Nantucket Ferry: Everything You Need to Know

Written by Kelsey Hunter
Last updated on

There are several companies that operate a ferry to Nantucket from different locations. Read on to find the one for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the ferry to Nantucket?
It depends on the company. I’ve provided the length of time for each company below.

How much is the ferry to Nantucket?
It depends on the company. I’ve provided the cost for each company below.

Do you need a car on Nantucket?
You don’t need a car on Nantucket. There are buses and taxis as well as Uber and Lyft on the island.

The Steamship Authority (traditional ferry) is the only Nantucket ferry that can bring a car over. Make your reservations early because they fill up.

Do you get seasick?
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.

Do you have a backup travel plan?
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.

From Hyannis

The Hyannis to Nantucket ferry is operated by the Steamship Authority and Hy-Line Cruises.

The Steamship Authority – Traditional Ferry

Ferry on a misty morning in Vineyard Haven, MA

Phone number: (508) 771-4000

How long is the ferry?
2 hours 15 minutes

Can you bring a bicycle?
Yes, for an extra fee

Can you bring a car?
Yes, for an extra fee

Do you need a reservation?
You don’t need a reservation to walk on or bring a bicycle. You absolutely need a reservation to bring a car, and in the summer, you need to make it months in advance.

Operating Season

Year-round

Schedule

Schedule for the Steamship Authority Traditional Ferry

Cost

AgeOne Way FareRound Trip Fare
Children (under 4)FreeFree
Youth (5 to 12)$10.50$21
Adults$20.50$41

Location

69 South Street, Hyannis, MA 02601

Parking

There is limited dockside parking in Hyannis.

There are offsite Steamship Authority parking lots with free shuttles.

  • Lewis Bay Lot
    • 65 Lewis Bay Road, Hyannis, MA 02601
  • Yarmouth Lot
    • 75 Yarmouth Road, Hyannis, MA 02601
  • Brooks Lot
    • 30 Brooks Road, Hyannis, MA 02601

You can check which parking lot is open by visiting the Steamship Authority website, calling (508) 775-7275, or tuning in to 1610 AM radio.

Parking Rates for the Steamship Authority

The Steamship Authority – High-Speed Ferry

Phone number: (508) 771-4000

How long is the ferry?
1 hour

Can you bring a bicycle?
Yes, for an extra fee

Can you bring a car?
No

Do you need a reservation?
Recommended

Operating Schedule

Late March to early January

Schedule

Schedule for the Steamship Authority High-Speed Ferry

Cost

AgeOne Way FareRound Trip Fare
Same-Day Return
Round Trip Fare
Extended Stay
Children (under 4)FreeFreeFree
Youth (5 to 12)$21.75$30$41
Adults$42.50$60$81

Location

69 South Street, Hyannis, MA 02601

Parking

There is limited dockside parking in Hyannis.

There are offsite Steamship Authority parking lots with free shuttles.

  • Lewis Bay Lot
    • 65 Lewis Bay Road, Hyannis, MA 02601
  • Yarmouth Lot
    • 75 Yarmouth Road, Hyannis, MA 02601
  • Brooks Lot
    • 30 Brooks Road, Hyannis, MA 02601

You can check which parking lot is open by visiting the Steamship Authority website, calling (508) 775-7275, or tuning in to 1610 AM radio.

Parking Rates for the Steamship Authority

Hy-Line Cruises

Phone number: (508) 778-2600

How long is the ferry?
1 hour

Can you bring a bicycle?
Yes, for an extra fee

Can you bring a car?
No

Do you need a reservation?
Recommended

Operating Season

Year-round

Schedule

Schedule for Hy-Line Cruises from Hyannis

Cost

AgeOne Way FareRound Trip Fare
Children (under 4)FreeFree
Youth (5 to 12)$31$54
Adults$48$89

Location

220 Ocean Street, Hyannis, MA 02601

Parking

There is limited dockside parking in Hyannis.

There are also offsite Hy-Line Cruises parking lots with free shuttles.

  • 183 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, MA 02601
  • 33 Brooks Road, Hyannis, MA 02601
  • 45 Brooks Road, Hyannis, MA 02601

Parking Rates for Hy-Line Cruises in Hyannis

From Harwich Port

Freedom Cruises

The Harwich Port to Nantucket ferry is operated by Freedom Cruises.

Phone number: (508) 432-8999

How long is the ferry?
1 hour 20 minutes

Can you bring a bicycle?
Yes, for an extra fee

Can you bring a car?
No

Do you need a reservation?
Recommended

Operating Season

Late May to early October

Schedule

Schedule for Freedom Cruises

Cost

AgeOne Way FareRound Trip Fare
Infants (under 2)$12$20
Children (3 to 12)$40$60
Adults$62$96

Location

731 Route 28, Harwich Port, MA 02646

Parking

There is dockside parking for free for same-day return and $30 a day for multiple days.

From Martha’s Vineyard

The Martha’s Vineyard to Nantucket high-speed ferry is operated by either Hy-Line Cruises or Seastreak.

Hy-Line Cruises

Phone number: (508) 693-0112

How long is the ferry?
1 hour 10 minutes

Can you bring a bicycle?
Yes, for an extra fee

Can you bring a car?
No

Do you need a reservation?
Recommended

Operating Season

Late May to early October

Schedule

Schedule for Hy-Line Cruises from Martha’s Vineyard

Cost

AgeOne Way FareRound Trip Fare
Children (under 4)FreeFree
Youth (5 to 12)$26$49
Adults$42$76

Location

12 Circuit Avenue Extension, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

Parking

There is no parking for Hy-Line Cruises on Martha’s Vineyard.

Seastreak

Phone number: (800) 262-8743

How long is the ferry?
1 hour

Can you bring a bicycle?
Yes, for an extra free

Can you bring a car?
No

Do you need a reservation?
Recommended

Operating Season

Late April to late May

Schedule

Schedule for Seastreak from Martha’s Vineyard

Cost

AgeOne Way FareRound Trip Fare
Infants (under 2)FreeFree
Children (3 to 12)$25$47
Adults$85$155

Location

Late April to mid-May – 1 Water Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568

Mid-May to mid-October – 1 Seaview Avenue, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557

Parking

There is no parking for Seastreak on Martha’s Vineyard.

From New Bedford

Seastreak

The New Bedford to Nantucket high-speed ferry is operated by Seastreak.

Phone number: (800) 262-8743

How long is the ferry?
2 hours

Can you bring a bicycle?
Yes, for an extra free

Can you bring a car?
No

Do you need a reservation?
Recommended

Operating Season

Late April to mid-October

Schedule

Schedule for Seastreak from New Bedford

Cost

AgeOne Way FareRound Trip Fare
Same-Day Return
Round Trip Fare
Extended Stay
Infants (under 2)FreeFreeFree
Children (3 to 12)$33$40$55
Adults$55$70$99

Location

49 State Pier, New Bedford, MA 02740

Parking

There is valet parking for $30 a day.

There is also an offsite Seastreak parking lot with free shuttles for $15 a day.

  • Whale Tooth Lot
    • 532 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02740

From New York City

Seastreak

The New York City to Nantucket high-speed ferry is operated by Seastreak.

Phone number: (800) 262-8743

How long is the ferry?
6 hours 15 minutes

Can you bring a bicycle?
Yes, for an extra fee

Can you bring a car?
No

Do you need a reservation?
Recommended

Operating Season

Memorial Day Weekend

Mid-June to early September

Schedule

Schedule for Seastreak from New York City

Cost

AgeOne Way FareRound Trip Fare
Infants (under 2)FreeFree
Children (3 to 12)$85$155
Adults$175$260
AgeOne Way Fare
Holiday Weekend
Round Trip Fare
Holiday Weekend
Infants (under 2)FreeFree
Children (3 to 12)$210$330
Adults$210$330

Location

East 35th Street and FDR Drive, New York, NY 10002

Parking

There is no parking for Seastreak in New York City.

From New Jersey

Seastreak

The New Jersey to Nantucket high-speed ferry is operated by Seastreak.

Phone number: (800) 262-8743

How long is the ferry?
7 hours 45 minutes

Can you bring a bicycle?
Yes, for an extra fee

Can you bring a car?
No

Do you need a reservation?
Recommended

Operating Season

Memorial Day Weekend

Mid-June to early September

Schedule

Schedule for Seastreak from New Jersey

Cost

AgeOne Way FareRound Trip Fare
Infants (under 2)FreeFree
Children (3 to 12)$85$155
Adults$175$260
AgeOne Way Fare
Holiday Weekend
Round Trip Fare
Holiday Weekend
Infants (under 2)FreeFree
Children (3 to 12)$210$330
Adults$210$330

Location

326 Shore Drive, Highlands, NJ 07732

Parking

There is an offsite Seastreak parking lot with free overnight parking for up to 3 nights.

  • 348 Shore Drive, Highlands, NJ 07732

I hope this guide on the Martha’s Vineyard ferry helped with your travel plans! For more travel tips, read about how to get from Boston to Nantucket (including by plane).

Also check out the Boston to Cape Cod ferry and the Martha’s Vineyard ferry.