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Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do your boats go?
- Where is the ferry terminal?
- Are you open year-round?
- Are you the ferry to Nova Scotia?
- How early/late do the boats run?
- Can we reserve tickets? Do we have to make a reservation?
- Where do we park?
- Do you offer group rates?
- Can I buy tickets by mail or over the phone?
- Do you take credit cards?
- Can I get a one-way ticket?
- If I buy a cruise ticket, can I get off on one of the islands?
- Can I get from one island to another without returning to Portland?
- Can I bring my dog?
- Can I bring my bike?
- Is there food available on board? Can we bring food or alcohol on board?
- Is smoking allowed on the boats?
- Do you do dinner cruises?
- Do you do whale watches? Will we see whales or puffins from your boats?
- Do you sell gift certificates?
Q: Where do your boats go?
A: Casco Bay Lines serves six islands in Casco Bay near the city of Portland: Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Chebeague Island, and Cliff Island. In the summer, we also feature a daily cruise to Bailey Island.
Q: Where is the ferry terminal?
A: We are located at the Maine State Pier at 56 Commercial Street (at the corner of Franklin Arterial), Portland, Maine. See Maps & Directions.
Q: Are you open year-round?
A: Yes. We operate 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Q: Are you the ferry to Nova Scotia?
A: No. Until recently, The Cat, a high-speed ferry, operated between Portland, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia (see www.catferry.com for more information). At the present time there is no international ferry in operation.
Q: How early/late do the boats run?
A: In the summer, the first boat to Peaks Island leaves Portland at 5:45 AM Monday through Saturday (7:45 AM on Sunday and holidays). The first boat leaves Portland for the Down Bay islands at 5:05 AM Monday through Friday (6:30 AM Saturday, 7:45 AM Sunday and holidays). The last boat leaves Peaks Island at 11:55 PM every night. Check the sailing schedule for the latest departure times from the Down Bay islands.
A: All passenger tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. We do not take reservations for passengers except for groups of 20 or more. See Private Charters & Group Tours page for more information. Our boats carry 250 passengers or more and it is rare for a trip to be sold over capacity. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure (30 minutes if you have freight or a vehicle to ship). You can purchase tickets in advance; they are good for 60 days from the date of purchase (2 weeks for a commuter book).
Vehicles are transported on the Peaks Island car ferry on a first-come, first-served basis. You may buy a ticket at any time, but your vehicle must be in line in the car ferry staging lane 15 minutes prior to departure. Commercial trucks may make a reservation for a fee; call the freight office at (207) 774-7871 ext. 107 for more information.
Reservations must be made for vehicles to be transported to the Down Bay islands (Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Chebeague Island, and Cliff Island). See Vehicle Rates for more information.
Q: Where do we park?
A: Unfortunately, we have no long-term customer parking at our facility. There are 5-minute spaces alongside the terminal building for loading and unloading only. Do not park anywhere else or you risk a ticket or towing! The closest public parking is the City of Portland parking garage adjacent to our terminal. See our Parking Information page for other options or pick up a parking map at the ticket window when you come.
Q: Do you offer group rates?
A: We offer a discounted rate for groups of 20 or more for cruises only (not for tickets to an island). To get the group rate the tickets must be purchased in one transaction (rather than each member of the group buying individually). For more information on group rates or to make a reservation for your group, call the Sales Director at (207) 774-7871 ext. 105 or e-mail us.
Q: Can I buy tickets by mail or over the phone?
A: We cannot mail you tickets, but you can pay by mail and we will hold the tickets for you at the window. Call the ticket office at (207) 774-7871 for more information. Sorry, we cannot sell tickets over the phone.
Q: Do you take credit cards?
A: Yes! We accept Visa and MasterCard only, including debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo.
Q: Can I get a one-way ticket?
A: All tickets to islands are round trip. All tickets are collected in Portland as you board. You don’t need a ticket to board at the island.
Q: If I buy a cruise ticket, can I get off on one of the islands?
A: Technically, yes, but you should buy a ticket to the island if that is what you intend to do. Our scenic cruises (the Mailboat Run, Sunrise and Sunset Run, Diamond Pass and Moonlight Run) are part of our regular service and make stops at the Down Bay islands. Cruise passengers are expected to stay on board and return to Portland. If you do get off the boat, you run the risk of being stranded, as service to the Down Bay islands is limited.
Q: Can I get from one island to another without returning to Portland?
A: Inter-island travel on our boats is possible in a limited way between the Down Bay islands only (not Peaks Island). You can use the TransportME schedule finder to see which routes stop at other islands.
Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Yes. All dogs must be leashed and require a ticket to board. Service animals are exempt.
Q: Can I bring my bike?
A: Yes. You must either purchase a bike ticket and walk your bike on board, or ship your bike as freight.
Q: Is there food available on board? Can we bring food or alcohol on board?
A: There is no food available on our regular runs, although there are soda machines on board. Our Bailey Island Cruise in the summer features a snack bar. There are also snack and soda machines in our terminal. You are welcome to bring lunch or snacks on board. You may not bring alcohol aboard a charter or music cruise where alcohol is being served.
Q: Is smoking allowed on the boats?
A: There is no smoking allowed on our regular service. Charter customers may allow smoking during the charter on the outside decks only.
Q: Do you do dinner cruises?
A: Not exactly. We offer two of our boats for private charters; we do not provide food, but if you charter a boat you may bring your own food or hire a caterer. See Private Charters & Group Tours for more information.
Q: Do you do whale watches? Will we see whales or puffins from your boats?
A: No. Whales are not usually seen on our routes within Casco Bay, and puffins are found only in certain areas Down East. However, we do often see seals, many seabirds, and the occasional porpoise if we’re lucky!
Q: Do you sell gift certificates?
A: Yes. Gift certificates for any amount may be purchased at the ticket window. They make a great gift for that hard-to-buy-for islander!
Don't See Your Question Here?
Please give us a call at
(207) 774-7871 or
e-mail us and
we will do our best to answer your questions!
We provide year-round ferry services, scenic cruises and boat tours from Portland, Maine to the islands of Casco Bay such as
Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Chebeague Island, Diamond Cove, Long Island and Bailey Island.
We also offer scenic cruises, summer-time music cruises, private charters and lobster bakes. Join us and see where the Maine coast really begins!
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All content © Casco Bay Island Transit District
Ferry Terminal: 56 Commercial Street, Portland, Maine | Mailing Address:P.O. Box 4656, Portland, ME 04112-4656
Phone: (207) 774-7871 | Fax: (207) 774-7875 | Email:info@cascobaylines.com
