Nantucket's Transportation Guide

March 17th, 2008 11:47am

Liz Huberman

A plane flies high above the Nantucket Memorial Airport.

Rounding Brant Point on the ferry.

Riding a bike is the way to get around. Just make sure it's your size.

The NRTA Shuttle offers services all over the island.

Here is your one-stop shop for how to get to Nantucket, and how to get around once you're here. Whether by air or by sea, Plum has the scoop on how to make sure you get to your vacation destination as smoothly as possible.

By Air

Nantucket Island has one airport: Nantucket Memorial Airport, located off of Old South Road on the southern end of the island. There are a variety of airlines that fly in and out of Nantucket every day:

They're all great airlines, it's just a matter of where you're coming from and what time of year you are flying. Check them out and see if they're available to get your on your way to Nantucket.

If you're flying on a private jet, be sure to call ahead as spots fill up quickly.

By Sea

There are a couple of different ways to get to the island if you're looking for a seaward route. You can take a two-and-a-half hour boat ride on The Steamship Authority's car-ferry, an hour-long fast-ferry on the Hy-Line or The Steamship Authority.

Renting Transportation

Once you’re here, the next step is to find a way to see all of Nantucket from 'Sconset to Madaket an back again. The island is 14 miles long and three and a half miles wide. You can find all sorts of rentals, such as bikes, mo-peds (motorized scooters, so be careful), or four-wheel drive vehicles at Young’s Bicycle & Car Rental Shop on Broad St. (right down the street from the Steamship Authority.) There are several places throughout the island you can rent vehicles from:

You can also rent cars from nationally recognized agencies including Budget and Hertz at the Nantucket Memorial Airport.

Biking on Nantucket

Nantucket has bike baths and mountain biking trails galore which can take you all over the island, from beaches to the moors, but remember to always wear a helmet. We don't want you getting stopped. Traffic laws should be obeyed when on the road, and we ask that Main Street be left to the cars. Those cobblesones don't feel so good on a bike seat anyways. The helpful staff at many local bike shops on Nantucket can help you out with any questions you've got.

Nantucket Shuttle Services

If renting isn’t an option, the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority (NRTA) has buses that run regularly to all corners of the island. The buses run frequent loops from June 16 to September 9 and offer partial services from May 23 to October 5. Pick up a map of their routes at any shuttle stop downtown or check them out on the web.

Taxi & Limo Services

When you're in town and looking for a cab, taxis can be found at the foot of Main Street beside the Pacific Club, towards the Hy-Line Docks at Straight Wharf, and at The Steamship Authority Parking Lot. Cabs are also lined up outside of Nantucket Memorial Airport most hours of the day. Take a look at our full list of taxis and limousines with service on and to Nantucket. One cab company we recommend is A-1 Taxi, for fast, reliable, and around-the-clock service. Autopscot Taxi is handicapped accessible if you need more assistance.

For more helpful information, be sure to take a peek at our Nantucket Essentials Guide to help you find everything from grocery stores to the hospital to the dry cleaners. And don't forget to take a look at our other guides giving you some inside, in-depth information on how to plan your days during your stay on Nantucket.

When leaving the island on a ferry, make sure to throw a penny overboard as you round Brant Point Lighthouse and wish for a safe return home.

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Video

Traveling to Nantucket

Traveling back and forth to Nantucket can be a tough task during the fog, wind, rain, and snow of winter storms. We talk to Al Peterson of the Nantucket Memorial Airport, Captain John Lynch from the Hy-line, and
some regular commuters about travelling to the Island.

Video Credit: Adam Knee

Nantucket Guides