While the humble ferry can provide the fastest and cheapest way to get from one place to another, some routes offer spectacular sightseeing opportunities, from thrilling urban skylines to unparalleled coastal views.
Whether you're taking the Staten Island Ferry for unrivalled views of New York City's skyline, riding the Mersey Ferry to take in Liverpool's history or simply enjoying the sun-soaked sailing between Venice and Burano, there are some ferry journeys that are simply unmissable.
To give you a helping hand, we've picked out some of the best ferry routes including Scotland, New York and Croatia.
Check out some of the world's best ones below...
Mersey Ferry, Liverpool
Sit up on the top deck and appreciate the incredible views of Liverpool and Wirral’s historic skyline on the iconic Mersey Ferry.
The direct, 10-minute, cross-river service runs each weekday mornings and evenings between Seacombe, Wirral, and Liverpool Gerry Marsden (Pier Head), named after the late Gerry and the Pacemakers frontman, who penned the world-wide hit Ferry Cross the Mersey.
The soul-stirring Liverpool anthem is still played on Mersey Ferry 50-minute River Explorer Cruises.
Sail onboard the stunning Dazzle Ferry, created by Sir Peter Blake, as part of the city’s First World War commemorations.
Sir Peter is most famous for The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper album cover and the eye-catching design of the ferry is in honour of the patterns that were first used on vessels in the war, working by ‘baffling the eye’ and making ships difficult to target.
To celebrate Liverpool hosting Eurovision 2023, Mersey Ferries are offering Eurovision themed River Explorer Cruises with commentary and music on May 9, 10, 11 and 12.
- From £12 adult, £8 children, merseyferries.co.uk
Staten Island Ferry, New York City
This nine-vessel fleet has convoyed New Yorkers in much the same way for more than 200 years. Run by the City of New York, it was set up to simply transport Staten Islanders to and from Manhattan.
Yet the five-mile, 25-minute ride offers the most majestic view of New York Harbour and all its landmarks – for free.
From the ferry deck you get the perfect view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and the skyscrapers and bridges of Lower Manhattan.
A typical weekday schedule involves four boats transporting around 70,000 passengers daily (117 daily trips).
- Find out more on siferry.com
Venice to Burano
The most famous car-free city in the world, Venice amazes with its 177 canals, 416 bridges and beautiful buildings which can only be visited on foot or by water.
The Vaporetto water buses are the only real public transport and there are about 20 lines within Venice, as well as the ones connecting the main island with the other islands and Venice with the mainland.
One of the best routes is to the colourful island of Burano. Take the Vaporetto 12 or 14, which leaves from San Zaccaria, near St Mark’s Basilica, or Fondamente Nove, stopping at the glass-making island of Murano and continuing on to Mazzorbo and Torcello.
- Fares £12 (valid for 75 minutes), or all-day travel cards £21.80 from actv.avmspa.it
Split To Dubrovnik
With a coastline full of Croatia’s medieval seaside towns, glamorous beaches and jewel-like islands, the best way to soak up the sights is by water.
If you want the full expert commentary book an organised tour boat, but if you just want to sit back and see it, the local ferries sail much the same routes.
The showstopper has to be the four-and-a-half hour trip from the coastal resort of Split, starting at the ferry port to the fortified city of Dubrovnik, alighting at the pier. The service runs four times a day.
- Fares £39.30 per person on croatiaferries.com
Golden Gate Ferry, San Francisco
Marvel at the splendour of the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, Alcatraz and Treasure islands, as well as the city’s fabulous skyline as you cruise across San Francisco Bay via ferry.
Catch the Larkspur or Sausalito ferry to take in all the sights, and there are snacks and a bar onboard.
On Sundays, stop by the famous Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market at the Ferry Terminal.
- Adults £13.50, children, £5.40 on goldengate.org
Star Ferry, Hong Kong
Take in one of the world’s most exciting skylines on this historic and cherished ferry boat route across Victoria Harbour.
Hong Kong’s Star Ferry has been sailing this water since 1888, connecting Central and Wan Chai with Kowloon in under 10 minutes.
Nine double-ended, bottle-green and ivory boats ply the routes.
The current style of ship first set sail in the 1950s and the seating is particularly special, with a swing-back design that enables passengers to switch them to change the direction they face, depending if the symmetrical vessel is sailing forwards or backwards.
Ride during the Symphony of Lights at 8pm and head to the starboard side at the back for an uninterrupted view of the skyline as the city’s colourful neon shines bright.
- Upper deck, adults 35p, children 20p, on starferry.com.hk
Sydney Ferries
Be dazzled by the white sail design of the Sydney Opera House and the steel arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from one of the world’s oldest ferry lines.
Sydney Ferries has been transporting passengers across this glittering blue bay since the 19th century and it’s part of the city’s public transport system.
The ferries also stop at Darling Harbour, Manly Beach and destinations further afield, such as Parramatta and Meadowbank, for a fraction of the price of a boat tour, and there are snack bars
onboard.
- Fares £4.22 on transportnsw.info
Caledonian MacBrayne, Scotland
The largest fleet of car and passenger ferries in the UK, Caledonian MacBrayne is the go-between for 30 of the major islands, such as Skye, Mull, Arran, Iona and Lewis, on Scotland’s west coast from the mainland.
These wild and windswept idylls offer pristine beaches, ancient churches, standing stones and untouched landscapes.
Cafes onboard offer the best of the Scottish larder, with local treats including salmon, shortbread and cheeses, as well as whisky bars.
- Adult return from £3.20 on calmac.co.uk
Quebec City Ferry
At two-thirds of a mile, the Québec‑Lévis crossing connects the north and south shores of the St Lawrence River.
But it’s not just a means of transportation for commuters, this 12-minute crossing is an ideal way to take in Old Québec’s varied architectural landscape, with the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel perched like a jewel on the heights of Cap Diamant.
At night, see the dazzling city lights as they bounce off the waves. In winter, listen for the strange sound of giant ice blocks colliding on the frozen river.
- Adults £2.31, children £1.70 on traversiers.com
