Ferry rides offer a distinctive travel experience—part essential transportation, part scenic cruise—without requiring an entire day’s commitment. These floating journeys provide unique perspectives of coastlines, skylines, and island landscapes typically unseen from land. The gentle rhythm of waves combined with fresh sea air creates a perfect interlude between destinations.
Here is a list of 20 scenic ferry rides under two hours that deliver remarkable views and memorable experiences without consuming your entire day.
Staten Island Ferry
This iconic free ferry connects Manhattan to Staten Island while providing spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline. The 25-minute journey operates 24/7 and carries over 70,000 passengers daily across New York Harbor’s busy waters.
Savvy travelers know to stand on the right side when departing Manhattan and the left side when returning for optimal Liberty views without fighting crowds. The orange vessels have appeared in countless films and television shows, making them instantly recognizable symbols of New York City.
Sydney Harbour Ferry
Australia’s most scenic commute connects Circular Quay with Manly Beach, offering postcard-perfect views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge during the 30-minute crossing. The route passes close to harborside mansions, hidden beaches, and historic fortifications dating back to colonial times.
Dolphins frequently accompany the ferries during the summer months, delighting passengers with impromptu displays alongside the vessel. Local commuters often stand on the outdoor decks regardless of weather—a testament to views so compelling they draw people from climate-controlled cabins.
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Hong Kong Star Ferry
Operating since 1888, this historic ferry connects Hong Kong Island with Kowloon across Victoria Harbour in just seven minutes. The emerald green vessels maintain their vintage charm with wooden seats and brass fittings preserved from earlier eras.
The crossing offers unparalleled views of Hong Kong’s spectacular skyline, particularly impressive during the evening light shows when skyscrapers transform into a synchronized light display. The modest fare—less than a dollar—delivers arguably the best value sightseeing experience in the notoriously expensive city of Hong Kong.
Bainbridge Island Ferry
Departing from downtown Seattle, this 35-minute crossing offers spectacular views of the Seattle skyline, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains on clear days. The route passes through Puget Sound’s island-dotted waters, where orca whales occasionally make appearances alongside the vessel.
Eagle-eyed passengers often spot harbor seals lounging on navigation buoys while seabirds dive dramatically for fish in the ferry’s wake. Upon arrival, Bainbridge Island welcomes visitors with wineries, artisan shops, and waterfront parks just steps from the terminal.
Alcatraz Ferry
This 15-minute journey from San Francisco’s Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island provides panoramic views of the city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, and Bay Bridge from unique angles. The waters around Alcatraz feature strong currents and swirling patterns visible from the ferry deck—a sobering reminder of why the former prison was considered escape-proof.
Wildlife sightings often include brown pelicans, cormorants, and occasionally sea lions playing near the rocky shores of the Island. Audio narration during the crossing explains both the natural and human history of this infamous bay landmark.
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Istanbul Ferry
Connecting Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul’s ferries offer 20-minute crossings between continents with views spanning centuries of architectural history. Ottoman palaces, Byzantine churches, and modern skyscrapers line the shores in a remarkable visual timeline of civilizations.
The traditional vessels serve Turkish tea in tulip-shaped glasses while seagulls follow alongside, sometimes catching pieces of bread tossed by passengers. During summer months, locals escape the city heat by riding back and forth purely for the refreshing breezes off the strait.
Balboa Island Ferry
Operating since 1919, this charming three-minute ferry crosses Newport Harbor in Southern California, connecting Balboa Island with the Balboa Peninsula. Despite the brief journey, passengers enjoy views of multi-million dollar yachts, harborside mansions, and the iconic Balboa Pavilion with its distinctive Victorian architecture.
The ferry can accommodate just three cars alongside foot passengers, creating an intimate experience remarkably preserved despite surrounding development along the coast. Sunset crossings transform the harbor into a golden tableau with sailboats silhouetted against the changing colors.
Santorini Ferry
Connecting the main port of Athinios with the old harbor at Fira, this ten-minute ferry ride scales the dramatic caldera cliffs of this volcanic Greek Island. The switchback path ascending the 800-foot cliffs can alternatively be climbed via donkey or cable car, but the ferry provides the best perspective of Santorini’s multicolored cliffs topped with whitewashed buildings.
During high season, multiple vessels create a choreographed water ballet as they maneuver within the caldera— a basin still considered an active volcanic center. Evening departures offer particularly dramatic lighting as the setting sun illuminates the cliff face.
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Venice Vaporetto
These public water buses navigate Venice’s Grand Canal, offering 45-minute journeys past palaces, churches, and bridges dating back to the city’s maritime heyday. Route 1 serves as an affordable alternative to expensive gondola rides while providing similar views of architectural masterpieces lining the canal banks.
The vessels pass beneath the famous Rialto Bridge, where passengers can glimpse market activities that have continued in the same location for centuries. Early morning or late evening rides avoid the crowds and provide magical lighting on Venice’s pastel-colored facades.
Lopez Island Ferry
Part of Washington State’s San Juan Islands network, this 40-minute journey from Anacortes traverses emerald waters where orca whales frequently appear during the summer months. The route passes numerous smaller uninhabited islands while offering views of snow-capped Mount Baker rising dramatically in the distance.
Wildlife spotting opportunities include bald eagles, harbor seals, and sea lions, often visible from the passenger deck. The ferry’s pace slows noticeably when passing through narrow channels, allowing time to observe tidal patterns and kelp forests swaying beneath the surface.
Capri Ferry
Connecting Naples or Sorrento with the Island of Capri, this 25-minute hydrofoil journey across the Bay of Naples offers views of Mount Vesuvius and the dramatic Sorrentine Peninsula. As the ferry approaches Capri, the Island’s famous Faraglioni rock formations come into view—three towering stone spires rising dramatically from azure Mediterranean waters.
The vessel navigates past luxury yachts, often hosting celebrities and dignitaries drawn to this glamorous Italian destination. The approach to Marina Grande reveals Capri’s vertical landscape with colorful buildings climbing the steep hillsides.
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Oslo Fjord Ferry
This 50-minute journey explores Norway’s scenic Oslo Fjord, connecting the city center with nearby islands featuring beaches, hiking trails, and historic sites. The route passes Hovedøya with its ancient monastery ruins, Lindøya with its colorful summer cottages, and numerous smaller islands dotting the protected waters.
During summer, many locals combine ferry hopping with swimming at different island beaches, creating their maritime adventures. Winter journeys offer equally compelling scenes with snow-covered islands and the peculiar beauty of partially frozen fjord waters.
Bruny Island Ferry
Connecting mainland Tasmania with Bruny Island across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, this 15-minute ferry ride offers views of Australia’s southernmost landscapes. The crossing navigates waters teeming with marine life, including dolphins, seals, and migrating whales during certain seasons.
Upon approach to Bruny Island, passengers can see the distinctive isthmus known as ‘The Neck’—a narrow strip of land connecting the north and south portions of the Island. The ferry accommodates vehicles alongside foot passengers, carrying visitors to experience Bruny’s renowned wildlife, oyster farms, and pristine beaches.
Governors Island Ferry
This eight-minute journey from Lower Manhattan to Governors Island provides spectacular views of New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and Brooklyn Bridge from an often-overlooked perspective. The 172-acre Island served as a military base for over 200 years before opening to the public, creating a remarkable green space just 800 yards from the intensity of Manhattan.
The ferry transports visitors to car-free pathways, historic forts, and sprawling picnic lawns with city skyline panoramas. Seasonal art installations and festivals bring additional cultural dimensions to this quick harbor crossing.
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Mackinac Island Ferry
Operating between Michigan’s mainland and car-free Mackinac Island, this 16-minute journey crosses portions of Lake Huron while passing beneath the impressive span of Mackinac Bridge. The route approaches the Island past limestone cliffs and Victorian-era grand hotels visible from miles away across the water.
During winter months, the ferry navigates around blue ice formations—compressed, crystalline ice with an otherworldly azure hue unique to the Great Lakes region. Upon arrival, horse-drawn carriages meet passengers—Mackinac’s primary transportation since automobiles were banned in 1898.
Vancouver SeaBus
This 12-minute passenger ferry connects downtown Vancouver with North Vancouver across Burrard Inlet, offering spectacular views of the city skyline framed by coastal mountains. The vessels feature floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor viewing areas perfect for photographing the harbor’s working waterfront alongside luxury cruise ships.
Seaplanes frequently take off and land alongside the ferry route, adding aviation excitement to the maritime journey. Evening crossings provide front-row seats to Vancouver’s illuminated skyline reflected perfectly in calm harbor waters.
Tallinn-Helsinki Ferry
Fast ferries connect these Baltic capitals with 1-hour-45-minute journeys across the Gulf of Finland, creating one of the world’s most popular international ferry routes. The vessels navigate through the Finnish Archipelago with its thousands of islands, ranging from tiny uninhabited rocks to larger islands with summer cottages.
Winter crossings sometimes encounter sea ice, with specially designed hulls cutting through frozen patches, creating distinctive cracking sounds heard throughout the passenger cabins. On-board amenities include duty-free shopping and Finnish saunas—perhaps the world’s only floating authentic sauna experience.
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Rovinj-Red Island Ferry
This 15-minute journey from Croatia’s picturesque Rovinj harbor transports visitors to nearby St. Andrew’s Island (Red Island) through crystal-clear Adriatic waters. The approach offers perfect photography opportunities for Rovinj’s peninsular old town, crowned by the distinctive bell tower of St. Euphemia Church.
The transparent waters reveal underwater landscapes visible from the deck, with rocky reefs and occasional schools of fish passing beneath the vessel. Upon arrival, the small Island offers hidden coves, abandoned quarries reclaimed by nature, and pine forests providing welcome shade during hot summer days.
Cape May-Lewes Ferry
Connecting New Jersey with Delaware across Delaware Bay, this 85-minute journey cuts hours off the road journey between these coastal states. The route passes close to harbor porpoise feeding grounds where these shy marine mammals frequently surface near the vessel.
During migration seasons, passengers often spot diverse bird species, including ospreys, terns, and herons, following similar coastal pathways. The ferry decks provide perfect vantage points for photographing Cape May Lighthouse or Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse, depending on the direction of travel.
Mui Wo Ferry
Connecting Hong Kong’s central business district with Lantau Island, this 35-minute journey offers a remarkable transition from urban intensity to rural landscapes. The route passes the massive engineering of Hong Kong’s airport before approaching Lantau’s green mountains and fishing villages, seemingly unchanged for generations.
The upper deck provides cooling breezes and 360-degree views while the vessel navigates past smaller outlying islands and traditional fishing boats working these productive waters. For commuters and tourists alike, the journey provides a decompression zone between Hong Kong’s frenetic pace and Lantau’s more relaxed atmosphere.
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Sea Maritime Connection
These ferry journeys represent more than mere transportation—they offer windows into local maritime cultures where waterways historically connected communities before roads existed. The vessels themselves range from utilitarian commuter craft to carefully preserved historic boats, each reflecting regional maritime traditions and practical adaptations to local water conditions.
Whether you’re seeking iconic city views, wildlife spotting opportunities, or simply a peaceful interlude between destinations, these short ferry crossings deliver experiences impossible to replicate on land-based journeys. In a world increasingly focused on destinations, these floating interludes remind us that sometimes the journey itself deserves equal attention.
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