Lincolnville–Islesboro ferry schedule and guide
The Maine State Ferry Service (MSFS) runs the Lincolnville–Islesboro ferry, a car and passenger ferry between Lincolnville and the island of Islesboro, Maine. The 3-mile Islesboro ferry crossing takes about 20 minutes. MSFS sells only round-trip tickets, and vehicles need a reservation or a place in the first-come line.
Schedule up to date as of October 26, 2026
Contents
Islesboro ferry schedule Summer 2026
The Summer 2026 schedule runs from April 13, 2026 to October 31, 2026.
Departures from Lincolnville, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Islesboro |
| 9:00 AM | Islesboro |
| 10:00 AM | Islesboro |
| 11:00 AM | Islesboro |
| 1:00 PM | Islesboro |
| 2:00 PM | Islesboro |
| 3:00 PM | Islesboro |
| 4:00 PM | Islesboro |
| 5:00 PM | Islesboro |
Departures from Lincolnville, Wednesdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Islesboro |
| 9:00 AM | Islesboro |
| 10:00 AM | Islesboro |
| 11:00 AM | Islesboro |
| 1:00 PM | Islesboro |
| 3:00 PM | Islesboro |
| 4:00 PM | Islesboro |
| 5:00 PM | Islesboro |
Departures from Lincolnville, Sundays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Islesboro |
| 10:00 AM | Islesboro |
| 11:00 AM | Islesboro |
| 1:00 PM | Islesboro |
| 2:00 PM | Islesboro |
| 3:00 PM | Islesboro |
| 4:00 PM | Islesboro |
| 5:00 PM | Islesboro |
Departures from Islesboro, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Lincolnville |
| 8:30 AM | Lincolnville |
| 9:30 AM | Lincolnville |
| 10:30 AM | Lincolnville |
| 12:30 PM | Lincolnville |
| 1:30 PM | Lincolnville |
| 2:30 PM | Lincolnville |
| 3:30 PM | Lincolnville |
| 4:30 PM | Lincolnville |
Departures from Islesboro, Wednesdays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Lincolnville |
| 8:30 AM | Lincolnville |
| 9:30 AM | Lincolnville |
| 10:30 AM | Lincolnville |
| 12:30 PM | Lincolnville |
| 1:30 PM | Lincolnville |
| 3:30 PM | Lincolnville |
| 4:30 PM | Lincolnville |
Departures from Islesboro, Sundays
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 8:30 AM | Lincolnville |
| 9:30 AM | Lincolnville |
| 10:30 AM | Lincolnville |
| 12:30 PM | Lincolnville |
| 1:30 PM | Lincolnville |
| 2:30 PM | Lincolnville |
| 3:30 PM | Lincolnville |
| 4:30 PM | Lincolnville |
The Islesboro ferry refuels on Wednesdays, so one Wednesday round trip drops out of the schedule or leaves late. On Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, MSFS runs a short holiday schedule.
The captain decides 30 minutes before each departure whether to cancel it, and a cancelled first run does not mean later runs are cancelled. MSFS posts cancellations on a recorded line at each terminal, by text through New England 511 and on its Facebook page.
Lincolnville–Islesboro ferry fares
| Fare type | Off-peak | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger | ||
| Adult 18 and older | $10.25 | $17.00 |
| Minor 6 to 17 | $5.00 | $12.00 |
| Child 5 and under | Free | Free |
| Vehicle | ||
| Vehicle and driver | $30.00 | $42.50 |
| Motorcycle and rider | $23.75 | $33.75 |
| Vehicle reservation | $27.25 | $27.25 |
| Bicycle | ||
| Adult with bicycle | $17.00 | $23.75 |
| Minor with bicycle | $12.00 | $18.75 |
- Every ticket is round trip, and MSFS sells no one-way tickets. A vehicle or motorcycle ticket covers its driver, and a bicycle ticket covers its rider. Vehicles over 20 feet pay an extra charge per foot. Off-peak fares apply from October 1 to May 31, and peak fares from June 1 to September 30.
MSFS sells round-trip tickets only, at its terminals and in its webstore, and offers no senior, military or AAA discounts. Islesboro tickets are good only between Lincolnville and Islesboro. Tickets do not expire and are not tied to a sailing, so a vehicle ticket alone does not hold a place on a boat.
A vehicle reservation is bought along with the vehicle's ticket, and the vehicle ticket covers the driver only.
Lincolnville–Islesboro ferry details
| Operator | Maine State Ferry Service, part of the Maine Department of Transportation |
|---|---|
| Crossing time | About 20 minutes |
| Distance | 3 miles |
| Vessel | Margaret Chase Smith |
| Vehicles | Carried, with a reservation or in the first-come line. MSFS sells four vehicle and two truck reservations on each scheduled trip. |
| Reservations | From one month ahead until two hours before sailing, by phone or in person at either terminal. |
| Payment | Credit or debit card in the MSFS webstore, or at a terminal ticket office. |
| Bicycles | Carried with a bicycle ticket, which covers its rider. |
| Pets | Leashed pets ride in a marked pet-friendly cabin. |
| Food on board | None sold. Riders may bring food and nonalcoholic drinks. |
Lincolnville ferry terminal parking and directions
The Islesboro ferry leaves from the Lincolnville ferry terminal at 20 McKay Road (Route 173), Lincolnville, ME 04849. Three lots serve the terminal: a small lot beside it, a large lot across the street and an overflow lot out along Route 1. Parking is paid in summer and free the rest of the year, and a parking pass does not hold a space.
The Lincolnville ticket office closes for a midday break each day.
Islesboro ferry terminal
The Islesboro ferry terminal is at 609 Ferry Road, Islesboro, ME 04848. Vehicles leaving Islesboro line up in Lane 1 until it fills, then Lane 2, then Lane 3, and reserved vehicles wait in the reservation spaces in front of the lanes or by the lighthouse. Ferry-line parking is only for the line, and the Islesboro Town Office sells passes for the parking lot.
Islesboro ferry vehicle lines and reservations
Reserved vehicles must be in the reserved spaces, with tickets scanned, at least 15 minutes before sailing, or they go to the end of the line. Loading starts 15 minutes before sailing, and every vehicle in line needs its driver in it.
At Lincolnville, drivers can leave a vehicle overnight in the pre-staging area on McKay Road, behind the terminal, for the first ferry of the next day. They need not stay with it, and MSFS can suspend pre-staging at busy times.
Lincolnville–Islesboro ferry FAQs
How long is the ferry ride to Islesboro?
The Islesboro ferry ride from Lincolnville takes about 20 minutes and covers 3 miles.
Where does the Islesboro ferry leave from?
The Islesboro ferry leaves from the Lincolnville ferry terminal at 20 McKay Road, on Route 173 in Lincolnville.
Does the Islesboro ferry need a car reservation?
The Islesboro ferry carries cars with a reservation or from the first-come line. MSFS sells four vehicle reservations and two truck reservations on each scheduled trip.
Is parking free at the Lincolnville ferry terminal?
Parking at the Lincolnville ferry terminal is free outside summer. In summer the lots charge by the day, week, month or season.
Are dogs allowed on the Islesboro ferry?
Dogs and other pets ride the Islesboro ferry on a leash, in a marked pet-friendly cabin.