The Bristol Ferry is a hop-on hop-off waterbus running the length of the Floating Harbour, calling at 7 stops including the City Centre, Wapping Wharf and the SS Great Britain. A Day Ticket, which also covers the 80-minute Full Tour, costs £14 for adults and £10 for children aged 4 to 16, with shorter single fares from £3. It's card only, first-come first-served, and the easiest way to see the harbour from the water without booking anything in advance.
What it is and how it works
Bristol Ferry Boats has run passenger boats on the Floating Harbour for decades, and today it operates as a proper hop-on hop-off waterbus rather than just a sightseeing cruise. Two historic vessels, Matilda and Emily, work the route on a continuous loop through the day, so you can treat it like a scenic bus: get on at whichever stop is nearest, get off wherever you want, and catch a later boat to carry on. It isn't a bookable service, so there's no app booking or reserved seats, you simply turn up at a landing stage and pay the crew by card when you board.
The stops
The full route calls at 7 landing stages: Temple Quay, Castle Park, City Centre, Wapping Wharf, SS Great Britain, Mardyke and The Cottage. That means you can use it as genuine transport as well as a tourist trip, for example from Temple Meads (a short walk from Temple Quay) down to Wapping Wharf for lunch, or on to the SS Great Britain without worrying about harbourside parking. The full loop from Temple Quay to The Cottage and back takes around 80 minutes if you stay on board the whole way.
Prices
| Journey | Adult | Child (4-16) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 minutes on board | £3 | £2 |
| Up to 20 minutes on board | £5 | £4 |
| Up to 30 minutes on board | £8 | £6 |
| Up to 40 minutes on board | £10 | £8 |
| Day Ticket (or 80-minute Full Tour) | £14 | £10 |
Fares are based on how long you're actually on board rather than a flat per-stop charge, so a short hop from the City Centre to Wapping Wharf costs less than riding the whole route. Children under 3 travel free, and the boats are a cashless operation, so bring a card. If you're planning to hop on and off at several stops across a day, the Day Ticket works out better value than paying for each leg separately.
Accessibility
Worth knowing before you plan a trip around it: the historic fleet wasn't built with wheelchair access in mind. Boarding means stepping from a stationary landing stage onto a moving boat, and both Matilda and Emily have three steps down into the vessel, with a handrail but no ramp. Crew can carry a lightweight manual wheelchair on board, but they can't accommodate larger or heavier mobility equipment. If accessibility is a priority, it's worth checking directly with Bristol Ferry (0117 927 3416) before you build a day around the waterbus.
When it runs
The ferry runs a daily summer timetable with boats roughly every 40 minutes departing Temple Quay from around 10am, with the last full loop finishing in the early evening. There's also a separate, more limited commuter service aimed at local travel rather than visitors. Timetables shift with the seasons, so it's worth checking bristolferry.com on the day, especially outside peak summer months when sailings can be less frequent.
Beyond the basic loop
Beyond the regular hop-on hop-off route, Bristol Ferry also runs a cruise out to Beeses, a riverside bar and restaurant upriver from the city, and offers Harbour History Tours and private charters for groups and parties. These are a different product from the standard Day Ticket service, so check timings and prices separately if that's what you're after.
How it fits with the rest of a harbourside day
The ferry is a good way to link up a harbourside visit without doubling back on foot. If you're based around the Bristol Harbourside or in the city for the day, you can walk one way along the water and ferry back, or use it to jump straight from the SS Great Britain to Wapping Wharf for food. Driving in isn't necessary for any of this; see our Bristol parking guide if you are bringing a car, since harbourside parking is limited and mostly paid.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Bristol Ferry?
A Day Ticket, which also covers the 80-minute Full Tour, is £14 for adults and £10 for children aged 4-16. Shorter single fares start at £3 for adults and £2 for children, based on time spent on board. Under-3s travel free.
What stops does the Bristol Ferry call at?
Seven stops: Temple Quay, Castle Park, City Centre, Wapping Wharf, SS Great Britain, Mardyke and The Cottage.
Can I book the Bristol Ferry in advance?
No. It's a first-come, first-served hop-on hop-off service. You simply wait at a landing stage and pay the crew by card when you board.
Does the Bristol Ferry take cash?
No, it's a cashless operation. Fares are paid by contactless card to the crew on board.
Is the Bristol Ferry wheelchair accessible?
No. The historic boats have steps down from the landing stage with no ramp, so the operator can't accommodate wheelchair users, though crew can carry a lightweight manual wheelchair on board. Call 0117 927 3416 to check before planning a visit around it.
How long does the full Bristol Ferry route take?
Around 80 minutes for the complete loop from Temple Quay to The Cottage and back, which is what the Day Ticket and Full Tour fare covers.