The New London high-speed ferry reaches Block Island in 80-90 minutes and runs seasonally for passengers only.
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For most Connecticut and New York travelers, taking the high-speed ferry to Block Island from New London, CT is the cleanest way to reach Old Harbor without driving into Rhode Island. Block Island Express runs the route from 2 Ferry Street in New London to Old Harbor on Block Island, with no vehicle service on this boat.
Use New London if you are coming from western Connecticut, the New Haven corridor, Hartford, New York City, or the Amtrak line. Use Point Judith if you need the traditional car ferry, are traveling outside the New London season, or want the shortest Rhode Island crossing.
After you choose a travel date, compare ferry and transfer options before locking in your island day:
New London To Block Island Ferry: Route, Time, And Cost
The New London to Block Island ferry is a seasonal passenger-only route operated by Block Island Express, with a normal crossing of about 80 to 90 minutes. Adult fares are listed at $33.25 one-way and $66.50 round trip, with priority fares and bike add-ons priced separately.
The boat lands in Old Harbor, the easiest arrival point for a short visit because the dock sits close to shops, beaches, bike rentals, taxis, and the main village streets. The operator also posts a fuel surcharge, so use the live checkout total before you pay.
How Long Does The Ferry Take?
The Block Island Express crossing from New London takes about 80 minutes on the Jessica W and about 90 minutes on the Cecelia Ann or Sea Jet. Weather, tides, currents, and vessel changes can stretch that time, so do not plan a tight same-day train or dinner connection.
A safe day-trip plan leaves at least 30 minutes between your arrival in New London and the scheduled ferry departure. A safer return plan leaves 60 to 90 minutes between the ferry’s scheduled arrival back in New London and any train, show, dinner reservation, or long drive home.
Route Options Compared
New London is the right ferry port when the mainland approach matters as much as the water crossing. The table below compares the main ways travelers use the route and the nearby alternatives that solve specific problems.
| Option | Typical Time | Rough Cost And Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| New London high-speed ferry, standard passenger | 80-90 minutes on the water | $33.25 one-way adult fare; best for most CT and NYC-area travelers |
| New London high-speed ferry, priority passenger | 80-90 minutes on the water | $39.50 one-way adult fare; best when preferred boarding is worth paying for |
| Amtrak or Shore Line East to New London, then ferry | Train time plus 80-90 minutes | Terminal sits across from New London station; best without a car |
| Drive to New London, park, then ferry | Drive time plus 80-90 minutes | On-site parking is listed at $15 per calendar day; best for flexible returns |
| Bring a bicycle on the New London ferry | 80-90 minutes on the water | $12 one-way bicycle fare; best if you want to ride from Old Harbor |
| Point Judith traditional ferry | Longer drive from CT, then a slower Rhode Island crossing | Best if you must bring a vehicle to Block Island |
| Point Judith high-speed ferry | Short Rhode Island crossing after a longer drive | Best for Providence, Boston, and Rhode Island travelers |
Costs, Priority Boarding, And Bikes
Block Island Express pricing is separated into adult, child, priority, and add-on fares. The official Block Island Express fare page lists a 15% fuel surcharge dated May 25, 2026, so check the final reservation total before you pay. Children under 12 qualify for child fares, children under 2 ride free, and children under 12 must travel with someone age 16 or older.
Priority fare is not a speed upgrade. Priority fare gives preferred boarding when you arrive 30 minutes before departure, plus different cancellation and change handling if your arrival timing slips.
- Adult standard: $33.25 one-way or $66.50 round trip.
- Adult priority: $39.50 one-way or $79.00 round trip.
- Child standard: $16.75 one-way or $33.50 round trip.
- Bicycle: $12.00 one-way.
- Cart, wagon, surfboard, or small electric scooter: $6.00 one-way.
Car warning: the New London high-speed ferry is passenger-only. Travelers who need a vehicle on Block Island should use the Point Judith traditional ferry instead.
Schedule Strategy For Day Trips
The ferry schedule should decide your Block Island plan before beaches, lunch, bike rentals, or taxis. Peak-season calendars can show multiple New London departures, while shoulder-season service is thinner and some calendar dates have no service.
- Arrive at the New London terminal 45 to 60 minutes before departure if parking.
- Handle bike, moped, or taxi plans as soon as you reach Old Harbor.
- Return to Old Harbor at least 30 minutes before your sailing.
- Leave padding after the ferry reaches New London, especially if catching a train.
Thursday dinner runs and late sailings can be useful, but they are date-specific. Treat any dinner run, late return, or special fare as unconfirmed until the operator’s reservation screen shows it for your travel day.
Where To Stay After The Ferry Lands
Block Island overnight stays make the New London route easier because you do not have to squeeze the island into one ferry window. Old Harbor is the easiest base for first-timers without a car, while New Harbor works better for quieter evenings, marina views, and longer stays.
Use the map below to compare island stays near the ferry landing and the quieter west-side harbor areas:
Should You Use New London Or Point Judith?
New London is the better ferry choice for most travelers coming from Connecticut, New York City, Long Island connections, or the Amtrak corridor. Point Judith is the better choice for travelers bringing a car, visiting outside the New London operating season, or starting from Rhode Island or eastern Massachusetts.
The New London route saves driving time for many travelers west of Rhode Island, and the terminal setup is easy: the ferry dock is across from New London’s rail station and near paid parking. Point Judith wins for vehicle logistics, since the New London boat does not take cars.
Getting To The New London Terminal
The New London ferry terminal is at 2 Ferry Street, New London, CT 06320, near I-95 and the downtown waterfront. Drivers use exit 84 southbound or exit 83 northbound for the New London Waterfront District, then follow local streets toward the ferry entrance.
Train arrivals are unusually easy for this route. Block Island Express states that the dock is across from New London’s Multi-Modal Transportation Center, which is served by Amtrak and Shore Line East.
Parking is also straightforward by island-ferry standards. The operator lists limited on-site parking at $15 per calendar day, first come first served, with the Water Street Parking Garage directly across the street as the main overflow option.
Fare Snapshot For The New London Ferry
The current fare structure is easiest to read by traveler type rather than by every possible reservation screen. Use this table for trip math, then confirm the final checkout total because fuel surcharges and special fares can change.
| Fare Or Add-On | Listed One-Way Price | Listed Round-Trip Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult standard passenger | $33.25 | $66.50 |
| Adult priority passenger | $39.50 | $79.00 |
| Child standard passenger | $16.75 | $33.50 |
| Child priority passenger | $19.75 | $39.50 |
| Bicycle | $12.00 | Charged each way |
| Tandem bicycle | $17.50 | Charged each way |
| Cart, wagon, surfboard, or bike trailer | $6.00 | Charged each way |
Best Way For Speed, Budget, And Comfort
The fastest practical plan from Connecticut is the New London high-speed ferry with a morning outbound and a late return. The lowest-friction plan is Amtrak or Shore Line East into New London, a short walk to the dock, and no mainland parking.
The budget plan depends on your starting point: drivers can use standard passenger fare and the $15 on-site parking if spaces are available, while train travelers avoid parking but add rail fare. The comfort pick is a standard or priority reservation on a sailing that gives you time on both sides of the boat ride.
For a clean plan, compare transport first, then reserve the ferry time that gives you enough island hours:
References & Sources
- Block Island Express.“Block Island Ferry Fares.”Lists current New London fare categories, passenger prices, bike add-ons, child fare rules, and the posted fuel surcharge.