Harwich, the gateway to Scandinavia

How long does the drive to Harwich take?

From central and east London, the route runs out along the A12 past Brentwood, Chelmsford and Colchester, then onto the A120 east to the port. From the western airports, the route usually runs round the M25 to the A12.

Figures come from road routing, with an allowance for busy periods. The A12 can be slow around Chelmsford and Colchester at peak times and during roadworks, which we check before every journey.

Which London airport is best for a Harwich cruise?

Stansted, by some distance. It is about 54 miles from the port along the A120, and the drive takes under an hour and a half. London City is the next closest. Heathrow and Gatwick are both more than two hours away, because the route has to cross or circle London first.

If you are flying in from abroad to join a Harwich cruise, and your airline offers a choice, Stansted makes the day much easier. From Heathrow, a same-day connection is possible but long, and a night in London or near the port beforehand is often the calmer plan.

When should you leave for embarkation?

Aim to arrive at the start of your embarkation window. From central London, leave at least two and a half hours before, and three on a summer weekend, when the A12 carries holiday traffic to the Essex and Suffolk coast. The first stretch out through east London to the A12 is often the slowest part of the journey.

Tell us the ship and the embarkation time when you book, and we will suggest a pickup time with a margin that suits the day of the week and the time of year.

What is the port like on arrival?

Harwich International is a compact port by cruise standards, and embarkation is usually straightforward. Porters take checked luggage at the terminal drop-off, and you go through with your hand luggage and documents. The port is shared with ferry traffic to the Netherlands, so there may be freight and car traffic around the site at the same time.

Your chauffeur follows the signs for cruise passengers and takes you to the drop-off point for your ship. Attach the luggage tags your cruise line sends before you leave home, so the handover is quick.

Which car suits a Harwich cruise?

Northern cruises mean warm clothes and waterproofs as well as formal wear, and luggage for a fjords or Baltic itinerary is often bulkier than for the Mediterranean. For two passengers, the V-Class is usually the right choice. For families or groups sailing together, the V-Class keeps everyone and everything in one vehicle.

The drive is long enough that comfort matters. After a long-haul flight, the S-Class gives you the quietest cabin for the two hours to the coast.

Can you collect us when the ship returns?

Yes. Give us the ship and the date. Your chauffeur waits near the terminal exit during disembarkation and follows the ship if it docks late. For a flight home on the same day, Stansted is the most practical choice, and an afternoon departure gives a comfortable margin after an early morning arrival.

Can we stay near Harwich the night before?

Many passengers do, especially those travelling from abroad or from the far side of London. Harwich and nearby Dovercourt have hotels and guest houses within a few minutes of the port, and Colchester, England’s oldest recorded town, is a good base about half an hour away with a wider choice of places to stay and eat.

We can take you from the airport or from London to your hotel on the day before sailing, then collect you the next morning for embarkation, with the same size of car for your luggage both times. Tell us the hotel when you book.

What happens if the A12 is closed?

Closures on the A12 are uncommon but do happen, usually for roadworks planned overnight or after an accident. Planned works are published in advance, and your chauffeur checks them the day before and again before setting off. If the A12 is blocked, the alternative runs via the M11 and the A120 from Stansted, which adds distance but keeps the journey moving.

Do you cover Hook of Holland ferry passengers?

Yes. Foot passengers on the ferry to the Hook of Holland often need a car to or from London or the airports, and the same drop-off and pickup arrangements apply at the port. Give us the sailing time and the chauffeur will meet you at the passenger exit on your return.