火车渡轮是指一种用来承载火车的船，是一种将被海洋、湖水或河道分隔且难以用其他方式连接（如隧道、桥梁）的铁路连接起来的运输工具。这种船通常都会有一层装上路轨的甲板，在船头及船尾有一道闸门供列车进出之用。这种船除了可以运载火车之外，还可以独立航行。在日本，经过改装的火车渡轮更有同时接载车辆及乘客的功用。

最早的火车渡轮出现在1849年的英国，由汤玛斯·包治（Thomas Bouch）设计。在美国，直到1950年代，火车渡轮一直都是被称为车卡渡轮（Car ferries），及后因为汽车的普及使真正的汽车渡轮出现，才使该词转而指运载车辆的船只。中国最早的火车渡轮在1911年广东新会牛湾的新宁铁路上出现。

A train ferry is a ship (ferry) designed to carry railway vehicles. Typically, one level of the ship is fitted with railway tracks, and the vessel has a door at the front and/or rear to give access to the wharves. In the United States, train ferries are sometimes referred to as "car ferries", as distinguished from "auto ferries" used to transport automobiles. The wharf (sometimes called a "slip") has a ramp, and a linkspan or "apron", balanced by weights, that connects the railway proper to the ship, allowing for the water level to rise and fall with the tides.