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

FromHatteras village
One-way crossing1h 10m
CostFree
ReservationNot accepted (first come, first served)
FrequencyFrequent, no reservation needed (about 50+ daily departures in season)
Your day, roughly

Round-trip crossing on the Hatteras – Ocracoke route: 2h 20m, plus 4h on Ocracoke.

Total time away from your starting point: 6h 20m.

Compare all three routes

RouteCrossingReservation
Hatteras – Ocracoke1h 10mNo
Cedar Island – Ocracoke2h 15mRecommended
Swan Quarter – Ocracoke2h 40mRecommended

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 fares, and book reservations, through the NCDOT Ferry Division (ncdot.gov).

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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 reservations are recommended, especially in summer.

How long is the ferry ride to Ocracoke?

The Hatteras–Ocracoke crossing takes about 70 minutes. 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 take reservations, which are recommended (strongly so in summer) and accepted up to 90 days ahead, booked online or by phone through NCDOT, 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.