Ferry vs. Ship — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 21, 2023
A ferry is a vessel used for short-distance transport of passengers and vehicles across bodies of water, while a ship is a large sea-going vessel designed for long-distance travel and cargo transport.
Difference Between Ferry and Ship
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A ferry, by definition, is a vessel specifically designed to transport people, cars, and other goods across waterways, often on a regular schedule. A ship, on the other hand, is a larger watercraft that can carry passengers, cargo, or both and is built for extensive and prolonged voyages across the sea or ocean.
The primary function of a ferry is to provide a bridge-like service between two points separated by water. It might operate between two ports in a city or between islands close to each other. Ships, in contrast, might be used for a variety of purposes including cargo shipping, luxury cruising, or naval defense.
The design and structure of a ferry emphasize efficiency in loading and unloading. Many ferries have ramps and are built flat to facilitate this. Ships are built for durability, stability, and often, speed, given the long distances and challenging conditions they might encounter.
Regarding size, a ferry is usually smaller than a ship. Ferries are built to be just large enough to meet their transportation needs. Ships, given their diverse roles, can range from moderately-sized to enormous, like container ships or cruise liners.
While both ferries and ships can operate in the open sea, ferries are more commonly found in protected waters, such as bays, rivers, or between nearby islands. Ships are constructed to handle the rigors of open ocean and can thus navigate vast distances between continents.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Purpose
Transport across short distances
Voyages across seas or oceans
Size
Generally smaller
Larger, built for longer journeys
Design Focus
Efficient loading/unloading
Durability and stability for long voyages
Operating Waters
Protected waters
Open sea, between continents
Common Locations
Bays, rivers, between close islands
International routes, deep-sea routes
Compare with Definitions
Ferry
A boat or ship transporting people and goods across a body of water.
I took the ferry to reach the island.
Ship
A large watercraft designed for long-distance travel on the sea.
The cargo ship is due to dock tomorrow.
Ferry
A service that transports people and vehicles across a waterway.
The city's ferry operates from 6 AM to 9 PM.
Ship
A vessel that carries passengers, cargo, or both.
The ship was loaded with luxury cars for export.
Ferry
A water-based alternative to bridge transport.
Many prefer the scenic ferry route over the crowded bridge.
Ship
A means of transportation capable of transcontinental voyages.
The goods were sent via ship to Europe.
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.
Ship
A floating structure used for maritime trade or travel.
The ship can accommodate over 2,000 passengers.
Ferry
To transport (people, vehicles, or goods) by boat across a body of water such as a river or bay.
Ship
A marine vessel larger than a boat.
We watched the ship sail into the horizon.
Ferry
To cross (a body of water) by a ferry.
Ship
A dish or utensil (originally fashioned like the hull of a ship) used to hold incense.
Ferry
To deliver (a vehicle, especially an aircraft) under its own power to its eventual user.
Ship
A ship is a large watercraft that travels the world's oceans and other sufficiently deep waterways, carrying goods or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research, and fishing. Ships are generally distinguished from boats, based on size, shape, load capacity, and tradition.
Ferry
To transport (people or goods) by vehicle, especially by aircraft.
Ship
A vessel of considerable size for deep-water navigation.
Ferry
To cross a body of water on or as if on a ferry.
Ship
A sailing vessel having three or more square-rigged masts.
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.
Ship
An aircraft or spacecraft.
Ferry
A ferryboat.
Ship
The crew of one of these vessels.
Ferry
A place where passengers or goods are transported across a body of water, such as a river or bay, by a ferryboat.
Ship
One's fortune
When my ship comes in, I'll move to a larger house.
Ferry
A franchise or legal right to operate a ferrying service for a fee.
Ship
To place or receive on board a ship
Shipped the cargo in the hold.
Ferry
A service and route for delivering an aircraft under its own power to its eventual user.
Ship
To cause to be transported; send.
Ferry
(transitive) To carry; transport; convey.
Trucks plowed through the water to ferry flood victims to safety.
Ship
(nautical) A water-borne vessel generally larger than a boat.
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.
Ship
A spaceship (the type of pattern in a cellular automaton).
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.
Ship
A sailing vessel with three or more square-rigged masts.
Ferry
(intransitive) To pass over water in a boat or by ferry.
Ship
A dish or utensil (originally fashioned like the hull of a ship) used to hold incense.
Ferry
A ship used to transport people, smaller vehicles and goods from one port to another, usually on a regular schedule.
Ship
(dated) An aircraft.
Ferry
A place where passengers are transported across water in such a ship.
Ship
(fandom) A fictional romantic relationship between two characters, either real or themselves fictional, especially one explored in fan fiction.
Ferry
The legal right or franchise that entitles a corporate body or an individual to operate such a service.
Ship
(transitive) To send by water-borne transport.
Ferry
To carry or transport over a river, strait, or other narrow water, in a boat.
Ship
(ambitransitive) To release a product (not necessarily physical) to vendors or customers; to launch.
Our next issue ships early next year.
It compiles? Ship it!
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.
Ship
(ambitransitive) To engage to serve on board a vessel.
To ship seamen
I shipped on a man-of-war.
Ferry
To pass over water in a boat or by a ferry.
They ferry over this Lethean soundBoth to and fro.
Ship
(intransitive) To embark on a ship.
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.
Ship
To put or secure in its place.
To ship the tiller or rudder
Ferry
A vessel in which passengers and goods are conveyed over narrow waters; a ferryboat; a wherry.
Ship
(transitive) To take in (water) over the sides of a vessel.
We were shipping so much water I was sure we would capsize.
Ferry
A franchise or right to maintain a vessel for carrying passengers and freight across a river, bay, etc., charging tolls.
Ship
Leave, depart, scram.
Ferry
A boat that transports people or vehicles across a body of water and operates on a regular schedule
Ship
To pass (from one person to another).
Can you ship me the ketchup?
Ferry
Transport by boat or aircraft
Ship
To go all in.
Ferry
Transport from one place to another
Ship
(sports) To trade or send a player to another team.
Twins ship Delmon Young to Tigers.
Ferry
Transport by ferry
Ship
(rugby) To bungle a kick and give the opposing team possession.
Ferry
Travel by ferry
Ship
(fandom) To support or approve of a fictional romantic relationship between two characters, typically in fan fiction or other fandom contexts.
I ship Kirk and Spock in “Star Trek”.
I ship Peggy and Angie in “Marvel's Agent Carter”.
Ferry
A vessel that travels on a regular schedule between fixed points.
The morning ferry is always punctual.
Ship
Pay; reward.
In withholding or abridging of the ship or the hire or the wages of servants.
Ferry
A mode of transport over water that connects two nearby locations.
The ferry saves us an hour of driving around the bay.
Ship
Any large seagoing vessel.
Like a stately ship . . . With all her bravery on, and tackle trim,Sails filled, and streamers waving.
Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State!
Ship
Specifically, a vessel furnished with a bowsprit and three masts (a mainmast, a foremast, and a mizzenmast), each of which is composed of a lower mast, a topmast, and a topgallant mast, and square-rigged on all masts. See Illustation in Appendix.
Ship
To put on board of a ship, or vessel of any kind, for transportation; to send by water.
The timber was . . . shipped in the bay of Attalia, from whence it was by sea transported to Pelusium.
Ship
By extension, in commercial usage, to commit to any conveyance for transportation to a distance; as, to ship freight by railroad.
Ship
Hence, to send away; to get rid of.
Ship
To engage or secure for service on board of a ship; as, to ship seamen.
Ship
To receive on board ship; as, to ship a sea.
Ship
To put in its place; as, to ship the tiller or rudder.
Ship
To engage to serve on board of a vessel; as, to ship on a man-of-war.
Ship
To embark on a ship.
Ship
A vessel that carries passengers or freight
Ship
Transport commercially
Ship
Hire for work on a ship
Ship
Go on board
Ship
Travel by ship
Ship
Place on board a ship;
Ship the cargo in the hold of the vessel
Ship
A vessel which travels through any medium other than across land, such as an airship or spaceship.
Ship
(cartomancy) The third card of the Lenormand deck.
Ship
(transitive) To send (a parcel or container) to a recipient (by any means of transport).
To ship freight by railroad
Common Curiosities
What is a ferry?
A ferry is a vessel primarily used to transport people, cars, and goods across waterways, often on a regular schedule.
What is a ship?
A ship is a larger watercraft designed for extended travel, capable of carrying passengers, cargo, or both across seas or oceans.
Are all ferries ships?
While all ferries can be classified as boats or ships, not all ships are ferries; ships have a broader range of functions.
How do ferries differ in design from ships?
Ferries often have designs optimized for quick loading and unloading, while ships prioritize durability and stability for long voyages.
Why would one use a ferry instead of a bridge?
Ferries offer flexibility, can be implemented quickly without large infrastructure investments, and provide scenic routes.
Can ships transport cars like ferries?
Yes, some ships, called Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) ships, are designed to carry vehicles, similar to ferries.
What is the main purpose of a ferry?
The main purpose of a ferry is to transport people and vehicles across waterways, acting as a water bridge between two points.
How often do ferries run compared to ships?
Ferries often run on tight schedules multiple times a day, while many ships, especially cargo ships, might have less frequent departures.
Do ships always operate in deep waters?
While ships are built for deep waters and long voyages, they can also operate in coastal areas and large rivers.
Which is generally faster, a ferry or a ship?
It depends on the type and purpose. High-speed ferries can be faster than some cargo ships, but many passenger ships, especially cruise liners, can be faster than conventional ferries.
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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.
