Arrive
Nantucket — dubbed "Best Island in the World" by National Geographic — is the Faraway Land 30 miles off Cape Cod's southern coast. Visitors stepping off of the ferry are greeted by weathered wharves linked by cobblestone streets leading to a richly historic town. The entire island is designated a National Historic Landmark, and its diminutive scale makes for easy exploration of its sights and rich living history. At the heart of the island's enchantment is idyllic Main Street, named "One of America's Greatest Main Streets" by Travel & Leisure Magazine; a centuries-old aggregate of remarkably preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture coexists, along shady streets and byways, with au courant shops, galleries, hotels, bed & breakfasts, and restaurants featuring award-winning, inspired cuisine.
This page contains travel resources for getting to Nantucket.
For how to get around on the island, please see our page Get Around
Ferry Services
Hy-Line Cruises and Steamship Authority are the two ferry lines that provide convenient, year-round service to and from Nantucket and the main-land. Both ferry lines run a high-speed passenger catamaran with a travel time of an hour. The Steamship Authority also runs a traditional car-and-passenger ferry, with a two and a half hour travel time. Secure, on-site parking is available at both terminals for a nominal fee.
Freedom Cruise Line in Harwich Port and Seastreak in New Bedford provide seasonal high-speed ferry service to the island. A seasonal inter-island ferry operated by Hy-Line Cruises runs between Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard from late May to early October.
Nantucket Ferries shows schedules for various ferry options in one place. Click here to visit their website.
Book your journey with Hy-Line Cruises
Book your journey with Seastreak
Airlines
Even though the island is 30 miles out to sea, Nantucket has the second-busiest commercial airport in Massachusetts. Our airport is easily accessible to both local and major airlines and aircraft charters. Flights are convenient and are available year-round from airports in Boston, Hyannis, and Martha’s Vineyard. Airlines such as JetBlue, Delta, American and United Airlines operate seasonally from JFK, LaGuardia, Westchester, Newark, Washington, DC, and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
Book your flight with Cape Air here
Bus & Train
Thanks to commuter bus and train services to and from the Hyannis Transportation Center, located two blocks from the harbor, getting to Nantucket from New York City and Boston is a breeze. Plymouth & Brockton Bus Line provides convenient services from Boston’s South Station and Logan Airport. Peter Pan/Bonanza Bus Lines depart from New York (Port Authority), with an approximate 6 hour travel time. A seasonal train, the CapeFLYER, operated by Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, offers convenient weekend passenger service from Boston to Hyannis.
