Riding the Galveston to Port Bolivar ferry can be a free, fun and rewarding experience for all ages. There are a tremendous number of things to see during the trip: historical shipwrecks, lighthouses, forts, beaches, small water craft, and shipping traffic. I didn't mention the amazing wildlife. The trip is a favorite for birdwatchers and dolphin lovers. Best of all, there is a way to skip the long line and get right onto the ferry, no waiting!
Two Ways To Ride The Galveston to Port Bolivar Ferry
Drive On To Ferry
Driving Advantages: You can go to Fort Travis, located only a couple of minutes drive from the Port Bolivar Ferry Landing. You can also take stuff with you easier. You can also visit a beach on the Bolivar Peninsula that you can drive onto (you may have to pay in some places to park on beach).
Driving Disadvantages: You must wait in the line of cars on both sides of the ferry.
First Check Ferry Wait Times
One thing to know, the average trip time is 18 minutes. During busy periods, multiple ferries run, but the cars waiting also increase. Do not worry if the reported wait time is too long, instructions for walking onto the ferry is below.
To check the official wait time there are two options:
Houston TranStar: Galveston Ferry Wait Info
The government has an integrated web page with live traffic maps and reports the ferry wait time. The page includes web cams of the ferry line in Galveston, and a real time map with ferry locations! The wait information may be more accurate on Twitter, as it appears to incorporate both sides into one wait time.
Twitter: Galveston Ferry Wait Time Feed
TxDot updates the Galveston Ferry Twitter Feed hourly with the wait time. If the wait is uneven (longer on one side than the other) they will give wait times for each landing, both Port Bolivar and Galveston.
Get Into Line
Do not cut the line, even at an intersection. You must drive away from the ferry, to the end of the line, u-turn, and get in line at the end. There are many signs with instructions, asking drivers to queue up for the ferry in one lane, leaving the second lane for emergency and non-ferry traffic.
Walk On To Ferry
Walking Advantages: You do not have to wait in the ferry line with all the cars! If you are just riding the ferry for fun and plan to just ride across and back, you actually miss waiting in line twice.
Walking Disadvantages: Visiting Fort Travis becomes a lot less comfortable since you will not have a car with coolers, picnic supplies, fishing equipment, etc.
Walking onto the ferry is the fastest way to ride the ferry. If you drive, you have to wait in line twice to board the ferry in both directions. Walking eliminates these waits.
[Instructions Pending]
Site Seeing On Galveston - Port Bolivar Free Ferry Trip
There are a ton of things to see during the ferry trip. The 18 minutes pass like magic, and the ride stays fun and enjoyable for repeat trips. Here is a list of things you can almost always see during your voyage. Please check out our article on the ferry ride!