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Ferries & Water Taxis in Illinois

15 of the 547 marinas and boating businesses we track in Illinois are ferry services and passenger boats. Full listings for every city are on the Illinois page.

15locations
8cities
547locations statewide

Ferry routes vary widely between scheduled vehicular crossings, seasonal island shuttles, and passenger-only urban water taxis. Choosing the right service depends on whether you are transporting a vehicle, traveling with pets, or needing a strict commuter timeline. Map pins show terminal docks, but they do not indicate reservation requirements, vehicle height limits, or seasonal sailing schedules.

Chicago 5

  1. Chicago Water Taxi

    400 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

    Call Website All Chicago

  2. Tall Ship Windy

    600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

    Call Website All Chicago

  3. Windy City Sailing

    3400 N Recreation Dr, Chicago, IL 60613

    Call Website All Chicago

  4. Chicago Water Taxi

    South Branch Chicago River, Chicago, IL 60606

    Call Website All Chicago

  5. Shoreline Water Taxi

    1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

    Call Website All Chicago

Grafton 3

  1. Brussels Ferry

    River Rd, Grafton, IL 62037

    Call All Grafton

  2. Brussels Ferry

    16211 IL-100, Grafton, IL 62037

    Call All Grafton

  3. Grafton Ferry Boat Company

    22 E Main St, Grafton, IL 62037-1165

    Call All Grafton

Moline 2

  1. QC Channel Cat

    1515 River Dr, Moline, IL 61265-1307

    Call Website All Moline

  2. Channel Cat Water Taxi - John Deere Commons

    1415 River Dr, Moline, IL 61265-1305

    Call All Moline

Beardstown 1

  1. Tug Logsdon Service

    400 1/2 W Main St, Beardstown, IL 62618

    Call

Cave-in-Rock 1

  1. Cave-In-Rock Ferry

    IL-1, Cave-in-Rock, IL 62919

    Call

Galena 1

  1. Mississippi Explorer Cruises

    8700 W Chestnut Mountain Rd, Galena, IL 61036

    Call Website All Galena

Kampsville 1

  1. Kampsville Ferry

    Riverfront Dr, Kampsville, IL 62053

    Call

Peoria 1

  1. Riverfront Docks

    100 SW Water St, Peoria, IL 61602-1329

    All Peoria
Book vehicle spots early. Many island and long-distance passenger ferries require advance reservations for cars during peak summer months, while walk-on passengers can often buy tickets at the pier.

Also in Illinois

Good to know

Do I need to arrive early if I already bought a ticket?

Yes, most operators require vehicles to be in the boarding lane 30 to 60 minutes before departure. Walk-on passengers usually need to clear the gate 15 to 20 minutes prior to sailing. Late arrivals risk losing their reserved spot to standby commuters.

Are pets allowed on ferry crossings?

Policies depend on the specific line and duration of the trip. Many passenger ferries allow leashed dogs on exterior decks, while vehicle ferries often require pets to remain inside your personal car during the transit. Always check specific carrier rules before arriving at the terminal.

How much do passenger and vehicle ferry tickets usually cost?

Short commuter water taxis often cost under $10 per passenger. Longer vehicular crossings to islands typically range from $20 to over $100 depending on the size of the vehicle, the number of passengers, and peak seasonal pricing.

How to shrink wrap a boat?

To shrink wrap a boat, cover support structures with protective padding, lay the shrink film across the hull, heat-shrink it with a heat gun, and add ventilation ports. For large vessels or professional weatherproofing in Illinois, check the 15 marine service providers cataloged on MarinaAtlas.

What is a marine survey?

A marine survey is a detailed inspection of a boat's hull, mechanical systems, and overall condition conducted by a certified surveyor. Across Illinois, MarinaAtlas indexes 15 qualified marine operators and survey specialists to assist buyers and insurance companies.