A road trip through Connecticut can sometimes take you hours due to the amount of traffic on I-95.
For those living on Long Island, a trip to Connecticut also means you have to drive West towards New York City and experience its own set of traffic as well.
There is another option you have to skip the bottlenecks associated with Connecticut’s I-95 and New York City. You can set sail on the Cross Sound Ferry.
In this article, we will talk about what the Cross Sound Ferry is, how you can book your trip, and some tips for you to make your experience more pleasurable.
Where Does the Cross Sound Ferry Go?
The Cross Sound Ferry is located at the northeastern end of Long Island (also known as the North Fork) in Orient Point.
The ferry takes you from Orient Point across the Long Island Sound and drops you off in New London, Connecticut.
New London, Connecticut is far enough west of all the bottlenecks and traffic one might experience on I-95 and is about 45 mins away from the Rhode Island border.
Insight into Cross Sound Ferry Operations
The Cross Sound Ferry operates almost 365 days a year and accounts for 32 daily departures combined from Orient Point and New London.
The great thing about the ferry is that you’re able to drive your car on it.
The New London and Orient Point terminals are located very close to a major roadway or highway, so once you’re off the boat you be on the road heading to where you need to be in no time.
How Long Does it to Ride the Cross Sound Ferry?
The distance between Orient Point and New London is about 18.5 miles across the Long Island Sound.
The average trip duration for a normal Cross Sound Ferry is an hour and 20 minutes depending on the weather.
In comparison, if you were to drive from Melville, Long Island (½ way between Orient Point and New York City) to New London, that trip will take roughly 3 and half hours across 137 miles of roadway.
The drive from New York City to Orient Point takes about 2 hours but you will experience no traffic especially if you leave earlier in the morning.
Overall, taking the ferry is a very viable option if you live on Long Island, or just want an easy pedestrian drive to New England.
How much does it cost to use the Cross Sound Ferry?
There are several different things to consider when it comes to the cost of using the Cross Sound Ferry.
The first is whether you are bringing your car on the boat or simply hitching a ride as a sole passenger.
Passenger Only Fares
If you decide to ride as a passenger, it will cost you $20 to purchase your ticket at the either Orient Point or New London Ticket office. If you book your trip in advance, you can save $2.
Passenger and Vehicle Fares
For those that opt to bring their vehicle on board, Cross Sound Ferry charges differently based on your vehicle type and size. It is recommended that you make a reservation in advance.
The fare you pay for your vehicle also includes the driver’s ticket. You will need to visit the ticket office and purchase tickets for any other passengers joining you on your trip.
The ferry uses three rate types for passengers with vehicles; base, full, and priority.
The base price is the amount you pay when you create a reservation in advance. It is a discounted price, roughly 7% off. A Jeep Cherokee will pay $80 at the base price.
The full price is the exact price you pay when you show up at the dock without a reservation. A Jeep Cherokee will pay $86.
Finally, there is a priority fare that allows you to show up to the queue line later without losing your spot on the boat and allows you to be first on and off the boat. A Jeep Cherokee paying the priority price will pay $99.
If you have a tractor-trailer, elongated vehicle, truck, or RV, expect to pay a bit more. You can find your rates online at the Cross Sound Ferry website using their reservation tool.
How many boats does Cross Sound Ferry use?
The Cross Sound Ferry primarily uses 6 different boats to accommodate the passenger demand throughout the day.
John H
The John H is the largest ferry in the Cross Sound Ferry fleet. It is able to carry up to 1000 passengers and 100 vehicles. It has a nice deck that passengers can use to soak in some sun, a lounge, a snack bar, and satellite TV.
Susan Anne
The Susan Anne is the third largest boat in the fleet. It can safely carry 840 passengers and 80 vehicles. It has recently undergone major renovations to the cabin area to improve passenger comfort.
Cape Henlopen
Cape Henlopen is definitely the most historic ferry in Cross Sound Ferry’s arsenal. It is one of the last remaining ships in operation that took part in D-Day on June 6th, 1944 during World War Two. The Cape has been modernized and up to par with the other boats in the Cross Sound Ferry fleet.
Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen is one of the newer ferries in the fleet. It has a faster speed of 15 knots. It can accommodate up to 65 vehicles and 675 passengers per trip.
The Mary Ellen once served the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry, also located on Long Island.
Jennifer C
Jennifer C was acquired by the company in 2016 and completely retrofitted & modernized to be on par with the other boats in the fleet. Slightly smaller than the other ferries, it can carry 50 cars and 300 passengers.
New London
The New London just like the Mary Ellen is one of the fastest ferries in the fleet, able to cruise at 15 knots. However, just like the Jennifer C it is one of the smaller ferries although it has recently been widened to accommodate more vehicles.
Some Tips for Riding the Cross Sound Ferry
Below are some tips for you to consider when you decide to ride on the Cross Sound Ferry.
Book Your Reservations in Advance.
This is a no-brainer. Save money whenever you can. The Cross Sound Ferry always offers a discount when you book your trip online in advance.
The minimum time you should wait to book a trip in advance is probably a week out. During the summer months which is the ferries’ busy season, tickets and reservations go quickly. Make you grab them when you have the chance.
Early Morning Trips on The Cross Sound Ferry During the Summer Is Probably Your Best Bet
Although you are taking the ferry to beat traffic in Connecticut, unfortunately, if you’re navigating to the North Fork during the busy summer season or the fall, you run the risk of being delayed by traffic.
There are only two roads that lead you to Orient Point. These roads feature popular wineries and farms that are heavily trafficked during the busy season which causes traffic.
If you reserve an early morning ferry during the summer months, you will most likely skip all this traffic so keep that in mind.
Showing Up Early to The Cross Sound Ferry Can Pay Dividends
You are asked to arrive to the ferry terminal 30 to 45 minutes before your assigned boat departures so the staff can put your car in the correct lane to get on the boat.
The great thing about showing up early is that the staff encounters cancellations or the previous boat for some reason isn’t full, they will accommodate you and get you on an earlier boat. This has happened in our experience quite a number of times.
Sit on the Right Side of The Boat When Traveling From Orient to New London
When traveling north to Connecticut, the right side of the boat will get all the best views of notable landmarks.
Plum Island
You will see Plum Island several minutes after departure from Orient Point.
Plum Island is home to the United States Governments Infectious Disease Program for Livestock. It is slated to be closed sometime in 2023.
Naval Submarine Base New London
When pulling into New London, if you’re seated on the right side of the boat you will be able to see United States Navy Submarines.
New London is home to the Naval Submarine Base New London where a bulk of the Navy’s submarine fleet is based.
You will be able to see submarine hulls docked at piers, sometimes even a new submarine bow sticking out of those large buildings near the water.
The United States Coast Guard Academy
When leaving New London on your way to Orient Point, you will be able to see the United States Coast Guard Academy.
This is the Coast Guard version of the Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, and Army West Point where top recruits are turned into officers.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to beat the Connecticut traffic when traveling to New England, the Cross Sound Ferry might be your best bet.
An hour and 20-minute trip across the Long Island Sound that allows you to kick back and relax sounds a lot better than being in stop-and-go traffic on I-95.
