The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is excited to announce the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry is set to begin its 2025 season on Saturday, April 19. The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry launched for the season on Tuesday, April 1.
While high water levels on the Connecticut River delayed its opening, the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry is now ready to serve thousands of passengers through November. Last season, both ferries carried a combined total of more than 100,000 passengers and 45,000 vehicles across the river.
“We’re thrilled both ferries will soon be open for the season. Whether you’re riding a bike, going for a walk, or traveling by car, the ferry is an enjoyable way to travel,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Bureau Chief of Public Transportation Benjamin Limmer. “Just in the first few weeks, we’ve welcomed approximately 1,000 passengers on board the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry. We hope many will come out, take a trip, and see firsthand what makes this a memorable experience for all.”
The Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry is the oldest, continuously operating ferry in America, starting service in 1655. At one time, two horses on treadmills supplied the power to propel the vessel across the river. In 1876, the ferry was modernized to steam-driven crafts. Today’s craft is a three-car barge named the Hollister III, which is towed back and forth by the Cumberland, a diesel-powered tugboat.
The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry launched in 1769, and CTDOT began operating the service in 1917. It can carry eight or nine cars, along with 49 passengers. Thanks to having a propeller and rudder on both ends of the boat, the ferry can travel back and forth without needing to turn around.
When the ferries are in service, they operate on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and on weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Paying a fare is easy using the Token Transit app or by scanning the QR code at the ferry landings.
Weather conditions, water levels, or mechanical issues may impact ferry operations, with any closures and delays shared online. Members of the public are encouraged to sign up for alerts on the real-time travel and traffic information website CTroads.com.
For additional information on the ferries, including fares, schedules, and complete history, please visit CT.gov/DOT/CTferries.