Getting to Nantucket & Where to Stay
Getting to Nantucket & Where to Stay
30 Miles out to Sea
Nantucket is an incredibly special place, but it can be a bit of a logistical challenge to get to. We’ve included some details and resources below on how to get to the island and where to stay. We strongly suggest taking a ferry if you’re coming from New England, as flights are more expensive and more prone to cancel in bad weather!
Please let us know if you need any help making arrangements:
Matt (cell) 978-399-5802 OR (email) rsvp@hulmekennedy.com
Nantucket is an incredibly special place, but it can be a bit of a logistical challenge to get to. We’ve included some details and resources below on how to get to the island and where to stay. We strongly suggest taking a ferry if you’re coming from New England, as flights are more expensive and more prone to cancel in bad weather!
Please let us know if you need any help making arrangements:
Matt (cell) 978-399-5802 OR (email) rsvp@hulmekennedy.com
Getting to Nantucket
FLIGHTS
Nantucket has its own airport that is serviced by a number of national and regional airlines. Flights on the larger airlines can be booked either through their respective websites or aggregation sites like Kayak.
For regional travel, Cape Air is the predominant local airline and has partnerships to connect with the larger airlines (Delta, JetBlue, etc); Southern Airways is a good new FBO option that flies out of Hanscom, New Bedford, and Providence.
Follow the link below for a full list of carriers and destinations, or just search for flights to ‘ACK’ online.
Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) – Airlines and Destination information
Nantucket has its own airport that is serviced by a number of national and regional airlines. Flights on the larger airlines can be booked either through their respective websites or aggregation sites like Kayak.
For regional travel, Cape Air is the predominant local airline and has partnerships to connect with the larger airlines (Delta, JetBlue, etc); Southern Airways is a good new FBO option that flies out of Hanscom, New Bedford, and Providence.
Follow the link below for a full list of carriers and destinations, or just search for flights to ‘ACK’ online.
Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) – Airlines and Destination information
Getting from Boston to Hyannis:
DRIVE OR TAKE A BUS
1) DRIVE: If you have a car, there are plenty of options to park, including the Barnstable Municipal Airport (cheapest option & recommended for extended stays, but also a short Uber ride away from the ferries) and the HyLine or Steamship Parking Lots (you can reserve a parking spot when you book your ferry – all lots are walking distance to both the Hy-Line and Steamship ferries). Hyannis is a ~two hour drive from Boston. Be sure to factor in traffic when planning your travel time so you don’t miss your ferry.
For private car services contact Met Limo of Boston : 617-491-0005
2) TAKE A BUS: Hyannis is about a two hour drive (including some inevitable traffic) from Boston Logan Airport. Peter Pan and Plymouth & Brockton Co. both run buses that depart from Logan Airport to Hyannis every hour. Bus tickets should be purchased ahead of time. Both buses will drop you within walking distance from both ferries. Be sure to factor in traffic when planning your travel time so you don’t miss your ferry.
Peter Pan Bus
800-343-9999
Book your bus from Boston (Logan Airport) to Hyannis, MA
Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway Co
508-746-0378
Book your bus from Logan Airport, Boston to Hyannis Transportation Center
Local Travel Tip: Allow yourself an additional 30 min prior to ferry departure to park, retrieve tickets, and board ferry.
1) DRIVE: If you have a car, there are plenty of options to park, including the Barnstable Municipal Airport (cheapest option & recommended for extended stays, but also a short Uber ride away from the ferries) and the HyLine or Steamship Parking Lots (you can reserve a parking spot when you book your ferry – all lots are walking distance to both the Hy-Line and Steamship ferries). Hyannis is a ~two hour drive from Boston. Be sure to factor in traffic when planning your travel time so you don’t miss your ferry.
For private car services contact Met Limo of Boston : 617-491-0005
2) TAKE A BUS: Hyannis is about a two hour drive (including some inevitable traffic) from Boston Logan Airport. Peter Pan and Plymouth & Brockton Co. both run buses that depart from Logan Airport to Hyannis every hour. Bus tickets should be purchased ahead of time. Both buses will drop you within walking distance from both ferries. Be sure to factor in traffic when planning your travel time so you don’t miss your ferry.
Peter Pan Bus / 800-343-9999
Book your bus from Boston (Logan Airport) to Hyannis, MA
Plymouth & Brockton Street Railway Co / 508-746-0378
Book your bus from Logan Airport, Boston to Hyannis Transportation Center
Local Travel Tip: Allow yourself an additional 30 min prior to ferry departure to park, retrieve tickets, and board ferry.
Getting from Hyannis to Nantucket
Take a Ferry
Vacation starts once you get on the ferry – each ferry offers a bar & snack service and great views as you pull into the Nantucket Harbor. There are two main ferry services to Nantucket, both of which depart from Hyannis, MA on Cape Cod. You’ll likely find it easier and cheaper to leave your car on the mainland and get around via taxis, Ubers, bikes, and the island’s excellent public transportation system.
Note: If you do plan to bring your car, booking a car reservation on the Steamship as early as possible (like, right now) is mandatory – car ferries sell out fast & often; this year has been worse than usual.
A comprehensive schedule showing options for both the Hy-Line and Steamship ferries can be found at www.nantucketferries.com
Note: Make sure to select the appropriate schedule for your respective travel dates as the ferry schedule changes often in the fall.
Steamship Authority (1-hour high-speed passenger ferries AND 2-hour slow passenger & car ferries)
Hy-Line (1-hour high-speed passenger-only ferries)
While the ferries don’t discount their rates for wedding groups, you can buy a “commuter book” of 10 one way tickets (5 round trips) for $300, which equates to $30 each way or $60 round trip for reduced per ticket price (vs. $75 standard round trip fast-ferry rate). The Steamship Authority & HyLine websites have further information.
Booking round-trip ferry reservations early is highly encouraged – preferred times sell out!
Vacation starts once you get on the ferry – each ferry offers a bar & snack service and great views as you pull into the Nantucket Harbor. There are two main ferry services to Nantucket, both of which depart from Hyannis, MA on Cape Cod. You’ll likely find it easier and cheaper to leave your car on the mainland and get around via taxis, Ubers, bikes, and the island’s excellent public transportation system.
Note: If you do plan to bring your car, booking a car reservation on the Steamship as early as possible (like, right now) is mandatory – car ferries sell out fast & often; this year has been worse than usual.
A comprehensive schedule showing options for both the Hy-Line and Steamship ferries can be found at www.nantucketferries.com
Note: Make sure to select the appropriate schedule for your respective travel dates as the ferry schedule changes often in the fall.
Steamship Authority (1-hour high-speed passenger ferries AND 2-hour slow passenger & car ferries)
Hy-Line (1-hour high-speed passenger-only ferries)
While the ferries don’t discount their rates for wedding groups, you can buy a “commuter book” of 10 one way tickets (5 round trips) for $300, which equates to $30 each way or $60 round trip for reduced per ticket price (vs. $75 standard round trip fast-ferry rate). The Steamship Authority & HyLine websites have further information.
Booking round-trip ferry reservations early is highly encouraged – preferred times sell out!
Getting from NEW BEDFORD to Nantucket
Seastreak – Offers high-speed passenger ferries with limited service from New Bedford, MA.
It is about 1.5 hours one-way.
Southern Airways & Cape Air – These 2 airlines fly a quick 20-minute puddle jumper to Nantucket Airport; no connecting service from other airports.
Where to Stay
RENT A HOUSE
For the true Nantucket experience, we highly recommend renting a house for an extended weekend. Options in the Tom Nevers area will be most convenient for wedding events, but you can’t go wrong staying in Sconset (where Kelly’s parents live) or in Town (if you like to be within walking distance of most shops & restaurants) – it’s a small island!
To help streamline the process, we’re working with Amber from Great Point Properties. She helped the Hulmes book the venue, and the Kennedys to secure their house right across the street, so she is familiar with the logistics of the wedding. Just send her your dates and preferences, mention you’re with the Hulme/Kennedy wedding, and she’ll get back to you with a range of options. (There’s no additional booking fee for this service).
Amber Cantella: amber@greatpointproperties.com | 508.228.2266
You can also search Great Point Properties’ inventory online here; while rates are listed as ‘weekly’, we have found that in October homeowners are more open to being flexible about length of stay for their rentals – it’s worth asking.
For the true Nantucket experience, we highly recommend renting a house for an extended weekend. Options in the Tom Nevers area will be most convenient for wedding events, but you can’t go wrong staying in Sconset (where Kelly’s parents live) or in Town (if you like to be within walking distance of most shops & restaurants) – it’s a small island!
To help streamline the process, we’re working with Amber from Great Point Properties. She helped the Hulmes book the venue, and the Kennedys to secure their house right across the street, so she is familiar with the logistics of the wedding. Just send her your dates and preferences, mention you’re with the Hulme/Kennedy wedding, and she’ll get back to you with a range of options. (There’s no additional booking fee for this service).
Amber Cantella: amber@greatpointproperties.com | 508.228.2266
You can also search Great Point Properties’ inventory online here; while rates are listed as ‘weekly’, we have found that in October homeowners are more open to being flexible about length of stay for their rentals – it’s worth asking.
BOOK A ROOM
There are a wide range of options on Nantucket, from quaint B&Bs to swanky hotels. The weekend of our wedding is the Columbus Day holiday, so we suggest reserving rooms as soon as possible. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about lodging options.
We have also secured room block rates at The Anchor Inn, which gives guests a lower rate than what is available online.
Here are a few of our favorite places to stay which have availability and don’t require a 3-night minimum as many hotels & inns do during a holiday weekend.
- Faraway Hotel – right downtown in the center of the action & newly renovated.
- Ships Inn – Old-school charm on a quieter street in-town, with an awesome restaurant on-site.
- Airbnb & VRBO – both have an ever-changing array of options, and are often used by homeowners to rent out guest cottages or in-law suites.
There are a wide range of options on Nantucket, from quaint B&Bs to swanky hotels. The weekend of our wedding is the Columbus Day holiday, so we suggest reserving rooms as soon as possible. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about lodging options.
We have also secured room block rates at The Anchor Inn, which gives guests a lower rate than what is available online.
Here are a few of our favorite places to stay which have availability and don’t require a 3-night minimum as many hotels & inns do during a holiday weekend.
- Faraway Hotel – right downtown in the center of the action & newly renovated.
- Ships Inn – Old-school charm on a quieter street in-town, with an awesome restaurant on-site.
- Airbnb & VRBO – both have an ever-changing array of options, and are often used by homeowners to rent out guest cottages or in-law suites.
Getting Around
UBER + TAXI
Ubers and Taxis are readily available across the island and are an easy way to get around. We do suggest calling in advance, or (if in Town) walking to one of the taxi stands.
Taxi Stands in Town:
– Main Street Taxi Stand, Main Street / South Water Street & Washington Street
– Steamboat Wharf Taxi Stand, At the Steamship Authority
– Hyline Taxi Stand, At Straight Wharf
Ubers and Taxis are readily available across the island and are an easy way to get around. We do suggest calling in advance, or (if in Town) walking to one of the taxi stands.
Taxi Stands in Town:
– Main Street Taxi Stand, Main Street / South Water Street & Washington Street
– Steamboat Wharf Taxi Stand, At the Steamship Authority
– Hyline Taxi Stand, At Straight Wharf
RENT A CAR
Renting a car on Nantucket is definitely an option, but probably unnecessary and often expensive. However, if you want to explore the island extensively they are readily available – and 4WD cars (likely a Jeep) come with an on-sand permit stickers so you can drive on the beach on the South Shore, or all the way up to Great Point lighthouse!
Nantucket Island Rent A Car, 14 Airport Road
info@nantucketislandrentacar.com | (508) 228-9989
Affordable Rentals, 6 S Beach Street
info@affrentals.com | (508) 228-3501
Renting a car on Nantucket is definitely an option, but probably unnecessary and often expensive. However, if you want to explore the island extensively they are readily available – and 4WD cars (likely a Jeep) come with an on-sand permit stickers so you can drive on the beach on the South Shore, or all the way up to Great Point lighthouse!
Nantucket Island Rent A Car, 14 Airport Road
info@nantucketislandrentacar.com | (508) 228-9989
Affordable Rentals, 6 S Beach Street
info@affrentals.com | (508) 228-3501
RENT BIKES
We highly recommend biking around Nantucket at some point during your stay if the weather is nice. The island has several clearly-marked bike paths and it’s a great way to see the island!
Young’s, 6 Broad Street
Nantucket Bike Shop, 4 Broad Street
We highly recommend biking around Nantucket at some point during your stay if the weather is nice. The island has several clearly-marked bike paths and it’s a great way to see the island!
Young’s, 6 Broad Street
Nantucket Bike Shop, 4 Broad Street
THE ISLAND SHUTTLE
The Wave is the island’s public shuttle system which runs regularly with routes all over the island.
We usually wouldn’t recommend a bus, but this is truly a great way to get around the island, with convenient pick up/drop off locations and frequent trips at a great price point. The shuttles have bike racks as well!
Note: Cash only
The Wave is the island’s public shuttle system which runs regularly with routes all over the island.
We usually wouldn’t recommend a bus, but this is truly a great way to get around the island, with convenient pick up/drop off locations and frequent trips at a great price point. The shuttles have bike racks as well!
Note: Cash only