Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

If you did not find an answer to your question below, give us a call at (401) 423-1556 or leave us a question or comment on the "Contact Us" form.

What are the parking options at the five Hop-On Hop-Off stops and the cruises that depart from Jamestown?
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‍Departures from Jamestown at 1 East Ferry Wharf, Jamestown, RI 02835:
‍ALL DAY PUBLIC PARKING is available at 11 Knowles Court, off Conanicus Avenue. You may also park on Narragansett Avenue between #9 and #30 and between #60 and #99. Both options are a short, 10–15 minute walk through Jamestown Village to the Jamestown Newport Ferry departure site at 1 East Ferry Wharf. OVERNIGHT and DAILY PAID PARKING is available at the Conanicut Marine Services Boat Yard at 260 Conanicus Avenue. You can check in at the 1 East Ferry Wharf dock office to request a $15 one-day pass or $25 overnight pass to display on your car dashboard, or purchase a pass online, print the receipt and display it on your dashboard when you reach the parking site. Pass includes a free shuttle ride to the Jamestown Newport Ferry departure site. Call or text (401) 864-2985 for pick up. Parking passes can be purchased here.
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Departures from Perrotti Park at 39 America's Cup Ave. or Ann St. Pier, behind the Newport Maritime Center at 365 Thames Street, Newport, RI 02840:
‍The Newport Transportation and Visitor's Center, located at 1 West Marlboro Street in Newport, offers paid parking from May 1 through October 31 and can accommodate 484 vehicles (November to April is free parking). Hours of operation are Monday through Sunday, 8am until midnight. Rate at last check was: $2.00 for the first half hour, $1.50 for each subsequent half hour, maximum per day is $24.50.  

The Mary Street Parking Lot is located in downtown Newport, between lower Mary St. and lower Church St.  A public restroom is located at the parking lot (open only June–Oct.). Mary Street is a "Pay & Display" lot (Nov.–May is free). At last check, rates were $3.00 per hour, with a maximum of $20 per day, overnight is $30.There is an additional lot at 49 Long Wharf Mall in downtown Newport, opposite Washington Square between Thames Street and America's Cup Avenue (best access). This is a "Pay & Display" lot as well, and you can park up to nine hours per day. At last check, from November 1–May 31, it's free and June 1–October 31, it's $1.25 per hour.

‍Departures from Fort Adams State Park, 90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, RI 02840:
‍Fort Adams State Park, located at 90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport, R.I. 02840, has ample free parking directly in front of the Fort’s main entrance. Overnight parking passes are available for purchase in the Park Visitor Center.‍

‍Note: All rates above are subject to change, you should confirm rates on their website.

‍How does the unreserved Hop-On Hop-Off Ferry ticket work?
The unreserved round-trip ticket allows you to ride the ferry from all of our departure points during a one-day time period. Just hop on and off at any of our stops during any one-day time period. Note: Round-trip tickets are not available for use during Folk and Jazz Festivals.  
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When does my Hop-On Hop-Off ticket expire?
Round-trip tickets are good for the day they are first scanned/used. Unused/unscanned tickets expire on the last day of our season which is usually Columbus Day.
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Are my Hop-On Hop-Off tickets refundable?
Tickets are not refundable. They may be used through Columbus Day of the current year in which they were purchased.
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What does the Family Pass ticket include?
The family pass allows two adults and two children (5–12) to ride the Hop-On Hop-Off Ferry during a one-day time period.
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Does the Hop-On Hop-Off ferry run if it is raining?
Yes. On occasion, during heavy thunderstorms or severe weather, there may be a delay or cancellation. Please check our website for any delays or cancellations.

Will the Jamestown Newport Ferry's cruises run if it is raining?
Normally we run in the rain, however if there is dense fog or lightning there could be a delay or cancellation depending on the captain. If there is a weather cancellation customers will receive a refund or they can change their reservation to another day with available cruises.

Can I bring my dog onboard the ferry or any JNF vessels?
Due to safety concerns and in consideration of our other passengers only ADA-registered service dogs are allowed onboard.

Which vessels are wheelchair accessible?
Ferry “Katherine” is ADA accessible and the boat ramps at Fort Adams, Ann Street Pier and Perrotti Park stops are also accessible. The ferry stop at 1 East Ferry Wharf in Jamestown will be transitioning to ADA, a date has not been set for its completion.

Are strollers allowed on board the vessels?
Strollers are allowed on board our ferries for an additional fee. Due to space limitations, strollers are allowed on the Hop-On Hop-Off service, but are not allowed on cruises and special event express ferries.

Are bicycles allowed on board the ferries?
Yes, most bicycles are allowed onboard the ferries for an additional fee. Gasoline and electric powered bicycles are prohibited onboard the ferries due to USCG regulations.

Is there a bathroom on the Hop-On Hop-Off ferry?
There is a marine head on board for emergencies. We suggest using the restroom prior to boarding.

Where can I purchase tickets for the Hop-On Hop-Off ferry service?
To avoid waiting in line, we recommend buying your tickets online, in advance, at jamestownnewportferry.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the ferry office window at 1 East Ferry Wharf in Jamestown, at Fort Adams, Perrotti Park and Ann Street Pier in Newport, or onboard the Jamestown Newport Ferry.

Are there food or drinks onboard?
All ferries have liquor licenses, therefore the only alcohol allowed onboard is to be purchased from the ferry's bar. There is no foodservice on the Hop-On Hop-Off ferries, beverage service only.

What times do the ferries depart from each location?
The ferry leaves promptly at the departure times listed on the ferry schedule. The ferry's arrival at each stop may vary, but the departure times are exact. Please plan to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the listed departure.

What is the last departure from Rose Island?
On days that Rose Island is open to the public, visitors must be off the island by 4 pm. Only the overnight guests are allowed on the island after 4 pm.

What sights will I see on the unreserved Hop-On Hop-Off ferry?
Our Hop-On Hop-Off Ferry provides views of the Jamestown coastline, The Newport Pell Bridge, Goat Island, and the destination stops at Rose Island Lighthouse, Perrotti Park, Ann Street Pier (many restaurants nearby) and Fort Adams State Park. There are many large yachts docked, moored and sailing about glorious Newport Harbor, as well as visiting cruise ships.

What sights are included on the reserved cruises?
Views include the Newport Harbor, Goat Island, Rose Island Lighthouse, The Newport Pell Bridge, the Jamestown shoreline and harbor, Clingstone "The House on the Rocks", Fort Wetherill, Horsehead, Fort Adams, Hammersmith Farm, Eisenhower House, Brenton Cove, Beacon Rock, Bonnie Crest, Aloha, Beechbound, New York Yacht Club, Ida Lewis Lighthouse/Yacht Club, Newport’s 5th Ward, The Armory, St. Mary’s Church, the wharf areas of Newport, Trinity Church as well as the mega yachts docked and moored in glorious Newport Harbor and visiting cruise ships.

Is smoking or vaping allowed on board the ferry boats?
No, we have a strict no-smoking and no-vaping policy for the safety of all passengers.

Are the ferry boats available for private event rentals?
Yes, all of our vessels are available for private event charters. Please see our charter page. Cruises listed under the cruise menu above may also be reserved for larger groups.