Riverlink Ferry to run extended service during papal visit

Jesus may have walked on water, but pilgrims will be able to do the next best thing on their way to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis later this month: stand on a ferry.

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation announced today that it will run the Riverlink Ferry during the papal visit with extended hours.

After Labor Day, the Riverlink moves to a reduced service schedule, sailing only on weekends and during concerts at the Susquehanna Bank Center.

But for this weekend, the Ferry will run Friday, Sept. 25th from 10 am to 7 pm, then 7:30 am to midnight both Saturday and Sunday, and from 7:30 am to 1 pm that Monday, Sept. 28th.

Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday ferries are available to purchase in advance online, here and will be limited to 10 tickets per trip, or 20 tickets round trip.

Tickets for the Friday and Monday ferries are available on a separate Ticketfly page, here.

Tickets cost $7 each way, so $14 for a round trip.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday will only be available online in advance; you won’t be able to walk up and buy a ticket as you board. The DRWC website has more information regarding the ferry. The RiverLink is ADA accessible.

The large parking lots on the Camden side of the river will be occupied by an estimated 1,100 charter buses, so parking for would-be mariners will be effectively non-existent over the weekend.

The ferry announcement comes in the wake of the city suddenly charting a new communications course, emphasizing how accessible and easy it will be to make it to the papal events after months of warning pilgrims to expect long walks and significant security.

Under “Rules and Regulations” on the ferry’s papal visit website, the DRWC lists the following: “No alcohol, no firearms, no coolers, shirts/shoes required, no backpacks, all passengers are subject to security screening.”