San Diego Ferry to Coronado: Ferry Schedule, Price & Tips From A Local

You know, sometimes, when you live somewhere, you end up recommending certain things over and over to visiting family and friends, yet you never do them yourself? Last weekend, my husband and I finally checked of this San Diego bucket list item off the list: Take the San Diego Ferry to Coronado and back.

Did you know that you could take the ferry from Downtown San Diego to Coronado? It is the perfect way to get to Coronado without a car.

Fun fact: The San Diego – Coronado Ferry is the oldest wood ferry in the United States.

Also read our recommendations for the best Coronado Hotels and best things to do in Coronado here.

San Diego Ferry to Coronado

The Ferry to Coronado is a great way to get around for locals and tourists alike. Tourists can get a “Mini-San Diego Bay Cruise” for cheap and enjoy the scenery and view, and locals can even use the ferry service for free during the early morning commuter schedule.

Depending on demand (season, special events, etc.), Flagship uses various size boats for the ferry, so keep that in mind that for your journey.

Important: According to the Flagship Ferry website, the ferries are wheelchair accessible (not the top floor and not the restrooms, though). However, on our crossing from the convention center to the city of Coronado and back in February, the boat was very small and I did not see any equipment to make the ferry accessible for wheelchair users. I would suggest to call them and confirm if you have specific needs.

Flagship San Diego: (619) 234-4111

Before you go to the article, here is the list of quick links for cruise lovers:

Ferry Landing

San Diego Ferry Landings

San Diego has two ferry landings for the Coronado-San Diego Ferry, one behind the Convention Center next to Joe’s Crab Shack, called 5th Avenue Ferry Landing. This ferry is much shorter and takes about 8-10 minutes to cross. It also goes every 30 minutes.

San Diego Convention Center 5th Ave Ferry Landing on Google Maps

The other one, called, Broadway Pier, is half-way between the International Cruise Ship Terminal and the USS Midway. This Coronado ferry crossing only goes 1x per hour and is a bit longer. This one is about a 15-minute ride to get from Broadway Pier to Coronado. You’ll have much more boat-traffic, so it is a bit wavier, but you’ll get some great views of downtown San Diego and the USS Midway.

Downtown Broadway Pier San Diego Ferry Landing on Google Maps

Coronado Ferry Landing

Coronado Ferry Landing is almost an attraction all in itself and I would recommend you plan some time there. There are some fun souvenir shops, boutiques, and some amazing restaurants. Try Peohes for a great seafood happy hour and amazing views of Downtown San Diego. You can read our full guide on Coronado Ferry Landing here>>

Coronado Ferry Landing on Google Maps

San Diego – Coronado Ferry Schedule

The San Diego – Ferry runs daily, except on the following holidays:

New Years Day – Martin Luther King Day – President’s Day – Memorial Day

Independence Day – Labor Day – Columbus Day – Veterans Day

Thanksgiving – Day After Thanksgiving – Christmas Day

Broadway Pier Ferry Schedule

Convention Center Ferry Schedule

Commuter Ferry Schedule

The Commuter Ferry service is free, but only for Coronado residents as well as residents that are active-duty military of San Diego.

Morning Commuter Ferry Schedule

Afternoon Commuter Ferry Schedule

Ferry Price

The San Diego – Coronado Ferry costs $8 per person per crossing. Unfortunately, buying the return right away does not give you a discount, so a 2-way ticket is $16 per person. Children under 3 are free. You can buy tickets right at the entrance of each ferry landing at the little machine (see picture below).

Important: The ferry is not part of the San Diego public transportation system but operated by a private company. This means that your San Diego public transportation pass does not include the ferry to Coronado.

Ferry Tips From a Local

• Take a jacket. It can get quite windy and cold as you are crossing the water, especially at night.
• Make sure you go on the right ferry when you are in Coronado (one goes to Broadway Pier, one to 5th Ave/Convention Center).
• If you get seasick, take some meds. The ship is quite small and while the bay is protected, you definitely feel the waves. I would recommend to go on the Convention Center crossing, as it is much shorter and less waves from other boats.
• Bring sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
• Bring your camera. You’ll get some amazing views of downtown from the Coronado side.
• If you want to explore the shops and restaurants at the Coronado Ferry Landing, pick up a free flyer for discounts (see pictures below)
• You can take bikes/Segways for free, but they only allow limited numbers of them on each crossing, so you might have to wait.
• Only service animals are allowed, no pets, unfortunately.
• Take a photo of the ferry schedule, so you know when you have to be back on the Coronado ferry landing.
• Take a picture of your return ticket in case you lose it. They might not accept it, but they might be nice about it.
• Once you are in Coronado, you can either walk, use a shared-ride, or rent a bicycle (or quad-bike if you are a group) to get around.

Thanks to this blog, I have gotten much better at exploring my beautiful hometown of San Diego. My husband and I had a fantastic time in Coronado and taking the ferry over was a lot of fun. You get some time on the water, can enjoy fantastic views of the city and appreciate the beautiful city of San Diego, whether you are a local or a visitor. We will definitely do this again.

San Diego Ferry to Coronado – Pin for later:

Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by Maria Haase

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