Alabama · City Ferry (Mobile Bay Ferry), under contract with the Alabama Department of Transportation
~40 min
City Ferry (Mobile Bay Ferry), under contract with the Alabama Department of Transportation
From $6.00
Alabama Gulf Coast
Next departure
LIVE
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Table headed 'after Labor Day to the end of daylight savings time', in force from September 8 to October 31, 2026: Dauphin Island departures every 90 minutes from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, Fort Morgan departures from 8:45 am to 7:15 pm, listed for every day. From November 1 the operator's winter table applies (last departures 5:00 pm and 5:45 pm). Times are Central time. Cancellations for weather or maintenance are posted on the operator's Facebook page.
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Crossing time
~40 min
Operator
City Ferry (Mobile Bay Ferry), under contract with the Alabama Department of Transportation
Map – Mobile Bay Ferry
Fare type
Price
Driver or passenger, each (covers all same-day rides)
$6.00
Pedestrian, bicycles included (covers all same-day rides)
$6.00
Vehicle, trailer or RV under 22 feet, one way
$15.00
Vehicle, trailer or RV 22 feet and over, one way
$20.00
Motorcycle, one way
$7.00
Child 3 and under
Free
The operator charges a per-person fare plus a vehicle fare. Its pricing page lists $6 for each driver or passenger and $6 for each pedestrian (bicycles at no extra charge), both described as covering all same-day rides, with children 3 and under and pets free. Vehicles, trailers and RVs pay $15 one way under 22 feet and $20 one way at 22 feet and over; motorcycles pay $7 one way. The page gives a vehicle under 22 feet with a driver as $21 and the same-day return with a receipt as $15 for the vehicle, with people free. There are no round-trip tickets and no reservations. The operator says tickets are sold at either landing on arrival, not online or in advance, and a Facebook post of October 15, 2026 says major debit and credit cards are accepted. The pricing page shows no effective date. All fares in US dollars (USD).
The Mobile Bay Ferry carries cars, trailers, motorcycles, bicycles and walk-on passengers across the mouth of Mobile Bay, between the Dauphin Island Loading Dock on the west side and the Fort Morgan Loading Dock on the east. The operator's site describes it as connecting State Route 193 on Dauphin Island with State Route 180 at Mobile Point, and puts the trip at about 40 minutes. City Ferry runs it under contract with the Alabama Department of Transportation, according to the operator's About Us page. Its website names two vessels, the Fort Morgan and the Marissa Mae Nicole.
Service runs every day, weather permitting, with at least one vessel year-round. The only closures the operator lists are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. On the table in force this fall, boats leave each side every 90 minutes, from 8:00 am at Dauphin Island and 8:45 am at Fort Morgan. Once daylight saving time ends on November 1, the last departures move earlier, to 5:00 pm and 5:45 pm. In summer, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, the operator normally runs both vessels and lists a departure every 45 minutes from each side.
There is no booking. The operator sells tickets at either landing when you arrive, says it does not sell tickets in advance or online, and works first come, first served. Walk-on passengers and everyone in a vehicle pay $6 each, a vehicle under 22 feet pays $15 one way, and a same-day return is covered for people when you keep your receipt.
Tide and size matter more than they would on a bridge. The operator warns that clearance is tight at certain stages of the tide, especially for RVs, boats and trailers, and it asks anyone with a long or low vehicle to phone ahead on 251-861-3000. Its website mentions a 21-foot call-ahead point, while a Facebook post of October 15, 2026 said RVs and trailers up to 28 feet could be accommodated that day, so ring before you commit with anything large. Commercial vehicles such as tractor trailers and fuel trucks are not allowed.
For day-of changes, the operator points riders to its Facebook page, where it posts the running schedule and wait notes.
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 lists $6 for each driver or passenger and $6 for each pedestrian, plus $15 one way for a vehicle, trailer or RV under 22 feet, $20 for one 22 feet and over, and $7 for a motorcycle. A vehicle under 22 feet with a driver comes to $21. Children 3 and under and pets ride free.
The operator says the crossing between Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan takes approximately 40 minutes.
No. The operator says it does not take reservations on either boat and operates first come, first served. Tickets are bought at either landing when you arrive, not online or in advance.
From the end of daylight saving time, which falls on November 1 in 2026, the operator's winter table runs Dauphin Island departures from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Fort Morgan departures from 8:45 am to 5:45 pm, every 90 minutes. The 6:30 pm and 7:15 pm trips run only during daylight saving time.
It runs seven days a week, weather permitting, and the operator says it is closed only on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Sometimes. At certain stages of the tide some RVs, boats and trailers cannot board because of clearance, so the operator tells owners to check tide charts and call 251-861-3000 first. Its FAQ asks drivers of anything over 21 feet to call ahead, and a Facebook post of October 15, 2026 said RVs and trailers of 28 feet and under could be accommodated that day. Commercial vehicles such as tractor trailers and fuel trucks are prohibited.
Yes. The operator says pets are allowed, ride free, and must be on a leash when not in a vehicle. It warns that the deck coating can exceed 135 degrees in summer, so pets should have paw protection.
The Dauphin Island Loading Dock is at 112 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, and the Fort Morgan Loading Dock is at 110 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542. The operator asks travelers to arrive 30 minutes to an hour before departure.