A regular ferry operated at Queensferry as early as the 12th century using natural rock landings. By 1760 although the busiest ferry in Scotland, its users found it slow, disagreeable and dangerous. It was not until 1808-17 that major improvements were carried out under the direction of civil engineer John Rennie. These included a new signal house, pier lights and ramped piers at Longcraig, Hawes and North Queensferry to suit sailing boats at any state of the tide. These piers, which still exist today, continued in use until the Forth Road Bridge opened in 1964.

Queensferry Passage Ferry conveyed all forms of traffic between North and South Queensferry. It operated between 6:40 am. and 11:30 pm. on weekdays. At weekends sailings did not start until 7:30 am however on Saturdays they continued until midnight. In 1956 the charges for motor cars varied between 3/6d and 7/6d depending upon horsepower. The maximum weight of vehicle transported was 11 tons and the charge for commercial vehicles varied between 4/6d and 54/- Passengers over 12 years of age were charged 5d while younger children were charged 3d. A horse or motor drawn hearse was charged 9/6d. Animals were charged according to the following:-

Horses (excluding stallions), mules and asses 2/- each

Stallion 6/6d each

Cow, ox or heifer 1/3d each

Bull 4/-each

Calf, sow or hog 1/- each

Sheep or goat 5d each

Lamb or kid 4d each

Four vessels were used on the crossing. 'Queen Margaret', 'Robert the Bruce', 'Mary Queen of Scots' and 'Sir William Wallace'. All crossings were wind, weather and other circumstances permitting. The ferry ceased operation with the opening of the Forth Road Bridge.

The first bridge crossing was probably considered by the Romans; a temporary boat-bridge. Later proposals included a £160,000 tunnel from Queensferry to Rosyth in 1805-7 that was seriously considered but abandoned, probably more for economic reasons than doubts about its practicability. With hindsight, soft ground would have probably prevented its completion.

In 1818 an over-bold suspension bridge proposal was made which in 1890 was justifiably said to have been 'so light that on a dull day it would be hardly visible and after a heavy gale no longer to be seen on a clear day either' With the development of steam power the railway system became the main transport carrier and there was then a need for a rail bridge.

The railway first crossed the Forth via the Granton to Burntisland floating ferry installed by Thomas Bouch in 1850, which operated until the Forth Bridge was opened. Bouch also designed a suspension railway bridge at Queensferry, part of a pier of which was built and can still be seen at Inchgarvie. His design was abandoned after the failure of the Tay Bridge in 1879 for which he was the engineer.