Visit The Outer Banks

Outer Banks Ferry Timetables

Use route details and travel times to plan a coastal trip through The Outer Banks and move across the waterways with ease.

Because The Outer Banks is surrounded by water, ferries are a practical and widely used way to travel here. Some places simply are not reachable by car, or are not easy to reach that way. For the full NC DOT Ferry service schedules and fares, visit https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/ferry/, download the complete Ferry Schedule, or view the Ferry Division Departure Time Heat Map.

Ocracoke Express Passenger Ferry

On the busier service days, Tuesday through Thursday, the passenger ferry will run eight departures. Trips leave Hatteras at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 5 p.m., with return trips from Ocracoke at 9:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3.p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Friday, Saturday and Monday, Hatteras departures are scheduled for 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; return service from Ocracoke departs at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sundays do not offer passenger ferry service.

Round-trip tickets cost $15. Children under 3 ride for free, and bringing a bicycle aboard adds $1. Reservations open 90 days ahead of travel and are strongly recommended during the busy summer season. Travelers can reserve online at https://www.ncdot.gov/travel-maps/ferry-tickets-services/Pages/default.aspx, or by calling 1-800-BY-FERRY.

Hatteras to Ocracoke Ferry

Cedar Island to Ocracoke Ferry

Ocracoke to Swan Quarter Ferry

Visit the Ferries to The Outer Banks | Updated Ferry Schedules page →