Nantucket is a beautiful island located just south of Cape Cod. It has a very historic feel, with charming cottages and white picket fences tucked amidst a landscape of sun, sand, and sea. Come here for a quintessential New England summer and read on to learn about how to get from Boston to Nantucket!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ferry from Boston to Nantucket?
Unfortunately, no.
Can you take a day trip from Boston to Nantucket?
Technically yes but in my opinion, a day trip is not worth the amount of travel required.
Can you get from Boston to Nantucket without a car?
Yes, you can take a bus or train to a ferry or take a plane.
What is the easiest way to get from Boston to Nantucket?
The easiest way is to drive and then take a ferry. I usually drive to Hyannis and then take the Steamship Authority (high-speed ferry).
Boston to Nantucket by Car
Driving from Boston to Nantucket is the most flexible option, but keep in mind that you also have to take a ferry. You will likely have to contend with traffic as well. To avoid it, leave early in the day or late at night.
For parking, the ferries have a mix of onsite and satellite. Check out my post on the Nantucket ferry for more details!
Directions: I-93 South to MA-3 South to US-6 East across the Sagamore Bridge, then varies depending on the ferry
| Ferry | Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Steamship Authority in Hyannis | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Hy-Line Cruises in Hyannis | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Freedom Cruises in Harwich Port | 1 hour 40 minutes |
Boston to Nantucket by Bus
Taking a bus from Boston to Nantucket is another flexible option, but again keep in mind that you also have to take a ferry. Two companies, Plymouth & Brockton and Peter Pan, have routes with stops at or close to a ferry. You will likely have to contend with traffic as well. To avoid it, choose a departure in the morning.
Plymouth & Brockton
Origin: Logan International Airport or South Station
Destination: Hyannis (10-minute walk or 5-minute shuttle from the Steamship Authority, 15-minute walk or 5-minute shuttle from Hy-Line Cruises) or Harwich Port (7-minute ride from Freedom Cruises)
Travel time: Depends on the origin and destination
Operating season: Year-round
Schedule: 7 days a week, multiple departures a day – Schedule for Plymouth & Brockton
Cost: Fares for Plymouth & Brockton
Peter Pan
Origin: Logan International Airport or South Station
Destination: Hyannis (10-minute walk or 5-minute shuttle from the Steamship Authority, 15-minute walk or 5-minute shuttle from Hy-Line Cruises) or Harwich Port (7-minute ride from Freedom Cruises)
Travel time: Depends on the origin and destination
Operating season: Year-round
Schedule: 7 days a week, multiple departures a day – Schedule for Peter Pan
Cost: Fares for Peter Pan
Boston to Nantucket by Train
Taking a train from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard can save you hours of travel time, especially during the height of summer, but again keep in mind that you also have to take a ferry. CapeFLYER runs the train, and you can bring a bike. It also has a cafe.
Origin: South Station
Destination: Hyannis (10-minute walk or 5-minute shuttle from the Steamship Authority, 15-minute walk or 5-minute shuttle from Hy-Line Cruises)
Travel time: 2.5 hours
Operating season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Schedule: Weekends, multiple departures a day – Schedule for CapeFLYER
Cost: $22 for one way, $40 for round trip
Boston to Nantucket by Ferry
Unfortunately, there is no ferry from Boston to Nantucket, but you can take a ferry from a few locations on Cape Cod. The Steamship Authority and Hy-Line Cruises are in Hyannis and Freedom Cruises is in Harwich Port.
The ferries can be affected by high winds and rough seas. If you get seasick easily, then I would consider a different travel option. The Steamship Authority (traditional ferry) is the least likely to cause seasickness because the ship is large.
The ferries are weather dependent and can be canceled in bad conditions. If you absolutely must reach your destination by a certain time, then make sure you have a backup travel plan. The Steamship Authority (traditional ferry) is the least likely to get canceled in bad conditions because the ship is large.
The Steamship Authority – Traditional Ferry
Origin: Hyannis
Destination: Nantucket
Travel time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Operating season: Year-round
Schedule: Schedule for the Steamship Authority Traditional Ferry
| Age | One Way Fare | Round Trip Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Children (under 4) | Free | Free |
| Youth (5 to 12) | $10.50 | $21 |
| Adults | $20.50 | $41 |
The Steamship Authority – High-Speed Ferry
Origin: Hyannis
Destination: Nantucket
Travel time: 1 hour
Operating season: Late March to early January
Schedule: Schedule for the Steamship Authority High-Speed Ferry
| Age | One Way Fare | Round Trip Fare Same-Day Return | Round Trip Fare Extended Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children (under 4) | Free | Free | Free |
| Youth (5 to 12) | $21.75 | $30 | $41 |
| Adults | $42.50 | $60 | $81 |
Hy-Line Cruises
Origin: Hyannis
Destination: Nantucket
Travel time: 1 hour
Operating season: Year-round
Schedule: Schedule for Hy-Line Cruises from Hyannis
| Age | One Way Fare | Round Trip Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Children (under 4) | Free | Free |
| Youth (5 to 12) | $31 | $54 |
| Adults | $48 | $89 |
Freedom Cruises
Origin: Harwich Port
Destination: Nantucket
Travel time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Operating season: Late May to early October
Schedule: Schedule for Freedom Cruises
| Age | One Way Fare | Round Trip Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 2) | $12 | $20 |
| Children (3 to 12) | $40 | $60 |
| Adults | $62 | $96 |
Boston to Nantucket by Plane
Flying from Boston to Nantucket can also save you hours of travel time. Both Cape Air and JetBlue fly out of Terminal C at Logan International Airport and land at Nantucket airport with a flight time of 50 minutes.
Cape Air
Operating season: Year-round
Schedule: 7 days a week, multiple departures a day
JetBlue
Operating season: Seasonal
Schedule: 7 days a week, multiple departures a day
I hope this guide on how to get from Boston to Nantucket helped with your travel plans!
For another trip, check out how to get from Boston to Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard.