This interactive map shows every passenger ferry route and terminal in Texas. Across 4 unique routes serving 8 terminals, Texas ferries carry around 8,955,165 passengers and 3,794,433 vehicles each year, ranking the state #4 nationally by ferry passenger volume.

The role of ferries in Texas

Texas runs one of the country’s most heavily used free ferries between Galveston and Port Bolivar, plus a separate free crossing at Port Aransas in the Coastal Bend. Both are operated by TxDOT as part of the state highway network rather than as standalone passenger services.

Every ferry route in Texas

The table below lists every passenger ferry route serving Texas in the latest National Census of Ferry Operators, sorted by annual ridership. Passenger counts combine both directions.

Notable Texas ferry routes

• Busiest route: Galveston – Port Bolivar (Texas Department of Transportation/TXDOT Galveston-Bolivar Ferry Operation) carries about 4,889,783 passengers a year.
• Season mix: 4 routes operate year-round, 0 are seasonal.
• Intermodal terminals: 3 of 8 terminals connect to local bus, rail, or bike share.

Ferry terminals in Texas

The list below covers every ferry terminal recorded in Texas, including the operator, ownership, and what intermodal connections (bus, rail, bike share, parking) are available at the terminal.

Biggest ferry operators in Texas

• Texas Department of Transportation/TXDOT Galveston-Bolivar Ferry Operation: 4,889,783 annual passengers
• Texas Department of Transportation – Port Aransas Ferry Operation – Corpus Christi District: 3,570,318 annual passengers
• Harris County: 462,560 annual passengers

How Texas compares nationally

Texas ranks #4 of the 41 US states with ferry service. Just ahead is California with 14,350,269 annual passengers, and just behind is Massachusetts with 4,762,338.

For the full national picture and rankings across all 41 US ferry states, see the complete US ferries map.

Neighbouring ferry maps

Louisiana ferries.

Frequently asked questions

How many ferry routes are there in Texas?

The BTS National Census of Ferry Operators records 4 unique passenger ferry routes serving 8 terminals in Texas. Including both directional segments, that is 8 numbered route entries in the database (most routes are recorded once for each direction).

Which is the busiest ferry in Texas?

The Galveston – Port Bolivar carries about 4,889,783 passengers each year, making it the busiest ferry route in Texas according to the latest census.

Are Texas ferries free?

Some Texas 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.