Nantucket from New Bedford | Ferry Costs And Timing

The Seastreak ferry links New Bedford and Nantucket seasonally, with peak summer crossings around 1 hour 40 minutes.

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The simplest Nantucket from New Bedford plan is Seastreak’s seasonal passenger ferry from 49 State Pier to the downtown Nantucket ferry area. For most travelers coming from southeastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut, New Bedford beats driving around to Hyannis because the boat leaves from a less crowded mainland port and lands close to Nantucket’s town center.

The main limits are season and vehicle access. Seastreak’s 2026 New Bedford route runs April 16 through October 12, carries passengers rather than cars, and charges extra for bikes, scooters, some bags, parking, booking fees, and fuel surcharges. The smart move is to pick your sailing first, then decide whether you need a same-day return, an overnight stay, or the Hyannis car ferry instead.

For comparing ferry times and transfer options before you lock in a sailing, use a route search after checking the basics below:

New Bedford To Nantucket Ferry: Costs, Parking, And Timing

The New Bedford to Nantucket ferry is the route to choose when you want a direct passenger boat without taking your car to the island. Peak summer sailings are fastest on the direct schedule, while fall sailings can take longer when the boat stops at Martha’s Vineyard.

Seastreak’s 2026 adult fares list a $59 one-way ticket, a $104 round trip, and a $75 same-day round trip before the current booking fee, fuel surcharge, and any peak-departure surge fee. Offsite parking is the cheaper New Bedford parking choice at $15 per calendar day, while valet parking at 49 State Pier is $30 per calendar day in the regular season and $40 on listed holiday dates.

Seastreak publishes the current sailing dates, schedules, fares, parking rates, baggage fees, and route policies on its New Bedford to Nantucket ferry page. Check that page before travel because weather, surge fees, and holiday schedules can change the practical cost of the trip.

How Long Does The New Bedford Ferry Take?

The New Bedford ferry usually takes about 1 hour 40 minutes on direct peak-season sailings to Nantucket. Fall sailings listed with a Martha’s Vineyard stop run closer to 2 hours in the schedule, so the date matters.

Peak summer is the cleanest setup for a day trip. From late June into early September, typical direct departures from New Bedford include morning and afternoon options, with extra evening service on some Friday and Saturday dates. Sunday schedules can start earlier, which helps if you want a full day on Nantucket without paying for a hotel.

Fall works better for slower travel and overnight stays. The September and October schedule has fewer sailings, and Seastreak notes that many fall departures stop at Martha’s Vineyard before reaching Nantucket or New Bedford. A two-hour ferry still works well, but it makes a same-day visit feel tighter.

Can You Bring A Car From New Bedford?

Seastreak’s New Bedford to Nantucket ferry does not carry cars, motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, or gasoline-powered vehicles. Travelers who need a vehicle on Nantucket should look at the Steamship Authority car ferry from Hyannis instead.

Most short-stay visitors do not need a car on Nantucket. The ferry lands near the walkable downtown core, taxis and ride-hailing options cover point-to-point trips, and bikes work well when the weather cooperates. Taking a car can make sense for a rental house far outside town, a mobility need, or a trip with heavy gear.

New Bedford is the easier mainland port when your priority is avoiding the Cape traffic funnel. Hyannis is the better route when the vehicle itself is part of the trip. Do not split the difference by assuming you can drive to New Bedford and solve the car question at the dock; the New Bedford boat is passenger-only.

What To Know Before Buying Tickets

Seastreak tickets should be treated as time-sensitive reservations, not casual open passes. Once the boat sails, a missed ticket loses its value, and exchanges or refunds depend on the fare rules and trip protection terms.

• Buy early for summer Fridays and Sundays. The most convenient departures attract weekend visitors and island renters.
• Watch the peak surge fee. The 2026 route page lists a $7 surge fee on selected peak-season departures.
• Budget for added checkout costs. A booking fee and temporary fuel surcharge are added at purchase.
• Arrive with parking time built in. Offsite parking is cheaper, but the shuttle adds a step before boarding.
• Pack light when you can. The first carry-on and first personal item are free; extra bags and specialty items can cost more.

Trip planning note: Same-day tickets make the most sense when you can take the first outbound sailing and one of the later returns. A middle-of-the-day outbound boat cuts the island day down fast.

Where To Stay After The Ferry

Nantucket town is the easiest place to stay after arriving from New Bedford because the ferry lands close to restaurants, shops, taxis, and bike rentals. Staying near town also reduces the need for a rental car on a passenger-only ferry trip.

Book farther out only when the stay itself justifies it: a beach rental, a quiet inn away from the docks, or a multi-night trip with planned rides. For a first visit, town or the edges of town keep the ferry day simple and make early departures less stressful.

Use a map view before booking, because a Nantucket address can look close on paper and still sit far from the ferry without an easy walk:

Best Way For Speed, Budget, Or Comfort

The best overall choice from New Bedford is the direct Seastreak passenger ferry, as long as your trip falls inside the seasonal schedule and you do not need to bring a car. The route is especially strong for weekenders and day trippers starting west of Cape Cod.

Pick your plan by the trade-off that matters most:

• Fastest simple route: Take Seastreak from New Bedford on a direct peak-season sailing.
• Lowest same-day ferry fare: Use the same-day round-trip ticket, then avoid valet parking if the offsite lot works for you.
• Most comfortable timing: Stay overnight in Nantucket town instead of squeezing the island between two ferry departures.
• Only realistic car option: Drive to Hyannis and use the Steamship Authority vehicle route, with reservations handled early.
• Safest buffer: Avoid booking tight onward plans right after the return ferry, since weather and marine operations can shift timing.

For most travelers, the clean answer is simple: ferry from New Bedford, leave the car on the mainland, stay near Nantucket town if you sleep over, and reserve the earliest outbound sailing that fits your trip.