travel + stay

Getting there

Nantucket is only accessible via ferry or plane, but fortunately, there are lots of options!

by ferry

In September, there are three options: Hy-Line Cruises, Steamship Authority, and the Seastreak.

Hy-Line and Steamship are the most popular choices. Both depart from Hyannis, MA (roughly 90 minutes from Logan) and offer many high-speed options throughout the day. If you’re not bringing a car, this is definitely the way to go – the fast ferry takes about an hour, whereas the regular ferry (operated by the Steamship Authority) takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. If you want to bring a car, you must plan ahead! We recommend looking into this as soon as possible as spots on the boat are limited. (You can also rent a car on Nantucket – see below!)

Seastreak leaves from New Bedford, MA, and is the best option if you’re driving from the NYC/CT area. It’s a shorter drive and saves you the hassle of Cape Cod traffic. Seastreak is also a high-speed ferry, but the ride is slightly longer at roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes. There are only two ferries per day in September, so you’ll want to make sure you allow plenty of time to get there!

A word of caution: If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend avoiding the Seastreak, which can be a bit bumpy depending on weather/wind conditions. If you’re especially sensitive and want the smoothest ride possible, it’s best to forgo any high-speed ferry option – the slower boat will be the safest bet.

by air:

Most major airlines fly into Nantucket, so traveling by air is fairly easy if the weather is good. If you’re traveling from Texas or outside of the Northeast area, you’ll probably want to opt for a major airline. United, Delta, JetBlue, and American all fly to Nantucket, and should be operating normally in early September. This is typically the easiest and most reliable option – your layover should be smoother, and the flight will be more comfortable.

The other option is Cape Air, which operates out of Boston and offers multiple flights per day. The plane is small (typically seating fewer than 10 people), but if you don’t mind the coziness, the views of Boston/Cape Cod/Nantucket are unbeatable!

where to stay

Nantucket is small enough that any area of the island is doable, but the most convenient places to stay will be in Sconset or town. Most wedding events will take place in Sconset (where the Queallys live), but there will be many more options in town. Town is also where most of the restaurants and shops are, which makes it especially easy to get around without a car.

Airbnb/Vrbo are both popular on the island and will hopefully have off-season rates for early September.

Hotels:

  • If you’re looking for luxury, the best options in town are the White Elephant, Greydon House, or Faraway. This article provides a pretty thorough breakdown if you want more info!

  • If you’re looking for convenience, there are dozens of bed and breakfasts in town. A few options include Brass Lantern Inn, Cliff Lodge, The Barnacle Inn, and Carlisle House Inn. Unfortunately, Nantucket is fairly expensive so nothing will be a steal – Airbnb will likely be your best option.

  • Please note: We do not recommend staying at the Summer House. Although it’s beautiful and conveniently located, the hotel is very unreliable and there’s no guarantee it will be open next September.

babysitters

Nannytucket and Summer Sitters are both great options!

car rentals

Most car rental options are available at the airport (Nantucket Memorial) – including Hertz, Nantucket Island Rent A Car, and Nantucket Windmill Auto Rental. You can also check out the app Turo – a great option if you only need a car for a few hours!

That being said, you can absolutely enjoy Nantucket without a car! NRTA operates a public bus service all around the island (with a popular route from Sconset to town), making it easy to get places. Uber and Lyft are also available, as well as dozens of local cab services.

Although town is much busier, you won’t feel stranded in Sconset! A market, several restaurants, and a handful of shops are all within walking distance. The beach is also just a few steps away!