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The ferry from Boston to Salem costs from $43 per person, with fees and taxes included in that price, and the crossing takes about 50 minutes. Boats leave from 1 Long Wharf in downtown Boston and land at the Salem Ferry Terminal, 10 Blaney Street. The 2026 season runs from May 22 to October 31, so the service stops for the winter at the end of Halloween month.
The route is run by City Cruises, the Boston harbor operator, and it is a passenger ferry rather than a tour: a fast way to reach Salem that also shows you the harbor and the North Shore coast. This page covers the cost, the timetable and what to know before you board. If you are still choosing between the boat, the train and a bus tour, read our guide to getting from Boston to Salem, and for what to do once you land, see things to do in Salem.
How much is the Salem ferry from Boston?
City Cruises' Salem Ferry page lists fares from $43, with fees and taxes included. The exact price depends on the ticket type and the date, so check the booking calendar for your sailing. Groups of 19 or more qualify for a discounted group rate if they reserve in advance.
Two other fare types exist but are not for most visitors. Commuter rates are sold Monday to Friday for rush-hour trips only, and Salem and Greater Salem resident rates (Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Marblehead, Peabody and Swampscott) are sold only in person at the ticket booth with ID showing proof of residency.
Read the refund terms before you buy. City Cruises says ferry tickets are non-refundable and that extra fees and surcharges may apply. Its optional Ticket Assurance lets you reschedule or get a refund up to two hours before boarding, but it does not cover special events, holidays or partner tours.
What is the Boston to Salem ferry schedule?
The 2026 timetable runs May 22 to October 31. On weekdays, boats leave Boston at 9:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and leave Salem at 7 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays the first Salem departure moves to 8 a.m., and the Boston departures stay the same.
The last pair of sailings, 7 p.m. from Salem and 8:30 p.m. from Boston, runs only on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from June 20. City Cruises notes that times can vary slightly and that the cruise calendar and your confirmation email carry the definitive times, so check those rather than relying on a saved screenshot.
| Departs Boston (Long Wharf) | Departs Salem (Blaney Street) |
|---|---|
| 9:30 a.m. | 7 a.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. weekends |
| 11:45 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. |
| 2:30 p.m. | 1 p.m. |
| 5:30 p.m. | 4 p.m. |
| 8:30 p.m. (Thu to Sat) | 7 p.m. (Thu to Sat) |
For a day trip from Boston, the 9:30 a.m. boat out and the 4 p.m. boat back give you about five and a half hours in Salem. On a Thursday, Friday or Saturday you can stay for dinner and take the 7 p.m. boat instead.
Where does the ferry leave from in Boston?
The Boston dock is 1 Long Wharf, at the end of State Street on the downtown waterfront. The nearest T stop is Aquarium on the Blue Line, which has an elevator from the Atlantic Avenue lobby to Long Wharf. The New England Aquarium and the Boston Marriott Long Wharf are next to the wharf, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace is a few blocks inland if you want breakfast before the boat.
In Salem the ferry docks at 10 Blaney Street. Destination Salem, the city's tourism office, describes the terminal as within walking distance of downtown shops, attractions and restaurants. The House of the Seven Gables, at 115 Derby Street, is on the way into town from the dock.
Is the ferry worth it compared with the train?
The ferry is the more expensive way to reach Salem, and the train is the more flexible one. The MBTA Commuter Rail runs from North Station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line, Salem station is in fare Zone 3, and trains run year-round, including in winter when the ferry does not. The ferry earns its price in good weather: the ride is part of the outing, with outdoor viewing decks, indoor seating with large windows and views of the Boston skyline and the coast.
The other case for the ferry is October. Salem Haunted Happenings fills the city for the whole month, and Destination Salem recommends booking the ferry ahead for October weekends, even though reservations are not required. If you are going in late October, buy tickets as soon as you know your date.
What is on board?
City Cruises lists a full cash bar and light snacks for purchase, outdoor viewing decks and indoor spaces with large windows. Cash and most major credit cards are accepted on board. It is a passenger-only service, so leave the car in Boston; parking near Long Wharf is in commercial garages.
What to see in Salem once you land
Three stops fill a ferry day without rushing. The Peabody Essex Museum, at 161 Essex Street, is open Thursday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which matters if you are planning a midweek trip. The Salem Witch Museum, at 19 1/2 North Washington Square, tells the story of the 1692 trials through an audiovisual presentation and is open year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours in October. The House of the Seven Gables, built in 1668 by the merchant John Turner, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For a longer plan, including restaurants and the walking route between these sites, use our Boston to Salem day trip guide.