Walk-on passengers and bicycles When the ferry is ready to board, follow employee instructions and have your ticket ready to scan at the turnstiles. You will walk across a ramp to board the ferry.

Yes, you can almost always "walk on" a ferry as a foot passenger in 2026, and it is often the most economical way to travel. Unlike vehicles, which require advanced reservations and can be very expensive to transport, foot passengers can often buy tickets at the terminal just minutes before departure. Large ferries, such as those crossing the English Channel or the Irish Sea, have dedicated "passenger gangways" that bypass the car deck entirely, leading you straight to the lounges and cafes. On smaller commuter ferries, like the Staten Island Ferry or those in the Greek Isles, you simply walk through a turnstile. Being a foot passenger in 2026 is highly efficient because you are the first to disembark, avoiding the long wait for cars to unpark. It is an ideal strategy for travelers using public transit on both ends of the water crossing, though you must be prepared to carry all your luggage up ramps or elevators to the passenger decks.