Nantucket ferry schedule and guide
Three operators run the Nantucket ferry from Hyannis and New Bedford to Nantucket, Massachusetts. The Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority (Steamship Authority) runs car and passenger ferries and a high-speed ferry from Hyannis. Hy-Line Cruises (Hy-Line) runs high-speed ferries from Hyannis, and SeaStreak runs seasonal ferries from New Bedford. Hy-Line and SeaStreak carry passengers only.
SeaStreak: Thanksgiving sailings to Nantucket November 25 to 29, 2026
SeaStreak runs holiday sailings between New Bedford and Nantucket from Wednesday, November 25 through Sunday, November 29, 2026. These sailings are not in the schedule on this page.
On November 25 and November 27 to 29, ferries leave New Bedford at 8:45 AM and 2:00 PM and leave Nantucket at 11:15 AM and 4:15 PM. On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, one ferry leaves New Bedford at 8:45 AM and one leaves Nantucket at 2:00 PM. Each sailing stops at Vineyard Haven on the way.
SeaStreak: Christmas Stroll sailings to Nantucket December 3 to 6, 2026
SeaStreak runs holiday sailings between New Bedford and Nantucket for the Nantucket Christmas Stroll from Thursday, December 3 through Sunday, December 6, 2026. These sailings are not in the schedule on this page.
On December 3, one ferry leaves New Bedford at 2:00 PM and one leaves Nantucket at 4:30 PM. From December 4 to 6, ferries leave New Bedford at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM and leave Nantucket at 11:15 AM and 4:30 PM.
Schedules up to date as of October 25, 2026
Contents
Nantucket ferry schedule Fall 2026
- Steamship Authority traditional: The Fall 2026 schedule runs from October 23, 2026 to January 5, 2027.
- Steamship Authority high-speed: The Fall 2026 schedule runs from October 23, 2026 to January 5, 2027.
- Hy-Line high-speed: The Fall 2026 schedule runs from October 23, 2026 to April 1, 2027.
- Hy-Line inter-island: Closed for the season from October 19, 2026 to June 14, 2027.
- SeaStreak: Closed for the season from October 13, 2026 to May 14, 2027.
Steamship Authority traditional
Departures from Hyannis, Daily
| Departs | To | Boat |
|---|---|---|
| 9:15 AM | Nantucket | Nantucket |
| 2:45 PM | Nantucket | Nantucket |
| 8:00 PM | Nantucket | Nantucket |
Departures from Nantucket, Daily
| Departs | To | Boat |
|---|---|---|
| 6:30 AM | Hyannis | Nantucket |
| 12:00 PM | Hyannis | Nantucket |
| 5:30 PM | Hyannis | Nantucket |
Steamship Authority high-speed
Departures from Hyannis, Daily
| Departs | To | Boat |
|---|---|---|
| 8:15 AM | Nantucket | Iyanough |
| 11:00 AM | Nantucket | Iyanough |
| 2:00 PM | Nantucket | Iyanough |
| 5:00 PM | Nantucket | Iyanough |
Departures from Nantucket, Daily
| Departs | To | Boat |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 AM | Hyannis | Iyanough |
| 12:30 PM | Hyannis | Iyanough |
| 3:30 PM | Hyannis | Iyanough |
| 6:15 PM | Hyannis | Iyanough |
Hy-Line high-speed
Departures from Hyannis, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 6:10 AM | Nantucket |
| 9:05 AM | Nantucket |
| 11:55 AM | Nantucket |
| 3:05 PM | Nantucket |
| 7:00 PM | Nantucket |
Departures from Nantucket, Daily
| Departs | To |
|---|---|
| 7:40 AM | Hyannis |
| 10:30 AM | Hyannis |
| 1:20 PM | Hyannis |
| 4:35 PM | Hyannis |
| 8:20 PM | Hyannis |
No service
This schedule replaces the Fall 2026 schedule on December 25, 2026.
Nantucket ferry fares
Steamship Authority traditional
| Fare type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Passengers | |
| Adult, one way | $21.50 |
| Adult, round trip | $43.00 |
| Child 5 to 12, one way | $11.00 |
| Child 5 to 12, round trip | $22.00 |
| Child 4 and under | Free |
| Bicycles | |
| Bicycle, one way | $8.50 |
| Bicycle, round trip | $17.00 |
- Passenger fares include the town embarkation fee of $0.50 one way or $1.00 round trip. Children under 13 must travel with a passenger 13 or older.
Steamship Authority high-speed
| Fare type | Fare |
|---|---|
| Passengers | |
| Adult, one way | $48.50 |
| Adult, round trip | $93.00 |
| Child 5 to 12, one way | $24.75 |
| Child 5 to 12, round trip | $47.00 |
| Child 4 and under | Free |
| Adult, same-day round trip | $69.00 |
| Child 5 to 12, same-day round trip | $35.00 |
| Bicycles | |
| Bicycle, one way | $8.50 |
| Bicycle, round trip | $17.00 |
- Passenger fares include the town embarkation fee of $0.50 one way or $1.00 round trip. Children under 13 must travel with a passenger 13 or older. Same-day round trips start in Hyannis and return the same day, Mondays through Thursdays.
Hy-Line high-speed
| Fare type | Hyannis to Nantucket |
|---|---|
| Passengers | |
| Adult, one way | $53.00 |
| Child 5 to 12, one way | $34.00 |
- Fares include a fuel surcharge of $3.00 per person each way. Children 4 and under ride free with a boarding pass.
Hy-Line inter-island
| Fare type | Oak Bluffs to Nantucket |
|---|---|
| Passengers | |
| Adult, one way | $48.00 |
| Child 5 to 12, one way | $29.00 |
- Fares include a fuel surcharge of $3.00 per person each way. Children 4 and under ride free with a boarding pass.
The Steamship Authority sells traditional ferry passenger tickets at its terminals on the day of sailing and on its eFerry ticket website. Peter Pan Bus Lines and Plymouth and Brockton bus terminals sell Steamship Authority passenger tickets too.
The Steamship Authority gives a full refund for a high-speed reservation cancelled at least two hours before departure. Hy-Line refunds reservations cancelled by its deadline on the day before travel, less a service charge. SeaStreak tickets are not refundable unless the rider buys trip protection.
Nantucket ferry details
| Operators | Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority (Steamship Authority); Hy-Line Cruises (Hy-Line); SeaStreak |
|---|---|
| Crossing time | About 2 hours 15 minutes on the Steamship Authority traditional ferry from Hyannis. About 1 hour on the Steamship Authority and Hy-Line high-speed ferries from Hyannis. About 1 hour 40 minutes on SeaStreak from New Bedford. |
| Vehicles | The Steamship Authority traditional ferry carries cars, trucks and motorcycles. Hy-Line and SeaStreak carry passengers only. |
| Reservations | The Steamship Authority requires advance vehicle reservations and keeps a vehicle standby list every day. Walk-on passengers on the traditional ferry need no reservation. The Steamship Authority, Hy-Line and SeaStreak recommend reservations on their passenger ferries, especially in summer. |
| Bicycles | All three operators carry bicycles for a fare. The Steamship Authority sells bicycle tickets at the terminal on the day of sailing and carries bicycles as space allows. SeaStreak asks riders to add bicycles to the booking and stows them outside in marked areas. |
| Pets | The Steamship Authority and Hy-Line carry pets free, on a leash or in a carrier, and pets stay off seats. Steamship Authority food service areas allow only service animals. Hy-Line allows no pets in the Captain's View section of MV Grey Lady IV. |
| Accessibility | Elevators reach every passenger deck on the Steamship Authority traditional ferries. The main deck of the Steamship Authority high-speed ferry, MV Iyanough, is accessible, and its upper deck is not. Hy-Line's Captain's View section is not wheelchair accessible. |
| Restrooms and food on board | Steamship Authority traditional and high-speed ferries have restrooms and free Wi-Fi, and their snack bars sell beer, wine and mixed drinks. Hy-Line ferries have restrooms and a snack bar, with beer, wine and mixed drinks for riders 21 and older. SeaStreak ferries have a cash bar and bagged snacks. |
Nantucket ferries by port and dock
The Nantucket ferries leave from three mainland terminals and land at two docks in Nantucket. In Hyannis, the Steamship Authority and Hy-Line leave from separate terminals.
| Ferry | Leaves from | Lands at |
|---|---|---|
| Steamship Authority traditional ferry, all year | Hyannis, 69 South Street | Steamboat Wharf |
| Steamship Authority high-speed ferry, seasonal | Hyannis, 69 South Street | Steamboat Wharf |
| Hy-Line high-speed ferry, all year | Hyannis, 220 Ocean Street | Straight Wharf |
| Hy-Line inter-island ferry, seasonal | Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard | Straight Wharf |
| SeaStreak, seasonal | New Bedford, 49 State Pier | Steamboat Wharf |
Every Nantucket ferry carries passengers and bicycles, and the Steamship Authority traditional ferry carries cars and trucks too. Hy-Line's inter-island ferry sails nonstop between Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
Taking a car on the Nantucket ferry
Cars ride the Steamship Authority traditional ferry between the Steamship Authority Hyannis terminal and Steamboat Wharf. The Steamship Authority requires advance vehicle reservations, made online, by phone at (508) 477-8600 or at the Hyannis and Nantucket terminals. Drivers with a reservation check in at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure.
The Steamship Authority runs vehicle standby on the Nantucket route every day of the year, and space is limited. From Hyannis, drivers join the standby list in person at the Steamship Authority Hyannis terminal. From Nantucket, standby drivers need a paid or pending reservation and sign up by phone or in person.
Each standby driver gets a slip with a standby number and a web page that shows when to return to the terminal. A driver who is not back in time loses the place on the list.
Drivers who cannot book the trip they want can use the Steamship Authority's drive-on/drive-off service. The owner signs a release form at the ticket office. A Steamship Authority employee then drives the vehicle on or off the ferry, for a fee.
Hy-Line and SeaStreak carry no cars, motorcycles or mopeds.
Nantucket ferry reservations and when to arrive
Walk-on passengers need no reservation on the Steamship Authority traditional ferry. The Steamship Authority asks them to arrive 30 minutes before departure, and 45 minutes to one hour before in summer, because popular trips can fill.
The Steamship Authority recommends reservations on its high-speed ferry, made online, by phone at (508) 495-3278 or at the terminal. The Steamship Authority asks high-speed passengers to be at the dock, ready to board, 30 minutes before departure.
Hy-Line says a reservation is the only way to guarantee space on its ferries. Hy-Line asks riders to arrive at least 45 minutes before departure for drop-off, parking and ticketing. Riders pick up reserved tickets at the ticket office at least 30 minutes before departure. Hy-Line can give standby passengers the seats of riders who are not ticketed and in line 15 minutes before departure.
SeaStreak recommends reservations, especially in summer, and asks riders to arrive 45 minutes to one hour before departure. SeaStreak starts boarding 40 minutes before departure and can release reservations not picked up 10 minutes before departure.
Riders who park in an off-site lot need time for the shuttle bus. The Steamship Authority asks them to be at the lot one hour before departure.
The Steamship Authority and Hy-Line carry personal luggage free, and luggage carts stand near the Steamship Authority boarding areas. SeaStreak carries one carry-on that fits under the seat and one personal item free, and charges for each extra bag.
Hyannis ferry terminal parking and directions
Nantucket ferries leave Hyannis from two terminals. The Steamship Authority Hyannis terminal is at 69 South Street, Hyannis, MA 02601. The Hy-Line Ocean Street terminal is at 220 Ocean Street, Hyannis, MA 02601.
Steamship Authority Hyannis terminal parking
The Steamship Authority Hyannis terminal has limited parking. The Steamship Authority runs its Hyannis Main Lot at 65 South Street and off-site lots with a free shuttle bus to the terminal. It opens lots by space and demand, and its Hyannis parking line at (508) 775-7275 says which lot is open.
Shuttle buses to the Steamship Authority Hyannis terminal have no bike racks. Riders with bicycles drop them at the terminal, with a passenger, before parking.
Hy-Line Ocean Street terminal parking
Hy-Line runs its own lots along Ocean Street and an off-site lot at 183 Iyannough Road, 1 mile from the Hy-Line Ocean Street terminal. A free shuttle bus serves the off-site lot in season. Hy-Line opens an overflow lot at 33 Brooks Road at times of peak demand.
Riders can reserve part of each Hy-Line lot with a ferry booking, and Hy-Line sells the rest on the day of sailing. Drivers with on-site parking go to the Parking Gazebo at 220 Ocean Street. Hy-Line does not run the private lots that sell parking along Ocean Street.
| Lot | Location | Operator | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyannis Main Lot | 65 South Street, at the Steamship Authority Hyannis terminal | Steamship Authority | $10 to $25 a day, by time of year |
| Lewis Bay Road Lot | 65 Lewis Bay Road, with a free shuttle | Steamship Authority | $10 to $20 a day, by time of year |
| Yarmouth Road Lot | 75 Yarmouth Road, with a free shuttle | Steamship Authority | $10 to $20 a day, by time of year |
| Brooks Road Lot | 30 Brooks Road, with a free shuttle | Steamship Authority | $10 to $20 a day, by time of year |
| On-site lots | Ocean Street, near the Hy-Line Ocean Street terminal | Hy-Line | $10 to $30 a day, by date |
| Off-site lot | 183 Iyannough Road, with a seasonal free shuttle | Hy-Line | $5 to $20 a day, by date |
Train, bus and air travel to Hyannis
On summer weekends, the CapeFLYER train runs from Boston to Hyannis. A free Steamship Authority shuttle bus runs from the Hyannis station to the Steamship Authority Hyannis terminal. The Steamship Authority lists Peter Pan Bus Lines and Plymouth and Brockton buses from Boston to Hyannis.
Barnstable Municipal Airport in Hyannis has flights from Boston and New York, Hy-Line says.
New Bedford ferry terminal parking and directions
SeaStreak's New Bedford ferry terminal is at 49 State Pier, New Bedford, MA 02740. The New Bedford ferry terminal has restrooms, a covered waiting area, an ATM and Wi-Fi.
SeaStreak offers parking at State Pier. An offsite lot, the Whale's Tooth parking lot, has a free shuttle bus to the pier.
| Lot | Location |
|---|---|
| Dockside parking | 49 State Pier, at the New Bedford ferry terminal |
| Whale's Tooth parking lot | 532 Acushnet Avenue, with a free shuttle to the pier |
T.F. Green Airport in Providence, Rhode Island, is about 45 minutes from the New Bedford ferry terminal, SeaStreak says.
Nantucket ferry docks at Steamboat Wharf and Straight Wharf
The Steamship Authority and SeaStreak dock at Steamboat Wharf, the Steamship Authority's Nantucket terminal at 1 Steamboat Wharf, Nantucket, MA 02554. Hy-Line docks at Straight Wharf, and its Nantucket ticket office is at 34 Straight Wharf.
The Steamship Authority has no long-term parking at Steamboat Wharf, and Hy-Line has no parking on Nantucket. The Nantucket Regional Transit Authority runs The Wave, a seasonal bus, from a stop on Broad Street one block from Steamboat Wharf.
Steamboat Wharf has restrooms, a covered waiting area and an ATM, SeaStreak says. Hy-Line's Nantucket ticket office has a small waiting area.
When the Nantucket ferry is busiest
The Steamship Authority high-speed ferry often reaches capacity in summer and at other busy times. The Steamship Authority urges high-speed reservations most for summer weekends and holiday weekends.
Hy-Line keeps a standby list for each sold-out departure at its ticket office. Riders sign up in person, and the list for a departure opens once the boat before it has left the dock.
Hy-Line passes on summer driving advice from the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. The chamber advises drivers to avoid arriving on Cape Cod on Friday afternoons and evenings and on Saturday mornings. For leaving Cape Cod, the chamber advises avoiding Sunday and holiday Monday afternoons.
The Steamship Authority posts cancellations and delays on its website and sends text and email alerts. Hy-Line moves reservations on a cancelled ferry to open-ended tickets for rebooking. SeaStreak offers New Bedford riders on a cancelled sailing an exchange or a full refund.
Nantucket ferry FAQs
How long is the ferry to Nantucket?
The Nantucket ferry takes about 1 hour on the Steamship Authority and Hy-Line high-speed ferries from Hyannis. The Steamship Authority traditional ferry takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. SeaStreak takes about 1 hour 40 minutes from New Bedford.
Can cars go on the Nantucket ferry?
Cars ride the Steamship Authority traditional Nantucket ferry from Hyannis, with an advance vehicle reservation or on standby. Hy-Line and SeaStreak carry passengers only.
Do walk-on passengers need a Nantucket ferry reservation?
Walk-on passengers need no reservation on the Steamship Authority traditional Nantucket ferry and buy tickets on the day of sailing. The Steamship Authority, Hy-Line and SeaStreak recommend reservations on their passenger ferries, especially in summer.
Where does the Nantucket ferry leave from in Hyannis?
The Steamship Authority Nantucket ferries leave from the Steamship Authority Hyannis terminal at 69 South Street. Hy-Line's Nantucket ferries leave from the Hy-Line Ocean Street terminal at 220 Ocean Street. SeaStreak's Nantucket ferry leaves from New Bedford, not Hyannis.
Where to park for the Nantucket ferry
Steamship Authority riders park in the Hyannis Main Lot at 65 South Street or in Steamship Authority off-site lots with a free shuttle bus. Hy-Line riders park in Hy-Line's lots on Ocean Street or at 183 Iyannough Road. Neither operator has long-term parking on Nantucket.
Can dogs ride the Nantucket ferry?
Dogs ride free on the Steamship Authority and Hy-Line Nantucket ferries, on a leash or in a carrier. Hy-Line allows no pets in the Captain's View section of MV Grey Lady IV.
Does the Nantucket ferry run in winter?
The Steamship Authority traditional ferry and Hy-Line's high-speed ferry run to Nantucket from Hyannis all year. The Steamship Authority high-speed ferry, the Hy-Line inter-island ferry and SeaStreak run seasonally. SeaStreak also adds some holiday sailings from New Bedford.
Ferries near Nantucket
- Martha's Vineyard ferry, including Hy-Line's inter-island ferry from Nantucket
- Boston–Provincetown ferry
- Massachusetts ferries