Ferry vs. Boat — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 23, 2023
A ferry is a specific type of boat primarily used for transporting people and vehicles across water, while a boat is a general term for any watercraft.
Difference Between Ferry and Boat
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A ferry is a watercraft designed to transport passengers, vehicles, or goods from one point to another across bodies of water. Ferries are integral in connecting islands to mainlands or linking areas separated by rivers. A boat, on the other hand, is a broad term that encompasses various watercraft, from small rowboats to large yachts. The primary function of a boat is to float and navigate on water.
While every ferry is technically a boat, not every boat is a ferry. Ferries are distinguished by their specific function of transportation over short distances, often as a part of the regular commuting system. They may be equipped with unique features, such as vehicle ramps or passenger cabins, tailored to their purpose.
Boats, in their wide variety, may not necessarily have a fixed route or schedule like ferries. For instance, a personal sailboat might be used for leisurely weekend outings, while a fishing boat might be used for commercial fishing ventures. Thus, while both ferries and boats serve the purpose of water transportation, they differ in functionality, purpose, and design.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A vessel primarily used to transport people/vehicles.
A watercraft of any size.
Function
Fixed routes for short distances.
Varied purposes; no fixed routes.
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Equipment
Vehicle ramps, passenger cabins.
May range from simple to sophisticated.
Usage
Regular commuting system.
Recreation, fishing, sport, etc.
Dependency on Schedule
Often operates on a fixed timetable.
Usually no fixed schedule.
Compare with Definitions
Ferry
A boat used to carry people and vehicles across a river or narrow body of water.
They took the ferry to get to the island.
Boat
A small vessel propelled on water by oars, sails, or an engine.
We rented a boat to explore the lake.
Ferry
A vessel that shuttles between two specific points over water.
The ferry between the two towns runs hourly.
Boat
A boat is a watercraft of a large range of types and sizes, but generally smaller than a ship, which is distinguished by its larger size, shape, cargo or passenger capacity, or its ability to carry boats. Small boats are typically found on inland waterways such as rivers and lakes, or in protected coastal areas.
Ferry
A ferry is a vessel used to carry passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo, across a body of water. A passenger ferry with many stops, such as in Venice, Italy, is sometimes called a water bus or water taxi.
Boat
A watercraft used for transportation, recreation, or sport.
We spent the day fishing on the boat.
Ferry
A place where passengers or goods are transported across a body of water, such as a river or bay, by a ferryboat.
Boat
A floating structure designed for travel on water.
The kids love to play captain on their toy boat.
Ferry
A ferryboat.
Boat
A small open vessel, or water craft, usually moved by cars or paddles, but often by a sail.
Ferry
(transitive) To carry or transport over a contracted body of water, as a river or strait, in a boat or other floating conveyance plying between opposite shores.
Boat
To transport by boat.
Ferry
A vessel in which passengers and goods are conveyed over narrow waters; a ferryboat; a wherry.
Boat
A small vessel for travel on water
Ferry
A boat that transports people or vehicles across a body of water and operates on a regular schedule
Boat
A relatively small, usually open craft of a size that might be carried aboard a ship.
Ferry
A watercraft equipped with facilities to hold vehicles.
I parked my car on the lower deck of the ferry.
Boat
An inland vessel of any size.
Ferry
To transport (people, vehicles, or goods) by boat across a body of water such as a river or bay.
Boat
A dish shaped like a boat
A sauce boat.
Ferry
To cross (a body of water) by a ferry.
Boat
To travel by boat.
Ferry
To deliver (a vehicle, especially an aircraft) under its own power to its eventual user.
Boat
To ride a boat for pleasure.
Ferry
To transport (people or goods) by vehicle, especially by aircraft.
Boat
To place in a boat.
Ferry
To cross a body of water on or as if on a ferry.
Boat
A craft used for transportation of goods, fishing, racing, recreational cruising, or military use on or in the water, propelled by oars or outboard motor or inboard motor or by wind.
Ferry
To move laterally in a fast-moving river, as in a canoe, by keeping one's boat at an angle to the direction of flow and paddling or rowing against the current.
Boat
(poker slang) A full house.
Ferry
A place where passengers are transported across water in such a ship.
Boat
(chemistry) One of two possible conformations of cyclohexane rings (the other being chair), shaped roughly like a boat.
Ferry
The legal right or franchise that entitles a corporate body or an individual to operate such a service.
Boat
The refugee boats arriving in Australian waters, and by extension, refugees generally.
Ferry
To carry or transport over a river, strait, or other narrow water, in a boat.
Boat
(intransitive) To travel by boat.
Ferry
To convey back and forth regularly between two points in a vehicle; as, part of her day was spent ferrying the kids to and from school.
Boat
(transitive) To transport in a boat.
To boat goods
Ferry
To pass over water in a boat or by a ferry.
They ferry over this Lethean soundBoth to and fro.
Boat
(transitive) To place in a boat.
To boat oars
Ferry
A place where persons or things are carried across a river, arm of the sea, etc., in a ferryboat.
It can pass the ferry backward into light.
To row me o'er the ferry.
Boat
Hence, any vessel; usually with some epithet descriptive of its use or mode of propulsion; as, pilot boat, packet boat, passage boat, advice boat, etc. The term is sometimes applied to steam vessels, even of the largest class; as, the Cunard boats.
Ferry
A franchise or right to maintain a vessel for carrying passengers and freight across a river, bay, etc., charging tolls.
Boat
A vehicle, utensil, or dish, somewhat resembling a boat in shape; as, a stone boat; a gravy boat.
Ferry
Transport by boat or aircraft
Boat
To transport in a boat; as, to boat goods.
Ferry
Transport from one place to another
Boat
To place in a boat; as, to boat oars.
Ferry
Travel by ferry
Boat
To go or row in a boat.
I boated over, ran my craft aground.
Ferry
A franchise or legal right to operate a ferrying service for a fee.
Boat
A dish (often boat-shaped) for serving gravy or sauce
Ferry
A service and route for delivering an aircraft under its own power to its eventual user.
Boat
Ride in a boat on water
Ferry
(transitive) To carry; transport; convey.
Trucks plowed through the water to ferry flood victims to safety.
Boat
Any structure made to float and move on water.
We saw several boats docked at the harbor.
Ferry
(transitive) To move someone or something from one place to another, usually repeatedly.
Being a good waiter takes more than the ability to ferry plates of food around a restaurant.
Boat
A ship or submarine.
Ferry
(intransitive) To pass over water in a boat or by ferry.
Boat
A vehicle, utensil, or dish somewhat resembling a boat in shape.
A stone boat;
A gravy boat
Ferry
A ship used to transport people, smaller vehicles and goods from one port to another, usually on a regular schedule.
Boat
A means of conveyance in aquatic environments.
Let's take the boat out this weekend.
Ferry
Transport by ferry
Ferry
A means of waterborne public transportation.
I use the ferry to commute to work every day.
Ferry
A ship designed for short, regular trips.
The ferry makes three trips to the mainland each day.
Common Curiosities
What's the primary function of a ferry?
A ferry's main function is to transport people, vehicles, or goods across bodies of water, often on a regular schedule between specific points.
Why would someone use a ferry instead of another type of boat?
People often use ferries for regular commuting or transporting vehicles across waterways where bridges might not be available or convenient.
Is a yacht considered a boat?
Yes, a yacht is a type of boat, typically larger and used for recreational or luxury purposes.
Can boats have multiple purposes?
Yes, boats can serve a variety of purposes, including recreation, fishing, transportation, sporting events, and more.
Is every boat a ferry?
No, while every ferry is a boat, not all boats are ferries. The term "boat" covers a wide range of watercraft, while "ferry" is more specific.
Can a boat operate on both rivers and seas?
Yes, depending on the design and size, a boat can operate in various water bodies, from rivers and lakes to seas and oceans.
What is a ferry?
A ferry is a specific type of boat designed primarily for transporting passengers, vehicles, or goods across bodies of water on regular routes.
How does one differentiate between a boat and a ferry by sight?
Ferries are often larger and equipped with specific features like vehicle ramps or passenger cabins, while boats can vary widely in design and size.
Do ferries operate on a schedule?
Most ferries operate on a set schedule, especially those serving as a part of a regular commuting system.
Do ferries only transport people?
No, many ferries are equipped to transport vehicles, cargo, and goods in addition to passengers.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
