and safety requirements permit an increase, the speed is to be raised to 130 km/h on a stretch totalling 86 kilometres. This includes both directions of travel. Specifically, this includes the A7, Afsluitdijk (44 kilometres between the Stevin locks and Lorentz locks), the A7, Winschoten (up to the German border; 24 kilometres) and the A6, Lelystad-Nord (up to the Ketel bridge; 18 kilometres). A further section on the A37 between Holssloot and Zwartemeer is being considered and is under review, but has not yet been completed."

Not sure whether they will affect my choice of route to Venlo. I will have to take a look at a map.

 

[kingmid]

We use the AniCura Direnkliniek : Crommelinplein 5, 2627 BM Delft, Netherlands its the cheapest we have found in Delft about £15 cheaper than the posh one near the campsite, its just over the tramway past the bus/train station and of course they speak english!

Thanks for this, really useful.

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[Bertilak]

We've done Hull-Rotterdam 3 times in the last 3 years, with not a suggestion of an inspection. You will probably get a couple of questions from immigration re destination and purpose, at least we don't look shifty enough to demand more.

In 2023 we had a night in Texel, but used one of the farm sites. I'm sure you know that wilding is illegal in NL, however they also have a liberal view of the law, as long as you don't annoy anyone. Out of 15 nights we did about 50% on P4N free stops... There were more Germans there than Dutch though!
However you won't find any in a top spot like Texel, so the next layer is eco/farm sites (I don't remember the exact phrase) These are cheap, regulated to c €20 max, but have a limit of 15 units, so they can fill up in peak season. Most have immaculate facilities, too.
Marinas, of which there are lots, often accommodate vans, at similar prices, parking overlooking the canals and showers for the boaters.
Proper campsites can be dearer, paying a lot for a perfect location, or resort facilities; just like the UK.

 

[Neilh]

I’ve used the Hull-Europort 20 plus times in the last 10 years, car and latterly motorhome, never been checked going out, just once coming back.

We’ll be travelling out on the 2nd September with our dog and will be in the same situation, we’ll take our chance on the dog food.

Neil

 

[Bleau’s]

We use the kennel on the ferry from Harwich which are better than those on the Hull boat and you can see your dog on CCTV when in the cabin and have unlimited access to them. You can get a 9 metre motorhome in the rear carpark at Jumbo in de koog in texel. Will be busy 3rd weekend in July a big race meeting taking place with a lot of Brits going I'm to short of days to go this year.

 

[kingmid]

We use the kennel on the ferry from Harwich which are better than those on the Hull boat and you can see your dog on CCTV when in the cabin and have unlimited access to them. You can get a 9 metre motorhome in the rear carpark at Jumbo in de koog in texel. Will be busy 3rd weekend in July a big race meeting taking place with a lot of Brits going I'm to short of days to go this year.

Sounds like you’re a Brisca F1 supporter. Been to Venray a few years ago and to Baarlo back in the day- all before my motorhoming days. If this trip goes well maybe two day meeting in Texel next year.

 

[Bleau’s]

Yes we are already done the kings battle for the last 2 years. There is a nice car park and aire in den helder 2 minutes from the ferry terminal we have used in the middle of the naval base well worth a visit. Ps do you do the English meetings we do most when not travelling.

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[kingmid]

Yes, but not so many now as several tracks closed. So it’s mostly Bradford or Buxton with the occasional KL or Skegness. I go back a long way- White City, Belle Vue (HydeRd), Rochdale to name a few.