Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry schedule and guide
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) runs the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry, a free car and passenger ferry across Galveston Bay between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula, Texas. The Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry carries State Highway 87 and runs around the clock, weather permitting. The trip across the bay is 2.7 miles.
Schedule up to date as of October 26, 2026
Contents
Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry schedule
| Days | Posted hours |
|---|---|
| Daily, 365 days a year | Open 24 hours1 |
- One ferry runs 24 hours a day. Overnight it leaves Galveston at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:05, 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 AM, and Port Bolivar at 12:30, 1:30, 2:20, 3:30, 4:20, 5:30 and 6:30 AM. A second ferry starts at 6:30 AM. From then the ferries run as traffic needs, with up to five in summer and on holidays.
Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry fares
| Fare type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Fare | |
| Vehicles and passengers | Free |
- TxDOT charges no fare on the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry.
Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry details
| Operator | Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) |
|---|---|
| Crossing time | About 18 to 20 minutes, plus about 10 minutes to load and unload |
| Distance | 2.7 miles |
| Vessels | TxDOT has seven ferries on the route: the Gibb Gilchrist, Robert C. Lanier, Dewitt C. Greer, Ray Stoker Jr., Robert H. Dedman, John W. Johnson and Esperanza "Hope" Andrade. The number in service depends on the season, traffic and maintenance. |
| Vehicles | Up to 80,000 pounds, 65 feet long, 13.5 feet tall and 8.5 feet wide |
| Priority boarding | A free Medical Priority Boarding (MPB) pass lets riders whose medical condition keeps them from waiting in line board first. The pass needs a physician's certification. Applications come from the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry office at (409) 795-2250. |
| Pets | Pets and animals other than service animals stay inside the owner's vehicle. |
| Hazardous materials | Not allowed, portable gas cans included. Propane tanks built into an RV and two extra federally approved gas tanks in a trailered boat are the exceptions. |
| Smoking | Not allowed anywhere on the ferry, inside vehicles included. The rule covers vaping and e-cigarettes. |
| Accessibility | A wheelchair-accessible restroom sits at the Bolivar end of the main car deck. TxDOT asks riders who need vessel parking accommodations to call (409) 795-2230 before they arrive. |
| Restrooms | Near the vehicle staging areas at both ferry terminals and on the upper deck of every ferry |
Galveston ferry terminal address and parking
The Galveston ferry terminal is at 1000 Ferry Rd., Galveston, TX 77550. The Galveston and Port Bolivar ferry terminals share one phone number, (409) 795-2230.
The Galveston ferry terminal has an elevated parking garage and a parking lot for walk-on passengers. Parking is free while riding the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry.
Port Bolivar ferry terminal address and parking
The Port Bolivar ferry terminal is at 123 SH 87, Port Bolivar, TX 77650, on the Bolivar Peninsula. The Port Bolivar ferry terminal has a free parking lot for walk-on passengers.
Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry wait times
TxDOT says the wait to board the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry can run past two hours in the high-traffic season. At those times TxDOT points drivers to alternate routes around Galveston Bay.
Houston TranStar posts current travel times across the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry, with cameras at both landings. TxDOT can reduce or stop ferry service in severe weather until it passes.
Riding the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry
TxDOT picks vehicles at random for a federally required inspection in the staging area. Drivers selected open the hood, console, glovebox and trunk. Inspected vehicles and Medical Priority Boarding vehicles board ahead of the regular lines. A driver who refuses the inspection can be turned away for up to 24 hours.
Drivers turn off their engines, set the parking brake and stay in their vehicles until the ferry leaves the landing. Riders can then walk the deck and go upstairs. Seagull feeding is allowed only at the rear of the ferry.
The crossing passes Pelican Island, with a navy destroyer and a submarine, and the wreck of the concrete ship Selma. The Bolivar Lighthouse and Fort Travis come into view near Port Bolivar. Dolphins, pelicans, cargo ships and cruise ships share the channel.
Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry FAQs
Is the Galveston ferry free?
The Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry is free. TxDOT runs it as a toll-free service, and parking at both ferry terminals is free while riding.
Does the Galveston ferry run 24 hours?
The Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry runs around the clock, every day of the year. TxDOT can reduce or stop service in severe weather. The Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry schedule on this page lists the overnight departures.
How long is the Bolivar ferry ride?
The Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry crosses 2.7 miles of Galveston Bay in about 18 to 20 minutes. Loading and unloading take about 10 minutes more.
Can walk-on passengers ride the Galveston ferry?
Walk-on passengers ride the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry. They park free in the garage or lot at the Galveston ferry terminal or in the lot at the Port Bolivar ferry terminal.
Can dogs ride the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry?
Dogs ride the Galveston–Port Bolivar ferry inside the owner's vehicle. Only service animals can leave the vehicle.
Where is the Galveston ferry terminal?
The Galveston ferry terminal is at 1000 Ferry Rd., Galveston, TX 77550. The Port Bolivar ferry terminal is at 123 SH 87, Port Bolivar, TX 77650.