Governor McKee, Rhode Island Department of Transportation Kick Off 2025 Providence-Newport Ferry Season
Published on Friday, June 20, 2025
PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti, Jr., Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau President & CEO Kristen Adamo, Discover Newport Communications Director Cassandra Earle, and Seastreak President James Barker today kicked off the 2025 Providence-Newport Ferry season. The popular service returns for its 10th season today, Friday, June 20, with four daily roundtrips seven days a week. The ferry also makes weekend stops in Bristol.
RIDOT began the service in 2016 to provide an alternative to automobile travel between the two cities. The service gives riders the chance to avoid the hassles of driving and parking and reduces vehicle emissions. To date, more than 318,000 passengers have ridden the ferry.
“The return of the Providence-Newport Ferry is a welcome sign of another great Rhode Island summer,” Governor McKee said. “It’s a fantastic resource for an affordable and highly enjoyable way to travel between Providence and Newport.”
“It’s hard to believe we’re kicking off our 10th season,” Director Alviti said. “But we’re so pleased at how receptive people have been to this service over the years. We wanted to create a way for everyone to enjoy Narragansett Bay at a reasonable cost, and this is it.”
Seastreak will again be the operator of the ferry Ocean State. The cost to ride the ferry remains unchanged from last year, $12 each way for adults, and $6 each way for children, seniors, those with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders. Bikes and pets are allowed aboard for no additional charge. Free parking is available in the Providence terminal at 25 India St., Providence.
The ferry season will run through Columbus Day weekend (October 13). Service to Bristol will operate on weekends through Labor Day. RIDOT will also run special ferries for those going to the Bristol Fourth of July Parade.
Tickets are available now online at www.RideTheBayRI.com or by calling 1-800-BOATRIDE and at the Providence ferry terminal. Those departing from the Newport ferry terminal at Perrotti Park, 39 America's Cup Ave., or the Bristol ferry terminal at the Bristol Maritime Center, 127 Thames St., can buy their tickets online or on the boat.
Another popular feature returning this year is an agreement for joint ticketing that allows passengers riding Amtrak trains to purchase rail and ferry tickets to Newport at the same time. RIDOT will continue to provide a free RIPTA shuttle bus between the Providence ferry terminal and popular locations in the city, including the Providence train station, the Rhode Island Convention Center, and Kennedy Plaza.
The Providence-Newport ferry is made possible by RhodeWorks, RIDOT's ongoing commitment to repair structurally deficient bridges and bring Rhode Island's transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair, promote economic development, and create jobs. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.