We didn't book our sunset charter in time and it was raining off and on - we thought a good view of the sunset was not in the cards for us tonight. We opted instead to take the scenic Colonial Parkway drive and perhaps catch some views over the river. We lucked out and found a free ferry that crossed the river just as the sun was setting. The storm couldn't hold back the sunset no matter how hard it tried and the ferry offered us the best views. In the end we got our sunset cruise and it didn't cost us a cent. read more

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Getting on the ferry and off was easy and fast. More than enough space for all the cars. Didn't have to wait long and the ride was enough time to explore and take in the sights walking around and exploring the viewing deck. read more

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Always a peaceful ride along and upon the James River. The staff are extremely kind and helpful.

This was such a fun experience during our weekend trip to Williamsburg and Jamestown. We took the ferry to spend time at Chippokes State Park. The ferry was timely, and the ride was enjoyable. Can't believe it's free! read more

A wonderful way to travel. Keeps traveling spicy. I've taking the Ferry 3 times now and I love it. Honestly I would love to do it just as the sun is setting.... Imaging the photos! They crew has always been amazing! Hardworking, and so darn nice! It's very easy, wait your turn, follow directions, park and ride. I usually get out of the car and look around. The bathrooms are good. Every boat is different. If you are in the Jamestown area, try to take the ferry and see what's across the water. Or get off and get back on. It's just an experience. read more

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I think this was my first time ever on a ferry that transports cars. We arrived just as one was leaving dock, but 25 minutes later the next ferry arrived. Cars were parked in three rows; we were the first in line in the third row. Once we set off we got out of our car. The breeze was so nice, the the salty spray of the water felt great. I really enjoyed it. It was FREE! Not the quickest route from Hampton, but we did go to downtown Smithfield for the Farmers' market and a quick look in the shops. So it was a great option for getting to Jamestown. read more

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry - Ferries Near Me - Surry, Virginia

What a way to travel! This cool mode of transportation serves to ferry folks from Surry to Jamestown. The Powhatan, which we rode, holds 70 vehicles. There are a couple other ferries as well, The Surry, The Williamsburg, and The Pocohantas. Tourists, like us, enjoy the novelty of crossing the James River on the ferry, but many people use the ferry boats daily as the main course of commute for work. The ride was pleasant and smooth, and we didn't wait long at all for our ride, maybe 20 minutes. And it only took about 15 minutes to cross. The ferries run 24/7 about every 20 minutes or so, back and forth so plan your trip with plenty of time. Due to COVID-19, the salon and facilities were closed and we had to stay in our vehicles, but under normal conditions, passengers can get out of their cars and go to the top observation deck for scenic views of the James River! Some people have advocated for a bridge to replace the ferry, but locals have opposed the idea. The ferry is way cooler and fits the mood driving into historic Jamestown! On the other side coming into Surry, don't miss a visit to Bacon's Castle. Free to travelers, if you get a chance to hitch a ride, don't miss it! read more

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The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry is a free ferry that runs 24 hours and connects you to both sides of the James River. It's about 15 minutes, you can drive on with your car. The ferry runs all yr long. This whole area is lovely to go site seeing. I highly recommend it, it will save you some time. Maybe oneday I can take this ferry at sunset, for now Im headed to the Jamestown museum! read more

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What is not to love about a FREE boat ride? In all honesty we were near historic Jamestown, the road was closed, so I got back to the road to try a different approach. Next thing I know I am on a road that ends on a ferry and headed to Surry. We had a nice time eating dinner in Surry and then boarding the ferry back. read more

I love this little ferry. From the south, you get a wonderful Riverside view of Jamestown settlement. It's free to ride, and a pleasant side trip while in the Williamsburg area. read more

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry - Ferries Near Me - Surry, Virginia

Crossed the James River. Very smooth boarding and disembarking. Boat was very clean and the crew were nice guys. A nice little ride on a Ferry! read more

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It was a quick fun ride from Jamestown, VA to Surry, VA. I highly recommend it if you have time. read more

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry - Ferries Near Me - Surry, Virginia

I suppose during the summer the ferry must see huge crowds and it really serves a purpose in terms of helping to avoid highway traffic. But during the offseason as we found out it seems more like a boat to nowhere and a big drain on VA taxpayers wallets. We had watched the ferry go back and forth while at Jamestowne the day prior so we knew where to go and what to look for. With schedule in hand we showed up about two minutes before the 9:30am Jamestown departure and got on no problem to a boat with maybe 12 other cars. One safety thing that was odd was that we were obviously the last car in our row and normally (at least on other boats I've been on) some sort of wooden block is put behind your rear wheels. Not here. I mean there were blocks behind my tires but when I say behind I mean like three or four feet behind. It was as if they were thrown from a distance like a horseshoe and where they landed was where they landed. We were the only people to get out and walk around as everybody else stayed in their cars and played with their phones which was sad as it was beautiful day. We got over to Surry and noticed that they were security screening all of the vehicles on that side preparing to board the Pocahontas. Although when I say all of the vehicles, there were only nine. I suppose if in the area in the future I would come back for another pleasure ride as the schedule is frequent, the ride is scenic enough and the price is certainly right. read more

It does not take long to move across this short stretch of water. So hurry and unbuckle, get top deck and secure your hat if you have one. Then enjoy a view for around 10 minutes. Today was a beautiful Fall day to jump on at Surry and drive off at Jamestown. I was aboard the Pocahontas, one of two ferry's that trade off back and forth transporting passengers and their cars. This was a ride for pure pleasure, nothing really to do with avoiding traffic. However, it can be good for that as other reviewers have noted. The ferry has a schedule and for the most part it's every 30 minutes. Our tax dollars in Virginia completely pay for the ferry service, so relax and pay not a penny. This is something everyone should do at least once. read more

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The Jamestown ferry is the perfect addition to any long drives between any two cities across the James River! Going by GPS prompts to Smithfield from Williamsburg, it said "ferry required". GPS said 45min ETA versus driving back around to 664 for a 3hr ETA. Um, no, I'm good. Mind you, we have never gone by ferry before. We thought, Lets give this a try. We drove there not knowing how much it was to ride the ferry or what the departure times were... we apparently got there right on time at 11:55, not even knowing we were the "last call" vehicle to board. We were extremely LUCKY to have made it! I was pretty excited to ride a ferry, like a toddler riding her first Ferris Wheel. Lol The Awesomeness: - You can park your vehicle and step out to enjoy the fresh air! - Nice scenery you don't see everyday! - For Free, No Fee! - Top Level Out Look Area! - 24/7 Services, even during holidays! - Decrease Travel Times, depending on your route! - Historic Aspects! - Great Kid Experience! - It's a FERRY!!! The Not So Awesome: - Watch out for big birds raising their butts to projectile poo on you. - IDK if they have set departure/arrival times. I would recommend! Great for family ventures, especially if you have kids! read more

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry - Last call! 11:55! - Ferries Near Me - Surry, Virginia

The Jamestown-Scotland Ferry is a free ferry that runs 24 hours and connects you to both sides of the James River. It's about 15 minutes, and while there isn't much to do when you get off, it's a nice little trip where you can drive on with your car, park, and then roam around the ferry to gaze out onto the waters. They're even opened on holidays, too, and this is just a nice little excursion that you can add onto your trip. I highly suggest going on a weekday, late afternoon, so that you can snap some pictures right before the sunset, and then have a relaxing ride back in the evening. It does get breezy, so a light jacket is recommended. +free ferry for autos! +about 15 minutes each way +runs 24 hours, plus holidays read more

Kudos to the crews at the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry for their dedication and hard work in keeping safe operations of this thoroughfare across the James River for residents, and visitors alike, especially in this time of crisis, including during inclement weather! read more

Sitting at stop sign and past time to leave, sign still down and ferry gone. The pits on valentine evening!!! No information provide as to what is happening!! Poor customer service.. someone on the ferry could have come out to tell us something. No number tp call to complain. read more

It's FREEEEEEE!!!! WHOOPEEEEEE!!!! Gotta love it! What a great way to travel across the James River! I usually find myself here during the Summer months when I am dropping off or picking up my children from summer camp. I like to travel across on the Ferry and then head over to Water Country or Busch Gardens. I've always enjoyed using the Ferry service. It's picturesque and we all enjoy feeding the seagulls during our ride. I don't think we've ever remained in our vehicles while riding the ferry! We always get out and enjoy the view. It's relaxing and beautiful. Definitely well worth the experience! read more

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This is such a great free thing to do with your friends, family, or loved ones or just alone by yourself! So much fun, and such beautiful sights to behold as you ferry across with your car on your way to or from Jamestown. The workers are on point, and work very efficiently in getting cars on and off the ferry in a very timely manner. I know you can check their website for schedules for what times they run, but when I came it was every 30 minutes...which really didn't seem like that much of a wait in line which was nice! It does seem to get a bit congested during high times for people going to work or returning home from work...so you may want to account for that when planning the time of your journey. The kids loved having the freedom to get out of the car and just enjoy the amazing view of the water, the birds, and the coastline...it was all very enjoyable and relaxing as well! Somehow it brings out your sense of adventure, and makes you yearn for more of it upon arrival to the other side! Life is so full of great adventures, and I loved how this ferry takes you out of the norms of everyday life...so much to see and enjoy in life...savoring the moment still :) read more

My favorite way to get from me to Williamsburg. ANYTHING to avoid Hampton traffic. So beautiful and peaceful. Best of all. FREE!!! Not many people in the area know of this; It is such an under-utilized service. read more

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry - Beautiful evening sky. - Ferries Near Me - Surry, Virginia

It's a ferry - it's free. Smooth transfer across the James River from Jamestown to Surry. If this is along your route, it's a great way to avoid traffic delays caused by the lack of properly sized roads and tunnels to handle the daily traffic much less holiday influx of vacationers transiting the Hampton Roads area. After a painful exodus from DC, it was nice to park the car and take a few minutes to stretch our legs while the ferry dumped us off in Surry. The roads back home were beautiful and free of traffic. Not sure if we saved any time getting to our destination, but it was a nice change from the HRBT or MMBT. read more

I always enjoy the ferry ride from Surry to Jamestown. They are fast and efficient. There's not many things that you can do for free but, the ferry is one of them! read more

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry - Ferries Near Me - Surry, Virginia

Operated by VDoT and is free. The staff is amazingly competent at directing cars in/out. Bathrooms and deck were super clean. You can find the updated ferry schedules on VDoT's website http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/travel/ferry-jamestown.asp Thanks VDoT and Virginia taxpayers. read more

I saw on a lot of blogs to check this out on our vacation, so we did. It was a waste if time, although it is free... When you get to the other side there is nothing to do for miles and the views weren't that great... If your on vacation I would just skip this. It's essentially just for people to get to and from work... It us not a tourist attraction at all. Staff was very friendly though! : ) read more

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry - Ferries Near Me - Surry, Virginia

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It takes a while sometimes but definitely worth the wait. The trip is awesome with plenty of time to get out of your vehicle and enjoy the scenery. 24/7! read more

This is nice way to relax for a few minutes after working all day on the South Side. It beats JRB or MMBT traffic.

Best way to cross the James River if you're traveling to Surry or surrounding area. There is a small inspection station on both sides of the river but they don't stop everyone. The ride takes about 20 minutes. read more

Fun alternative to returning to Virginia Beach through the Hampton tunnel which can be quite congested

What a beautiful and calming journey. Great staff who orchestrate vehicles quietly and quickly onto and off of the ferry. Real mellow throwback experience. read more

I take this ferry every day and it's a very convenient method of traveling to Surry from Williamsburg Virginia and back. The ferry ride gives you a great view of the water on both sides of the river. The ferry is easy to use and there's a good website that tells you the latest ferry arrival and departure times. read more

If you have the opportunity to ride on the ferry while you visit Williamsburg, hop on! This is a wonderful FREE amenity that connects Jamestown with Surry County (thanks VDOT!). The views are great. And there is actually some stuff to do on the south side of the river. Bacon's Castle, just a few miles off the ferry, is the oldest brick building in the country. Chippokes Plantation State Park, also within miles of the ferry, is home of one of the oldest continually running plantation farms in the country. And just another 15 minutes or so is the quaint and beautiful town of Smithfield, home to a few nice restaurants, a wonderful farmers market and many stately Victorian homes. read more

Prepare to get sick... Better to stand in front... Cold but don't get as much seasickness as in car

This is a cool, little adventure that takes you from Surry county across the James over to Williamsburg. The ferry starts boarding approx 5 minutes prior to the actual leave time (anotherwords, if it states departure time is every 30 minutes: 4:30, 5, 5:30, etc....then plan on showing up NLT 4:25 because the ferry will leave you if you get there AT 4:30). We learned that the hard way a couple times. But surprisingly, the ferrys can hold a literal boatload of cars. We waited in line once with cars a mile ahead of us and was sure we wouldn't fit and would get the cut off but they really pack you in there like sardines. It's about a 15-20 minute ride and there are restrooms in the upper deck. Our daughter loves riding the "big boat" so we'll sometimes go out of our way to ride this when heading to the peninsula. read more

We had a scenic drive day recently and journeyed across the ferry. We lived in Williamsburg for 2 years and never had a chance to explore the Scotland ferry but I am kinda glad we waited because the kids weren't old enough to enjoy it then. But they totally enjoyed it a couple of weeks ago (they're 4 & 2) and the experience as a whole was really pleasant and easy. I guess I always thought it cost money but nope, it's free. Score! There were these two ladies feeding bread to the gulls and it was a little like an Alfred Hitchcock film for a bit there...we were completely anticipating an attack, and even though there was a close call or two, no pecking or human attacks took place that cloudy day on the ferry. I don't recommend the bread though. it was chaos. and I swear I heard the gulls saying, "mine mine" but perhaps I have seen Nemo too many times and it's just embedded in my psyche. Enough about the birds, the ferry is a great experience for the whole family. You drive on, get out, and enjoy the beautiful water views and hopefully equally beautiful weather. They have 4 ferry boats and different schedules dependant upon the season. It also runs 24 hours a day and takes about 15-20 minutes total. Good times! read more

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Such a nice ride. 20 minute trip but well worth getting out of your vehicle and going to the second level.

Awesome experience...worth it... Take the car with you to the ferry for a 20 min amazing travel experience read more

Excellent. The staff are friendly and efficient, the views and the transit are all 'Kodak' moments! The ride alone is worth a trip all by itself. read more

When you get on the Ferry, it is a great view and definitely a bit of a spectacle for being on a boat. At night time, when there is no one else, it is so much more amazing. The only bad time is at night, the Ferry visits each side hourly. So if you miss it by a few minutes you are waiting at least an hour before you get on and get moving. read more

Never stick to posted schedule. Should only allow James City County and Surry residents otherwise those us of that rely on it as part of our daily commute have to wait 2-3 to get home which is only 15 miles. Build a bridge or charge $50 per trip for non residents. read more