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Chester-Hadlyme Ferry

4.5 (13 reviews)
Open • 7:00 am - 6:30 pm

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Alexis B.

The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry is a ferry operated by the State of Connecticut, which crosses the Connecticut River and connects the towns of Chester and Hadlyme. We had just visited Gillette Castle State Park and were on our way to Old Saybrook and decided crossing the river using this historic ferry was a fun mini detour! The ferry has been in operation since 1769 (it was known as Warner's Ferry at the time), and it operates April 1-November 30 daily. It costs $5 per vehicle on weekdays, $6 per vehicle on weekends, and $2 for pedestrians and cyclists. For a small fee (and a short wait if the ferry is on the other side of the river when you arrive), you can take this historic ferry path and get a great view of the Connecticut River and Gillette Castle on the hill above. Definitely a fun detour that I recommend if you have time!

Rachel O.

We took the car across this time. It was $6 on a Saturday for one car with two passengers. The deckhands were wicked nice & the ride was breezy & beautiful. What more is there to say, really? It's just so incredibly worth it to take this historic ferry across the Connecticut River. The experience instills a childlike wonderment in me. How cool is it that we're in our car on a little floating craft that's been making this trip back & forth since the mid 1700's? With sweeping views of the river & Gillette Castle perched atop a cliff? Just do it!

Eastern landing view from the ferry
Scott P.

On a beautiful Tuesday afternoon, I decided it was a great time to take the ferry. There was no line and they were about to leave, so no chance for pictures from the landing. A short 5 minute trip, this is a great idea for a scenic day trip. I should definitely return when the foliage is peaking! Note: there was 12-15 cars waiting on the western landing but it's a quick round trip, so not a very long wait.

8/31/21 At the Historic Chester-Hadlyme Ferry landing with the equally historic Gillette Castle overlooking it.
Jim C.

8/31/21 The Historic Chester-Hadlyme Ferry crossing the Connecticut river on Rt.148 has been in continuous seasonal operation since 1763 with only a few breaks in service for a variety of reasons, most recently 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. It crosses the river with the equally historic Gillette Castle State Park overlooking it high on the bluff above. That is another worthwhile place to see. It's a very smooth and pleasant five minute crossing on a ferry carrying about 10 cars maximum. I took it today on my newly acquired motor trike, and enjoyed it immensely. I hadn't been on the ferry in several years. The fellow collecting the fares mentioned that he too rides a Harley. NICE! The fare was only $5.00. SUCH A DEAL! one's Yiddish grandfather might say! If you're in the area and have the opportunity, I highly recommend it, even if it's a little out of your way. Who knows when the state of Connecticut that operates it might replace it or just eliminate this piece of floating history.

Chester Side

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2 months ago

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4 months ago

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6 months ago

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

I love this ferry. Brought my grandchildren this year. Each one at a different. Quaint, real, extremely friendly people!

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13 years ago

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14 years ago

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13 years ago

What a deal for a fun, historical, practical transportation experience!

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12 years ago

Great! $4 for a car and $2 for pedestrians. You get great views of Gillette castle and access to great trails.

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10 years ago

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Review Highlights - Chester-Hadlyme Ferry

“We took this Chester-Hadlyme Ferry this summer, as it's a direct shortcut to Gillette Castle in Chester, Connecticut.”

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Cross Sound Ferry - 0700HRS Ferry @ orient point

Cross Sound Ferry

3.5(231 reviews)
18.1 mi

When I was planning a trip from Boston to Long Island, I saw on Google Maps there was a ferry…read moreoption that would cut my driving time almost exactly in half. Having lived in NYC for almost a decade, I had no idea the Cross Sound Ferry existed; I thought I'd just put up with the atrocious weekend traffic in and out of Long Island. Pros: (+) The car loading process was very organized. The workers were friendly and efficient. Both my outbound and return trips left very nearly on time, which I appreciated. (+) I lucked out with beautiful weather and calm waters both times. Sitting on the top deck, basking in the sunlight, watching the coastline come into view definitely beat sitting in a bad traffic jam. If I ever go to Long Island, this is the way to travel. (I also get pretty bad seasickness and worried for days over the forecast for nothing; the ships were so smooth, I didn't feel a thing.) (+) Depending on the vessel, you can also get a history lesson. I took the MV Cape Henlopen back, which participated in D-Day. There's a commemorative plaque and everything. (+) Dog friendly! (+) Lots of seats, both indoor and outdoor. Pro tip: bring a beach towel with you so you don't burn your booty. Cons: (-) Not really a con exactly but a warning that they pack the cars in like sardines. I felt bad for the one car that had to park on a steep incline. (-) My round-trip ferry cost about $160, which is ... not exactly cheap. To me, it was worth the time saved and maybe the tolls of coming through the city and LI (though I didn't do the math) but yeah, I can see why the cost might put people off. Tips: 1. Book in advance on the website early. 2. Get to the ferry terminal early. They have a 30-minute rule for larger cars and a 15-minute rule for all other cars, otherwise you're bumped to standby and there might not be a spot. 3. From a navigation perspective, I found getting to/from New London, CT and Orient Point, NY a breeze. There are some very cute farm stands along the road to Orient Point, where you can stop and get fresh strawberries, eggs, lavender, and honey.

March 2026 John H boat, the largest ship in the fleet!…read more 100 vehicles and 1000 passengers. The vessel features a dual-level auto deck, lounge, food service, and satellite televisions. For those passengers requiring assistance, there is an elevator between the vehicle deck and main passenger cabin (note: cannot do priority boarding if using elevator access due to the location). - lots of booths, all with electrical outlets - outside bench seating - special dog friendly area - 2 upper seating decks - fryers didn't come on until 11 Get the fries! They're fresh, hot, and crispy!

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Cross Sound Ferry - March 2026 John H boat

March 2026 John H boat

Cross Sound Ferry - March 2026 John H boat

March 2026 John H boat

Cross Sound Ferry

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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

4.0(200 reviews)
5.0 mi
•$$

I have been here multiple times, once for dinner train ride, a pirate party, the Hocus Pocus train…read moreand for this year Tracks of Terror! This year for tracks of terror. It was okay. We got the tickets half off, and I'm happy that we did! The parking lot opened at 8:45. However, people were lining up but the ticket booth didn't open until 9. We walked through a "haunted" house where we learned the history of Silas and his horrific demise This walk-through was about 10 minutes and we watched a video of his story. Once that was completed, we walked over and waited for about 45 minutes on the train flat, where they served us drinks and had fire pits and heating areas to socialize, and some spooky witches interacting with the crowd The train ride itself was OK. You were driven to a Midway area like 1/4 mile away where the performers put on another show while on the train. There were some other theatrics that took us by surprise, but this was definitely geared towards teenagers due to some of the theatrics (not suited for kids). Bit this was not scary. There are some lights and strobes that take place during the show Overall, It was worth what we paid. Can't wait to see what else they put

A great train experience. We went to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. Trains were clean, staff…read morewere courteous, and the ride along the CT River was beautiful. We especially liked the neighborhood homes who took the time to decorate with pumpkin people etc. for train passengers to see. Thank you!

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Essex Steam Train & Riverboat - Lunch in the Pullman car

Lunch in the Pullman car

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat - Baked Lemon Garlic Chicken

Baked Lemon Garlic Chicken

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat - Interior of one of the Essex steam train cars

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Interior of one of the Essex steam train cars

Chester-Hadlyme Ferry - ferries - Updated October 2026

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