Parramatta ferry in Sydney: Cheap Parramatta River cruise cost

The Parramatta ferry in Sydney takes in Sydney Harbour Bridge, Cockatoo Island and Sydney Olympic Park on its 1h26m journey from Circular Quay. These budget Parramatta River cruises are a cheap alternative to a Sydney Harbour cruise.

The green and yellow ferries crossing Sydney Harbour are rightly a tourist staple. The Sydney Harbour ferries are a cheap way to see one of the most beautiful natural harbours on earth.

For most visitors to Sydney, the ferry of choice will be the Manly ferry, or perhaps those going to Watsons Bay and the Taronga ferry to Taronga Zoo. These are all excellent choices that you’re only likely to regret if it’s heaving down with rain.

13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

(💲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.

But if you want to get your money’s worth, then the best ferry to get in Sydney is the Parramatta ferry. The ferry from Circular Quay to Parramatta travels in the other direction – west from the city. The Parramatta River Cat journey starts by going past the Sydney Opera House on one side and the Rocks on the other, but then turns west to go under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Parramatta River cruise on the cheap with the Parramatta ferry

From there, the Parramatta ferry makes its way to the Parramatta River – which feeds into Sydney Harbour. This budget Parramatta River cruise stops at several places on the way to Parramatta, making it much quicker to go by train. But the Circular Quay to Parramatta ferry journey usually lasts an hour and 26 minutes, should you fancy a substantial cruise through Sydney on the cheap.

The ferry to Parramatta usually stops at Barangaroo, Cockatoo Island, Drummoyne, Huntley’s Point, Chiswick, Abbotsford, Cabarita, Kissing Point, Meadowbank, Sydney Olympic Park and Rydalmere, before terminating at Parramatta. Of these stops, Cockatoo Island and Sydney Olympic Park are the most interesting. Cockatoo Island is the largest Sydney Harbour Island, and has plenty of convict-era history. Sydney Olympic Park is home to the 2000 Olympic Stadium, where the adventurous can take on the gantry tour.

Parramatta ferry timetable issues

The Parramatta ferry is generally too slow for commuters, but the issue for tourists is timetabling. Earlier in the day, there’s usually one Parramatta River Cat service per hour. But the Parramatta ferry timetable grinds to a stop in the late afternoon.

Nevertheless, a Parramatta River cruise on the Rivercat catamaran is a thoroughly enjoyable way of seeing stretches of the city most overlook. There are also plenty of things to do in Parramatta – make a visit to historic site Elizabeth Farm top of the list.

Parramatta ferry fare prices

The Parramatta ferries are marked with F3. A one way ticket costs $7.65 using an Opal card or contactless credit card. To plan a journey, check out the Transport NSW website. The Parramatta weather is usually a couple of degrees hotter than Sydney’s – avoid visiting on a really hot day.