Outer Banks Ferry Planner
Free vs. paid routes, crossing times, and reservations — everything you need to actually reach Ocracoke Island. Free, no sign-up.
Your Ocracoke trip
Round-trip crossing on the Hatteras – Ocracoke route: 2h, plus 4h on Ocracoke.
Total time away from your starting point: 6h.
Compare all three routes
| Route | Crossing | Reservation |
|---|---|---|
| Hatteras – Ocracoke | 1h | No |
| Cedar Island – Ocracoke | 2h 15m | Yes |
| Swan Quarter – Ocracoke | 2h 40m | Yes |
Crossing times are typical, not a fixed schedule — exact departure times shift seasonally and aren't published as a single year-round timetable. Confirm current times and book reservations at ncdot.gov/ferry.
Outer Banks Ferry FAQ
Is the Ocracoke ferry free?
The Hatteras–Ocracoke ferry is free for vehicles and passengers, runs frequently, and needs no reservation. The longer mainland crossings from Cedar Island and Swan Quarter are paid routes with a limited daily schedule, and both require a reservation.
How long is the ferry ride to Ocracoke?
The Hatteras–Ocracoke crossing takes about an hour. The mainland routes are much longer: roughly 2 hours 15 minutes from Cedar Island, and about 2 hours 40 minutes from Swan Quarter.
Do I need a reservation for the Ocracoke ferry?
Not for the Hatteras–Ocracoke route — it's first-come, first-served with frequent departures. The Cedar Island and Swan Quarter mainland routes both require a reservation, booked online or by phone through NCDOT (ncdot.gov/ferry), since they run only a few times a day.
Can I do Ocracoke as a day trip?
Easily via the Hatteras route — the crossing is short and frequent. From the mainland (Cedar Island or Swan Quarter), a day trip is possible but tight: with a ~2.5-hour crossing each way, you're looking at a very long day with limited time on the island. Most visitors coming from the mainland plan to stay overnight.