East Boston Ferry Schedule & Fares

Featured image: The MBTA ferry Claire docked at the East Boston Ferry terminal at Lewis Mall, September 2025. Photo: Pi.1415926535 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

The East Boston Ferry runs every 30 minutes between Lewis Mall Wharf in East Boston and Long Wharf (North) downtown, a 10-minute ride for the same $2.40 fare as the subway. It is seasonal service that stops in late fall. This guide covers the MBTA’s East Boston ferry schedule in effect since Aug. 17, 2026, fares and tickets, when the season ends, and backup options for Eastie riders.

East Boston ferry weekday schedule

The MBTA’s F3 East Boston weekday timetable, effective Aug. 17, 2026, replaced the schedule dated March 30, 2026. Each trip takes about 10 minutes.

From East Boston (Lewis Mall): every 30 minutes from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., then from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
From Long Wharf (North): every 30 minutes from 7:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., then from 2:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

There is a midday gap with no boats. The last morning boat leaves Lewis Mall at noon, and the next one leaves at 2:30 p.m. Riders heading home from downtown should note the last weekday boat back to East Boston leaves Long Wharf at 7:45 p.m. and arrives at 7:55 p.m.

East Boston ferry weekend schedule

The weekend timetable, also effective Aug. 17, starts later and runs later:

From East Boston (Lewis Mall): every 30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., then from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
From Long Wharf (North): every 30 minutes from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., then from 3:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

The Long Wharf stop is Gate 5B. The MBTA lists no parking at either terminal, so plan to walk, bike or take a bus to the dock. Bikes are allowed on all MBTA ferry boats.

East Boston ferry cost and how to pay

The East Boston route runs only within the Inner Harbor, which the MBTA prices as Zone 1A. A one-way trip is $2.40 full fare or $1.10 with a reduced fare card, and a Zone 1A monthly pass costs $90. The MBTA also accepts 1-day and 7-day Zone 1A passes, and any pass for a higher zone.

Payment rules on this route differ from other ferries:

No cash. The MBTA says all ferry routes accept cash except the East Boston and Hingham to Rowes Wharf ferries.
No CharlieCards. CharlieCards are not accepted on any ferry. CharlieTickets loaded with passes are.
Accepted: the mTicket app, paper ferry tickets, zone-specific CharlieTickets and contactless credit or debit cards and phones.

Since Sept. 1, 2026, the MBTA says riders can make unlimited transfers among subway, bus and ferry within a two-hour window, as long as they use the same payment method. That means a contactless tap on the ferry can carry over to the Blue Line or a bus within that window.

When does the East Boston ferry season end?

The East Boston route is listed as seasonal service, along with the Lynn, Winthrop and Quincy routes. In its fall service announcement, the MBTA said East Boston Ferry weekday and weekend service would continue through at least Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Day, as reported by Boston 25 News on Aug. 18. Caught in Eastie, the East Boston community news site, reported in spring that the route would run from March 30 through Nov. 30. Last year’s season ended Nov. 30, 2025, according to an MBTA service notice.

Because the two dates differ, riders should check the MBTA’s East Boston Ferry page and alerts in late November before relying on the boat. As of Oct. 22, the MBTA listed no active alerts on the route.

Winter options for East Boston riders

When the ferry stops, the Blue Line is the main transit link from East Boston to downtown. Over the winter, the MBTA has run special weekend ferry service during planned Blue Line work: on Jan. 24 and 25, 2026, it operated free support boats between Lewis Mall and Long Wharf in coordination with planned Blue Line improvement work. Riders can expect similar notices on the MBTA site if more Blue Line work is scheduled.

For other upcoming changes, see our guide to MBTA service changes in November 2026. For neighborhood housing news, see our report on the 35 apartments proposed at 295 Waldemar Ave. in East Boston.

Sources

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East Boston Ferry Fall 2026: Lewis Mall to Long Wharf Times, $2.40 Fares and When Service Ends