Summer schedule, Monday-Saturday pattern, in effect since April 13, 2026
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~20 min
Operator
Maine State Ferry Service
Map – Lincolnville – Islesboro Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult passenger, round trip (peak season, Jun 1 - Sep 30) | $17.00 |
| Adult passenger, round trip (off-peak season, Oct 1 - May 31) | $10.25 |
| Minor passenger 6-17, round trip (peak season) | $12.00 |
| Minor passenger 6-17, round trip (off-peak season) | $5.00 |
| Child 0-5, round trip (both seasons) | Free |
| Commuter round-trip ticket (peak season) | $68.00 |
| Commuter round-trip ticket (off-peak season) | $41.00 |
| Standard vehicle and driver, round trip (peak season) | $42.50 |
| Standard vehicle and driver, round trip (off-peak season) | $30.00 |
| Motorcycle incl. rider, round trip (peak season) | $33.75 |
| Motorcycle incl. rider, round trip (off-peak season) | $23.75 |
| Truck, per foot of length, round trip (peak season) | $6.75 |
| Truck, per foot of length, round trip (off-peak season) | $5.75 |
| Vehicle or truck reservation fee (per vehicle, non-refundable) | $27.25 |
| Adult bicycle incl. passenger ticket, round trip (peak season) | $23.75 |
| Adult bicycle incl. passenger ticket, round trip (off-peak season) | $17.00 |
| Minor bicycle incl. passenger ticket, round trip (peak season) | $18.75 |
| Minor bicycle incl. passenger ticket, round trip (off-peak season) | $12.00 |
Like the rest of the Maine State Ferry Service network, Lincolnville-Islesboro runs on Tariff 11's peak (June 1-September 30) and off-peak (October 1-May 31) split, but its own fare line is priced lower than the Vinalhaven and Swan's Island crossings while its flat, non-refundable vehicle-or-truck reservation fee of $27.25 runs well above the $17.00 charged on those two routes in both seasons alike, since only 4 vehicle and 2 truck slots are sold per sailing on this short, high-frequency run. Passenger, commuter and bicycle tickets can be bought online through the MaineDOT ferry webstore; vehicle and truck reservations must still be arranged by phone or in person at either terminal. All fares in US dollars (USD).
The Maine State Ferry Service's run to Islesboro is the shortest hop in its six-route network: about 3 miles and 20 minutes across the mouth of Penobscot Bay, linking the Lincolnville terminal on Route 1 with Islesboro's own dock on the island's southern end. Because the crossing is so quick, the vessel, the Margaret Chase Smith, works it harder than any other MaineDOT island route - nine round trips a day, Monday through Saturday, and eight on Sunday. Most of that traffic isn't seasonal visitors; Islesboro carries a year-round population that commutes for work, school and groceries, and the timetable is built around that rhythm, with a boat leaving roughly every hour through the afternoon.
Fares follow the same peak (June 1-September 30) and off-peak (October 1-May 31) split used across the Maine State Ferry Service, but Islesboro's own rates on Tariff 11 sit below its sister crossings to Vinalhaven and Swan's Island - a peak adult round trip runs $17.00 here versus $23.00 on those routes. What's higher on this run is the vehicle reservation charge: a flat $27.25 in both seasons, well above the $17.00 charged elsewhere in the system, which tracks with how few vehicle slots a boat making nine trips a day can spare.
Vehicle logistics are where this route gets genuinely complicated. Only 4 vehicle and 2 truck reservations are sold per sailing, and reservation holders must have their vehicle parked, occupants aboard and tickets scanned no later than 15 minutes before departure or they're bumped to the back of the line. Unreserved vehicles queue through three numbered staging lanes at the Lincolnville terminal, filled strictly in order and measured against painted pavement markings; anyone caught line-jumping goes to the end. A driver taking an unreserved vehicle off Islesboro must call the island terminal 24 hours ahead to get a line-up slot. One more thing worth knowing before you drive out: the 'Terminal Hours' MaineDOT posts (7:00 am-4:30 pm most days) describe when staff are on duty, not when the boat actually leaves - the departure times above come from MaineDOT's separate Schedule page.
- 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
About 20 minutes for the 3-mile crossing - the shortest run in the Maine State Ferry Service's six-route network.
An adult round trip is $17.00 in peak season (June 1 - September 30) and $10.25 off-peak (October 1 - May 31). Only round-trip tickets are sold and they don't expire.
It's worth doing given the limited space: each sailing carries only 4 vehicle and 2 truck reservations, bookable by phone up to a month ahead. A reservation costs a non-refundable $27.25 on top of the fare, the same amount whether you book in peak or off-peak season.
You line up on a first-come, first-served basis in one of three numbered staging lanes at the Lincolnville terminal, filled in strict order. Reserved vehicles that arrive late lose their spot and go to the back of the same line.
Call the Islesboro terminal at 207-734-6935 at least 24 hours before you plan to leave so they can plan the vehicle line-up.
A standard vehicle and driver round trip is $42.50 in peak season and $30.00 off-peak, plus the $27.25 reservation fee if you book ahead. Vehicles over 20 feet and trucks pay a per-foot rate instead ($6.75/ft peak, $5.75/ft off-peak).
Yes to both. Sunday runs one fewer round trip than the Monday-Saturday summer pattern (8 instead of 9), and the Winter schedule drops to 7 weekday round trips and 5 on Sunday.
The mainland terminal is at 20 McKay Rd (Route 173) in Lincolnville, ME; the island terminal is at 609 Ferry Road on Islesboro, ME.