This interactive map shows every passenger ferry route and terminal in Louisiana. Across 7 unique routes serving 26 terminals, Louisiana ferries carry around 3,222,125 passengers and 1,646,370 vehicles each year, ranking the state #6 nationally by ferry passenger volume.
The role of ferries in Louisiana
Louisiana ferries thread across the Mississippi River and through the bayou country south of New Orleans. Most are short, free, state-operated crossings that substitute for the rare river bridges in the lower delta.
Every ferry route in Louisiana
The table below lists every passenger ferry route serving Louisiana in the latest National Census of Ferry Operators, sorted by annual ridership. Passenger counts combine both directions.
| Route | Operator | Length | Trip time | Season | Annual passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chalmette – Lower Algiers | Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development | 0.4 mi | 15 min | Year-round | 901,455 |
| Algiers Point – Canal Street | New Orleans Regional Transit Authority | 0.4 mi | 15 min | Year-round | 788,076 |
| Belle Chasse – Scarsdale | Plaquemines Parish Ferry Department | 0.5 mi | 5 min | Year-round | 594,734 |
| Plaquemine – Sunshine | Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development | 0.8 mi | 15 min | Year-round | 549,296 |
| Cameron – Holly Beach | Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development | 0.3 mi | 15 min | Year-round | 226,642 |
| E. Pointe a la Hache – W. Pointe a la Hache | Plaquemines Parish Ferry Department | 0.5 mi | 5 min | Year-round | 123,138 |
| South Bank SR 559 – Enterprise | Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development | 0.1 mi | 15 min | Year-round | 38,784 |
Notable Louisiana ferry routes
- Busiest route: Chalmette – Lower Algiers (Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development) carries about 901,455 passengers a year.
- Longest route: Plaquemine – Sunshine is 0.8 miles (Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development).
- Season mix: 7 routes operate year-round, 0 are seasonal.
- Intermodal terminals: 8 of 26 terminals connect to local bus, rail, or bike share.
Ferry terminals in Louisiana
The list below covers every ferry terminal recorded in Louisiana, including the operator, ownership, and what intermodal connections (bus, rail, bike share, parking) are available at the terminal.
| Terminal | City | Operator | Ownership | Connections | In operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algiers Point | New Orleans | New Orleans Regional Transit Authority | Public | local bus | Yes |
| Belle Chasse | Belle Chasse | Plaquemines Parish Goverment | Public | parking | Yes |
| Cameron | Cameron | LADOTD | Public | — | Yes |
| Canal Street | New Orleans | New Orleans Regional Transit Authority | Public | local bus, local rail | Yes |
| Chalmette | Chalmette | New Orleans Regional Transit Authority | Public | — | Yes |
| E. Pointe a la Hache | E. Pointe a la Hache | Plaquemines Parish Goverment | Public | parking | Yes |
| Enterprise | Columbia | LADOTD | Public | — | Yes |
| Holly Beach | Cameron | LADOTD | Public | — | Yes |
| Lower Algiers | New Orleans | New Orleans Regional Transit Authority | Public | — | Yes |
| Plaquemine | Plaquemine | LADOTD | Public | — | Yes |
| Scarsdale | Scarsdale | Plaquemines Parish Goverment | Public | parking | Yes |
| South Bank SR 559 | Fort Necessity | LADOTD | Public | — | Yes |
| Sunshine | Sunshine | LADOTD | Public | — | Yes |
| W. Pointe a la Hache | W. Pointe a la Hache | Plaquemines Parish Goverment | Public | parking | Yes |
Biggest ferry operators in Louisiana
- Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development: 1,716,177 annual passengers
- New Orleans Regional Transit Authority: 788,076 annual passengers
- Plaquemines Parish Ferry Department: 717,872 annual passengers
How Louisiana compares nationally
Louisiana ranks #6 of the 41 US states with ferry service. Just ahead is Massachusetts with 4,762,338 annual passengers, and just behind is Illinois with 2,612,053.
For the full national picture and rankings across all 41 US ferry states, see the complete US ferries map.
Neighbouring ferry maps
Mississippi ferries, Texas ferries, Arkansas ferries.
Frequently asked questions
How many ferry routes are there in Louisiana?
The BTS National Census of Ferry Operators records 7 unique passenger ferry routes serving 26 terminals in Louisiana. Including both directional segments, that is 14 numbered route entries in the database (most routes are recorded once for each direction).
Which is the busiest ferry in Louisiana?
The Chalmette – Lower Algiers carries about 901,455 passengers each year, making it the busiest ferry route in Louisiana according to the latest census.
Are Louisiana ferries free?
Some Louisiana ferries are operated as part of the state highway system and run free for passengers and vehicles, while privately operated routes charge a fare. Click any route on the map above and refer to the operator’s website for current fares and schedules.
Where does the data on this map come from?
Routes and terminals are pulled live from the National Transportation Atlas Database published by the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which compiles every domestic ferry operator’s response to the National Census of Ferry Operators. The map updates automatically whenever BTS refreshes the layer.
