Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
Jamestown-Scotland Ferry
5
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
15 within 3 miles
Attractions
60 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
738 reviews
Excellent
586
Very good
127
Average
21
Poor
2
Terrible
2
JuliaSoffiya
Washington DC, DC19 contributions
Dec 2021
This is a fast and easy way to cross over the James River and have a bit of fun while doing it. Surprisingly, it's free! There were 10-15 vehicles in front of us waiting to get on but the staff quickly directed each vehicle to the appropriate spot and we left the shore at 4:22P. The ride was smooth and we arrived on the Jamestown side much more quickly than we expected. Exiting the ferry was fast and efficient as the staff expertly directed vehicles to drive off, and we were on our way. Would utilize this ferry again!!!
Written December 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurie Z
Victor, United States2 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
A unique experience that seems to lead to nowhere but we were pleasantly surprised to find a wonderful local seafood restaurant with a view of the bay. Surry Seafood market had friendly staff and wonderful food. We even tried the oyster on the half-shell and were very pleased.
Written March 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise M.
Morristown, NJ131 contributions
Dec 2020
I really enjoyed sitting in the car and letting the boat cross over the James River. I left Jamestown around sunset going over the river. We drove down a few streets in Surrey stopped for gas and it was pitch black by the time we got on line to go back over to Jamestown. So we cross over the river at night. I must say the boat guys know how to direct each car on and to a specific place on the boat. It all goes fine no hang ups or delays. Worth the experience.
Written January 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheRealKEVP
Lansing, MI2,191 contributions
Oct 2021
I had some extra time in Williamsburg besides my 7 day "Historic Triangle" pass, so decided to explore other activities. I am not sure why this is rated so high. On the way over, I was parked up against an interior wall and surrounded by cars, so I didn't feel comfortable leaving my car. (You are not allowed to choose your spot, they are all assigned) On the way back, there was a LONG line of cars to get on the ferry. Overall, I wish I had found something else to do. I can see that this might be useful if you need to get from A to B, but as an attraction in its own right it isn't very good.
Written October 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beverly N
Marysville, PA12 contributions
Oct 2022
This was a very relaxing experience. Took the Ferry ride and then went to Surry Seafood to eat, then back on the Ferry. It was a very nice day with Family. If you are looking for something to do take the Ferry, kids will enjoy it as much as I did and it is FREE!
Written October 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harry & Tamaura Scheeler
Winston Salem, NC347 contributions
May 2021
We came to VA from NJ by way of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. We stayed here to see the Jamestowne settlement. While we were there we watched these ferries crisscrossing the James River. When it was time to go home to North Carolina we were overjoyed our GPS had us using the ferry. The best part is you get a great unobstructed view of the settlement as you cross the river. The ferry is also free. The ride is about 10 minutes long. It took us about 20 minutes waiting in line before we could get on due to traffic. However, the ferries are fast-paced and run continuously.
Written May 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blake & Eddie
Atlanta, GA204 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
It was our first experience on a cars ferry, and it felt scary at first. We went at night thinking that we were going to see lights, but there was nothing to see. We didn’t have time during the day, but maybe the experience would have been better then. Overall the experience was fine. At least it was not a waste of money since it was free. Lol
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ITRT
Virginia46,591 contributions
Mar 2021
One of the highlights for my grandsons was riding the ferry from Jamestown to Surry County. The ferry is free, runs 24-hours a day, and takes about 15-20 minutes. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, no one is allowed to leave their vehicles. If you are parked on the left side going over to Surry, you are able to get a glimpse of the Godspeed, Susan Constant and Discovery ship replicas used to bring the settlers to the colony. Unfortunately for us, we were on the opposite side going and it was windy on return. There were so many birds populating the pylons nearby. It looked like one was tired of waiting for whatever and decided to take a nap. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Written April 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zephyr_Travel
Fredericksburg, VA2,968 contributions
Mar 2022
The ferry system has two boats on a regular schedule. If your traveling from anywhere near Richmond to the Williamsburg area, it is worth a little extra time to get there to avoid highway traffic. The wait time at the dock and the actual ride was 35 minutes at most. You can see good views of the nearby historic jamestowne park.
Written April 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
twisteddiva
Virginia508 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
We hadn’t taken the ferry in a very long time and decided to hop on it yesterday, when the front was pushing thru and the temperature dropped from 80 degrees to 70 degrees in a matter of minutes and the sky was slate gray. There couldn’t have been more than 30 cars. It was an extremely relaxing ride to the other side even with the wind whipping all around and the steady drizzle. Well worth it.
Written May 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When you leave Jamestown and go to Scotland, what is there to do in Scotland? How long would it take to walk around there? Can you walk to Smithsville?
Written April 24, 2019
Same as previous responses. Nothing in Scotland; Chippoakes State Park is nice to visit. Surry has not much going on, either. The drive to Smithfield is pleasant, particularly in the fall when cotton fields are ready for harvest! Smithfield has quite a few nice shops and places to eat.
Written June 28, 2019
Is a round trip possible? As we will be staying in Williamsburg
Written May 30, 2018
Yes, but you may not get turned around in time to catch the same ferry and will end up waiting for the next one. about 20 min.
Written June 1, 2018
You can walk on the ferry on either side but you'll need to arrange transportation on each side, especially the Surry side. There is a great seafood restaurant close to the ferry. The ferry is alway fun. Enjoy it!
Written May 3, 2018
We are visiting Williamsburg for a week at Christmas and thought we would go on the ferry. What is there to do on the Surry side?
Written December 2, 2017
I have not personally been exploring in Surry but I do have these items on my list of places to visit:
Bacon's Castle - 15 minutes south of the ferry
Chippokes Plantation State Park - 8 minutes from ferry
Smith's Fort Plantation - 5 minutes from ferry
Hampton Roads Winery - 15 minutes from ferry
Surry County Visitor's Center - 10 minutes from ferry
---------------------
I wish I could be of more help. Happy traveling!
Written December 2, 2017
Is there a restaurant in Surry County called Thr Surry House Restuarant? I️ been told that it serves the BEST fried chicken.
Written November 17, 2017
Sorry to say, the Surry House closed a couple of years ago. It had been there many years and was a local favorite for fried chicken and for breakfast.
Written November 18, 2017
purplbeanbag
Quakertown, Pennsylvania
I’m making my first trip to the Williamsburg area. What do I need for the security check for the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry? The only place i’ve ever had a security check was for jury duty.
Written October 30, 2017
There is no security check to ride the ferry.
Written November 1, 2017
It is free in both directions, and it runs 24 hours a day every day of the week. During the day it runs about every half hour; at eight p.m. it becomes hourly.
Written June 17, 2016
Will the ferry accommodate a 26 foot motorhome?
Written June 14, 2016
I would think so - it holds 3 columns of cars on each side and at least 10 cars per column - I saw a pick up truck and camping trailer and there were no height restrictions
Written June 15, 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 11
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing