Arriving for Your Ferry Trip | Cape May

Planning Your Trip and Visit to the Cape May - Lewes Ferry Tips and Frequently Asked Questions to Make Your Visit and Trip Even More Enjoyable

Planning a trip along the East Coast or exploring the Jersey Cape, Sussex County, or Ocean City, Maryland? The Cape May–Lewes Ferry offers a relaxing and scenic way to travel north or south along the I-95 corridor while skipping hours of traffic. Whether you’re heading to the beaches of Delaware, historic Cape May, or making your way up the coast, our ferry terminals in Cape May, NJ, and Lewes, DE make it easy to start your journey stress-free.

When you arrive at the Cape May or Lewes Ferry Terminal, you’ll find more than just a place to board the ferry. Both terminals feature restaurants, outdoor seating, walking paths, and beautiful waterfront views, giving you plenty of ways to relax before departure. Travelers can enjoy a meal, take in the scenery, or explore the nearby attractions while waiting for their ferry crossing across the Delaware Bay.

This page, and it’s companion pages, include everything you need to know about arrival times, boarding procedures, and amenities at both terminals, plus frequently asked questions to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. Whether you’re planning a day trip to Cape May, a family getaway to the Delaware Beaches, or looking for a fun alternative to driving the entire I-95 route, the Cape May–Lewes Ferry is your connection to a more scenic and enjoyable East Coast journey.

PLEASE NOTE: Reservations are recommended prior to arriving at either the Cape May Ferry Terminal or the Lewes Ferry Terminal.

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE FERRY

Do I Need to Make a Reservation?

Reservations are strongly recommended for all travel, but not required. Booking in advance guarantees your spot and helps us provide the best service. Book Online or call us at 800.643.3779

When Should I Arrive at the Terminal?

We recommend arriving 45 minutes to one hour before your scheduled departure time.

This allows ample time for:

Vehicle Check-in: At the toll booth.
Foot Passenger Check-in: At the ticket counter inside the terminals.

What if I Just Show Up (Without a Reservation)?

While we always do our best to accommodate walk-ins, space is not guaranteed, especially for larger vehicles.

If space is available, we will try to get you on the next departure.
If the immediate departure is sold out, we will book you on the next available crossing and place you on stand-by for any earlier departures.

How Does Stand By Work?

Availability: Sold on a “first-come, first-served” basis at the Toll Booth only (cannot be booked in advance).
Vehicle Length: Only available for vehicles less than 20 feet in total length. Vehicles longer than 20 feet do not qualify for stand-by.
No Guarantee: A stand-by ticket does not guarantee a reserved space. It means you are waiting in the hopes that reserved customers do not show up, freeing up space. While this often happens, there is no certainty you will get on your desired departure.
Refund Policy: If you do not get on your desired departure(s), you can return to the tollbooth at any time for a full refund, with no fees.
Existing Reservations: If you have an existing reservation for a later departure, you cannot line up in the Stand-By lane without purchasing a separate Stand-By ticket. This would require forfeiting your original reservation (with applicable refund).

Changes to Your Travel Plans? (Late Arrival/Cancellations)

Please notify us as soon as possible if your plans change or if you anticipate being late.

No Fee for Modifications: There is no fee to modify your booking if you contact us in advance of your currently scheduled departure time. Contact Us: Call us at 800.643.3779.
No-Show Policy Applies: Our No-Show policy will apply if you fail to appear for your scheduled departure without prior notification.

Understanding Our No-Show Policy

A “No-Show” occurs when a customer fails to appear for their scheduled departure without prior notification. This results in:

A $26.00 fee.
The cancellation of the missed crossing

To avoid the No-Show fee, please notify us if your travel plans change:

Online: Change your reservation anytime using your Booking Number and Password (from your PDF confirmation) at least 30 minutes in advance of your scheduled departure.
Phone/Chat: Call Customer Service at 1-800-643-3779 or start a chat from CMLF.com between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, seven days a week, at least 30 minutes in advance of your scheduled departure.
Email: Email Customer Service at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled departure.

Why is this important? Many departures sell out in advance. A confirmed guest who does not show up prevents other potential customers from traveling. Please help us facilitate all travelers by advising us of changes!

Book Your Vehicle on the Ferry

Parking at the Terminals

Yes, parking is available (free of charge) at both the Cape May and Lewes terminals.

Parking at the Cape May Ferry Terminal: When arriving at the terminal grounds, stay in the far right-hand lane and follow signs for Foot Passenger Parking. Do not go through the toll booth. Instead, continue along the lane to the right of the toll booths, which leads directly to the terminal’s parking area. Ample parking is available near the terminal.

Parking at the Lewes Ferry Terminal: Access the parking lot using the second entrance on Cape Henlopen Drive—this is not the toll booth entrance. Look for the blue sign marked “Foot Passenger Parking Lot” to guide you in.

Can I Leave My Car Overnight?

Yes, you can leave your car in the ferry parking lot overnight. Registration of the vehicle is required for overnight parking.

Please register your license plate state and number with one of the following:

The Ticket Counter staff inside the terminal during operating hours.
Police personnel in the police building (at either Cape May or Lewes) after hours.

There is no fee for parking. Parking at the Ferry Terminals is always free of charge.