C is for 'Can't Get There From Here!'

For those of us living in the southern part of the Adirondacks, getting to Vermont is easy. Just a half hour drive to the Vermont border, we routinely ski and shop in Vermont towns. But for those living more to the north, getting to Vermont is more problematic. Driving is hampered by one big obstacle, Lake Champlain!

We have driven to Vermont to ski at Sugarbush ski area by driving over the Lake Champlain Bridge at historic Crown Point. In the winter it is surreal to cross that bridge and see the ice shanty town that springs up once that part of Lake Champlain freezes. Cars, trucks, and a whole village of ice fishermen can be seen.

Other than that bridge, or driving all the way around, the only other way to get from the Adirondacks in New York to Burlington and parts of central and northern Vermont is to take one of the Lake Champlain ferries. The Lake Champlain Ferries offer three crossing sites. The Southern Crossing goes from Essex, New York to Charlotte, Vermont. Crossing time is about 20 minutes. This is the only one of the three crossings that operates in the winter, weather and ice permitting. From the New York side, take Interstate 87, use Exit 31 or 33 and it will be about 12 miles to Ferry. Rates are $7.50 one way, and $ 13.50 round trip for a car and driver. Passengers are $2.50 one way and $4 round trip.

The longest crossing, one hour in length, is the Port Kent, New York to Burlington, Vermont Scenic Cruise. During the summer months, the ferry departs about once every hour and a half. Costs are $13.25 for one way and $24 for round trip for a car and driver. Passengers are $3.50 one way and $6.25 round trip. This crossing is more like a lake cruise and will give passengers the opportunity to really enjoy this wide part of the lake. Trucks and tractor trailers are allowed on this ferry as well.

The Grand Isle, Vermont to Plattsburgh, New York crossing offers true commuter service with ferries departing about every 20 minutes round the clock, 24-hours a day. This crossing is the shortest, only 12 minutes, and costs are similar to the Southern Crossing ferries.

The Ticonderoga Ferry operates a 7 minute crossing between Ticonderoga, New York and Shoreham, Vermont. This ferry crosses in daylight hours during the spring, summer and fall. Cost is $7 one way and $12 round trip for car and all passengers. The Ticonderoga Ferry connects the Adirondacks to central Vermont. On the New York side it can be reached from Route 74 just off of Route 22 in Ticonderoga, New York. The Ti Ferry has operated on Lake Champlain since 1799. It uses a cable guidance system which was installed in 1946, and is still in use today.

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