Rottnest Island Ferry
Rottnest Island ferry times: Fremantle about 30 minutes, Hillarys 45, Perth 90. Tickets from US$61, and the admission fee explained (Oct 2026).
The ferry to Rottnest Island takes about 30 minutes from Fremantle, about 45 minutes from Hillarys Boat Harbour north of Perth, and about 90 minutes from Barrack Street Jetty in Perth, which goes down the Swan River first. The simplest ticket with the admission fee included is SeaLink’s Ferry and Admission Ticket from Fremantle: a same-day or extended return, several departure times a day, from US$63 a person (checked October 2026), rated 4.7 from 585 reviews.
The three ports
Fremantle is the shortest crossing, with two operators: SeaLink gives a 30-minute crossing on its listing, and Rottnest Express sails from Northport or B Shed and gives 25 to 45 minutes depending on the departure point. Hillarys Boat Harbour, in Perth’s northern suburbs, is Rottnest Fast Ferries’ port: a 45-minute high-speed crossing, with free coach transfers from selected Perth hotels on some tickets. Barrack Street Jetty in the centre of Perth is the slow, scenic option: about an hour and a half, cruising down the Swan River past Fremantle before heading out to sea.
The tickets, side by side
| Ticket | Port | From (Oct 2026) | Admission fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return ferry, Rottnest Express | Fremantle | US$61 | Not listed |
| Ferry and admission, SeaLink | Fremantle | US$63 | Included |
| Same-day ferry transfer, Rottnest Fast Ferries | Hillarys | US$67 | Included |
| Ferry and admission, SeaLink | Perth | US$94 | Included |
| Return ferry, Rottnest Express | Perth | US$95 | Not listed |
On a phone, swipe the table sideways for the admission-fee column.
How much does the ferry cost?
From about US$61 to US$95 a person for a return on GetYourGuide in October 2026, depending on the port; the longer river trip from Perth costs the most. The figure that matters is whether the admission fee is in it. The Rottnest Island Authority charges every visitor an admission fee, A$21.50 for an adult day visit and A$11 for a child aged 4 to 16 from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and ferry passengers pay it as part of their fare. Three of the tickets above list it as included; the two Rottnest Express return tickets do not mention it in their inclusions, so check before you compare them on price.
Do I need to book in advance?
Book ahead if your day is fixed. The tickets are for a set departure time, and SeaLink says its fares can vary with demand and the time of travel, so the sailing you want is the one to book first; on the day you take what is left. SeaLink’s ticket lets you choose your departure and return times, and one guest this July had to come back early and was allowed onto an earlier boat; another, in April, said the one thing they would change was taking an earlier ferry, because they ran out of time.
Is the crossing rough?
It can be. One guest on the Hillarys boat this October said the ride over “was rough” and praised the crew for looking after passengers; another on SeaLink sat outside on the way back and watched people get soaked by the spray. If you get seasick, sit low and in the middle, and take the shortest crossing from Fremantle. In season you may also see dolphins or a whale: one guest on SeaLink saw a whale on the way in July.
A ferry, or a package?
If you only want the crossing, any of the tickets above does it. If you want a bike as well, the bike and ferry packages cost little more than the ticket alone: Rottnest Fast Ferries’ bike and ferry day from Hillarys is US$87 and SeaLink’s ferry and bike hire from Fremantle is US$89, both with the admission fee. The price guide compares every package.
Pick your crossing:
Ferry and Admission, SeaLink
The shortest crossing, admission fee included.
Check dates →Same-Day Ferry Transfer
Rottnest Fast Ferries, with hotel pickup on some tickets.
See the Hillarys ferry →Bike and Ferry, From Hillarys
The crossing, a bike for the day and the admission fee.
See the bike and ferry day →Prices and review counts as listed on GetYourGuide in October 2026, not a quote.
Check dates and book
The Short Crossing, Admission Included
SeaLink's ferry and admission ticket takes you from Fremantle to Rottnest in about 30 minutes on its newest ferry, with the island admission fee, an onboard bar and wifi, and a choice of departure and return times. Rated 4.7 from 585 reviews, from US$63 a person as of October 2026, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check Fremantle Ferry Dates