Posted on ferries.com as the current schedule and applying through Sunday, November 1, 2026; the operator announced the winter schedule from Monday, November 2 (Eastern time). The list is published without a day-of-week split.
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~25 min
Operator
Lake Champlain Transportation Company
Map – Charlotte-Essex Ferry (Lake Champlain)
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult passenger, each way | $5.50 |
| Senior (65+), each way | $5.00 |
| Child 6-12, each way | $3.25 |
| Driver and vehicle up to 19 ft, each way | $12.25 |
| Driver and vehicle 19 to 23 ft, each way | $17.50 |
| Driver and vehicle 23 to 27 ft, each way | $19.50 |
| Driver and vehicle 27 to 36 ft, each way | $27.00 |
| Driver and vehicle 36 to 45 ft, each way | $35.50 |
| Driver and vehicle 45 to 54 ft, each way | $43.00 |
| Driver and vehicle 54 to 63 ft, each way | $52.00 |
| Driver and vehicle 63 to 72 ft, each way | $63.00 |
| Driver and vehicle over 72 ft, add per foot | $2.00 |
| Motorcycle and driver, each way | $8.00 |
| Three-wheeled motorcycle, each way | $12.25 |
| Motorcycle trailer, each way | $4.25 |
| Bicyclist with bicycle, each way | $6.75 |
| Bicycle, child 6-12, each way | $4.50 |
| Bus and driver only, each way | $35.50 |
Fares are per direction and paid at the ticket booth; credit cards are accepted at all of the operator's locations, but it does not accept Canadian currency. The rate page says a fuel surcharge may apply and gives no amount, so the prices below may be topped up at the booth. There are no reservations for vehicles. A commuter card gives 30 percent off regular fares, excluding any surcharges. Prices are the page's current listing; no effective date is printed. All fares in US dollars (USD).
This is Lake Champlain Transportation's southern crossing, linking the dock at 2901 Ferry Road in Charlotte, Vermont with the dock at 1 Main Street in Essex, New York. The operator describes the passage as about 25 minutes over roughly three miles of open water; its route overview page rounds that to a 30-minute ride. It is a short cut between the Vermont side near Route 7 and the Adirondack side, taking you from Charlotte to Essex without driving around the lake.
Until Sunday, November 1, 2026 the operator posts 22 departures each way, starting at 6:00 am from Charlotte and 6:30 am from Essex, with a last boat at 8:00 pm from Charlotte and 8:30 pm from Essex. A notice posted on October 20, 2026 says the crossing moves to a winter schedule on Monday, November 2, 2026. The winter table is shorter: one departure an hour from Charlotte from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and from Essex from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. No end date is published for it. The operator also says this crossing stays open year-round as weather permits, but it may close temporarily in winter for bad ice or strong northerly winds, so it is worth signing up for its text alerts (text LCTFerries to 855-450-0444) before a winter trip.
There are no vehicle reservations; boats load first come, first served, and the operator suggests arriving 15 minutes before departure. A car and driver up to 19 feet is $12.25 each way, an adult on foot is $5.50, a senior $5.00, and a bicycle with rider $6.75. Longer vehicles pay by length bands up to 72 feet. The rate page warns that a fuel surcharge may apply, without giving an amount. Cards are accepted at the booth; an ATM is on the Essex dock only.
Parking is limited. Charlotte has a small commuter lot that allows stays of up to 72 hours, and Essex has no commuter lot. The ferries have a covered lounge, and dogs are allowed on a leash.
- Arrive at the terminal several minutes before departure; vehicle lanes close earlier than the foot-passenger gate.
- Check the operator's service alerts before you set out — weather, tides and vessel maintenance change sailings.
- Confirm accepted payment methods: some crossings are card-only and some take cash only.
Frequently asked questions
The operator's schedule notes say the crossing takes approximately 25 minutes and spans 3 miles. Its route overview page describes a 30-minute ride, so allow up to half an hour.
Until November 1, 2026 the posted schedule has 22 departures each way, from Charlotte between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm and from Essex between 6:30 am and 8:30 pm. From November 2 the winter schedule has 11 each way, hourly from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm from Charlotte and 7:30 am to 5:30 pm from Essex. From Monday, November 2, 2026 the operator switches to a winter schedule, hourly from Charlotte 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and from Essex 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Each way: driver and vehicle up to 19 ft $12.25, adult passenger $5.50, senior (65+) $5.00, child 6-12 $3.25, child under 6 free, motorcycle and driver $8.00, bicyclist $6.75. The operator says a fuel surcharge may apply.
Yes, with a reduced schedule. The operator says the crossing remains open year-round as weather permits and may close temporarily in winter because of bad ice conditions or high northern winds. Its text alerts announce closures.
No. The operator takes no reservations for vehicles; boats load first come, first served, and it recommends being on the dock 15 minutes before the departure you want.
Yes. The operator says credit cards are accepted at all of its locations. It does not take Canadian currency, so Canadian visitors pay by card. An ATM is on the Essex dock only.
Charlotte has a small commuter lot just before the ticket booth, with a 72-hour limit. Essex has no commuter lot, so walk-on riders leaving a car should plan to park on the Charlotte side.
Yes to both. Dogs must be leashed on the boat and on the dock. A bicyclist pays $6.75 each way, or $4.50 for a child 6-12.