Fort Sumter Tours is the only operator providing boat transport to Fort Sumter National Monument, departing from two locations in the Charleston area: Liberty Square in downtown Charleston and Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. The ferry crossing is combined with a guided National Park Service ranger tour of the fort. This guide covers departure times, ticket prices, how to reach both boarding points, parking, what to expect on board and at the fort, accessibility, and practical tips for the visit.
To reserve your spot, book your Fort Sumter tour online.
Updated May 2026. Since 1 December 2025, Fort Sumter Tours no longer accepts cash at ticket windows or on board any vessel. Cards only. Any guide stating that cash is accepted is out of date. Additionally, restrooms at Fort Sumter itself are currently out of service; restrooms are available on the ferry boat, which remains docked at the fort throughout your visit.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Operator | Fort Sumter Tours (NPS concessioner). |
| Departure point 1 | Fort Sumter Visitor Center, Liberty Square, 340 Concord St, Charleston, South Carolina 29401 |
| Departure point 2 | Patriots Point, 40 Patriots Point Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 |
| Crossing duration | Approx. 30 minutes each way |
| Total tour duration | Approx. 2 hours 15 minutes (including 60 minutes at the fort) |
| Adult fare | $43.00 |
| Senior / active military fare | $39.00 |
| Child fare (ages 4–11) | $26.00 |
| Children 3 and under | Free |
| Payment methods | Credit and debit cards only (no cash since 1 December 2025) |
| National Parks Pass | Does not apply to this ferry |
| Pets permitted | No |
| Phone | 1-800-789-3678 · local: 843-722-2628 |
Fort Sumter ferry timetable
Departures run daily from both locations. Times vary by season.
Liberty Square (downtown Charleston)
| Season | Departure times |
|---|---|
| 2 Jan – 26 Feb | 11:00 am · 2:00 pm |
| 27 Feb – 28 Nov | 9:30 am · 12:00 pm · 2:45 pm |
| 29 Nov – 24 Dec | 11:00 am · 2:00 pm |
| 26 Dec – 31 Dec | 9:30 am · 12:00 pm · 2:45 pm |
Patriots Point (Mount Pleasant)
| Season | Departure times |
|---|---|
| 2 Jan – 26 Feb | 12:30 pm |
| 27 Feb – 28 Nov | 10:45 am · 1:30 pm |
| 29 Nov – 24 Dec | 12:30 pm |
| 26 Dec – 31 Dec | 10:45 am · 1:30 pm |
Boats depart promptly. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your booked departure. The Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square is open 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Confirm the current schedule before travelling, as times are subject to change. Note: the Patriots Point location cannot accommodate wheelchairs or scooters — wheelchair users should book via Liberty Square.
Fort Sumter ferry fares and how to book
Fares are $43 for adults, $39 for seniors and active military, $26 for children aged 4–11, and free for children aged 3 and under. These fares are set by and approved by the National Park Service. Tickets can be bought online.
The America the Beautiful National Parks Pass does not apply to this ferry. This includes Interagency Senior, Access, Military, 4th Grade, and Annual passes. The ferry fee must be paid in full regardless of pass held.
Tickets can be booked online at fortsumtertours.com, by phone on 1-800-789-3678, or in person at either departure point. Advance online booking is strongly recommended, as tours regularly sell out. Walk-in tickets may be available on quieter days, but availability is not guaranteed.
Payment is by credit or debit card only at all ticket windows and on board. Cash is not accepted since 1 December 2025.
Cancellation policy: Tickets are fully refundable if cancelled at least two hours before departure. Cancellations within two hours of departure are non-refundable; however, the operator may allow a date transfer — call 843-722-2628 to discuss.
Fares were verified on the official Fort Sumter Tours website and last updated in May 2026.
Five great things to do in Charleston
- ⛴️ Enjoy a luxury dinner cruise – on Charleston Harbour with live music.
- 🏰 Take the ferry to Fort Sumter – where the American Civil War started.
- 🍴 Taste the best of the French Quarter – on a food tour with multiple tastings.
- 🐎 Take a horse-drawn carriage ride – past historic mansions, churches and sights.
- 📚 Guided by a professor of history – enjoy an absorbing historical walking tour.
How to get to the Fort Sumter ferry departure points
Liberty Square, downtown Charleston
The Fort Sumter Visitor Center is at 340 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401, adjacent to the South Carolina Aquarium on the waterfront.
By car: Follow signs for the South Carolina Aquarium from I-26 or US-17. The Aquarium Parking Garage is directly adjacent to the Visitor Center.
By foot or cycle: Liberty Square is in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, within easy walking distance of most downtown hotels and the French Quarter.
By rideshare: Uber and Lyft serve the Aquarium/Liberty Square address directly.
Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant
Patriots Point is at 40 Patriots Point Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge from downtown Charleston.
By car: From downtown Charleston, cross the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge on US-17 North, then take the Patriots Point Road exit immediately after the bridge. From I-526, take the US-17 South exit towards Charleston and follow signs for Patriots Point.
By rideshare: Uber and Lyft serve Patriots Point. There is no public bus route to Patriots Point.
Parking at Fort Sumter ferry departure points
Liberty Square parking
The Aquarium Parking Garage at 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, is directly adjacent to the Visitor Center. This is a pay car park operated independently of Fort Sumter Tours. It fills quickly, particularly on weekends and in summer. Allow extra time for parking and plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure.
Patriots Point parking
Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum has an adjacent pay car park. It is generally less congested than the Liberty Square garage, making it a practical option for visitors arriving by car during peak season. Note that Patriots Point cannot accommodate wheelchairs or scooters.
What to expect on board and at the fort
On the boat
The crossing takes approximately 30 minutes each way. The tour boats — the Spirit of the Lowcountry and Spirit of Charleston — have indoor seating and open deck space. A concession on board sells drinks and snacks, including healthier options. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are permitted on board but are not allowed inside the fort’s museum. Outside alcohol is not permitted. Beer and wine are available to purchase on the return trip only. Water bottle filling stations are available on both primary vessels. Smoking is not permitted on any vessel or at the fort.
At Fort Sumter
Upon arrival, National Park Service rangers provide a guided programme and answer questions about Fort Sumter’s role in the American Civil War. Visitors have approximately 60 minutes at the fort. The site includes the fort’s historic walls and gun emplacements, a museum, and a bookshop operated by America’s National Parks.
No food is permitted on the fort grounds. The fort’s own restrooms are currently out of service; restrooms are available on the ferry boat, which remains docked throughout the visit. A lift provides access to the museum, bookshop, and the top level of the fort. In summer, lightning within 10 miles of the fort closes the observation deck; visitors shelter in the museum or on the ferry until conditions clear.
Accessibility at Fort Sumter
The Liberty Square boarding ramp can accommodate manual and electric wheelchairs and scooters in most conditions, though this cannot be guaranteed in extreme tide situations. Patriots Point cannot accommodate wheelchairs or scooters — wheelchair users must use the Liberty Square departure point.
The tour boats are equipped with a lift and accessible restrooms. The fort has a lift providing access to the museum, bookshop, and the top level. Call 843-722-2628 on the day of your visit to confirm current accessibility conditions before travelling. Pets are not permitted on board or at the fort. Concealed weapons are not permitted on any vessel.
How long to allow for the Fort Sumter tour
The total tour time is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes: 30 minutes by boat to the fort, 60 minutes at the fort, and 30 minutes returning by boat. Factor in arrival time — at least 30 minutes before departure for check-in — and parking at Liberty Square. A full visit from arrival at Liberty Square to return takes around 3 hours in total.
Practical tips for the Fort Sumter ferry
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book online in advance | Tours sell out regularly, particularly from late February through November. Online booking is the only reliable way to guarantee a place on a specific departure. |
| Cards only — no cash accepted | Since 1 December 2025, no cash is accepted at ticket windows or on board. Bring a credit or debit card. |
| Arrive early at Liberty Square | The adjacent Aquarium Parking Garage fills quickly on weekends. Allow 30–45 minutes for parking and check-in on top of your planned departure time. |
| Consider Patriots Point to avoid downtown traffic | If arriving by car, Patriots Point parking is less congested than Liberty Square. Be aware it is not accessible for wheelchair users or scooters. |
| Do not bring food for the fort | No food is permitted on the fort grounds. Eat on board before disembarking. The boat concession has drinks and snacks, or bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks to consume on the boat. |
Frequently asked questions about the Fort Sumter ferry
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does the National Parks Pass cover the Fort Sumter ferry? | No. The America the Beautiful pass and all Interagency passes — including Senior, Military, 4th Grade, and Annual passes — do not apply. The full ferry fare must be paid by all visitors regardless of pass held. |
| How long is the Fort Sumter tour in total? | Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes: 30 minutes each way by boat and 60 minutes at the fort. Allow around 3 hours from arrival at the departure point to return. |
| Can I buy a Fort Sumter ticket on the day? | Walk-in tickets are sometimes available, but tours frequently sell out. Booking online in advance is strongly recommended, particularly from March through November. |
| Can I board at Liberty Square and return to Patriots Point, or vice versa? | No. You must return to the same departure point you boarded from. Choose your boarding location before booking and plan accordingly. |
| Is the Fort Sumter tour running on Christmas Day? | No. The tour does not operate on Christmas Day (25 December). It operates on 26–31 December with the full peak-season timetable. Check the schedule at fortsumtertours.com for exact dates. |
Other things to do near Liberty Square, Charleston
South Carolina Aquarium — Located directly beside the Liberty Square departure point, with native fish, sea turtles, and touch tanks; a practical add-on before or after the ferry, particularly for families with children.
The Battery and White Point Garden — A historic promenade and park at the southern tip of the Charleston Peninsula, approximately 10 minutes on foot from Liberty Square, with harbour views and Fort Sumter visible in the distance.
Charleston City Market — A covered historic market approximately 10 minutes on foot from Liberty Square, with local crafts, food stalls, and sweetgrass basket weavers; open daily.
Fort Moultrie, Sullivan’s Island — The partner site to Fort Sumter within the same National Historical Park, accessible by car on Sullivan’s Island, approximately 20 minutes from downtown Charleston; covers three centuries of US coastal defence history.
Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum — Located at the Mount Pleasant departure point, this museum includes the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, a destroyer, and a submarine, and can be combined with a morning Fort Sumter departure from the same car park.
Other historic ferry and boat crossings in the Southeast
Cumberland Island Ferry, Georgia — A passenger-only NPS concession ferry from St. Marys, GA to Cumberland Island National Seashore, a wild barrier island with wild horses, Carnegie mansion ruins, and 18 miles of undeveloped beach; crossing time approximately 45 minutes.
Bald Head Island Ferry, North Carolina — A passenger-only ferry from Southport, NC to the car-free Bald Head Island, with a historic lighthouse, Gulf Stream beaches, and golf cart transport on the island; crossing time approximately 20 minutes.
Ocracoke Ferry, North Carolina — A free North Carolina DOT vehicle and passenger ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks; crossing time approximately 60 minutes.
Caladesi Island Ferry, Florida — A passenger ferry from Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin, FL to the undeveloped Caladesi Island State Park; crossing time approximately 15–20 minutes; tickets sold in person only.
Savannah Belles Ferry, Georgia — A free passenger ferry crossing the Savannah River between downtown Savannah and Hutchinson Island, operated by Chatham Area Transit; useful for visitors exploring the Savannah waterfront on foot.
More South Carolina travel
Other South Carolina travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to Cowpens National Battlefield in Gaffney.
- What you need to know before visiting the Nathaniel Russell House Museum in Charleston.
- Guides to historic plantations around Charleston: Boone Hall, Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place.
- The best places to see dolphins in South Carolina.
- Key information for visiting the Harbour Town Lighthouse on Hilton Head Island.
