Galveston Island Ferry FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to Take the Ferry from Galveston Island to Port Bolivar?

As of June 1, 2024, it is currently FREE for both vehicles and passengers to ride the Galveston Island ferry, as the ferry is currently a toll-free service provided by the Texas Department of Transportation. You can find more pricing and ticketing information for the ferry on our Tickets & Fares page.

How Do I Purchase Tickets for the Galveston Ferry?

At this time, as it is free to ride, there is no need to purchase tickets for the Galveston Island ferry.

What Other Important Rules Should I Know About the Galveston Island Ferry?

  • No smoking is allowed once aboard the ferry vessels.

  • Vehicles must be turned off once aboard the ferry vessels.

  • No swimming or diving is allowed from the ferry vessels.

  • Once aboard the ferry you may feed the seagulls, as well as dispose of a loved one's ashes, but must do so from the rear of the ferry vessel only.

Are There Vehicle Restrictions On the Galveston Island Ferry?

  • Vehicles should not exceed a weight of 80,000 pounds.

  • Vehicles may have a maximum length of 65 feet.

  • Vehicle width should not exceed 8.5 feet, and vehicle height should not exceed 13.5 feet.

How Long Is the Ferry Ride From Galveston Island to Port Bolivar?

  • When their is no wait to board, the ferry ride between Galveston Landing and the Bolivar Landing takes approximately 20 minutes plus an additional 10 minutes to load/unload.

  • You can plan on a round-trip taking you approximately one hour.

  • During the busiest traffic seasons, the wait to board the ferry can exceed 2 hours.

  • The Galveston Ferry will often post in real-time the number of ferrys in service and the current wait times on their Twitter/X account (you must have a Twitter/X account to view recent posts).

Where Does the Galveston Island Ferry Go?

  • The Galveston Island Ferry takes passengers on State Highway 87 between Galveston Landing (on Galveston Island) and Bolivar Landing (on the Port Bolivar Peninsula).

How Many People Ride the Galveston Island Ferry?

  • From 2014 - 2023 the Galveston Island ferry carried on average more than 1.5 Million vehicles and more than 4.9 Million passengers each year.

  • The ferry vessels comprising the Galveston Island ferry make approx. 40,000 crossings each year.

How Do I Contact Galveston Island Ferry Customer service to File A Complaint, Leave A Comment, or Ask A Question?

  • You can contact the Galveston Island ferry customer service via phone at (409) 795-2230.

When Does the Galveston Ferry Get Crowded?

  • The ferry is busiest (and sometime full for vehicles) most often on weekends, and during rush-hour in the mornings and afternoons.

  • During busier season, the wait to board the ferry vessel can exceed two hours.

  • You can view the current traffic conditions for vehicles waiting to board the ferry at the Galveston Ferry Landing and at the Bolivar Ferry Landing to get an idea of how long your wait may be to board.

  • The Galveston Ferry will often post in real-time the number of ferrys in service and the current wait times on their Twitter/X account (you must have a Twitter/X account to view recent posts).