The Cross-Bay Ferry resumes service between Tampa and St. Pete with a longer season

The Cross-Bay Ferry is set to make its official return on October 15th, and you can secure your tickets via its website. This mode of transportation, linking downtown St. Pete and downtown Tampa, is ready to serve passengers once again. Tampa residents can catch the ferry right outside the Tampa Convention Center at 333 S Franklin Street. Passengers will be dropped off at Port St. Pete (250 8th Ave SE). The ferry service will operate through June 2024.

Notably, the drop-off spot in St. Pete will be different from what Tampa residents might be accustomed to. Upon disembarking the ferry, you’ll find an abundance of e-bikes and scooters available for rent. To access these options, be sure to download the Lime and Veo apps if you haven’t done so already. Additionally, you’ll be just a short stroll away from local culinary hotspots like The Hangar Restaurant and The Tavern at Bayboro, known for serving one of the best grouper sandwiches in Tampa.

Starting today and continuing through June, the Downtown Looper in St. Pete will include a stop at Port St. Pete, located at 850 2nd Ave SE. This stop will be available after 4 pm from Monday to Thursday and all day on Friday through Sunday. This enhancement provides a much more convenient trolley stop for passengers looking to explore the numerous downtown attractions within walking distance of the Looper’s other 19 stops. For further details about the Downtown Looper and its route, please visit www.PSTA.net/looper.

A new dock at Port St. Pete for the 2023-24 season

If you bring your own bike, you’ll be delighted to know that the ferry has bike racks on board, making it a mere 5-minute bike ride from the heart of downtown St. Pete.

Ticket pricing for the Cross-Bay Ferry is as follows:

• Adult tickets: $12 for a one-way trip, and $24 for a round trip.
• Senior citizens (65+), military personnel, and college students (with ID): $22 for a round trip.
• Youth aged 5-18: $10 for a one-way journey, and $20 for a round trip.
• Passengers in wheelchairs: $5 for a one-way trip, and $10 for a round trip.

Children aged 4 years and under can ride for free. You can conveniently reserve your tickets online. The schedule includes service on Wednesday and Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and Sunday, ensuring a variety of options for your convenience.

Cross-Bay Ferry is the most scenic ride in Tampa Bay

The ferry vessel is a twin-hull aluminum catamaran capable of accommodating a maximum of 149 guests and boasting an average speed of 30 mph. Onboard, passengers have access to a full-service bar with basic food offerings. Each passenger is allowed to bring up to two pieces of luggage and one small personal item at no additional charge, and they are also welcome to bring their bicycles on board.

While the Cross-Bay Ferry has traditionally operated seasonally, there are plans to potentially transition to year-round service by 2025. To facilitate this, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit has been awarded a $4.9 million grant to acquire a larger vessel that would become a permanent fixture in the St. Petersburg and Tampa area.

This ambitious project is not the result of the efforts of a single entity. The Cross-Bay Ferry represents a collaborative effort involving Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, the City of Tampa, and the City of St. Petersburg, demonstrating a regional commitment to enhancing transportation options.