ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — If you're looking for a way to get from St. Petersburg to Tampa, consider taking the scenic route.
The Cross-Bay Ferry is back in Tampa Bay getting ready to set sail for the 2023-2024 season. Operations begin on Sunday, Oct. 15.
The ferry is preparing for its longest season yet, with service between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg running for an additional month until June 2024. It's all part of the plan to eventually expand to offer year-round service.
Prices for one-way tickets are:
- Adults — $12
- Seniors (65+) — $11
- Military (Active/Retired) — $11
- College students — $11
- Youth (5-18) — $10
- Children 4 and under — Free
- Wheelchair users — $5
The Cross-Bay Ferry runs Wednesday through Sunday with special Monday and Tuesday service on Tampa Bay Lightning game days. Guests can check out the 2023-2024 season schedule and book tickets on the Cross-Bay Ferry website.
In addition to the longer season, the ferry has one other major change in store this year. The downtown St. Petersburg terminal is moving south by 10 blocks to 250 8th Avenue SE.
The St. Pete Port is just a short walk away from the Dalí Museum, Mahaffey Theater, USF St. Pete and Albert Whitted Park. Plus, there's a parking lot adjacent to the new ferry terminal which will be free to anyone with a ferry ticket.
“Every year, Tampa Bay residents and visitors alike continue to prove that Tampa Bay can lead the nation in establishing sustainable, reliable, and successful ferry transportation that the community can depend on,” Matt Miller, president of HMS Ferries, said in a statement.
After setting consecutive ridership records in its 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons, leaders behind the Cross-Bay Ferry have their sights set on another record-breaking year.