Sydney Ferries 2026: All Routes, Timetables & Best Trips
Sydney ferries 2026: all 10 routes, timetables, fares and the best tourist ferries. Manly, Taronga, Watsons Bay, Cockatoo Island and beyond.
Sydney’s ferry network is one of the world’s most scenic public transport systems. The 10 official Transport for NSW ferry routes (F1 to F10) plus several private operators connect Circular Quay to Manly, Taronga Zoo, Watsons Bay, Cockatoo Island, Mosman, Cremorne Point, Pyrmont and the Parramatta River. For visitors, the Sydney ferries double as a sightseeing cruise at commuter prices — the iconic Manly Ferry covers the same ground as a paid harbour cruise for an adult Opal fare of AU$9.20. This complete guide covers every Sydney ferry route, 2026 fares, timetables, the best routes for sightseeing, and how to combine ferries into a memorable Sydney day.
Sydney ferries at a glance
| Route | Destination | From Circular Quay | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 Manly | Manly Wharf | Wharf 3 | 30 min |
| Manly Fast Ferry (private) | Manly Wharf | Wharf 2 | About 20 min |
| F2 Taronga Zoo | Taronga Zoo Wharf | Indicator screens | 12 min |
| F3 Parramatta River | Cockatoo Island, Olympic Park, Parramatta | Indicator screens | Trip Planner |
| F4 Pyrmont Bay | Barangaroo, Pyrmont Bay | Indicator screens | Trip Planner |
| F5 Neutral Bay | Neutral Bay, Kurraba Point | Indicator screens | Trip Planner |
| F6 Mosman Bay | Mosman Bay, Old Cremorne | Indicator screens | Trip Planner |
| F7 Double Bay | Darling Point, Double Bay | Indicator screens | Trip Planner |
| F8 Cockatoo Island | Cockatoo Island | Indicator screens | Trip Planner |
| F9 Watsons Bay | Rose Bay, Watsons Bay | Indicator screens | About half an hour |
| F10 Blackwattle Bay | Blackwattle Bay | Check Trip Planner | Trip Planner |
| Cronulla–Bundeena heritage | Bundeena (Royal National Park) | From Cronulla Wharf | Operator timetable |
| Palm Beach to Mackerel Beach | Mackerel Beach | From Palm Beach Wharf | 30 min |
About Sydney ferries
Cross-harbour steam ferries have run in Sydney since 1842, and boats were carrying passengers across the harbour before that. The fleet of 30+ vessels carries 15+ million passengers annually across Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River. All Sydney ferries accept Opal cards and contactless payments (no cash). Fares go by distance: an adult single costs AU$7.35 for trips up to 9 km and AU$9.20 for anything longer, and there is no off-peak discount on the ferries.
The famous Sydney ferries are run by Transport for NSW. Private operators run parallel services with their own timetables and faster vessels: the Manly Fast Ferry to Manly, at the same Opal single fare as the F1. The public route to Watsons Bay is the F9.
Best Sydney ferry routes for tourists
F1 Manly Ferry (the most iconic)
A harbour cruise for the price of a ferry fare. F1 Manly Ferry runs from Wharf 3 at Circular Quay, taking about 30 minutes to reach Manly Wharf. The route passes the Sydney Opera House, alongside Fort Denison, past Garden Island and out to Manly. AU$9.20 with Opal.
For first-time visitors, the F1 Manly Ferry is the single most-recommended Sydney transport experience.
Manly Fast Ferry (faster alternative)
The Manly Fast Ferry, a private service, runs from Circular Quay Wharf 2 to Manly Wharf 2 in about 20 minutes. Same AU$9.20 Opal fare as the F1. Less scenic than the F1 (it skips the Fort Denison route) but ideal for quick Manly access.
F2 Taronga Zoo Ferry
Quickest cross-harbour ferry. F2 Taronga Zoo leaves Circular Quay every 30 minutes, reaching Taronga Zoo Wharf in 12 minutes; the indicator screens on the quay show which wharf it uses. Best combined with a Zoo Express ticket (ferry + zoo + cable car/shuttle).
F3 Parramatta River Cat
The harbour-and-river run. F3 Parramatta River from Circular Quay stops at Cockatoo Island (UNESCO World Heritage island), Drummoyne, Olympic Park, Parramatta and several Inner West villages. The full journey to Parramatta takes an hour or more — a slow but lovely waterway cruise. The Trip Planner (transportnsw.info/trip) has the time for each departure.
F9 Watsons Bay Ferry
Eastern Suburbs harbour-side village. The F9 leaves Circular Quay (check the indicator screens for the wharf) and reaches Watsons Bay via Rose Bay — past the Royal Botanic Garden, the eastern harbour cliffs and Vaucluse mansions. Lunch at Doyles on the Beach is the traditional reward.
F4 Pyrmont Bay
Short cross-harbour to Darling Harbour. F4 Pyrmont Bay runs from Circular Quay via Milsons Point, McMahons Point, Balmain East and Barangaroo to Pyrmont Bay (Darling Harbour).
F5 / F6 Cross Harbour
Lower north shore ferries to Neutral Bay, Mosman Bay and Cremorne Point. F5 and F6 are commuter routes but pass beautiful harbour-edge suburbs.
Cronulla–Bundeena (heritage)
Cross Port Hacking to the Royal National Park. Cronulla–Bundeena ferry from Cronulla Wharf is the gateway to the Royal National Park. Opal isn’t accepted on this one: buy your ticket on board.
Palm Beach to Mackerel Beach
Pittwater estuary to offshore village. Palm Beach Ferry from Palm Beach Wharf reaches Mackerel Beach, Currawong and The Basin in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Sydney ferry fares 2026
- Adult single: AU$7.35 for trips up to 9 km, AU$9.20 over 9 km (Circular Quay to Manly is AU$9.20) with Opal/contactless; no off-peak discount on ferries
- Child fare: AU$3.67 up to 9 km, AU$4.60 over 9 km (about half adult)
- Children under 4: Free
- Daily cap (Mon–Thu): AU$19.30 (includes ferry trips)
- Daily cap (Fri–Sun and public holidays): AU$9.65 — weekend deal
- Cash NOT accepted on any Sydney ferry
Sydney ferry timetables
- F1 Manly Ferry: Daily; the full timetable is on the Trip Planner
- Manly Fast Ferry: Roughly every 10 minutes through much of the weekday peak and every 20 minutes for much of the day; intervals vary, so check the operator’s timetable for your departure
- F2 Taronga Zoo: Every 30 minutes
- F3 Parramatta River: Departures for each stop are listed on the Trip Planner
- F4 Pyrmont Bay: Check departures before you go
- F5/F6/F7: Commuter timetables
- F9 Watsons Bay: Check the current F9 timetable for Watsons Bay departures
- Cronulla–Bundeena: Hourly daytime
- Palm Beach Ferry: Limited service; check official timetable
Real-time timetables: Opal Travel app, Citymapper, transportnsw.info.
Where to catch Sydney ferries
Circular Quay wharves
Sydney’s main ferry hub, with five ferry wharves all within walking distance. The Manly services leave from set wharves; for every other route, the indicator screens on the quay show the departure wharf:
- F9 Watsons Bay: via Rose Bay
- Wharf 2: Manly Fast Ferry
- Wharf 3: F1 Manly Ferry (the famous one)
- F2 Taronga Zoo, F8 Cockatoo Island: no set wharf
- F4 Pyrmont Bay, F5 Neutral Bay, F6 Mosman Bay, F7 Double Bay: inner-harbour routes
- F3 Parramatta River: upriver via Cockatoo Island
Darling Harbour wharves
King Street Wharf, Pyrmont Bay — alternative starting points for some ferries.
Manly Wharf
End point for F1 Manly Ferry and Manly Fast Ferry. Connections to Northern Beaches buses.
Watsons Bay Wharf
End point for the F9. Walking distance to Camp Cove and South Head.
Other major wharves
Taronga Zoo, Cockatoo Island, Pyrmont Bay, Mosman Bay, Neutral Bay, Cremorne Point, Rose Bay.
Best Sydney ferry sightseeing routes
1. F1 Manly round-trip (45 min crossing + Manly visit)
Take the F1 from Wharf 3 to Manly (about 30 min). Walk the Corso to Manly Beach. Take the Manly Fast Ferry back from Manly Wharf 2 (about 20 min). Total cost AU$18.40 if not capped, AU$9.65 with the Friday–Sunday and public holiday daily cap.
2. F2 Taronga Zoo + zoo visit (full day)
Take the F2 from Circular Quay to Taronga Zoo Wharf (12 min; the screens show the wharf). Spend the day at the zoo (book the Zoo Express ticket for ferry + zoo + cable car bundle). Return ferry. Half-day or full-day.
3. F9 Watsons Bay (3 hour trip)
Take the F9 from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay. Lunch at Doyles on the Beach. Walk to Camp Cove + Lady Bay + Hornby Lighthouse (1.5 hours). Return ferry.
4. F3 Cockatoo Island (half day)
Take the F3 or F8 from Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island. Self-guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage convict-era prison turned shipyard. Free entry; return ferry.
5. F1 Manly + walk + return (full day)
Take F1 to Manly. Walk the Manly to Shelly Beach + North Head circuit (4–5 hours). Return ferry. Total cost capped at AU$9.65 weekend daily cap.
6. Sydney by Ferry tour (free with Opal cap)
Tap on with the same Opal card or contactless card for every trip, then ride: F1 Manly, F2 Taronga, F8 Cockatoo Island, F9 Watsons Bay all in one day. The daily cap applies automatically: on Fridays, weekends and public holidays the whole day’s Opal travel costs no more than AU$9.65 (AU$19.30 Monday to Thursday; airport station access fees are extra).
Best Sydney ferry routes for first-time visitors
- F1 Manly Ferry round-trip — Sydney’s iconic harbour cruise experience
- F9 Watsons Bay — Eastern Suburbs harbour cliffs, fish and chips at Doyles
- F2 Taronga Zoo — Family day at the zoo with cross-harbour ferry
- F3 Cockatoo Island — UNESCO World Heritage day trip
- F4 Pyrmont Bay — Quick cross-harbour to Darling Harbour attractions
Sydney ferries with kids
- Stroller-friendly at all ferry wharves; lifts available
- Children under 4 ride free
- Children 4–15 need a Child/Youth Opal card
- Most spacious ferries: F1 Manly (multi-deck), F3 Parramatta River cats
- Lifejackets available on all ferries — flag for kids if interested
- Open-air decks are the best ferry experience for kids — but Manly Ferry interior is reliable in rough weather
- Best family ferry trips: F1 Manly (round-trip), F2 Taronga Zoo (combined with zoo), F4 Pyrmont Bay (short Darling Harbour day)
Sydney ferry accessibility
- All Sydney ferries are wheelchair accessible
- All Circular Quay wharves have lifts and ramps
- Most outer wharves have ramped access
- Companion Cards accepted for support person free travel
- Assistance dogs welcome on all ferries
- Hearing-impaired assistance: TTY 1800 637 500
Sydney ferry photography tips
- F1 Manly Ferry: Best photos from the upper open-air deck — Opera House on departure, Harbour Bridge under the structure, Heads on approach to Manly
- Sunset crossings: 5–7pm summer return from Manly gives spectacular sunset
- Best photo spots: Opera House framing (departure side), Bradleys Head (Taronga ferry), Cockatoo Island sandstone cliffs (F3)
- Avoid windows when shooting — go to the open-air deck
- Phone vs camera: Modern phones outperform many cameras on auto for harbour shots
- Group photos: Wharf 3 Manly Ferry boarding has the Opera House as backdrop
Sydney ferry vs paid harbour cruise
| Factor | Sydney ferry | Paid harbour cruise |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | AU$7.35 or AU$9.20 (capped) | AU$45–305 |
| Route flexibility | Set route | Multiple route options |
| Food/drink | Basic kiosk | Full dining packages |
| Time | Fixed timetable | Daily multiple departures |
| Views | Excellent (open-air deck) | Excellent (panoramic windows) |
| Photography | Same harbour views | Same harbour views |
For sightseeing-focused travellers, the Manly Ferry round-trip covers much of the same harbour as a paid cruise for AU$18.40 in adult fares, or AU$9.65 on a Friday, weekend or public holiday once the daily cap kicks in. Paid cruises add commentary, dining and route options.
Sydney ferry routes by destination
From Circular Quay to:
- Manly: F1 (about 30 min) or the Manly Fast Ferry (about 20 min)
- Taronga Zoo: F2 (12 min)
- Watsons Bay: F9
- Cockatoo Island: F3 or F8
- Olympic Park: F3
- Parramatta: F3 (an hour or more)
- Pyrmont Bay: F4
- Barangaroo: F4
- Neutral Bay: F5
- Mosman Bay: F6
- Double Bay: F7
- Darling Point: F7
- Cremorne Point: F6
- Rose Bay: F9
Outer ferry services
- Cronulla to Bundeena (Royal National Park): Heritage ferry from Cronulla Wharf
- Palm Beach to Mackerel Beach: Palm Beach Ferry, Pittwater estuary
- Palm Beach to The Basin: Same Palm Beach Ferry route
- Palm Beach to Patonga: Cross Broken Bay to Central Coast
Sydney ferry pet policy
- Service dogs (assistance, guide, hearing) welcome on all ferries
- Small pets in carriers permitted on most ferries (verify with operator)
- Pets need the crew’s permission and must stay restrained in a suitable box, basket or other container while on board
- Cats and small animals welcome in approved carriers
Frequently asked questions
How much do Sydney ferries cost?
Adult Sydney ferry singles cost AU$7.35 for trips up to 9 km and AU$9.20 beyond that with Opal/contactless, so Circular Quay to Manly is AU$9.20. Daily cap of AU$19.30 (Mon–Thu) or AU$9.65 (Fri–Sun and public holidays) means heavy ferry use is capped quickly.
What’s the best Sydney ferry for tourists?
Start with the F1 Manly Ferry from Wharf 3 at Circular Quay. The crossing of about half an hour passes the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and harbour foreshore for AU$9.20 with Opal.
Where do I catch Sydney ferries?
Most major Sydney ferries depart from Circular Quay’s five ferry wharves. The F1 Manly Ferry leaves from Wharf 3 and the Manly Fast Ferry from Wharf 2. For the F2 to Taronga Zoo, the F3 or F8 to Cockatoo Island and the F9 to Watsons Bay, the indicator screens show the wharf for each departure.
Do Sydney ferries run on time?
Ferries run to a published timetable. Service disruptions occasionally happen for harbour events (Sydney to Hobart departure, New Year’s Eve). Check the Opal Travel app for real-time updates.
Are Sydney ferries air-conditioned?
Yes — modern ferries are climate-controlled. Open-air upper decks are available year-round and remain popular for photography even in winter (just bring a light jacket).
Can I take my bike on Sydney ferries?
Yes — bicycles are welcome on all Sydney ferries with no extra fee. Limited space on smaller ferries; arrive early during peak times.
What’s the longest Sydney ferry route?
For a long ride, take the F3 Parramatta River from Circular Quay to Parramatta, an hour or more on the water. The trip is a slow but beautiful waterway cruise through Sydney’s inner harbour and the Parramatta River.
Plan more of your Sydney trip
For more on Sydney transport and ferry destinations, see our deep dives on the Sydney transport guide, Opal card Sydney, the Sydney harbour cruise, the Manly Beach Sydney guide, Taronga Zoo Sydney, the best day trips from Sydney, and our overall top things to do in Sydney, Sydney travel planning guide, and Sydney with kids.
Helpful resources for planning your Sydney trip
For the very latest information on opening hours, ticketing and transport, the following official resources are kept up to date:
- Transport for NSW Ferries
- Captain Cook Cruises Ferries
- Sydney by Ferry timetables
- Tourism Australia
- Sydney.com Transport
- Opal card
If you want to know what you’re looking at from the ferry deck, from Garden Island’s warships to the lighthouse on South Head, our Sydney Harbour guide explains the geography, the islands and the best stops to get off and walk.
The F9 to Watsons Bay is one of the network’s best half-day trips, roughly half an hour from Circular Quay to fish and chips and the cliffs of The Gap. Some weekday peak-hour F9 services stop at Rose Bay, so check the Trip Planner before you set off. Our Watsons Bay and The Gap guide covers what to do when you get there.
Related Sydney guides
Other guides that make getting around easier:
1 comment