Crossing the Delaware Bay between Cape May, NJ and Lewes, DE in 2026? Cape May-Lewes Ferry rolled out a revised fare structure this year — including good news for families. Here’s exactly what changed and what you’ll pay.
👉 Check live Cape May-Lewes Ferry availability and book on Ferrynav before your trip.
What changed for 2026
The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA), which operates the ferry, introduced its first fare revision in two years for the 2026 season. The headline change: the free-travel window for children ages 6–13 has been extended from October–May (previously November–March) — six months of free child fares instead of five. In-season vehicle fares also increased modestly ($3–$6), and “show-go” non-reserved handling fees and shuttle fares each rose by $2. The Director of Ferry Operations framed the changes as an effort to offset rising fuel and operating costs while making multi-trip and family travel more affordable.
Summer 2026 Passenger Fares (June 1 – August 31)
| Passenger type | One-way | Round trip (Mon–Thu) | Round trip (Weekend/Holiday) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (14–61) | $11.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| Senior (62+) | $9.00 | $16.00 | $16.00 |
| AAA member (adult) | $9.00 | $16.00 | $16.00 |
| Military (ID required) | $9.00 | $16.00 | $16.00 |
| First responder (ID required) | $9.00 | $16.00 | $16.00 |
| Child (6–13) | $3.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Child (under 6) | Free | Free | Free |
👉 Compare these fares against the full Cape May-Lewes Ferry schedule on Ferrynav to find the cheapest sailing time for your dates.
Summer 2026 Vehicle Fares (June 1 – August 31)
Vehicle pricing is given as a base-to-max range and varies by exact length:
| Vehicle type | One-way (Mon–Thu) | One-way (Weekend/Holiday) | Round trip (Mon–Thu) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle / scooter (3-wheel or w/ trailer) | $35–$40 | $36–$41 | $67–$77 |
| Scooter | $18–$21 | $19–$22 | $34–$39 |
| Car, SUV, pick-up (under 20′) | $42–$48 | $45–$52 | $80–$92 |
| Long vehicle (20’–25′) | $48–$55 | $52–$60 | $91–$104 |
| Long vehicle (25’–35′) | $58–$67 | $65–$75 | $110–$127 |
| Long vehicle (35’–45′) | $66–$76 | $74–$85 | $125–$144 |
| Long vehicle (45’–60′) | $81–$93 | $92–$106 | $154–$177 |
| Long vehicle (60’+) | $107–$123 | $123–$141 | $203–$233 |
The crossing itself takes about 85 minutes between Cape May, NJ and Lewes, DE.
Discounts worth knowing about
- AAA members, military, first responders, and seniors (62+) all pay the same reduced $9 one-way fare.
- Children 6–13 travel free between October and May under the new 2026 policy, and pay just $3 one-way the rest of the year.
- Frequent Traveler Books (6-trip or 12-trip bundles) are available for regular riders, purchasable online or by phone.
- Bicyclists pay the standard passenger fare; the bike itself rides free.
Book Your Crossing
With the 2026 fare update now in effect and an extended free-travel window for kids, this is a good year to plan a Cape May–Lewes crossing — especially for families traveling outside peak summer months.
👉 See current Cape May-Lewes Ferry schedules and fares on Ferrynav and book your spot on board.
