Island Ferry FAQs

Reservations can be made for any of our services and are highly recommended for high-speed island travel as space is limited and often fills up. Reservations must be picked up from the ticket office no later than 30 minutes prior to departures. Passengers who have not boarded or who are not ticketed and in line 15 minutes prior to departure may have their tickets released to standby passengers.

Reserved tickets can be picked up at the ticket office at any time after they are made, but must be picked up from the ticket office no later than 30 minutes prior to departure. Passengers who have not boarded or who are not ticketed and in line 15 minutes prior to departure may have tickets released to standby passengers.

Yes, however it must be done in advance by calling (800) 492-8082 or online using the ‘My Booking’ feature to confirm availability. Reservations cannot be changed online or via email.

Reservations must be cancelled by 5:00pm prior to the day of departure by calling (800) 492-8082 or online or using the ‘My Booking’ feature and are refundable, less a service charge of $5.00 per passenger. Reservations cannot be cancelled via email. Reservations are not refundable on or after the day of the departure. If you choose not to cancel, your ferry ticket purchase will be honored up to one year from the original departure date, with a confirmed reservation. However, if you will not be traveling at your booked departure time then you must notify us prior to that departure time in order to avoid any penalty fees when reusing those tickets at a future time.

Yes! You can book your whole trip online by using the ‘BOOK YOUR TRIP’ button at the top, right-hand side of any web page.

If you have a Hy-Line certificate / pass for complimentary passage, this can only be booked by phone (not online). To book Island Ferry travel call (800) 492-8082. To book a Harbor Cruise or Fishing call (508) 790-0696. To book a Canal Cruise call (508) 295-3883. You must bring the physical pass with you as payment, on the day of travel.

Please note that if your pass does not have the current year issued on it, call (508) 792-7280 for options.

Please read details on any deal you have purchased, for its value. These cannot be booked online, only by phone. To inquire about a Harbor Cruise voucher/deal call (508) 790-0696. To inquire about a Canal Cruise voucher/deal call (508) 295-3883.

For ferries departing for Hyannis find directions here.

For ferries departing from Nantucket find directions here.

For ferries departing from Martha’s Vineyard find directions here.

For Harbor Cruises and Fishing Trips find directions here.

For Canal Cruises find directions here.

Island Ferries from Hyannis: 220 Ocean Street, Hyannis MA 02601

Nantucket Ticket Office: 34 Straight Wharf, Nantucket MA 02554

Martha’s Vineyard Ticket Office: 12 Circuit Avenue Extension, Oak Bluffs MA 02557

Harbor Cruise and Fishing Ticket Office: 138 Ocean Street, Hyannis MA 02601

Canal Cruise Ticket Office: 184 Onset Avenue, Onset MA 02558

If you already have your reservations, you should arrive 30 to 45 minutes prior to your departure to allow time to unload, check-in and park. If you are traveling with luggage, children, bicycles, etc. it is advisable to arrive at least 1-hour prior to departure in order to have enough time to unload, check-in and park. If you are traveling on the island ferries in the summer without a reservation, then you should plan to arrive earlier to purchase a ticket. Due to limited capacity, availability of tickets on our vessels cannot be guaranteed without a reservation. In addition, passengers who have not boarded or who are not ticketed and in line 15 minutes prior to departure may have their tickets released to standby passengers.

Requirements of the Marine Security Act of 2002, Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard include random screening of passengers, luggage and carry-on items. Travelers are advised to plan on an arrival time that takes into consideration the possibility of these pre-boarding requirements.

There is a pick-up and drop-off area you can pull into where Hy-Line staff will help you unload your luggage and bring it to the loading area for your boat.

If you are traveling with your luggage then it’s free of charge, with some limits applying for especially large amounts of luggage. Bikes and surfboards have an additional charge.

Hy-Line owns and operates its own lots along Ocean Street, within walking distance of the ferry terminal. A limited portion of these on-site lots is available to book in advance. Reserve your parking along with your ferry tickets online or by calling (800) 492-8082. Additionally, Hy-Line has an off-site parking lot with seasonal shuttle service. Check out our full parking information here.

There is an ATM conveniently located at our Hyannis terminal, in the ticket office.

There are lots of fun things to do right on Hyannis Harbor. Browse through local artwork at The Artist Shanties at Bismore Park on Ocean Street, check out The Landing Café next to the Hyannis Ticket Office, or stop in the ticket office for literature and restrooms. Just make sure you don’t lose track of time and miss the boat!

Both islands offer picturesque beaches and charming towns full of shops, restaurants and points of interest. Each island has its own lively night life too. If you’re only there for the day, but want to see it all, then a bus tour is the best way. We have information about each island available on our web site. Click here for Nantucket and here for Martha’s Vineyard. For more information on the islands check out each island’s chamber of commerce web site: Nantucket Island Chamber and Martha’s Vineyard Chamber.

There are bus tours available on both islands. On Nantucket, we recommend and sell tickets for Nantucket Island Tours. You can book a ticket via their website or call (800) 492-8082 to book your bus tour with your ferry trip. There are multiple bus tour companies to choose from on Martha’s Vineyard; however we are not affiliated with any.

If you’re having a hard time choosing which island to see, then why not see them both? Hy-Line is the only provider of an “Around the Sound” excursion which departs from Hyannis and allows you to visit both islands in the same day.

There is an ATM conveniently located at our Hyannis terminal, in the ticket office.

Our Hyannis terminal has a ticket office complete with an indoor waiting area as well as a dockside restaurant, The Landing Cafe. The Nantucket ticket office has limited space with a waiting area and the Martha’s Vineyard ticket office has adjacent shops you can browse in while you stay out of the weather.

There are lots of fun things to do right on Hyannis Harbor. Browse through local artwork at The Artist Shanties at Bismore Park on Ocean Street, check out The Landing Café next to the Hyannis Ticket Office, or stop in the ticket office for literature and restrooms. Just make sure you don’t lose track of time and miss the boat!

Adhering to published departure times is a priority at Hy-Line Cruises. However, we are not responsible for inconveniences caused by weather or unforeseen problems.

Yes, pets are allowed onboard all of our island-bound ferries except in the Captain’s View section of our Nantucket ferry, Grey Lady IV. There is no fee, however pets must be properly leashed or caged and are not allowed on the furniture.

For safety and security reasons, children under the age of 13 are not permitted to travel on the boat by themselves. If there is an extenuating circumstance or hardship, feel free to speak with management to determine if an exception can be made.

Yes, you can bring your bike for a fee.

All of our ferries are equipped with full snack bar offerings complete with muffins, bagels, sandwiches, light snacks and candy. In addition, for those passengers 21 years of age or older, wine, beer and mixed drinks are available as well.

If an item is lost, please stop in at any ticket office or call (800) 492-8082 to make a formal request.

Massachusetts law prohibits smoking of any kind on any portion of our vessels (both indoors and on the open air decks).

While you may carry alcohol in the luggage you have checked, Massachusetts law prohibits the carrying and consuming of one’s own brought on board alcohol by all passengers.

In accordance with the Marine Security Act of 2002, Hy-Line conducts random screening of passengers, luggage and carry-on items. If a passenger refuses to be screened, then that passenger will not be allowed passage on the ferry.

Check out the prices and schedules for Nantucket Ferries and Martha’s Vineyard Ferries.

Yes, we offer 10-trip reduced price commuter books for our frequent travelers. More information and rates for commuter books is available here.

Hy-Line does offer special group prices for large parties. Contact Group Sales for more information.

Hy-Line offers seasonal promotions so be sure call (800) 492-8082 and ask a ticket agent or visit our website for specials.

Hy-Line Cruises is a passenger-only ferry service.

Please contact our Parking Gazebo in Hyannis at (508) 815-2221 and speak with the Supervisor.

Please contact our parking office for more detailed information at (508) 778-0344.