Manly ferry cost and timetable from Circular Quay, Sydney
The Manly Ferry cost is a fraction of what you’d pay for a Sydney Harbour cruise ticket. One way fares from Circular Quay to Manly cost $8.04 if paid with an Opal Card or contactless credit card.
- The prices in this article were checked and updated on March 9, 2024.
Taking a Sydney Harbour cruise is one thing most visitors want to do while in Australia’s largest city. Sailing past the Sydney Harbour islands, Opera House and Harbour Bridge, while spotting kayakers and swimming beaches is tremendously enjoyable.
There are several cruise companies that will gladly take your money for a Sydney Harbour boat trip, but the cheap way of sailing on Sydney Harbour is taking a ferry ride.
Top Manly activities: 1. Snorkelling tours. 2. Stand-up paddleboard hire. 3. Kayaking tours. 4. Nature walks. 5. Bike tours.
The New South Wales capital has a hardy fleet of yellow and green ferries. From Circular Quay at Sydney Cove, the ferries head all over the harbour. Destinations include Taronga Zoo on the Taronga ferry, scenic flight departure point Rose Bay and picturesque Watsons Bay.
Manly ferry cost: Why take the Circular Quay to Manly Ferry?
But easily the most popular Sydney Harbour ferry route is to North Shore beachside suburb Manly. Manly has the beaches, plus plenty of places to eat and drink. But, more importantly, the half hour ferry journey from Circular Quay to Manly crosses much of the harbour, allowing for plenty of sightseeing on the way.
The Manly Ferry cost is a fraction of the price of a Sydney Harbour cruise ticket. But exactly how much the Circular Quay to Manly ferry will cost depends on when you buy the ticket and how you pay for it. Public transport pricing in Sydney is phenomenally, and unnecessarily, confusing.
For the Sydney Ferries services, the key thing to know is the distance you’re planning to travel. Fares are broken into two zones – 0 to 9km, or 9km+. A single use ticket for the Manly Ferry using the Sydney Ferries service falls into the 9km+ fare zone. So if you buy it from a ticket machine or counter at Circular Quay, it will cost $10.20 one way.
Manly Ferry fares and departure wharf
However, this is the daft way to do it, as the Manly Ferry cost is $8.49 with an Opal Card. The Opal Card is Sydney’s equivalent of London’s Oyster Card, and it is just as redundant.
Tap with a contactless credit card or debit card, and the one way fare from Circular Quay to Manly is $8.49.
At least with Sydney ferry prices you don’t have to worry about peak and off-peak fares, like you do with buses, trains and light rail.
Manly Ferry timetable
According to the Manly Ferry timetable, the Manly Ferry departs from Circular Quay every 20 minutes. The first departure of the day is at 05.30.
The Manly Ferries depart from Wharf 3 at Circular Quay, but there is added confusion in the form of the privately-operated Manly Fast Ferry. The Manly Fast Ferries depart from Wharf 2 at Circular Quay, and take just 18 to 20 minutes to complete the journey across Sydney Harbour to Manly. Adult one way fares on the Manly Fast Ferry cost the same as on the normal ferry.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
Things to do in Manly
Things to do in Manly include snorkelling tours, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking tours around the cove beaches, self-guided bike tours and nature walks.
Manly experiences to book before you arrive
- Northern Beaches and Ku-Ring-Gai National Park guided tour – enjoy the best of northern Sydney.
- Manly and Shelly Beach snorkelling tour – discover Sydney’s secret underwater world.
- Stand-up paddleboard hire – glide along the harbour.
- Self-guided bike tour – visit several gorgeous spots on two wheels.
- Single kayak or double kayak hire – paddle yourself to hidden harbour beaches.
Manly accommodation picks
There is a good range of accommodation in Manly, but the top choices are…
- For a well-equipped aparthotel: Quest Manly.
- For heritage and character: Q Station.
- For good value by the beach: Manly Paradise Motel and Apartments.
- For budget travellers: Stoke Beach House.
- For something a bit more deluxe: Sebel Manly Beach.
If you found this guide useful, please consider booking your accommodation and tours through the links to Wotif and Viator below.
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