Sandbanks Ferry
Sandbanks Ferry
4.5
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- The_Concierge_8Trinidad and Tobago3,781 contributionsThe most amazing experience riding the ferry on the top of a double decker Purbeck Breezer bus!Riding this ferry was the highlight of our ride on the Purbeck Breezer No. 50 bus from Swanage to Bournemouth. The bus ride is spectacular and should be an activity in itself. You can never be sure how long the journey will take you so be patient as it all depends on the line of traffic queueing to pay for the ferry and then waiting to board the amazing chain ferry for the short ride over to Sandbanks. I have never been on one of these on top of a double decker bus in my life. Certainly one for the memory box!Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 April 2024
- ericIckenham, United Kingdom161 contributionsShort tripInteresting experience and relatively painless. Shortish queue but in tourist season, I think we were just lucky that day. No frills trip across the bay (about 5 minutes) and saved us a fair bit of driving time. The staff we interacted with were friendly and all went smoothly.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 September 2024
- Karen CShillington, United Kingdom354 contributionsGood value for moneyUsed the Chain Ferry a couple of times whilst staying at Sandbanks and enjoyed the journey each time. Amazing value for money at only £1 return (pay from Sandbanks to Shell Bay but not the other way) for foot passengers. Great views during the crossing and not long to wait for the ferry due to the regularity of the crossings.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 September 2024
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4.5
1,487 reviews
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68
A K Swanage
3 contributions
Apr 2020
We purchased a pass for ferry travel yesterday at a cost of £170. Today we are told that as from tonight all ferry crossings will be suspended for an indefinite period. Why sell passes to local residents whilst knowing that the ferry service is going to be stopped?
This service ceased to operate for two months last winter and a further 3 months during the summer. During these times we held on to our books of tickets instead of taking refunds to try to support the service.once the service was reinstated we found that ticket books were now being sold at a cheaper price than the one we had paid for in advance.
Key workers rely on this service, are working very hard under difficult circumstances and do not need the added stress of a longer journey to work I feel very let down by this company, the least they could do for local people is to keep the service running.as some recompense for the disruption we suffered last year.
This service ceased to operate for two months last winter and a further 3 months during the summer. During these times we held on to our books of tickets instead of taking refunds to try to support the service.once the service was reinstated we found that ticket books were now being sold at a cheaper price than the one we had paid for in advance.
Key workers rely on this service, are working very hard under difficult circumstances and do not need the added stress of a longer journey to work I feel very let down by this company, the least they could do for local people is to keep the service running.as some recompense for the disruption we suffered last year.
Written 20 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blossomrouge
117 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
we had to wait a little while as the ferry was over the other side. We had bought fish n chips in Poole to eat over on studland and watch the sun go down. It was £4.50 one way for a car (I think this is possibly the most expensive crossing for such a short distance)
It would have been good to know roughly how long until we would be travelling over as the fish n chips were nearly cold by time we had parked up and sat on studland beach. (We could have eaten them in the car instead). That aside the crossing was smooth and well organised.
It would have been good to know roughly how long until we would be travelling over as the fish n chips were nearly cold by time we had parked up and sat on studland beach. (We could have eaten them in the car instead). That aside the crossing was smooth and well organised.
Written 10 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
w0tcha
Ampthill, UK582 contributions
Jun 2022
If you are in the area, you've really got to do the chain link ferry. Yes it costs £5 per car each way (pay on exit at Studland side) and it is only a matter of minutes to complete the crossing, but it is still worth it. If you are going from Poole to Purbeck, it saves you quite a long drive.
Loading and unloading is all very efficient. One disappointment is you have to remain in your cars, so unless you are in the front few rows of cars you won't see much during the crossing. A tip might be to leave your car and board the open-top bus which goes back and forth (oh and sit upstairs of course) to get a better view.
Loading and unloading is all very efficient. One disappointment is you have to remain in your cars, so unless you are in the front few rows of cars you won't see much during the crossing. A tip might be to leave your car and board the open-top bus which goes back and forth (oh and sit upstairs of course) to get a better view.
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pozzza
Stoke-on-Trent, UK183 contributions
Sept 2020
We used the ferry after doing some research & wanting to see some attractions either side of the coast. Firstly, I was warned about the queues - wow, even out of season these were bad! I'd hate to try this in peaks season. People blocking residents drives, engines polluting, horrendous! The trip itself was slick, a good price & saves lots of time driving around the coast.
Written 15 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stewart C
Chatham, UK1,110 contributions
Aug 2022
We used the Sandbanks ferry after a day out in the Swanage area returning to our accommodation in Poole. We chose to use the ferry, rather than the perhaps more direct route via the roads to amuse our grandchildren. The ferry is a ‘chain’ ferry, meaning that it operates by pulling on a continuous chain moored either side of the mouth to Poole Harbour, and moving it across and you can hear the chain passing through the machinery. There is a fee payable for using it, for a private car we paid £5, and it runs frequently throughout the day. Unfortunately, passengers are not allowed to alight from their vehicles whilst on the ferry so we missed the views, but nevertheless, we all enjoyed our short nautical journey and it gave the grandchildren another holiday experience.
Written 21 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fauchards
WGC - Hertfordshire226 contributions
Apr 2022
Staying in Poole for a few days, we took the ferry to visit Swanage, quicker and more scenic than inland.
Queue was short and did not have to wait long for ferry which was on its way back. Trip is short, quick and well organized for on and off loading.
When you disembark, you then join a queue to pay for your trip, £5 one way for a car. Other ferries I have been on they collect the money on ship. Since you are sitting there its much easier and quicker this way - just a suggestion.
Otherwise it was a lovely trip and we used it later that day when we returned.
Queue was short and did not have to wait long for ferry which was on its way back. Trip is short, quick and well organized for on and off loading.
When you disembark, you then join a queue to pay for your trip, £5 one way for a car. Other ferries I have been on they collect the money on ship. Since you are sitting there its much easier and quicker this way - just a suggestion.
Otherwise it was a lovely trip and we used it later that day when we returned.
Written 7 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob
St. Neots, UK255 contributions
Oct 2022
We have used the ferry before, several years ago, and it is very busy in peak season and times. However, we decided to use it on the morning of 6/10/2022 to save the long and time consuming drive to get from Studland to Sandbanks on our way home from our holiday. We only had to wait a few minutes to drive on and the crossing here was worth the £5 fare to avoid the long drive. Friendly staff and they just waved us on to park where we wanted to as we were only 4th in the queue.
Written 10 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tad666
Essex, England387 contributions
Jun 2022
If you are just visiting Studland then Sandbanks Chain Ferry is what you should be using, for me I was 6 mile from the ferry so to travel to Studland I would have had to drive 15 mile to get to Studland. I know it cost a £5 note each way but that 30 mile round trip could take over two hours depending on traffic. Use it as it is an experience.
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bibby70
London, UK17 contributions
Jul 2020
We went to Swanage.Crossing does not take long and the price is included in the bus fare.
50 bus takes you there and if you get the breezer you can go upstairs
And it's open air view which is lovely on a sunny day. Get a bus fare return
as cheaper and ask for the one that does all Bournemouth.
50 bus takes you there and if you get the breezer you can go upstairs
And it's open air view which is lovely on a sunny day. Get a bus fare return
as cheaper and ask for the one that does all Bournemouth.
Written 12 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jazz Gumbo
London, UK872 contributions
Aug 2022
Incredibly efficient & well run service, very simple hop on hop off with payment made at Studland side (which can cause hold up at busy times. A remarkable piece of engineering to enjoy. If you have the time its an enjoyable shortcut but I would imagine at peak times there could be some wait.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am due to go to Poole Stadium and thinking about a trip as a foot passenger to Sandbanks. Where do I go please?
Written 3 May 2022
how and where do you pay? thanks
Written 3 September 2020
At the booth if on foot (or on the ferry if it’s a late/night crossing). Cars pay at the toll booth on the Swanage side after driving off.
Written 4 September 2020
Is it possible to experience politeness from Toll Booth Operators?
Written 15 April 2019
I’d disagree. Sure the conditions they work in are not always conducive to good humour, but I get pleasant reactions each time. Maybe it’s because I say hi with a smile, have the right money available and talk with them sometimes, regardless of how long I’ve had to wait or the conditions.
Written 4 September 2019
Could I go on the ferry from the Sandbanks side, park for free in the Studland car park as an NT member, return over on the ferry as a foot passenger to take the Brownsea island boat from the Sandbanks side? A bit long-winded but still very pleasant on a nice day.
So the car park is BEFORE the 4.50 car charge blockade?
Thanks.
Karen
Written 6 September 2018
Hi, normally yes but unfortunately the ferry is out of action at the moment and won't be fixed until October. You'd have to drive round via Wareham, Corfe to get round to Studland.
There's plenty of parking near Poole Quay where you can catch boats to Brownsea or Swanage which are both nice days out.m
Written 7 August 2019
In Peak season why is only one toll in operation after you come off the ferry. There is alway a gate not in use. So after waiting ages to get on the ferry you then have to wait ages to get off and through the toll gate. Silly when it could be twice as quick. It actually added a extra hour onto our journey. Why is it never more than one toll at a time?
Written 13 July 2018
Yes the council are too tight to employ anyone else.
Written 23 July 2019
Is this the best way to take the ferry? We are two elderly (but able) persons going to Sandbanks by bus.
It looks straightforward enough.
Written 29 June 2018
Yes Bus 50 takes you across on the Ferry and you can get off just on the other side for the long stretch of beaches or carry on the bus for further drop off points with access to Middle Beach and Knolle Beach which are further up.
Written 29 June 2018
Does this go to brownsea island?
Written 24 September 2017
A Tripadvisor member
Sorry for a late reply from me but to anyone else interested be aware that once the boat drops you off at Brown Sea Island you then have to pay again if you wish to enter the island. There is also part which is owned by national trust and you have to pay again if you are not a member and wish to enter that part.
Written 4 January 2018
A large public car park is available towards the end of Sandbanks, and metered parking along the road Poole bay side. A very limited metered parking area in front of the Haven Hotel/Ferry loading/drop off including mobility bays for blue badge holders. Street parking near the Ferry otherwise is very restricted. Hope this helps
Written 20 July 2017
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