Traveling to Nantucket

Nantucket Island is located 26 miles at sea, just south of Cape Cod, and is easy to reach by ferry or by plane. View a map pinpointing the island's location with respect to Greater New England, and showing the principal highways to the departure point of Hyannis.

Getting to Hyannis

Ferries and planes to Nantucket depart from the city of Hyannis on Cape Cod. Driving to Hyannis from Boston is a trip of approximately 80 miles taking about 1.5 hours. Be sure to allow plenty of extra time during the summer months and on weekends. Follow Route 3 (Southeast Expressway); Route 6 over the Sagamore Bridge; Route 132 into Hyannis; follow signs to airport or docks. From New York City, the drive is approximately 270 miles and takes 4-5 hours. Follow route 95 to Providence, RI; Route 195 to Wareham, MA; Route 25 over the Bourne Bridge; Route 6 to Exit #6; Route 132 into Hyannis. Follow signs to airport or docks. There is a fee for parking.

Travel by Ferry

Island ferries depart from the port of Hyannis on Cape Cod.

The Steamship Authority automobile ferries carry cars (reservations must be made well in advance of travel) and passengers (no reservations necessary) and the trip takes approximately 2 1/2 hours.

The Steamship Authority also runs a year-round fast ferry (passengers only, reservations required) that takes approximately one hour.

Hy-Line Cruises offers a year-round fast ferry (one hour) as well as a regular ferry (travel time approximately two hours) during the summer months. Both Hy-Line ferries carry passengers only and require advance reservations.

Travel by Air

Nantucket Memorial Airport is one of New England's busiest. Cape Air (1-800-352-0714) offers daily flights to the island from Boston, Hyannis, New Bedford, and Providence. Island Airlines (1-800-248-7779) shuttles between Hyannis and Nantucket.

Ocean Wings (1-800-253-5039) offers air charter service and can accommodate research flights.

A Word About the Weather

Gale force winds and high seas can cancel boat trips; the smaller passenger ferries are more susceptible to high seas than the large automobile ferry. Dense fogs, a common occurrence in our marine climate, can close Nantucket airport. Be sure to check the weather and call your carrier if you are uncertain about whether your trip might be cancelled. Island residents favor Hyannis as a departure point because the docks and the airport are just a short cab ride apart. If your boat is cancelled due to wind, you can take a plane; if it's too foggy to fly, you can change to the boat.

View the Nantucket forecast.