Located 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Nantucket is the ideal vacation spot to get away from it all. With its remote location, comes the challenge of getting here. But take it from our experts at Raveis Nantucket – they can help you navigate your way to Nantucket by sea and air and help plan your stay once you get here, too.
By Sea
Nantucket offers several ferry services to and from the island from Hyannis, Massachusetts. There are two main types of ferries that travel to Nantucket – a high-speed option, which takes about an hour to travel to the island, and a traditional ferry, which can take anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours.
The main ferry companies are The Steamship Authority and Hy-Line Cruises, with Freedom Cruise Line and Seastreak also offering seasonal service.
By Air
From Boston Logan Airport Several airlines offer direct flights to Nantucket Memorial Airport ACK. Flight time is typically 45 minutes to an hour.
From New York: You can find direct flights from airports such as JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark, especially during the summer season. Flight time is typically an hour to 1.5 hours.
Other Regional Flights: There are flights from smaller airports like Westchester (New York), T.F. Green Airport (Rhode Island), and Martha's Vineyard. There are also Cape Air flights from Hyannis to Nantucket that only take about 20 minutes.
While air travel is mainly speedier, many people prefer the approach to Nantucket by boat to see the full effect of the island from sea.
Navigating Nantucket
Once you’re here, you don’t necessarily need a car to navigate the island given its compact size and fully developed public transportation system, the WAVE.
During the summer months especially, Nantucket is made for adventure. With more than 30 miles (48 km) of bike paths, many visitors rent bikes to explore the island, and it's one of the most popular ways to get around.
Nantucket's downtown or Town features several bike rental shops, including Young's Bicycle Shop, where visitors can rent bikes for all ages (and even Jeeps and cars, too) to explore the island.
If you’re staying near the town area of Nantucket, the area is extremely walkable. Attractions, including restaurants, bars, shops and the beach are all within walking distance.
Taxis and some rideshare services like Uber are also available, but they can be limited during peak season.
If you prefer something motorized but don’t want a car, renting a moped or scooter is another option.
A few things to consider if you want to bring a car: During the summer months, Nantucket can get very busy and not all parking is free or convenient. While having a car might be helpful for remote areas, most people find it more convenient and enjoyable to explore Nantucket without one. If you do decide to bring a car, you’ll need to make a reservation in advance for ferry transport, as space can be limited.
