Sandbanks to Studland Ferry
Board at Sandbanks and arrive at Shell Bay, the gateway to Studland village, its beaches and the Purbeck coast.
Route details
Poole Harbour · Dorset · United Kingdom
Sandbanks Ferry — Crossing & Travel Guide
Your guide to the Sandbanks chain ferry connecting Sandbanks, Shell Bay and Studland in Dorset.
About the crossing
About Sandbanks Ferry
The Sandbanks Ferry is one of the best-known short crossings on the south coast of England. A flat-decked chain ferry, it shuttles back and forth across the narrow entrance to Poole Harbour, linking the Sandbanks peninsula on the Poole side with Shell Bay on the Studland peninsula.
A vehicle ferry has worked this crossing since the 1920s, when a private company was formed to build a road and ferry link between Bournemouth and Swanage. Before then, travellers heading for the Isle of Purbeck faced a long detour around Poole Harbour via Wareham. Today the Sandbanks to Studland ferry still saves drivers many miles, and the crossing itself takes only a few minutes.
Unlike a conventional ship, a chain ferry does not steer its own course. It pulls itself along heavy chains laid across the seabed and anchored on each shore, which keeps it on a fixed line even in strong tidal currents at the harbour mouth.
The Sandbanks car ferry carries cars, motorcycles, cyclists and foot passengers. For local residents it is an everyday transport link; for visitors it is the gateway to Studland's beaches, the heathland of the Purbeck coast, Old Harry Rocks and the road onward to Swanage.
Set between the open sea and one of the world's largest natural harbours, the Sandbanks ferry crossing is also a memorable experience in its own right, with views over Brownsea Island, the harbour and the Dorset coastline.
Routes
Popular Ferry Routes
Travellers search for the crossing in different ways. All three descriptions below refer to the same single chain ferry crossing — not three separate services.
Studland to Sandbanks Ferry
The return crossing from Shell Bay brings you to Sandbanks, with quick road access to Poole and Bournemouth.
Route details
Sandbanks to Shell Bay Ferry
Shell Bay is the ferry's southern landing point — a sandy spit on the Studland peninsula with a beach right by the slipway.
Route details
Driving
Travelling by Car
Vehicle boarding
Drivers queue on the approach road at either terminal and are directed onto the ferry by crew. Follow their instructions, drive slowly up the ramp, apply the handbrake and switch off your engine once parked.
Ferry tolls and vehicle categories
A Sandbanks ferry car toll applies to each crossing. Charges typically differ by vehicle category — for example cars, motorcycles, vans, vehicles towing trailers or caravans, and larger vehicles — with separate rates for cyclists and foot passengers.
Payment information
Tolls are collected by the operator. We do not list prices or payment methods that we cannot verify, so please check the official operator website for current Sandbanks ferry toll charges and accepted payment methods. Read our fares, tolls and payment guide for more background.
Benefits
Why Use Sandbanks Ferry?
Direct Crossing
Avoid the long drive around Poole Harbour via Wareham and reach Studland in minutes.
Vehicle Transportation
Cars, motorcycles and other permitted vehicles travel alongside cyclists and foot passengers.
Dorset Coastal Access
A gateway to Studland Bay, Old Harry Rocks, Purbeck heathland and the Jurassic Coast.
Local Transport Connection
Part of the road link between Poole, Bournemouth, Studland and Swanage.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Sandbanks Ferry operate?
Sandbanks Ferry crosses the narrow mouth of Poole Harbour in Dorset, linking the Sandbanks peninsula (Poole) with Shell Bay on the Studland peninsula. It is a single chain ferry crossing of a few hundred metres.
Can I take my car on Sandbanks Ferry?
Yes. The Sandbanks chain ferry is a vehicle ferry that carries cars, motorcycles and other permitted vehicles, as well as cyclists and foot passengers. Size and weight limits apply, so drivers of larger vehicles should check the operator's rules before travelling.
How much does Sandbanks Ferry cost?
Sandbanks Ferry prices depend on the type of vehicle or passenger. Because tolls are reviewed from time to time, we do not publish figures that could become outdated. Please check the current toll charges on the official operator website.
How do I pay the Sandbanks Ferry toll?
The toll is collected by the ferry operator as part of the crossing. Accepted payment methods and any discounted options are set by the operator, so confirm them on the official operator website before you travel. This website does not collect tolls.
Can I pay for Sandbanks Ferry online?
Any online payment or advance purchase options are provided only by the ferry operator. We cannot take payments. If you see a site claiming to collect Sandbanks Ferry tolls, make sure it is the genuine official operator website.
Does Sandbanks Ferry use ANPR?
We have not been able to verify that Sandbanks Ferry uses ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) for toll payment. Do not assume you can cross and pay later by number plate — check the official operator website for how payment currently works.
Can I pay after crossing?
We are not aware of a verified pay-after-crossing scheme for Sandbanks Ferry. Payment is handled by the operator as part of the journey; confirm the current arrangements on the official operator website.
Are prepaid ferry tickets available?
The operator may offer prepaid or discounted options for regular travellers. Availability and terms change, so check the official operator website for current details.
Where can I find current ferry operating times?
Operating hours, service suspensions, maintenance closures and weather disruption are published by the operator. Always check the official operator website or its official social channels before setting out.
Plan Your Sandbanks Ferry Crossing
Find route details, toll guidance and how to reach the official operator.