BudgetTravel.com lists the top ferry rides in the U.S.A. There are lists about specific cities that might be a distance away, lists about best hotels that I can never afford and then there are lists that have something accessible and affordable for almost everyone across the country. This ferry list has adventures for travelers from Alaska to Maine, from Seattle to Boston and from Lake Powell to New York. (OK, there’s not much in the southeast and midwest.)
Here’s a slideshow of the top ferry rides as compiled by Budget Travel.
Alaska Marine Highway System
This isn’t just one ferry. Its a series of them connecting the state’s 3,500 miles of coastline. Especially recommended is the link between Juneau and Sitka with humpback whales and otters in the sea and black bears and glaciers ashore. “The ship’s outdoor heated solarium lets you bask in the views while fending off cold winds; indoors, the ship’s cafeteria serves local salmon and beer brewed in Alaska.”
More info: dot.state.ak.us
Seattle to Bainbridge Island, Wash.
The coastline from Seattle is beautiful, but from a ferry, the coastline takes on a magical quality. The city always looks best from the sea and the ride into Puget Sound takes passengers cruising past sailboats and ocean liners. Don’t count on it, but Mount Rainier may make an appearance through the haze.
More info: wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
Staten Island Ferry, New York City
This is one of America’s classic rides and well worth the price of admission. Leaving from the southern tip of Manhattan, this free ferry ride takes jaded locals and excited tourists past the Statue of Liberty with fantastic views back to the city. In the early morning, the golden streaks of sunrise touch the buildings on the East River and in the evening as dusk falls and the skyscrapers begin to light up, Manhattan seems surreal.
More info: nyc.gov
Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor, Maine
A New England spectacular, this summertime ferry provides all of the flavors of the wild Maine coastline and scenic Frenchman Bay with its collection of lighthouses. This ride and the views of nature and Acadia National Park is hard to beat.
More info: downeastwindjammer.com
San Francisco to Sausalito, Calif.
A half-hour ride rewards passengers with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. The San Francisco harbor is legendary for its natural beauty and Sausalito is cute but not legendary.
More info: goldengateferry.org
Halls Crossing, Lake Powell, Utah
They dug up this ferry across a massive manmade lake in southern Utah. It only takes about half-an-hour but certainly has the better views of sandstone formations than any other ferry I can think of. With the reddish-orange stone set beside the dark blue of the lake and the paler blue of the sky, the visuals are stunning.
More Info: udot.utah.gov
Boston to Harbor Islands, Mass.
When you live somewhere, you never appreciate it as much as visitors. I’m not sure why, but after taking this ferry repeatedly with visitor after visitor, summer after summer, the scene gets repetitive. But, my friends love it. The journey is the adventure. Though there is a small recreation area, on each of the islands, they are not really worth the time to get there. But for those who have the time, the ride is its own reward.
More info: harborexpress.com
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
While the Staten Island Ferry is free for the tourist, please remember it is a commuter ferry. “Jaded” locals rely on it as one of the only two connections to the rest of the city, and our taxes pay for it.
Please enjoy this lovely ride outside of rush hours (6-9 AM and 4-7 PM), and try to visit one of the many attractions within walking distance on Staten Island. Almost all tourists just do the round trip, and never leave the terminal or spend a penny on Staten Island. This has lead to talks of charging a tourism fare.
I am lucky to have a customer on Bainbridge Island and make that trip about 4x a year. It’s absolutely fabulous – don’t stay indoors if you can avoid it. It is breathtaking to feel the breeze and see the water/mountains/city. Bainbridge is the cutest place when you get there. It consists of a couple of blocks and has the coolest shops.
What a great idea and an excellent list! Love ferries. Would suggest you add the New Orleans ferry that crosses the Mississippi between Canal Street and Algiers Point. Gives you a great view of the city, a feel for the river, and it’s free for pedestrians. You can ride over and back without getting off the boat, or hop off in Algiers for a stroll and a snack.
No mention of the Lake Champlain ferry with the Adarondaks on one end and the Green Mountains on the other?
Great list, but the North Carolina state ferry system is one of the largest in the nation and including it adds an eperience not found in either of the two New England ferries mentioned or the Lake Champlain ferry. NC’s archipelago of islands, the Outer Banks, is simply one of the nation’s most scenic National Seashores. Take the ferry from the mainland at either Cedar Island, near New Bern, or Swanquarter near Bath, and the multi-hour ride across to Ocracoke Island’s sandy streets is one of the United States’ most distinctive coastal experiences. Just getting to the pier involves motoring some of the South’s most scenic roads. Taking one ferry there and the other back to mainland NC creates a coastal loop that is second to none.
NC Ferry system is the best and the ride to Ocracoke well worth the time. A step back in time.
Seattle – Bainbridge is the most beautiful in the early evening with the city lights on one side, the snow capped mountains and lights on Bainbridge Is. in the other direction. Did this ride 25 years ago and still is vivid in my mind.
Add the ride from Seattle to Victoria Canada for those who love ferries.
YA! Alaska’s Marine Highway is fabulous. We’ve sailed from WHittier to Cordova across Princess William Sound, from Homer to Kodiak through the Shelikof Straits–and from Haines to Juneau, our state capital. Our ferry is a treasure! Lots of great pics snapped from the fantail as the sun sets. Come north and sail around!!