The Cross-Bay Ferry is back — and it will dock at a brand new location in the ‘Burg. This season, the Cross-Bay Ferry can be found at Port St. Pete (250 8th Ave SE). The ferry will drop off passengers in Tampa outside the Convention Center (333 S Franklin Street). Those interested in reserving tickets in advance can do so online. The first ferry ride from St. Pete will depart at 10am on Sunday, October 15.

Parking Tip: There is a dedicated parking lot just past the Port building – turn right into the lot after passing 250 8th Avenue SE which will have free parking on a first-come, first-served basis. Overflow parking is located on the street. Additionally, on weekends, USF St. Pete has nearby surface lots where Ferry users can park through the Park Mobile App for a flat rate of $5.

Adult tickets cost $12 one-way, and $24 round trip. Senior (65+), Military, College Student (w/ ID)*,  cost $22 round trip. Youth ages 5-18 pay $10 one way and $20 round trip. Those in a wheelchair pay $5 one way and $10 round trip.

From Port St. Pete to the Tampa Convention Center

Persons who use a wheelchair cost $10 round trip. Children 4 years and under ride free. You can reserve tickets online. Below you can see a full schedule that shows service on Wednesday and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and Sunday. 

Beginning today through June, the Downtown Looper will include a stop at the Port St. Pete, 850 2nd Ave SE, after 4pm Monday-Thursday, and all day Friday-Sunday. This enhancement provides a much closer trolley stop to the Ferry dock, making it convenient for passengers to explore hundreds of downtown destinations within walking distance of the Looper’s 19 other stops. For more information on the Downtown Looper and its route, visit www.PSTA.net/looper.

Traveling on the ferry sure beats sitting in traffic on the Howard Frankland Bridge. The season will run longer than last, with it launching in October and extending into June. Permanent year-round service is also on the horizon. The ferry schedule will be consistent with last season:

The ferry vessel is a twin-hull aluminum catamaran that can carry a maximum of 149 guests at an average speed of 30 mph. The vessel has a full-service bar with basic food service. Passengers may bring up to two pieces of luggage and one small personal item at no extra charge, and they may also bring bikes on board. 

While we’ve enjoyed seasonal service, by 2025 year-round service could be implemented. Hillsborough Area Regional Transit received a $4.9 million grant to secure a larger vessel that would call the St. Petersburg and Tampa area home permanently.

A project of this magnitude isn’t the undertaking of just one group, of course. The Cross-Bay Ferry is a regional collaboration between Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, the City of Tampa, and the City of St. Petersburg. 

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