Operator's dated hours, updated 5 October 2026, valid until 1 November 2026 · Sailings shown by frequency — exact times from the operator. · Representative sailings only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Operator
C. Toms & Son Ltd
Map – Bodinnick Ferry
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Foot passenger, adult, single | £3.00 |
| Foot passenger, child (3-13), single | £1.50 |
| Car, single | £7.00 |
| Car, day return | £12.00 |
| Motorbike and rider, single | £4.00 |
| Bicycle and rider, single | £3.20 |
| Camper van, lorry or trailer (up to 10 tonnes), single | £10.50 |
| Camper van, lorry or trailer (up to 10 tonnes), day return | £18.00 |
Fares are collected on board and both cash and card are accepted — no online booking or pre-purchase. Foot passenger, motorbike and bicycle fares are single-journey only; only cars and campers/lorries/trailers have a discounted day-return option. All fares in pounds sterling (GBP).
The Bodinnick Ferry carries cars, vans and foot passengers across the River Fowey between Caffa Mill in Fowey and the village of Bodinnick, on the opposite, eastern bank. It is run by C. Toms & Son Ltd, a Polruan-based boatbuilder that also operates the separate Polruan-Fowey passenger ferry, using two flat vehicle ferries, Jenack and Gellan, each licensed for up to 15 cars. Fowey Harbour Commissioners regulate navigation on the river.
For anyone heading towards Polruan, Bodinnick or the wider Hall Walk — the popular four-mile circular route that uses both this crossing and the separate Polruan-Fowey ferry to close its loop — this is the direct link, avoiding a long detour round via Lostwithiel. It runs continuously, roughly every 10 to 15 minutes, rather than to fixed departure times: turn up, join the queue at whichever slipway you're on, and the crew takes vehicles in turn.
The ferry operates every day of the year except Christmas Day, when it does not run at all; the operator says the car ferry also does not run on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, when a passenger service is available instead. Hours change with the season: the operator's table updated on 5 October 2026 and valid until 1 November 2026 gives 07:00-19:30 Monday to Saturday and 08:00-19:30 on Sundays, down from a summer peak of roughly 20:50. Its yearly Winter pattern, 2 November to 28 March, is 07:00-19:00 Monday to Friday, 08:00-19:00 Saturday and 09:00-19:00 Sunday; those dates carry no year on the operator's site, so treat the 2027 end date as the usual pattern rather than an announced date. The awkward part of the crossing is the queue rather than the hours: on a busy summer weekend, the line of waiting cars at Bodinnick or Caffa Mill can back up well beyond the slipway, since only 15 vehicles cross per sailing.
Fares are collected on board, in cash or by card, with vehicles up to 10 tonnes, motorbikes, bicycles, campers and small lorries all accepted; full-size coaches cannot use the crossing because of a tight bend on the Bodinnick approach road.
- Arrive at the slipway a few minutes before departure; vehicle queues build quickly in summer.
- Check the operator's notices before travelling — tides, weather and maintenance affect sailings.
- Confirm accepted payment methods: several crossings are contactless-only.
Frequently asked questions
Until 1 November 2026 the operator's table (updated 5 October 2026) gives Monday to Saturday 07:00-19:30 and Sunday 08:00-19:30, with a continuous crossing every 10-15 minutes. From 2 November the operator's yearly Winter pattern is Monday-Friday 07:00-19:00, Saturday 08:00-19:00 and Sunday 09:00-19:00 (published without a year). Unplanned closures, for example in rough weather, are posted on the Bodinnick Ferry Facebook page rather than on the timetable page.
A car costs £7 single or £12 day return; a motorbike and rider £4 single; a bicycle and rider £3.20 single; an adult foot passenger £3 and a child (3-13) £1.50, both single only. Campers, lorries and trailers up to 10 tonnes pay £10.50 single or £18 day return. Cash and card are both accepted on board.
The operator doesn't publish a crossing time for this route. Its FAQ page's answer to 'how long does the journey take' actually describes the separate Polruan-Fowey passenger ferry, not this crossing. The operator does not publish a crossing time.
No — there are no listed departure times. It is a continuous shuttle leaving each side roughly every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the advertised opening hours. The first crossing of the day leaves Bodinnick at opening time, and the last leaves Fowey exactly at closing time, with Bodinnick's final crossing five minutes earlier.
Vehicles are not carried on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day. The operator says a passenger service is available on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, and the ferry does not run at all on Christmas Day according to its published hours. Outside those days the main reason it stops is rough weather making the slipways unsafe, announced on the operator's Facebook page. The road alternative is the long way round via Lostwithiel.
The operator doesn't publish queue-length figures, but each crossing carries a maximum of 15 vehicles, so on a busy summer day — particularly weekends and school holidays — cars can back up well beyond the slipway at both Bodinnick and Caffa Mill while waiting their turn.
Motorhomes, mini buses, campers, lorries and trailers up to 10 tonnes are accepted, but full-size coaches cannot cross because of a tight bend in the road on the Bodinnick side.
From Fowey, the slipway is at Caffa Mill Car Park, postcode PL23 1DF. From the east, follow signs to Bodinnick or 'Fowey via Ferry'; the Bodinnick-side slipway postcode is PL23 1LX, and warning signs for the ferry queue appear as you approach the village.