Long Island Sound ferries increase ticket prices, citing fuel prices

Crossing Long Island Sound will cost more after both the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry and the Cross Sound Ferry announced fare increases due to surging fuel prices.

This week, the Cross Sound Ferry in Orient listed its fuel surcharge as 9.5%. That's actually down from 10.7% recently, the company reported on its website.

"Due to the volatility of fuel costs, Cross Sound Ferry uses a floating fuel surcharge," the ferry said on its website. "The fuel surcharge is a percentage applied to all published fares, and is based on our most recent fuel costs."

As of May 1, ticket prices will increase, with a $3 fee applied to all vehicles arriving unreserved. This fee was previously applied during peak periods only. The fare for adult walk-ons will rise to $25 one-way and $40 round trip, while a ticket for a car and driver will climb to $78 off-peak / $80 peak.

Children age 12 and under ride free.

The fare increases come amid the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, which is now in its eight week, has led to rising fuel prices at the pump and beyond. On Friday, Air Canada said it intended to suspend flights at Kennedy Airport from June 1 to Oct. 25 because of high fuel prices. Some airlines, including United and Delta have scaled down routes and raised the prices for checked luggage.

Compared with March 2025, prices at gas pumps across Long Island shot up 18.2% last month, Newsday previously reported.

As of last Wednesday, the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry enacted a 4.5% fuel surcharge to all ferry fees, increasing one-way tickets from $74 to $77 off-peak and from $76 to $79 peak for a vehicle with a passenger.

"This surcharge will be reviewed weekly and may be adjusted upward or downward based on fuel costs and market conditions," the ferry website said. "Any revised fuel surcharge will be posted in advance and, unless otherwise stated, will take effect on Wednesdays."

Both ferry companies said they would reevaluate their fuel surcharges every seven days.

Newsday's Nicholas Grasso and AP contributed to this story.