City Cruises Salem High Speed Ferry to/from Boston
Overview
Available languages
50 minutes
Mobile ticket
Make the most of your time in Boston or Salem, Massachusetts with this high-speed ferry service. Travel in speed and style aboard a comfortable catamaran with your ticket, letting you visit two of Massachusetts’ most famous and historic stops. This swift boat ride is the best and fastest way to get you where you want to go!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For Round Trip, you will need to purchase two separate one way tickets - one departing from Boston and one departing from Salem.
Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure. Guests must arrive early, as late arrivals will likely miss the boat.
Infants are REQUIRED to have a ticket.
Not recommended for guests prone to motion sickness.
What To Expect
Why settle for one great Massachusetts-city when you can experience two? Take the high-speed ferry between Salem and Boston to experience two of the state’s most historic cities. Admire rich landscapes dotted with beautiful homes, fishing boats, and lighthouses as you’re whisked away to Salem or Boston, depending on your departure location. With twin diesel engines that propel you at a top speed of 33 knots, you’ll arrive at your destination in under an hour. This 149-passenger vessel features a comfortable indoor-lounge and outdoor lower and upper decks, where you can admire picturesque views and feel the refreshing wind on your face. The on-board galley offers a variety of breakfast and lunch items such as sandwiches, snacks, hot dogs and pretzels, as well as beverages such as coffee, sodas, juice, sports drinks, beer, wine and top-shelf cocktails. Three restrooms are available for your convenience. Once in Salem, you'll be in walking distance to some of the city's best attractions such as the House of Seven Gables and the Peabody Essex Museum. In Boston, it's an easy stride from the dock to the New England Aquarium, the Old North Church, Quincy Market and much more. For round trip, you will need to purchase two separate one way tickets - one departing from Boston and one departing from Salem.
Options
One-Way Ticket from Salem
This ticket includes One-Way service from Salem, MA to Boston only.
One-Way Ticket from Boston
This ticket includes One-Way service from Boston to Salem, MA only.
What‘s Included
Skip the summer and Halloween traffic
High-Speed Ferry to or from Salem
Restroom on board
See the stunning views of the skyline during your sail
Food & beverage (available for purchase on board)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
735 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great ferry to salem
brian l,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Professionally crewed and beautifully maintained. Nice zippy 28 kt tribe on a very stable catamaran.
Beyond Horrible customer service
Angela H,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00I booked a one-way ticket from Boston to Salem. My pick up location was Boston. When I got to the Boston ferry, they said my ticket was a one-way from Salem to Boston. They could not help me because I reserved through a third-party company, also known as yours truly Viator! I spent an hour on hold trying to talk to someone with customer service to easily swap my location and they would not do it. My pick up location was Boston and they even recognized that but did nothing to fix it! Instead of going through a third-party like Viator, just go to the Boston or Salem ferry location and buy the tickets in person so you don’t get screwed and have to be on hold for over an hour and waste your time, dealing with imbeciles when you could’ve been enjoying your amazing vacation!
First trip
Amanda C,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful ride. Fantastic staff. This was such a great way to travel from Boston to Salem. Can't wait to do it again!
Good transport option
Kathy M,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The ferry was great and left right on time however we were promised a guided commentary and didn't get one! Disappointed as we have never been here before and didn't know what we were looking at from the boat
Ferry or Train??
Debbie G,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We took the train to Salem and the ferry back. It was a nice change of pace and an opportunity to see more of Boston.
Day trip
Laura H,Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really pleasant staff but we unfortunately booked via Trip Advisor and the cruise on Sunday 2nd November was cancelled. The company contacted Trip Advisor in advance but we were not notified by Trip Advisor. The company had a friendly representative there to explain incase we were unaware. Book directly with the cruise company because we would have been given a refund straight away. As yet we are still to get payment of $71 back from Trip Advisor
Not happy
Nancy M,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00You cancelled our trip to Salem after we planned this out for months! Had to find alternate transportation. Not happy! 😡
Beautiful views & guided trip
Eszter N,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Had a great time,spcial thanks to Donald :) thank you for your commentary about Boston and Salem. Mark&Eszter from Dublin
Excellent modern ferry...
Andrew D,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent modern ferry with three levels and outdoor seating. They have coffee, drinks and snacks on board. We took the ferry to Salem and had an excellent explanation of Boston Bay by the concierge on the way out.
Ferry ride from Boston to Salem
Bridgette B,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Was nice scenic ride to Salem! Very comfortable. The guide gave a lot of interesting facts about Salem on our trip there. Would definitely do again!
Related Experiences
Operated by Boston Harbor City Cruises