For advanced cyclists looking for an epic outdoor adventure, a thrilling long-distance bike ride from London to Amsterdam is the stuff of dreams. With careful planning and a little help from P&O Ferries, you can cycle from London to Amsterdam and make your dream become reality.
Cycling from one cosmopolitan capital to another brings the rare opportunity to pedal your way through no less than four countries in four days: England, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Following our carefully curated itinerary, you’ll be able to complete this self-guided cycling tour of Europe with ultimate freedom on two wheels. Grab your bike and your best cycling gear and keep reading for all the information you need to complete this great London to Amsterdam cycle route.
Ready to cycle from London to Amsterdam?
Long Distance Cycling Tips
1. Before starting your journey, be sure to pack everything you need. Reflective clothing, a puncture repair kit and a portable phone charger are must haves for any long-distance cycling route.
2. Be sure to read local cycling laws carefully before you travel, as there are some differences to UK regulations and you don’t want to attract a fine!
3. Make a note of places to stop on your way in case of injury. When it comes to overnight stopping breaks, it’s a good idea to let your accommodation know what time you plan to arrive.
Stage One: Cycle from London to Dover (80 miles)
Day one begins in bustling London, where you’ll weave your way past historic landmarks, before cutting through the beautiful countryside of Kent – known as the Garden of England – and along coastal paths to Dover. This long-distance cycling route covers an 80-mile blend of quiet roads and traffic-free paths.
The journey includes the National Cycle Network Route 1 to Canterbury and the Regional Route 16 to Dover.
- Setting off on in leafy Greenwich, pedal past the Cutty Sark ship before heading east along the riverside path to Erith. Turn south and follow the River Darent to Crayford and Dartford.
- Continue east to Northfleet then Gravesend, where you follow the river through to historic Rochester.
Passing through the Medway towns, a stretch of countryside will take you to Sittingbourne, where you continue along the Swale Heritage Trail to Faversham. - Head towards the seaside town of Whitstable. Skirt around the edge of town before turning south to Canterbury via Clowes Wood.
- At Canterbury, you leave NCN Route 1 and pick up Regional Route 16. This route heads southeast through the beautiful North Downs to Aylesham, before finishing at the bustling port of Dover.
Stage Two: Catch a P&O ferry from Dover to Calais (1 hour 30 minutes)
After an 80-mile stretch from London to Dover, cyclists will welcome to chance to hop aboard a late afternoon crossing with P&O Ferries to Calais. Here, you can rest your legs, and take advantage of the amazing on-board facilities. Grab some much-needed fuel, soak up views of the sea and prepare yourself for the next leg of your journey.
- Your bicycle counts as a vehicle and needs to be booked in advance before. Only one bicycle per passenger is permitted per online booking.
- Passengers travelling with bicycles should check in at the same time as foot passengers – 60mins before your booked sailing time.
- All bicycles are stored on the vehicle decks. You need to place your bicycle below deck yourself, following vehicles up the ramp on foot.
- Once you arrive at the port of Calais, you’ll need to complete a short cycle ride to one of the town’s many hotels, where you can enjoy a well-deserved night’s sleep.
Stage Three: Cycle from Calais to Bruges (80 miles)
After waking up in Calais rested and rejuvenated, eat a hearty breakfast and prepare to pedal your way through France to Belgium.
- From Calais, begin riding east for around three hours. Cycle around Dunkirk, before crossing the border into Belgium.
- Follow the Belgian coast for another 3-hour leg of the journey, where you will finish up at your second overnight break.
- A stop in the UNESCO Heritage City of Bruges, capital of the West Flanders region, brings the opportunity to glimpse the famous Belfry and Market Square.
Stage Four: Bruges to Rotterdam (86 miles)
After waking up in Bruges, prepare yourself for the most arduous stretch of your long-distance cycle route from London to Amsterdam.
- On this part of your long distance bike ride from London to Amsterdam, you’ll cycle 25 miles from Bruges northeast to the harbour town of Breskens, where you can board a boat from the Western Scheldt estuary to Vlissingen. This should take under two hours.
- Once you cross over to the riverside city of Vlissingen, you might want to stop for a short break before continuing your cycle ride.
- While the journey from Vlissingen to Rotterdam will take around six hours to complete, you’ll be pleased to learn that this part of the route has very few muscle-sapping hills and inclines.
- After arriving in Rotterdam, enjoy a third overnight stop to rest before for the last leg of the ride.
Stage Five: Rotterdam to Amsterdam (46 miles)
The concluding day of your cycle ride from London to Amsterdam will be the most thrilling of all, with a picturesque cycle through the gorgeous landscape of the Netherlands.
- Leave the scintillating city of Rotterdam behind and cycle northeast, skirting around The Hague, international and political heart of the Netherlands. Your first glimpse of Amsterdam will be Schiphol Airport in the southwest of the city.
- Cycle a further 10 miles to reach the final destination. Amsterdam, one of the most bike-friendly cities on earth, is now yours to explore.
- Enjoy a well-deserved shower at your accommodation before heading out into the city for a celebratory feast in one of the top-rated restaurants.
- Explore Amsterdam in a day or extended trip before making your way back home. If you still want to spend some time in the saddle, you might like to try one of these bike trips around Amsterdam. You can then cycle back to Rotterdam and board a P&O Ferry to Hull, where you can take a relaxing train back to London.
Ready to cycle from London to Amsterdam? Book your ferry from Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries now.
Looking to cycle from Hull to Amsterdam instead? Take a look at our relaxing mini-cruise breaks for another great way to travel.
