Looking for a weekend daytrip but tired of your usual routine? The Cape May-Lewes Ferry could be just what you need.
Whether you plan to enjoy an entire weekend of offerings in Lewes and Cape May, or simply have a few hours to explore somewhere new, the ferry is a great option for anyone interested in dining, shopping and exploring their way through two beach towns.
Where is the Cape May-Lewes Ferry located?
The ferry sets sail from Lewes for a short trip across the Delaware Bay to Cape May, New Jersey. Passengers can travel by vehicle, bicycle or on foot.
How long is the trip?
The ferry takes about 85 minutes one-way and about three hours for a roundtrip voyage.
Cape May is 17 miles from Lewes, and open waters are home to breathtaking views and animal friends are likely to make an appearance along the way. Passengers may see osprey, bald eagles, dolphins, egrets, gannets, horseshoe crabs, piping plovers, red knots, seals and whales while on the ferry route or while getting on or off the boat.
What is the schedule?
The 2022–2023 Fall/Winter scheduling and fare began on Nov. 1, 2022, and remains in effect until March 31, 2023.
Daily departure times from both the Cape May and Lewes terminal vary based on day. Consult the winter schedule for more information about arrival and departure times, and stay tuned for a spring update.
How much does it cost?
According the winter fare, adults, ages 14 to 61 years old, pay $8 for a one-way ticket, $14 for a round-trip. Seniors, ages 62 years old and up, pay $6 for a one-way ticket and $11 for a round-trip.
Children ages 13 years old and younger ride for free.
Discounts are available for AAA members, military personnel and first responders. With a valid ID or membership number provided, individuals in these categories can get a one-way ticket for $6 and a round-trip for $11.
Bicycle fare is free with the purchase of a passenger ticket.
Vehicle fares, which do not include the driver, are as follows:
- Cars, SUVs and pick-up trucks (under 20’) cost $22 one-way and $39 for a round-trip (Monday through Thursday.)
- Motorcycles cost $18 one-way and $31 for a round-trip.
- Three-wheel motorcycles or motorcycles with trailers cost $19 one-way and $32 round-trip.
- Scooters cost $9 one-way and $15 round-trip.
- RVs and long vehicles vary in pricing. Consult the website for more information. www.cmlf.com/rvs-long-vehicle-information
Vehicles are subject to inspection and drivers will likely be asked to pop their trunks before boarding.
If you use the ferry often, consider purchasing a Frequent Traveler Book online www.booking.cmlf.com/book/buyticketbook/buyTicketBook/ or by calling (800) 643-3779. Books come in packs of six or 12.
What you should know before you set sail
Reservations are required to board the ferry. Passengers can reserve a spot by booking online or calling customer service during normal hours. Visit www.booking.cmlf.com/book/booking/journeySearch/
Reservations require the length of your vehicle if it is not a standard car, truck or van; the number of passengers including the driver, and your credit card number. An email and phone number will be noted for contact in case of booking changes or other issues.
Check-in begins one hour before departure, and reservations may be forfeited if check-in is not completed 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Stand-by tickets will be available at this time.
Bookings can be rescheduled free of charge, but if canceled, a non-refundable cancelation fee of $6 per one-way and $12 per roundtrip booking will be imposed.
Paid, unused reservations may be applied to future trips, with some restrictions. Ferry tickets are valid for two years from date of purchase.
Cape May-Lewes Ferry restrictions
Before you board make sure you have all needed items, and none of the restricted ones.
A government-issued photo ID is required for all drivers and foot passengers over 14 years old. Foreign travelers must present a valid passport or international driver’s license.
Children under age 14 must be accompanied by someone at least 14, and that person must present a school ID, passport state ID or driver’s license. A maximum of two children between the ages of 2 and 13 can travel with an unaccompanied passenger between 14 and 18 years old.
Passengers are prohibited from brining opened alcoholic beverages on or off the ferry by Delaware and New Jersey law. Alcoholic beverages sold on each vessel and or in each terminal must be discarded before boarding or disembarking. Unopened beverages are allowed but must be kept stored.
The ferry and its terminals and surrounding areas have been tobacco-free since 2017. No smoking or other forms of tobacco are allowed. This includes vaping, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco or smoking-related products.
Pets are permitted on the ferry but must stay on outside decks or in vehicles. Passengers with pets cannot bring them inside the cabin near food areas. If restroom or food court facilities are needed, contact a crew member for assistance.
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry notes that “pets must be sociable when on passenger decks and remain on a leash or in an appropriate carrier,” or the owner will be asked to return the pet to the vehicle. All vehicles with pet passengers must have the windows open for air.
Is parking available at the terminals?
Parking is available for free at both the Cape May and Lewes terminals. https://www.cmlf.com/arriving-and-boarding-ferry
Cars can be left in the ferry parking lot overnight as long as license plate numbers are registered at the ticket counter in the terminal or with the police after hours in the police building in either city.
There is no winter shuttle to Cape May, but seasonal shuttles are available. In Lewes, the DART Route 204 bus picks up and drops off in front of the Lewes terminal. https://www.cmlf.com/shuttle-information-directions
Ferry amenities
The ferries have various amenities including internet service and food and drink options available for passengers.
The Lewes Terminal features Grain on the Rocks, a great dinner option once you complete your round trip, while the Cape May Terminal has Café 64 in colder months, and more dining options from Exit 0 in season.
Ferry vessels have indoor and outdoor seating, along with elevators to help get between decks. Table, bench seating and reclining seats are available indoors. Adirondack chairs, wooden benches, Lido Bar seating and metal chairs and tables are available outdoors.
What to do in Lewes
In Lewes, there are plenty of shops, historic sites and nature views to enjoy and lots of places to eat your way through.
A bike trail is across the street from the ferry terminal and local eateries such as Grain On the Rocks and Crooked Hammock Brewery are nearby.
Local beaches are a short drive or bike ride away, and seasonal events and beer rides are always on tap.
What to do in Cape May
While in Cape May, you can visit Cape May Point State Park, the Cape May Lighthouse, Washington Street Mall, the Lobster House, Cape May Brewery, Beach Plum Farm and much more.
Cape May (and Lewes) have electric bikes available for rental during your trip that can help expand your exploration of the area and give you a workout!
More Cape May area attractions include the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation, Cape May County Park and Zoo, Willow Creek Winery and Farm, Emlen Physick Estate (a historic Victorian house and museum) and many annual events.
Cape May-Lewes Ferry upgrades
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry has been running since its first voyage on July 1, 1964.
The ferry currently has three vessels, with a capacity of 100 vehicles and about 800 people each, each the length of a football field.
Although the ferry has been improved throughout the years, the current vessels are set to retire as a new fleet awaits the water.
The proposed fleet will have four vessels that are smaller than the ferry’s current boats. Each new vessel will have a capacity of 75 vehicles and about 330 passengers each, according to a spokesperson for the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
Although the new boats will be smaller, a fourth vessel will allow for greater schedule flexibility. The Delaware River and Bay Authority expects the new fleet to be more environmentally friendly, meet or beat the current total trip times and improve customer and crew amenities.
The $320 million project will be completed in phases, with the first new vessel expected to arrive in late 2026. Plans have not been finalized yet.
Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.
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