Lagos is a lagoon city, and for many commuters a boat offers an alternative to slow journeys across the bridges. Choosing between Lagos ferry routes means looking beyond the crossing itself: the departure jetty, sailing time and onward journey all affect whether the boat works for your day.
This guide brings the main Lagos ferry routes, planning fares and departure times together so you can choose a practical crossing. Use the timetable to organise your trip, then confirm the operating day, fare and destination stop with the terminal before setting out. Weather, demand and operational changes can affect a sailing.
Lagos Ferry Routes at a Glance
LAGFERRY, the Lagos State Ferry Services Corporation, operates state ferry services across the city. The table below covers five Lagos ferry routes with planning fares and journey times. Departures run from the first terminal named, while the return timetable appears in the next section. Confirm whether your particular sailing serves every intermediate stop before boarding.
| Route | Fare | Journey time | Morning departures | Afternoon departures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ikorodu to Five Cowries terminal (Falomo, Ikoyi) | ₦2,200 | 50 minutes | 6:30am, 6:40am | 3:30pm, 3:40pm |
| Badore to Addax Jetty (Victoria Island) to Five Cowries | ₦2,000 | 45 minutes | 6:30am | 3:30pm |
| Ebute Ojo to Ijegun Egba to CMS/Marina | ₦1,500 | 50 minutes | 6:30am, 6:40am | 3:30pm, 3:40pm |
| Mile 2 to Liverpool (Apapa) to CMS/Marina | ₦1,500 | 40 minutes | 6:30am, 6:40am, 6:50am | 3:30pm, 3:40pm, 3:50pm |
| Badore to Langbasa to Ijede | ₦2,500 | 25 minutes | 6:30am, 8:00am | 3:30pm |
For the five priced routes below, budget about ₦1,500 to ₦2,500 for a crossing. These figures are planning fares, so confirm the amount payable for your route before buying a ticket. Set aside money for the return journey and transport between the terminal and your final destination.
Two further routes to ask about are Ibeshe through Lekki, Victoria Island and Falomo towards CMS/Marina and Ebute Ero, and Ikorodu towards Ebute Ero and CMS/Marina. The Ibeshe timetable includes a 7:00am departure and a 7:40am arrival. Confirm the current service, stopping pattern and fare for either corridor before relying on it for your journey.
Return Times on the Main Lagos Ferry Routes
Return sailings on the main corridors include the morning and afternoon departures below. Confirm the last boat before making a same-day return plan, especially if your appointment could run late.
- Falomo back to Ikorodu: 8:00am, 8:10am, 5:00pm and 5:10pm.
- Falomo back to Badore: 7:30am and 4:30pm.
- CMS/Marina back to Ebute Ojo: 7:30am, 7:40am, 4:30pm and 4:40pm.
- CMS/Marina back to Mile 2: 7:30am, 7:40am, 7:50am, 4:30pm, 4:40pm and 4:50pm.
- Ijede back to Badore: from 7:20am, with further sailings in the afternoon.
The main timetable is built around commuting, with departures concentrated around 6:30am to 8:00am and another wave from about 3:30pm to 5:30pm. This Lagos ferry schedule is useful for planning workday trips, but it should not be treated as a late-night service. Confirm weekend and public-holiday departures separately. The best route is one whose outward and return times both match your plans, with enough time to reach the jetty and continue from the other side.
Lagos Ferry Terminal Guide: Where Each Route Starts
Knowing the Lagos ferry terminal names helps you choose the right boarding point and avoid arriving at a different jetty. These are the main terminal areas to distinguish when planning the routes in this guide.
- Ikorodu is the main northern terminal, with boats going to Falomo and to CMS/Marina.
- Five Cowries terminal, at Falomo in Ikoyi, is the main drop-off for passengers heading to Ikoyi and Victoria Island.
- CMS/Marina is the central terminal for people working on Lagos Island.
- Badore, in the Ajah area, serves the Lekki side and links to Addax Jetty on Victoria Island.
- Mile 2 and Liverpool (Apapa) serve passengers from the Apapa side of town.
- Ebute Ojo and Ijegun Egba serve the Alimosho and Ojo side.
Other terminal names you may encounter include Ipakodo and Ilaje-Bariga. Ask for the exact boarding location when making enquiries, because an area name alone may not identify the jetty or operator you need.
A Lagos Ferry Map in Words
Think of the network as three broad corridors towards the island: Ikorodu and Badore from the northern and eastern sides, Mile 2 and Apapa from the west, and Ebute Ojo through Ijegun Egba. For a Lagos ferry map, locate both terminal names in a map app and check the road journey to and from each jetty. If you need a road alternative, our guide to the Third Mainland Bridge explains a major route commuters compare with a water crossing.
Which Route Suits Which Trip
To compare Lagos ferry routes, add the estimated crossing time to the departure time, then allow for boarding and onward transport. A 6:30am departure from Ikorodu with a 50-minute crossing reaches Falomo around 7:20am. A 40-minute trip from Mile 2 reaches CMS/Marina around 7:10am, while a 45-minute Badore crossing reaches its destination around 7:15am. These are planning estimates. Weather, loading and intermediate stops can change the actual arrival time.
Ikorodu to Island
The Ikorodu to Five Cowries route has a planning fare of ₦2,200 and an estimated crossing time of 50 minutes. It is a practical option for someone travelling from the Ikorodu area towards Ikoyi or Victoria Island. Allow for the journey between Falomo and your final address, and check the return sailing before committing to an evening appointment.
Lekki and Ajah to Victoria Island
For the Badore to Addax Jetty and Five Cowries corridor, budget about ₦2,000 and allow roughly 45 minutes for the full journey. Your actual crossing will depend on the stop served and the sailing you board. Tell the terminal staff whether you need Addax on Victoria Island or Five Cowries at Falomo, then confirm the destination before paying. Leave extra time for a meeting rather than relying on the shortest possible crossing.
Apapa and Mile 2 to Marina
The Mile 2 to Liverpool to CMS/Marina route costs ₦1,500 and takes 40 minutes on small 30-passenger boats. Three boats berth at Mile 2, which is why the morning times are spaced ten minutes apart.
Leisure Trips by Boat
Not every ferry trip is a commute. Boat rides to island beaches use private operators rather than these state routes, and our guide to Tarkwa Bay Beach covers the boat fares for that trip. For ideas on what to do once you reach the island side, see our list of fun and beautiful places in Lagos to visit.
How to Pay, Board and Stay Safe
Ask the terminal staff which payment methods are accepted for your sailing before joining the boarding queue. Where cash, POS or a digital payment option is available, confirm the amount and obtain a ticket or receipt. Do not assume that a payment method used on one route will work at every terminal.
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before departure.
- Life jackets are mandatory, and you should keep yours on for the whole trip.
- Carry cash for the fare in case a POS is down.
- Avoid travelling in heavy rain or thunderstorms, since weather and tides can delay or cancel a sailing.
What to Check Before You Go
- Confirm the departure time and operating day directly with the terminal.
- Ask for the current fare and confirm whether it covers your intended destination.
- Keep your phone and documents in a waterproof bag.
- Have a road plan as a backup if weather cancels a boat.
- Take a screenshot of the route details from this page, in case you have no signal at the jetty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lagos Ferry Routes
How much is the ferry from Ikorodu to Falomo?
Budget about ₦2,200 for the Ikorodu to Five Cowries crossing and allow around 50 minutes on the water. Confirm the fare and departure with the terminal before travelling.
What time does the first ferry leave?
The main planning timetable starts at 6:30am on several routes, while the Ibeshe service includes a 7:00am departure. Check the operating day and boarding time for the route you intend to use.
Do Lagos ferries run on weekends?
Weekend availability depends on the route and operator. Confirm the outward and return sailings with the terminal before planning a Saturday, Sunday or public-holiday trip. The weekday commuter timetable does not guarantee a weekend departure.
Is it safe to take a Lagos ferry?
Wear a properly fastened life jacket throughout the crossing, follow crew instructions and avoid boarding an overcrowded boat. Weather conditions matter: do not travel in storms, and allow the operator to postpone or cancel a sailing when conditions are unsuitable.
Planning Your Crossing
When comparing Lagos ferry routes, start with a terminal you can reach without a long road detour. Add the crossing fare, onward transport and return journey to your plan. The main commuter departures work best when both ends of your day fit the timetable. Confirm the fare, destination stop and last return boat before leaving home, and keep a road alternative available if weather interrupts the service.
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