Planning a Trip

Getting There

By Ferry -- From Hyannis (South St. Dock), the Steamship Authority (tel. 508/477-8600 in Hyannis, or 508/228-3274 in Nantucket; www.steamshipauthority.com) operates year-round ferry service (including cars, passengers, and bicycles) to Steamship Wharf in Nantucket using both conventional and high-speed ferries. When planning to travel to the island with your car in summer, you must reserve months in advance to secure a spot on the conventional ferry since only six boats make the trip daily in season (three boats daily off season). Before you call, have alternative departure dates. Remember to arrive at least 1 hour before departure to avoid your space being released to standbys. If you arrive without a reservation and plan to wait in the standby line, there is no guarantee you will get to the island that day. There is a $10 processing fee for canceling reservations. No advance reservations are required for passengers traveling without cars.

Total trip time on the conventional ferry that carries cars is 2 hours and 15 minutes. A round-trip fare for a car costs a whopping $360 to $410 from mid-May to mid-October, $240 to $280 from mid-October to mid-May. (Do you get the impression they don't want you to bring a car?)

Note: The Steamship Authority now charges different rates for different length cars. You will need to specify the make and model of your car when you place your reservation.

Car rates do not include drivers or passengers; you must get tickets for each person going to the island. For passengers, a one-way ticket is $15 ($30 round-trip) for adults, $7.75 one-way ($16 round-trip) for children 5 to 12, and $12 extra round-trip for bikes. Remember that Steamship Authority parking costs $10 to $12 per day; you do not need to make parking reservations.

The Steamship Authority's fast ferry to Nantucket, MV Iyanough (tel. 508/495-3278), is for passengers only (no cars). It takes 1 hour and runs five to six times a day in season. It is cheaper than the Hy-Line ferry . Tickets in season cost $30 one-way ($59 round-trip) for adults, $22 one-way ($45 round-trip) for children 5 to 12. Parking costs $8 to $10 per day. Passenger reservations are highly recommended.

Also from Hyannis, passenger ferries to Nantucket's Straight Wharf are operated by Hy-Line Cruises, Ocean Street Dock (tel. 888/778-1132 or 508/778-2600; for high-speed ferry reservations, call tel. 800/492-8082 or 508/778-0404; www.hy-linecruises.com). Hy-Line offers year-round service with its high-speed passenger catamaran, The Grey Lady, which makes five to six hourly trips per day. The cost of a one-way fare is $38 for adults ($69 round-trip), $29 for children 5 to 12 ($49 round-trip), and $5 extra for bicycles ($10 round-trip). It's best to reserve in advance for your ferry ticket and for a parking space. Pets are allowed on the Grey Lady.

Hint: It pays to buy a round-trip ticket on the Hy-Line ferry. It's cheaper than buying two one-way tickets.

From early May through October, Hy-Line's standard 1-hour-and-50-minute ferry service is also offered. Round-trip tickets are $37 for adults, $19 for children ages 5 to 12, and $10 extra for bikes. On busy holiday weekends, you may want to order tickets in advance; otherwise, be sure to buy your tickets at least half an hour before your boat leaves the dock.

The standard ferry also has a first-class section with a private lounge, bathrooms, a bar, and a snack bar; a continental breakfast or afternoon cheese and crackers is also served onboard. No pets are allowed on the Great Point ferry in the first-class section. Tickets in the first-class section are $49 for all ages.

Hy-Line's Around the Sound cruise is a 1-day round-trip excursion from Hyannis with stops in Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard that runs from mid-June to mid-September. The price is $74 for adults, $44 for children 5 to 12, and $15 extra for bikes.

Hy-Line runs three passenger-only high-speed ferries from Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard to Nantucket from early June to mid-September (there is no car-ferry service between the islands). The trip time from Oak Bluffs is 1 hour and 10 minutes. The one-way fare is $28 for adults, $16 for children 5 to 12, and $5 extra for bikes.

From Harwich Port, you can avoid the summer crowds in Hyannis and board one of Freedom Cruise Line's (702 Rte. 28 in Harwich Port, across from Brax Landing; tel. 508/432-8999; www.nantucketislandferry.com) passenger-only ferries to Nantucket. From mid-May to early October, boats leave from Saquatucket Harbor in Harwich Port. They make two or three trips a day in season and one trip per day in the shoulder season. The trip takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. A round-trip ticket is $57 for adults, $44 for children ages 2 to 11, $6 for children under 2, and $10 extra for bikes. Parking is free for day-trippers; it's $15 per night. Advance reservations are highly recommended.

By Air -- You can also fly into Nantucket Memorial Airport (tel. 508/325-5300), which is about 3 miles south of Nantucket Road on Old South Road. The flight to Nantucket takes about 30 to 40 minutes from Boston, 15 minutes from Hyannis, and a little more than an hour from New York City airports.

Airlines providing service to Nantucket include: Cape Air/Nantucket Airlines (tel. 800/352-0714 or 508/771-6944; www.flycapeair.com) year-round from Hyannis ($99 round-trip), Boston (about $271 round-trip), Martha's Vineyard ($86 round-trip), and New Bedford ($157 round-trip); Continental Express (tel. 800/525-0280; www.continental.com) seasonally from Newark (about $520 round-trip); Island Airlines (tel. 800/248-7779 or 508/775-6606; www.islandair.net) year-round from Hyannis ($94 round-trip); and Colgan/US Airways Express (tel. 800/428-4322; www.colganair.com) year-round from Boston ($383 round-trip) and New York ($479 and up round-trip).

Island Airlines and Nantucket Airlines both offer year-round charter service to the island. Another recommended charter company is Ocean Wings (tel. 800/253-5039; www.flyoceanwings.com).

Getting Around

Nantucket is easily navigated on bike, moped, or foot, and also by shuttle bus or taxi. If you're staying outside of Nantucket Town, however, or if you simply prefer to explore by car, you might want to bring your own car or rent one when you arrive. Adventure-minded travelers may even want to rent a jeep or other four-wheel-drive vehicle, which you can take out on the sand -- a unique island experience -- on certain sections of the coast (a permit is required). Keep in mind that if you do opt to travel by car, in-town traffic can reach gridlock in the peak season, and parking can be a nightmare.

By Bike & Moped -- When I head to Nantucket for a few days, biking is my preferred mode of transportation. The island itself is relatively flat, and paved bike paths abound -- they'll get you from Nantucket Town to Siasconset, Surfside, and Madaket. There are also many unpaved back roads to explore, which make mountain bikes a wise choice when pedaling around Nantucket.

A word of warning to bikers: One-way street signs apply to you, too! This law is enforced in Nantucket Town, and don't be surprised if a tanned but stern island policeman requests that you get off your bike and walk. Helmets are required for children under 12. Mopeds are also prevalent, but watch out for sand on the roads. Be aware that local rules and regulations are strictly enforced. Mopeds are not allowed on sidewalks or bike paths. You'll need a driver's license to rent a moped, and state law requires that you wear a helmet. The following shops rent bikes and scooters; all are within walking distance of the ferries: Cook's Cycle Shop, Inc., 6 S. Beach St. (tel. 508/228-0800); Nantucket Bike Shops, at Steamboat and Straight wharves (tel. 508/228-1999); and Young's Bicycle Shop, at Steamboat Wharf (tel. 508/228-1151), which also does repairs. Bike rentals average $20 to $30 for a full day. Mopeds cost $80 for a one-seater or $100 for a two-seater for 24 hours.

By Shuttle Bus -- From June through September, inexpensive shuttle buses, with bike racks and accessibility for those with disabilities, make loops through Nantucket Town and to a few outlying spots; for routes and stops, contact the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (tel. 508/228-7025) or pick up a map and schedule at the visitor center on Federal Street or the chamber of commerce office on Main Street. The shuttle permits you to bring your clean, dry dog along, too. There's room for two bikes on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $1 to $2, and exact change is required. A 3-day pass can be purchased at the visitor center for $10.

Shuttle routes and fares are pretty simple. Downtown shuttle stops are located on the corner of Salem and Washington streets (for South, Miacomet, and the Airport loops), on Broad Street in front of the Foulger Museum (for Madaket Loop and Beach Express), and on Washington Street at the corner of Main Street (for 'Sconset loops).

• Airport Loop services Nantucket Airport to the center of town at Washington Street; every 30 minutes, on the hour and half-hour from 7am to 11:30pm; $2.

• South Loop services the Surfside Beach, Hooper Farm Road, and Pleasant Street areas; every 15 minutes from 7am to 11:30pm; $1.

• Miacomet Loop services the Fairgrounds Road, Bartlett Road, and Hummock Pond areas; every 30 minutes from 7am to 11:30pm; $1.

• Madaket Route services Madaket (from Broad St. downtown) via Cliff Road and New Lane; every 30 minutes from 7:30am to 11:30pm; $2 each way.

• 'Sconset Route 1 services 'Sconset via Polpis Road; every 30 minutes from 8:20am to 11pm; $2 each way.

• 'Sconset Route 2 services 'Sconset via Old South/Nobadeer Farm and Milestone roads; every 30 minutes from 7:40am to 10:30pm; $2 each way.

• Beach Express services Surfside and Jetties beaches (the in-town stop is on Broad St.); every 30 minutes for Jetties Beach and every hour for Surfside Beach from 10:15am to 5:45pm; $2 each way to Surfside, $1 each way to Jetties.

By Car & Jeep -- I recommend a car if you'll be here for more than a week or if you're staying outside Nantucket Town. However, there are no in-town parking lots; parking, although free, is limited to Nantucket's handful of narrow streets, which can be a problem in the busy summer months. Also, gas is much more expensive on Nantucket than it is on the mainland.

Four-wheel-drive vehicles are your best bet, since many beaches and nature areas are off sandy paths; be sure to reserve at least a month in advance if you're coming in summer. If you plan on doing any four-wheeling in the sand, you need to get an Over-Sand Permit ($100) from the Nantucket Police Department (tel. 508/228-1212). To drive in the Coskata-Coatue nature area, you need a separate permit from the Trustees of Reservations, at the gatehouse (tel. 508/228-0006), which costs about $125 for a season pass, or a $25 gate fee for a day-rental four-wheel-drive that comes with the Over-Sand Permit. Dogs are not allowed, even in a car.

The following on-island rental agencies offer cars, jeeps, and other four-wheel-drive vehicles: Affordable Rentals of Nantucket, 6 S. Beach Rd. (tel. 508/228-3501); Budget, at the airport (tel. 800/527-0700); Hertz, at the airport (tel. 800/654-3131 or 508/228-9421); Nantucket Windmill Auto Rental, at the airport (tel. 800/228-1227 or 508/228-1227); and Young's 4 * 4 & Car Rental, Steamboat Wharf (tel. 508/228-1151). A standard car costs about $95 to $100 per day in season; a four-wheel-drive rental is about $180 to $230 per day (including an Over-Sand Permit).

Tip: Parking -- You don't need a car on Nantucket, so plan to park your car in Hyannis before boarding a ferry to the island. For all Hy-Line ferry services, Ocean Street Dock (tel. 888/778-1132 or 508/778-2602), in July and August, it's a good idea not only to reserve tickets in advance, but also to reserve a parking spot ahead of time. The all-day parking fee is $15 per calendar day in season. If the Hy-Line lot is full, there are two competing lots next to the Hyannis Harbor Motel. Note: Choose the one where the attendants are wearing yellow shirts (not yellow jackets!) -- they have the more reliable rates. Travelers on Steamship Authority (tel. 508/477-8600) vessels do not need a parking reservation. Be sure to arrive at least 1 hour before sailing time to allow for parking. Parking at the Steamship Authority lots is $10 to $12 per day. When the nearby lot across from Cape Cod Hospital is full, parking is at a lot several blocks away on Yarmouth Road. From the Yarmouth Road lot, you access the ferry terminal via a free shuttle bus. Overflow ferry parking is at the Cape Cod Community College parking lots just north of Route 6 on Route 132 (Exit 6 off Rte. 6). Free shuttle buses take passengers to the Hy-Line and Steamship Authority ferry terminals, which are on opposite ends of Hyannis Harbor. In season, watch signs on Route 6 for up-to-the-minute ferry parking information.

By Taxi -- You'll find taxis (many are vans that can accommodate large groups or those traveling with bikes) waiting at the airport and at all ferry ports. During the busy summer months, I recommend reserving a taxi in advance to avoid a long wait upon arrival. Rates are flat fees, based on one person riding before 1am, with surcharges for additional passengers, bikes, and dogs. A taxi from the airport to Nantucket Town will cost about $10, plus $1 for each additional person. Reliable cab companies on the island include A-1 Taxi (tel. 508/228-3330), All Point Taxi (tel. 508/228-5779), Bev's Taxi (tel. 508/228-7874), Lisa's Taxi (tel. 508/228-2223), and Val's Cab Service (tel. 508/228-9410).

Visitor Information

For information contact the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce at 48 Main St., Nantucket, MA 02554 (tel. 508/228-1700; www.nantucketchamber.org). When you arrive, you should also stop by the Nantucket Visitors Service and Information Bureau in Nantucket Town at 25 Federal St. (tel. 508/228-0925), which is open daily from June to September, and Monday to Saturday from October to May, 10am to 5pm. There are also information booths at Steamboat and Straight wharves. Always check the island's newspapers, The Inquirer & Mirror (www.ack.net) and The Nantucket Independent (www.nantucketindependent.com), for information on current events and activities around town.

Nantucket Accommodations, P.O. Box 217, Nantucket, MA 02554 (tel. 508/228-9559; fax 508/325-7009; www.nantucketaccommodation.com), a fee-based private service, can arrange advance reservations for 95% of the island's lodgings. Last-minute travelers can use the Nantucket Visitors Service and Information Bureau (tel. 508/228-0925), a daily referral service rather than a booking service. It always has the most updated list of accommodations availability and cancellations.

Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be difficult to locate on Nantucket. Nantucket Bank (tel. 508/228-0580) has five locations: 2 Orange St., 104 Pleasant St., Amelia Street, the Hub on Main Street, and the airport lobby, all open 24 hours. Pacific National Bank has four locations: the A&P Supermarket (next to the wharves), the Stop & Shop (open 24 hr. seasonally), the Steamship Wharf Terminal, and Pacific National Bank lobby (open during bank hours only).

In case of a medical emergency, the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, 57 Prospect St. (tel. 508/228-1200), is open 24 hours.