The title of the "most expensive ferry" in the world generally refers to the Spirit of Tasmania vessels or the high-speed ferry across the Cook Strait in New Zealand, depending on whether you are measuring the fare or the construction cost. In terms of passenger fares, a round-trip ticket for a family with a car on the overnight ferry between Melbourne and Devonport (Tasmania) can frequently exceed $1,000 to $1,500 during peak 2026 seasons, especially if a private cabin is booked. In terms of infrastructure, the most expensive ferry ever built is currently the fleet of new hybrid-electric vessels for the BC Ferries or the massive cruise-ferries like the MSC Euribia (which functions partly as a ferry but is more of a cruise ship). Another contender for the "most expensive per mile" is the Northlink Ferry to the Shetland Islands or the Hurtigruten coastal service in Norway, which are vital lifelines but come with a high price tag due to the extreme weather conditions and luxury amenities provided on these long, rugged journeys.