How to get to Nantucket from NYC
Image courtesy of Liz Holland
Looking forward to a break from New York City life to the natural beauty of Nantucket Island life? Makes sense. And you have choices when it comes to how to get to Nantucket from NYC.
Two things to keep in mind: Your destination is nearly 300 miles away and IT’S AN ISLAND
From the island’s perspective, you are encouraged not to bring your vehicle. It is possible; however, Nantucket is only 14 miles long and 3-1/2 miles wide. Teeny-tiny. There are plenty of transportation options to help you get around the island. For more information read this article.
Non-stop ways to get to Nantucket from NYC
By plane: There are multiple airlines offering service between New York and Nantucket. The Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) is located 3 miles away from the center / downtown.
By ferry: There is limited ferry service between the city and Nantucket. Why is it limited? It is limited by running select dates only between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend, and because of the distance. This ferry route is the longest to the island with an approximate 6-hour travel time onboard.
Ground Transportation
There are multiple ferry ports in Massachusetts that are home to operators providing ferry service to Nantucket. But how do you get there? The most popular choices are bus service or a direct drive to the ferry port.
Massachusetts Ferry Ports
New Bedford, MA
Only 36 miles from Providence, in New Bedford, is seasonal (mid-April through mid-October) passenger-only ferry service departing from the State Pier with a crossing time of 2 hours.
Hyannis, MA
This location has the most options for ferry service to Nantucket.
You will find the state-run public authority operating year-round, traditional vessels which can accommodate passengers and vehicles / freight with a crossing time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. This authority also has one seasonal high-speed passenger-only ferry which takes 1 hour to Nantucket.
You will also find us (!) operating year-round high-speed passenger-only ferry service, with a 1 hour crossing time. During peak season (mid-May through the end of October), we run 7 – 9 trips per day. In the off-season, we run 5 trips per day with expanded schedules for special off-season events like Nantucket Christmas Stroll and Nantucket Daffodil Festival.
Harwichport, MA
Located in the Lower Cape region of Cape Cod, is another passenger-only ferry option running seasonally (Memorial Day through mid-October) with a crossing time of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Tips for Planning
- Book in Advance: Especially during peak seasons, it’s crucial to book your ferry or flight tickets well in advance.
- Refund Policies: Make sure to educate yourself on refund policies for all transportation providers to avoid any surprises. It’s likely you’ll need to agree to the policy under their terms and conditions as you navigate through the reservation process. Having flexibility to reschedule or cancel your reservation can be helpful when planning.
- Pet Policies: Not all Nantucket ferry providers accommodate pets so if that’s a priority for you, make sure you know prior to making reservations.
- Weather: As mentioned previously, we’re talking about an island. The “Grey Lady” can be unpredictable. It gets foggy frequently which can cancel flights, and high winds can temporarily disrupt ferry service.
- Parking: If you choose to drive to a ferry port and need to park a vehicle, we highly recommend looking into all your options including reserving in advance. If your provider has onsite and offsite lots, understanding the differences beyond price point is important too.
Obviously, we recommend taking a (our) ferry to Nantucket; especially if it is a new experience for you. When you step onboard the boat, your Nantucket getaway will officially begin.
Ready to book your ferry? Check out our Nantucket high-speed ferry service.
