Horne’s Ferry back on the water for 2023
Horne’s Ferry — which runs between Wolfe Island’s Point Alexandria and Cape Vincent, New York, on the US side of the border — has finally reopened this week for the first time since shutting down in October of 2022.
Reached for comment, George Horne, owner of the ferry operation, said he had no comments as to the reasons for the delayed reopening, but that he is happy to be welcoming travellers aboard once again.
The Ferry runs daily on an hourly schedule from 8 a.m. to 7:30 pm depending, according to Horne, making additional trips if traffic requires it. The plan is for the ferry to run for the rest of the season until October 15, 2023.
“It was a big day for ferries, because Hornes Ferry ran for the first time!” Frontenac Islands Mayor Judy Greenwood-Speers said, referring to the fact the new Wolfe Islander IV and Hornes Ferry both had their first run with vehicles aboard on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023.
“Now we have an international ferry running… it will be great if we have enough capacity, getting back and forth through the island, because bringing the American tours and having people float through, we need to make sure we have two boats running,” she continued, referring to a need for a two-ferry system for Wolfe Island-Kingston travel.
Online reaction to the reopening of Horne’s Ferry service was extremely positive. Horne’s Ferry Facebook page commenters cheered the reopening by the hundreds: “Great news and hoping all goes well for a consistent running going forward. Such a well-needed service for the area. Best of luck!” said one commenter while another wrote “Thank God! You don’t know how bad we missed you. Yippee,” echoing the sentiments of many others who lamented the extra hours they had needed to drive to cross the border while the ferry was closed.
Many online were already making plans to travel from New York to Kingston by bike and by car, planning birthday outings and other celebrations in Kingston and on Wolfe Island. One man made his priorities very clear, writing, “Yay can’t wait for beer in Kingston, Canada!”
The Horne’s Ferry Facebook page has not been updated to reflect any new fees beyond 2022.
The prices for the 2022 Season were:
- $30 CAD Car and Driver
- $2 Additional Vehicle Passengers
- $25 US Car and Driver
- $2 Additional Vehicle Passengers
- $10 CAD/US Motorcycle $5 Bicycle and Walk-On
- $5 for all vehicles (and their passengers) upon returning in the same day
The most up-to-date information on Horne’s Ferry online can be found on the Horne’s Ferry Facebook page.