Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry schedule and guide
The North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division (NCDOT) runs the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry, a car and passenger ferry across Pamlico Sound between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. The Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry does not take reservations.
NCDOT also runs the Ocracoke Express, a seasonal passenger ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke village. The schedule on this page covers the vehicle ferry.
NCDOT lists the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry as Operating Limited Schedule. Updated October 25, 2026 at 10:27 AM.
Tolls planned from January 1, 2027
State law requires NCDOT to start charging tolls on the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry on January 1, 2027. NCDOT recommended a toll of $10 each way, and the Board of Transportation is scheduled to consider rates on November 5, 2026. The board has also asked the legislature to delay tolling.
Schedule up to date as of October 25, 2026
Contents
Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry schedule Fall 2026
The Fall 2026 schedule runs from October 20, 2026 to December 31, 2026.
Departures from Hatteras, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 5:00 AM | Ocracoke |
| 6:00 AM | Ocracoke |
| 7:00 AM | Ocracoke |
| 8:00 AM | Ocracoke |
| 9:00 AM | Ocracoke |
| 10:00 AM | Ocracoke |
| 11:00 AM | Ocracoke |
| 12:00 PM | Ocracoke |
| 1:00 PM | Ocracoke |
| 2:00 PM | Ocracoke |
| 3:00 PM | Ocracoke |
| 4:00 PM | Ocracoke |
| 5:00 PM | Ocracoke |
| 6:00 PM | Ocracoke |
| 8:00 PM | Ocracoke |
| 9:00 PM | Ocracoke |
| 11:00 PM | Ocracoke |
| 12:00 AM | Ocracoke |
Departures from Ocracoke, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 4:30 AM | Hatteras |
| 6:30 AM | Hatteras |
| 7:30 AM | Hatteras |
| 8:30 AM | Hatteras |
| 9:30 AM | Hatteras |
| 10:30 AM | Hatteras |
| 11:30 AM | Hatteras |
| 12:30 PM | Hatteras |
| 1:30 PM | Hatteras |
| 2:30 PM | Hatteras |
| 3:30 PM | Hatteras |
| 4:30 PM | Hatteras |
| 5:30 PM | Hatteras |
| 6:30 PM | Hatteras |
| 7:30 PM | Hatteras |
| 9:30 PM | Hatteras |
| 10:30 PM | Hatteras |
| 12:00 AM | Hatteras |
Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry fares
| Fare type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Fare | |
| Vehicles and passengers | Free |
- NCDOT collects no fare on the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry in 2026.
Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry details
| Operator | North Carolina Department of Transportation Ferry Division (NCDOT) |
|---|---|
| Vehicles | Motorcycles and any highway-legal car, trailer or RV. Vehicles over 65 feet need a special permit. |
| Reservations | Not taken. The Hatteras–Ocracoke vehicle ferry boards first come, first served, and NCDOT adds departures when it can on busy days. |
| Priority loading | Vehicles with an NCDOT priority pass board from their own lanes on both sides of Hatteras Inlet. NCDOT is ending its resident priority pass for Ocracoke Island residents under a new state law. |
| Payment | State law requires tolls on the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry. NCDOT plans to start charging them, and toll rates are not final. |
| Pets | Pets stay in vehicles or on leashes, and owners clean up after them. Horses travel in a horse trailer. NCDOT allows only service animals in passenger lounges. |
| Accessibility | ADA-accessible restrooms at every NCDOT ferry terminal and on some vessels |
| Restrooms and food on board | Restrooms at each ferry terminal and on the vessels. Vending at most NCDOT ferry terminals and on many ferries, with no meals. Alcohol and smoking are not allowed on board. |
| Scenic byway | NCDOT counts the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry as part of the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway. |
Hatteras ferry terminal parking and address
The Hatteras ferry terminal is at 59063 NC Hwy 12, Hatteras, NC 27943, in Hatteras village on Hatteras Island. Its phone number is (252) 996-6001.
The Hatteras ferry terminal has 110 parking spaces and five overnight spaces, first come, first served. Ocracoke Express riders board at the Hatteras ferry terminal too.
Ocracoke ferry terminal address and phone
The Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry lands at the Ocracoke ferry terminal on NC Hwy. 12, Ocracoke, NC 27960, at the north end of Ocracoke Island.
NCDOT lists one phone number for its Ocracoke ferry terminals, (252) 996-6201. The Cedar Island and Swan Quarter ferries use a different terminal, at Silver Lake in Ocracoke village.
When the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry is busiest
Riders can wait up to three hours to board the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry at peak summer travel times, NCDOT says. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the route's busiest days.
From Hatteras, lines usually form by mid-morning and are longest in the early afternoon. NCDOT advises riders leaving Hatteras to arrive early in the morning.
From Ocracoke, there is usually no wait until the afternoon. Lines peak in the early evening and clear later at night.
NCDOT adds Hatteras–Ocracoke departures when it can during heavy traffic.
Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry delays, alerts and security
NCDOT says tides, winds and heavy rain can affect Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry travel. NCDOT sends ferry alerts by text or email through its Ferry Information Notification System (FINS).
NCDOT can ask Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry riders for photo ID and screens vehicles at random. NCDOT can refuse passage to riders who decline.
Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry FAQs
Does the Hatteras ferry take reservations?
The Hatteras–Ocracoke vehicle ferry does not take reservations. Drivers board first come, first served. NCDOT recommends reservations for the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry, which does not require them.
Does the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry charge a toll?
NCDOT plans to start charging tolls on the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry, as state law requires. Toll rates are not final. The Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry fares on this page are the fares in effect now.
How long is the wait for the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry?
The wait for the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry reaches up to three hours at peak summer travel times, NCDOT says. Lines are longest from Hatteras in the early afternoon and from Ocracoke in the early evening.
Where does the Ocracoke ferry leave from in Hatteras?
The Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry leaves from the Hatteras ferry terminal at 59063 NC Hwy 12, Hatteras, NC 27943. On Ocracoke, it lands at the north end of the island on NC Hwy. 12.
Is there a passenger ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke?
NCDOT runs the Ocracoke Express, a seasonal passenger ferry from the Hatteras ferry terminal to the Silver Lake ferry terminal in Ocracoke village. Hyde County runs a tram around the village.
Can RVs and trailers ride the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry?
The Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry takes motorcycles and any highway-legal car, trailer or RV. Vehicles over 65 feet need a special permit.
Can pets ride the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry?
Pets can ride the Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry inside vehicles or on leashes, and owners clean up after them. NCDOT allows only service animals in passenger lounges.