Do I need a ship, a zeppelin or the tram?

Yes, on foot the way uses: Ship from Booty Bay to Ratchet.

Can Horde players make this trip?

Yes, in about 23 min on foot. Alliance territory: guards and players will attack you.

Are these times exact?

They are estimates, give or take a quarter: flight times come from real Classic flights, walking times from the real size of each zone, and ships and zeppelins count up to five minutes of waiting.

How to get from Stormwind to Ratchet in WoW Forever

About 8 min by flight path once you have it, or about 23 min on foot. Times are for an Alliance character.

Open this route on the map

On foot

23 min

Travel form

17 min

druids, shamans

Mount 60%

16 min

from level 40

Mount 100%

14 min

level 60

Flight path

8 min

fastest

The way, step by step

Before you have the flight paths. Times on foot.

Start in Stormwind City
Capital city in Elwynn Forest
Cross into Duskwood
Through the road south from Goldshire · level 18–30
≈ 5 min
Cross into Stranglethorn Vale
Through the road south · level 30–45
≈ 5 min
Make your way to Booty Bay
Harbor in Stranglethorn Vale
≈ 8 min
Ship from Booty Bay to Ratchet
Classic route
Horde territory: guards and players will attack you.
2–7 min
Arrive at Ratchet
Harbor in The Barrens

With the flight paths

With a 100% mount and the flight paths you have discovered.

Start in Stormwind City
Capital city in Elwynn Forest
Fly from Stormwind City to Booty Bay
Flight path · time measured in Classic
≈ 4 min
Ship from Booty Bay to Ratchet
Classic route
Horde territory: guards and players will attack you.
2–7 min
Arrive at Ratchet
Harbor in The Barrens

And the way back?

From Ratchet to Stormwind: about 8 min by flight path, or 23 min on foot.

Open the way back on the map

Questions

Do I need a ship, a zeppelin or the tram?: Yes, on foot the way uses: Ship from Booty Bay to Ratchet.
Can Horde players make this trip?: Yes, in about 23 min on foot. Alliance territory: guards and players will attack you.
Are these times exact?: They are estimates, give or take a quarter: flight times come from real Classic flights, walking times from the real size of each zone, and ships and zeppelins count up to five minutes of waiting.