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Baltimore, MD, is an incredible coastal city. It is home to the Inner Harbor, which features some iconic establishments, museums, restaurants, and so much more. Visiting Baltimore should be at the top of your list if you’re coming to the beautiful state of Maryland.
Fortunately, getting around Baltimore is easier than ever thanks to the Baltimore Water Taxi, a local service that conveniently ferries people across areas in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. In recent years, there have been efforts to expand it by providing other complementary services and growing the areas it caters to. Overall, it’s a fun, fast, and affordable way to move around the city. Each vessel has been inspected by the US Coast Guard and is operated by licensed captains.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Baltimore Water Taxi.
A Short History of the Baltimore Water Taxi Service
The city’s water taxi service has been around since 1931. It was founded by Edward Kane, a man known for his “unwavering passion for Baltimore.” Because of its founder, the water taxi was initially named Ed Kane’s Water Taxi. His enterprise was sold in 2010 and 2016. It is now owned by Sagamore Ventures and operated by Harbor Boating.
In the beginning, the taxis were mostly used by tourists but several changes have been implemented to make them more practical for everyday commuters. Under its latest management, the service received several upgrades. Most notably, new vessels were purchased. The new taxis are slightly faster (from 6 to 8.5 knots), offer storage for bicycles, and have GPS tracking. Sagamore also introduced plans to extend the service to Port Covington and provide on-demand water taxis.
Different Water Taxi Services
The Baltimore Water Taxi’s most popular service is the Harbor Connector, the name that refers to its mass transit system. However, it also offers at least five other services. Here’s a quick overview of what they are.
Water Taxi
Coming up in April 2024, the Water Taxi will operate like the land-based taxis we use. They’re dedicated watercrafts that can be hired on-demand like Uber. It strives to provide an efficient, affordable, and enjoyable way to navigate the harbor.
Harbor Trolley
Harbor Connector
Harbor Cruise
The Harbor Cruise is a more leisurely ride that will take you around the city’s coastal areas. It offers music, a relaxed ambiance, and scenic views. This cruise is the best option if you’re going on a date or enjoying a day out with family and friends. For $18, per person, you can bring food and drinks onboard.
Private Charter
The private charter is exactly what it sounds like—a private vessel that is exclusively for your use. You can lease it for events like corporate gatherings, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. Rental includes the boat and crew.
Harbor Connector Routes: Baltimore Water Taxi Routes and Baltimore Water Taxi Schedules
Whether you’re a tourist or Baltimore resident, you’ll probably rely on the Harbor Connector at one point or another. With only three routes, the services are straightforward and easy to understand.
Route #1: Maritime Park (Landing 8) and Locust Point (Landing 10)
Vessels travelling from Maritime Park to Locust Point and vice-versa leave every 15 minutes.
- First boat from Maritime Park leaves at 6:00 am
- Last boat from Maritime Park leaves at 7:45 pm
- First boat from Locust Point leaves at 6:07 am
- Last boat from Locust Point leaves at 8:00 pm
Route #2: Canton Waterfront Park (Landing 16) and Locust Point (Landing 10)
The intervals for this route are slightly longer at 30 minutes.
- First boat from Canton leaves at 6:00 am
- Last boat from Canton leaves at 8:00 pm
- First boat from Locust Point leaves at 6:15 am
- Last boat from Locust Point leaves at 7:45 pm
Route #3: Federal Hill (Landing 4) and Pier Five (Landing 5)
Like route #1, you can travel between Federal Hill and Pier 5 through taxis that depart every 15 minutes.
- First boat from Federal Hill leaves at 6:00 am
- Last boat from Federal Hill leaves at 7:45 pm
- First boat from Pier Five leaves at 6:07 am
- Last boat from Pier Five leaves at 8:00 pm
The routes are numbered according to their distances. Hence, the shortest route is the first while the longest route is between Federal Hill and Pier Five
When planning your trip, keep in mind that operations may be suspended because of the weather forecast and/or conditions. All suspensions are communicated via SMS.
Baltimore Water Taxi Tickets
There are different types of tickets you can get. Some of them offer discounts for local residents and frequent passengers. Here are some of the service’s ticket types:
Single-Use Tickets
Adults or those above 13 years old pay $10 each while children from 3 to 12 years pay $8. Infants under three years old ride for free.
One-Trip Tickets
Adults or those above 13 years old pay $10 each while children from 3 to 12 years pay $8. Infants under three years old ride for free.
One-Stop Tickets
One-stop tickets cover one trip to a new stop. It’s $16 for adults and $11 for children.
All-Day Tickets
You can enjoy unlimited rides for one day by paying $20 for adults and $11 for children. First responders and veterans with IDs get a special rate of $16.
Family Pass
Anyone is eligible to purchase this ticket for $64. It’s ideal for groups who want to ride the ferry together. Each pass is good for eight people/rides. You have complete flexibility over which places you want to explore. You can explore Fells Point, the Inner Harbor, or Fort McHenry for its rich history.
Flex Pass
The Flex Pass offers more ride credits than the Family Pass. For $84, you get 12 rides so if you take the water taxi often, you can save a lot by getting this ticket type.
You can buy these tickets upon boarding. Credit cards are accepted.
When in Baltimore, Take the Water Taxi
If you’re visiting Baltimore, you have to ride the water taxi at least once. It’s a beautiful, efficient, and affordable way to see the city from the water. The service will also take you to popular attractions like Fort Mc Henry and the Inner Harbor.
With this guide, you’ll be able to navigate the Baltimore Water Taxi service like a local.
For more guides to Baltimore, check out the rest of our website.
