New London to Orient Point Ferry Time | 80-Minute Crossing

The Cross Sound auto ferry takes about 1 hour 20 minutes; seasonal high-speed passenger boats run in about 45 minutes.

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Use New London to Orient Point Ferry Time as a simple planning rule before you set the rest of the trip: the regular Cross Sound Ferry auto boat takes about 1 hour 20 minutes on the water. The seasonal passenger-only high-speed service cuts the crossing to about 45 minutes, but it runs on selected dates rather than every day.

The bigger timing mistake is not the crossing itself. Vehicles need queue time before departure, high-speed service depends on the date, and the Orient Point end puts you on the North Fork, where summer traffic can slow the last few miles after you leave the boat.

After checking the crossing time, compare the live route options here:

How Long Does The Ferry Take?

The Cross Sound auto ferry takes about 1 hour 20 minutes from New London, Connecticut to Orient Point, New York. The high-speed passenger ferry is shorter, with the current seasonal schedule showing roughly 45 minutes on the water.

For most travelers, the auto ferry is the normal choice because it carries cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and walk-on passengers. The high-speed boat is useful when you are traveling without a vehicle and your date matches one of the colored service days on the seasonal schedule.

• Auto ferry: plan on about 80 minutes dock to dock.
• High-speed passenger ferry: plan on about 45 minutes, plus boarding time.
• Same-day timing: use the live schedule because sailing times change by date and service type.

The ferry is often easier than driving around Long Island Sound through the New York City area, especially if your start or end point is already near eastern Long Island or southeastern Connecticut.

New London To Orient Point Ferry Timing: What Changes By Boat

Cross Sound Ferry timing changes most by boat type and travel date. The auto ferry is the reliable year-round planning baseline, while high-speed service is seasonal and passenger-only.

The table below uses current published fare categories and crossing times so you can decide whether the faster passenger boat, a standard vehicle reservation, or a walk-on ticket fits your trip.

Cross Sound Ferry posts date-specific departures through its official schedule tool, where you choose New London, the travel type, and the exact travel date.

Timing tip: treat the listed crossing time as time on the water. Add check-in, loading, unloading, and the drive from Orient Point if you have a reservation or a timed connection.

When The High-Speed Ferry Makes Sense

The high-speed ferry makes sense when you are traveling without a car and your date has passenger-only service. The high-speed schedule is seasonal, and blank or white dates mean no high-speed sailing on that date.

High-speed service works best for travelers meeting a pickup, taking a taxi or rideshare from Orient Point, or continuing by local transport on the North Fork. It does not solve the trip if you need your own car on Long Island, because the high-speed boat is passenger-only.

The auto ferry is still the safer default when your plan depends on luggage, bikes, beach gear, or a vehicle after arrival. The 35-minute savings from the faster boat can disappear if you spend longer arranging onward transport from Orient Point.

What To Add Before And After The Crossing

The full door-to-door trip is longer than the ferry time because both terminals add small delays. New London has limited paid parking, while Orient Point has free on-site parking on a first-come basis.

Drivers should leave a cushion before departure, especially on Fridays, Sundays, holidays, and summer beach weekends. Walk-on passengers have less loading friction, but the ticket line, parking, and luggage still need time.

• Before departure: arrive early enough to park, check in, and line up without rushing.
• After arrival: expect a few extra minutes to unload vehicles before Route 25 westbound traffic spreads out.
• For rail travelers: New London is the easier end to combine with train service because the ferry terminal sits close to downtown New London.

Where To Stay Near Orient Point After The Ferry

Orient Point is a small ferry landing, so most travelers stay nearby in Greenport, Southold, or another North Fork base. A hotel map is more useful than searching only the terminal name because good lodging can sit a few miles west of the dock.

Use the map below to compare stays near Orient Point and the wider North Fork after you know which ferry time works:

Greenport is usually the easiest base if you want restaurants, wineries, and a walkable harbor after arriving. Southold and Peconic suit quieter stays with short drives to beaches and tasting rooms.

Which Ferry Time Should You Pick?

The auto ferry is the right pick for most travelers because it carries vehicles and runs as the main New London to Orient Point service. The high-speed ferry is the speed pick only when you are a passenger without a car and the seasonal schedule matches your date.

• Pick the auto ferry for flexibility: choose it if you need a car, have luggage, or are continuing around Long Island.
• Pick the high-speed ferry for speed: choose it if you are traveling light and have confirmed a same-day passenger sailing.
• Pick an earlier departure for connections: ferries can be affected by weather, loading, and traffic at either terminal.
• Pick a reservation for vehicle trips: a booked vehicle spot reduces the risk of waiting for a later boat on busy days.

For a simple plan, use 80 minutes as the dependable ferry time, then add your own buffer at both ends. If the high-speed passenger boat is running on your exact date, use 45 minutes as the water-crossing time and confirm the onward ride from Orient Point before you commit to it.