Nantucket Ferry Guide: Ports, Schedules and Fares

Schedules and fares checked September 28, 2026. Confirm every price and departure time with the operator before you travel.

Ferry service to Nantucket from Cape Cod leaves from two places: Hyannis and Harwich Port. Chatham has no regular public ferry to the island, so a Chatham trip starts with a drive west to one of those two harbors.

Staying on the Lower Cape, the shorter drive is Harwich Port and the wider choice of sailing times is Hyannis. Which one wins depends on your date, whether you want a car on the island, and what the trip costs once parking and fees are counted.

Which Nantucket ferry should you take?

Three operators serve Nantucket from Cape Cod, and only one carries cars.

Steamship Authority high-speed ferry, Hyannis to Steamboat Wharf: about 1 hour, passengers only, seasonal.
Steamship Authority traditional ferry, Hyannis to Steamboat Wharf: about 2 hours 15 minutes, carries passengers, bicycles and vehicles, runs through winter.
Hy-Line Cruises high-speed ferry, Hyannis to Straight Wharf: about 60 minutes, passengers only.
Freedom Cruise Line, Harwich Port to Straight Wharf: under 80 minutes, passengers only, seasonal, free day-tripper parking.

Fastest, cheapest and closest point at three different boats. The fastest crossings leave Hyannis. The cheapest fare is on the slowest boat. The closest terminal to Chatham has the fewest departures.

Best option when staying in Chatham or the Lower Cape

Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich Port sits roughly eight miles west of Chatham on Route 28. The Hyannis terminals are roughly 20 miles away. On a July Saturday that gap in mainland driving is real, and free day parking removes a cost from the day.

The catch is frequency. Freedom Cruise Line ran one round trip a day in spring and fall of the 2026 season, and three a day in peak summer. Miss it and there is no later boat from that harbor. Harwich Port is the better start when its schedule matches your plans, not automatically the better port.

Arriving from off-Cape, see our guide to getting to Chatham, and our overview of Cape Cod towns for how Chatham, Harwich and Hyannis sit relative to each other.

Best option for the lowest passenger fare

The Steamship Authority traditional ferry, at $43.00 for an adult round trip against $93.00 on the high-speed boat. You pay in time: about four and a half hours on the water for a same-day return. For a family that usually decides it.

For one traveler with a single free day, the fast ferry buys back three hours ashore. Add parking before calling anything cheapest, because a low fare plus $25.00 peak parking is not the same bargain as a higher fare plus free day parking.

Best option for the fastest crossing

Both Hyannis high-speed services cross in about an hour, against under 80 minutes from Harwich Port. On the water, Hyannis wins.

Dock-to-dock time is the wrong number. Add the drive, parking, a shuttle if you park off-site and the check-in window, and a Harwich Port sailing from Chatham can finish ahead of a Hyannis sailing that is faster afloat. Compare total journey time from your door.

The only Cape Cod option for taking a car

The Steamship Authority traditional ferry is the only Cape Cod service carrying vehicles. Everything else here is passenger-only, and vehicle space needs its own reservation.

Vehicle fares move sharply with the calendar. A car under 17 feet cost $740.00 round trip on a Friday to Sunday sailing between May 15 and September 14, against $410.00 in the January to March window. Standby runs year-round on the Nantucket route, but it means joining a list and waiting for a call back. Treat it as a fallback, never a plan.

Cape Cod ferry terminals, parking and arrival

Two Cape Cod harbors serve Nantucket. Woods Hole and Falmouth do not: those terminals serve Martha's Vineyard.

Steamship Authority terminal in Hyannis

The Steamship Authority terminal is at 69 South Street, Hyannis. Both the traditional ferry and the seasonal M/V Iyanough high-speed ferry leave from here and arrive at 1 Steamboat Wharf on Nantucket.

On-site parking at 65 South Street is limited, so most drivers use one of three off-site lots served by a free shuttle: 65 Lewis Bay Road, 75 Yarmouth Road and 30 Brooks Road.

Daily rates run $20.00 to $25.00 from May 1 to September 14, $15.00 to $20.00 in April and from September 15 to October 31, and $10.00 to $15.00 from November 1 to March 31. You pay the rate in effect on the day you enter the lot for your whole stay. The Authority advises arriving an hour before departure in busy periods.

One detail catches cyclists out: the Hyannis shuttle buses have no bike racks. Drop the bicycle and a passenger at the terminal first, then park.

Hy-Line Cruises terminal in Hyannis

Hy-Line Cruises departs from 220 Ocean Street, Hyannis, and arrives at Straight Wharf, where its island ticket office sits at 34 Straight Wharf. This is a different terminal from the Steamship Authority, so check which company issued your ticket before you drive in.

Hy-Line runs its own lots. On-site parking at 220 Ocean Street was $30.00 a day in peak periods, $15.00 to $22.00 in the shoulders and $10.00 from December 15 to April 12. Off-site parking at 183 Iyannough Road, with overflow at 33 Brooks Road, ran $20.00, $10.00 to $15.00 and $5.00 across the same periods, with a free seasonal shuttle.

A limited number of spaces in both lots can be reserved with your ferry booking. Hy-Line asks for arrival 30 to 45 minutes ahead, and at least an hour with luggage, children or bicycles.

Freedom Cruise Line terminal in Harwich Port

Freedom Cruise Line sails from Saquatucket Harbor at 731 Route 28, Harwich Port, and lands at Straight Wharf in downtown Nantucket. Service is passenger-only, so the car stays on the mainland.

Day-trip parking is free in the company's private lot. Overnight parking was $32.00 per night. For a Chatham family doing a summer day trip, free parking closes most of the fare gap against the Hyannis fast ferries.

Nantucket ferry schedules

Schedules change without notice, so this is a summary of operating windows, not a timetable.

High season

From late June through early September all three operators run their fullest service. Hyannis offers the most departures, including early outbound sailings and late returns that make a same-day trip comfortable. Freedom Cruise Line's three summer round trips support a day trip but leave no room to improvise.

Weekend and holiday sailings sell first, and the last outbound boat often cannot get you home the same evening, so check the return before booking the outbound. Advance booking matters most in the early-summer rush covered in our guide to Cape Cod in June.

Shoulder season and winter

The Steamship Authority traditional ferry is the constant, running continuously across the 2026 schedule. The high-speed ferry has a defined seasonal window, published as March 30, 2026 to January 5, 2027. Freedom Cruise Line's 2026 season ran May 22 to October 12. Hy-Line's frequency drops steeply outside summer, with extra sailings around events such as the Daffodil Festival and the Christmas Stroll.

In late autumn, described in our guide to Cape Cod in October, a day trip can hinge on a single return sailing.

Verify before leaving Chatham

Open the operator's live schedule and confirm the sailing exists on your date.
Check the departure status page and weather alerts.
Read the terminal name and time printed on your ticket, not the one you remember.
Recheck the return separately. Outbound and return schedules are not mirror images.

Nantucket ferry fares and total trip costs

All figures were checked on the operators' own pages on September 28, 2026 and are subject to change. Age bands differ between companies.

Passenger and child fares

Steamship Authority, embarkation fee included:

Traditional adult: $21.50 one way, $43.00 round trip
Traditional child aged 5 to 12: $11.00 one way, $22.00 round trip
High-speed adult: $48.50 one way, $93.00 round trip
High-speed child aged 5 to 12: $24.75 one way, $47.00 round trip
Children under 4: free on both boats

Hy-Line Cruises:

Adult standard: $52.00 one way, $97.00 round trip
Child aged 5 to 12: $33.00 one way, $59.00 round trip
Infant aged 0 to 4: no charge, but must be ticketed
Captain's View in season: $61.00 one way, $109.00 round trip
Captain’s View off season: $55.00 one way, $103.00 round trip
A $2.00 per-person fuel surcharge applies to one-way tickets

Freedom Cruise Line:

Adult: $67.00 one way, $99.00 round trip
Child 12 and under: $47.00 one way, $67.00 round trip
Infant 2 and under: $17.00 one way, $25.00 round trip
Web reservations add a $3.00 per ticket, per direction convenience fee

A 12-year-old is a child on all three lines, but Freedom Cruise Line charges for infants while the other two do not.

Bicycle and e-bike charges

Steamship Authority: $8.50 one way, $17.00 round trip, carried space-available with no reservation
Hy-Line Cruises: $8.50 one way, $17.00 round trip
Freedom Cruise Line, standard bicycle: $17.00 one way, $25.00 round trip
Freedom Cruise Line, e-bike: $25.00 one way, $35.00 round trip, the only separate e-bike rate of the three

Getting the bike aboard is easy. Getting it from an off-site lot to the terminal is the problem, because the Steamship Authority states its parking shuttle racks cannot take e-bikes and the Hyannis shuttles carry no bike racks at all. Plan a terminal drop-off, or ride in, and confirm current battery rules with the operator.

Vehicle fares

Only the Steamship Authority traditional ferry carries cars from Cape Cod. For a vehicle under 17 feet:

January 5 to March 31: $205.00 one way, $410.00 round trip
April 1 to May 14: $300.00 one way, $600.00 round trip
May 15 to September 14, Monday to Thursday: $320.00 one way, $640.00 round trip
May 15 to September 14, Friday to Sunday: $370.00 one way, $740.00 round trip
September 15 to October 31: $320.00 one way, $640.00 round trip
November 1 to December 31: $208.00 one way, $416.00 round trip

Vehicles from 17 to 20 feet cost about $20 more per tier, and passenger tickets are charged separately from the vehicle. Check the live vehicle availability calendar before committing to a date.

Costs people overlook

Mainland parking, which ranged from $5.00 to $30.00 a day across the three operators. Overnight parking charged per calendar day. Online convenience fees. Bicycle and e-bike charges. Vehicle surcharges by length. Taxi or rideshare on the island. Food bought on board. Change and cancellation charges.

Which ferry is actually cheapest?

Base fares mislead. These examples use September 28, 2026 prices and mid-August travel, excluding food and island transport.

One adult, foot passenger from Hyannis: traditional ferry round trip $43.00 plus $25.00 parking, about $68.00.
Two adults, same-day return on the Hyannis high-speed ferry: $186.00 in fares plus $25.00 parking, about $211.00.
Two adults with two bicycles from Harwich Port: $198.00 in fares plus $50.00 for bikes plus online fees, about $260.00, with free day parking.
Two adults and two children aged 7 and 10, Hyannis high-speed: $280.00 in fares plus $25.00 parking, about $305.00. The same family on the traditional ferry pays about $155.00.
A couple with a car under 17 feet, Friday to Sunday: $740.00 for the vehicle plus $86.00 in adult fares, about $826.00, with no mainland parking.

Roughly $150.00 separates example four from its traditional-ferry alternative. That is the clearest argument for the slow boat.

Getting from Chatham to the ferry terminal

There is no regular public ferry from Chatham to Nantucket. Both realistic starting points are a drive away, and summer traffic on Route 28 and Route 6 makes any fixed driving estimate unreliable.

Chatham to Harwich Port

Main Street to Route 28 west through West Chatham and South Chatham, then into Harwich Port. Saquatucket Harbor is on the left at 731 Route 28, roughly eight miles out.

In light traffic, this is a short hop. In August, Route 28 through Harwich Port slows badly by late morning, so build in a buffer. Free day-tripper parking makes this the most economical same-day round trip from Chatham when the schedule cooperates.

Chatham to Hyannis

Most drivers take Route 137 north to Route 6 west, then exit toward Hyannis, or run Route 28 the whole way, roughly 20 miles from central Chatham. Off-site parking plus a shuttle can add 20 to 30 minutes at the Hyannis end.

Hyannis still wins when you need a specific departure, a late return, vehicle transport, or a sailing outside the Freedom Cruise Line season. Seasonal traffic patterns are covered in our guide to the best time to visit Cape Cod.

Traveling without a car

The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority runs fixed routes across the Cape, including the H2O route between Hyannis and Orleans and Flex service on the Lower Cape. Routes and timetables change seasonally, so confirm current service with the CCRTA and check whether the nearest stop is walkable with luggage.

Timing is the real limit. Early outbound sailings usually leave before the first useful bus arrives, which means a taxi, a rideshare or a drop-off arranged the night before.

Booking, changes and cancellations

Book through the operator's own site and confirm the departure port at checkout, because Hyannis and Harwich Port bookings look alike in a confirmation email and the terminals are 20 miles apart. Passenger and vehicle reservations are separate transactions: a passenger ticket does not reserve space for your car.

When to book

Reserve well ahead for peak summer weekends, holiday weekends, event dates, the earliest outbound and latest return sailings, and any group larger than four. Off-season midweek travel on the traditional ferry rarely needs the same lead time.

Vehicle space is booked by length and date, and reservations open on published dates. If nothing is available, the Nantucket standby list requires putting your name down and waiting to be called, and guarantees nothing on any particular sailing.

Changes, cancellations and refunds

Rules differ by operator. Do not blend them.

Steamship Authority passenger reservations: cancel at least two hours before departure for a full refund. An unused reservation that was not cancelled is not refunded, but stays valid for standby travel for two years.
Steamship Authority vehicle reservations: the first date change is free when made 14 or more days ahead, later changes carry a $10.00 fee, and changes must be made at least an hour before departure.
Hy-Line Cruises: cancel by 5:00pm the day before departure, with a $5.00 per passenger service charge. Same-day cancellations are not refundable.
Freedom Cruise Line: terms are published on the company's rates page and are stated as subject to change without notice.

Read the current terms on the operator's site rather than trusting any summary, including this one.

Cars, bicycles, luggage and pets

Cars. Only the Steamship Authority traditional ferry, reserved in advance and priced by length. Ask whether you need one: downtown Nantucket is walkable from both wharves and the island bus reaches the main beaches and villages.
Luggage. Hy-Line carries passenger luggage free with limits on especially large amounts, with staff help at a designated drop-off. The Steamship Authority also carries personal baggage free, charges for bicycles, surfboards, and large items, prohibits unattended baggage, and accepts no responsibility for bags left on terminal luggage carts. Label everything.
Pets. Hy-Line allows pets on all island-bound ferries except the Captain's View section, at no fee, leashed or crated and off the furniture. The Steamship Authority carries pets free, leashed or contained, but bars them from food service areas and passenger seats, with service animals excepted. Confirm Freedom Cruise Line's current policy directly.

Accessibility, families and rough weather

Most Steamship Authority vessels have elevator access, and the online checkout includes a checkbox to request boarding and elevator assistance. Contact any operator ahead of time about mobility needs, accessible parking, and shuttle access rather than arriving and hoping.

With small children, arrive an hour early and expect a stroller to be easier on the traditional ferry, which has more room to move.

High-speed catamarans and the traditional ferry ride differently in a swell, and the faster boats can feel livelier. Check the marine forecast and the operator's alerts page. Fog is the more common disruption here, and it matters most when your plan depends on the last return sailing.

If your ferry is delayed or cancelled

Check the operator's departure status page before you leave Chatham, not after you have parked in Hyannis.

When the operator cancels a sailing, the Steamship Authority lets affected customers rebook or travel standby once service resumes, and opens a dedicated standby line for passengers holding tickets on cancelled trips. If you cancel yourself, the ordinary refund deadlines apply instead, a less generous outcome.

Never assume another company will honour your ticket: these are three separate businesses with separate boats and terminals. Avoid booking a flight or a long drive straight after your scheduled return, and think through what an overnight disruption would mean for parking charges and where you would sleep.

Arriving in Nantucket

Steamship Authority sailings dock at Steamboat Wharf. Hy-Line and Freedom Cruise Line dock at Straight Wharf. Both sit in downtown Nantucket within a short walk of Main Street, so check which wharf your return leaves from.

Taxis queue near both wharves in season and bicycle rental shops sit close to the waterfront. The island bus network, the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority's The Wave, runs to Surfside, Madaket, Sconset, Jetties Beach and the airport, and is offering free rides on all routes for the whole of 2026 with support from MassDOT. Worth knowing before you price a rental car.

Nantucket ferry travel checklist

Before booking: choose the port by your date rather than the map, decide whether the car stays on Cape Cod, add parking and fees before comparing fares, confirm the return sailing, and read the cancellation terms.
The day before: check departure status and the marine forecast, confirm the terminal address on your ticket, reserve parking where allowed, download tickets, and verify bicycle, pet, and luggage rules.
On departure day: allow for Route 28 and Route 6 traffic, arrive inside the check-in window, drop passengers and bicycles before parking off-site, and recheck the last return sailing once you are on the island.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a ferry from Chatham to Nantucket?

No. The two Cape Cod departure points are Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich Port, roughly eight miles west of Chatham, and the two Hyannis terminals, roughly 20 miles west.

Which ferry to Nantucket allows cars?

Only the Steamship Authority traditional ferry from Hyannis. It requires a vehicle reservation booked by length and date, priced separately from passenger tickets.

How long is the ferry from Cape Cod to Nantucket?

About one hour on the Hyannis high-speed services, under 80 minutes from Harwich Port, and about 2 hours 15 minutes on the traditional ferry. Add driving, parking and check-in for your real door-to-dock time.

Do Nantucket ferries operate year-round?

The Steamship Authority traditional ferry runs across the year. The high-speed ferry runs a defined seasonal window, Freedom Cruise Line closed on October 12 in 2026, and Hy-Line's frequency drops sharply outside summer.

How early should I arrive?

Hy-Line asks for 30 to 45 minutes, or an hour with luggage, children or bicycles. The Steamship Authority recommends an hour in busy periods, mainly to cover off-site parking and the shuttle.

Can I bring a dog on the Nantucket ferry?

Policies vary. Hy-Line allows leashed or crated pets everywhere except the Captain's View section at no fee. The Steamship Authority carries leashed or contained pets free but keeps them out of food service areas and off passenger seats. Confirm Freedom Cruise Line's rules directly.

Should I book a Nantucket ferry in advance?

Yes for peak summer weekends, holidays, event dates and early or late sailings. Vehicle space is a separate reservation and sells out well before passenger seats.

Choose and book your ferry

Based in Chatham with a Harwich Port sailing that fits your day, Freedom Cruise Line gives the shortest drive and free day parking. Wanting more departure times, a late return, or travel outside summer, the Hyannis high-speed ferries are worth the extra 20 miles. Wanting the lowest passenger fare, or needing a car on the island, the Steamship Authority traditional ferry is the only answer.

Fares, parking rates, and departure times all move, so recheck them on the operator's own site before you pay and check departure status again on the morning you travel. Book directly with the Steamship Authority, Hy-Line Cruises, or Freedom Cruise Line. While you plan the rest of the trip, see what is happening in Chatham this weekend.