The Complete Block Island Ferry Guide: Routes, Schedules & Tickets
The ferry is how almost everyone gets to Block Island. There is a small airport on the island, but for the vast majority of visitors, the trip starts at a mainland ferry terminal somewhere between Long Island and southern Rhode Island. If you have never made the crossing before, the choices can feel a little tangled. Four different mainland ports run boats to Block Island. Some run year-round, some only in summer. Some take cars, most do not. Some get you there in 30 minutes, others take two hours. This guide walks through every option so you can pick the right one for your trip. We will cover the four ferry ports, the boats that run from each, how much tickets cost, where to park, and the questions visitors ask us most often. If you only need a quick recommendation: most first-time visitors leave from **Point Judith, Rhode Island**. It runs year-round, has the most departures, and is the only port where you can bring a car onto the island. For the full breakdown of that route, see our [Point Judith to Block Island ferry guide](/point-judith-block-island-ferry/).
The Four Block Island Ferry Routes
Four mainland towns have a ferry to Block Island. Each has its own pros and cons.
1. Point Judith, Rhode Island (Galilee)
**Operator:** Block Island Ferry (Interstate Navigation) **Crossing time:** 55 minutes (traditional) or 30 minutes (high-speed) **Runs:** Year-round (traditional ferry); seasonal May–October (high-speed) **Cars allowed:** Yes, on the traditional ferry only **Best for:** Most travelers, especially anyone bringing a car or visiting outside summer This is the workhorse route. The terminal sits in the village of Galilee in Narragansett, Rhode Island, about 30 minutes south of Providence. Two boats run from here: a traditional car ferry that has been crossing this stretch of water for decades, and a faster passenger-only catamaran in season. Year-round service makes Point Judith the only realistic option for off-season visits, and it is the only port that can put a car on the island. Read everything you need to know in our dedicated [Point Judith ferry guide](/point-judith-block-island-ferry/).
2. Newport, Rhode Island
**Operator:** Block Island Ferry (Interstate Navigation) **Crossing time:** About 1 hour **Runs:** Seasonal, late June through Labor Day **Cars allowed:** No **Best for:** Visitors already in Newport or driving from Boston Newport’s high-speed ferry leaves from Perrotti Park near the downtown waterfront. It is a passenger-only catamaran, and the schedule is light — usually one or two round trips per day. The big draw is the location: if you are already spending time in Newport or coming down from Boston, you skip the drive south to Galilee.
3. New London, Connecticut
**Operator:** Block Island Express (Cross Sound Ferry) **Crossing time:** About 1 hour 15 minutes **Runs:** Seasonal, late May through Columbus Day **Cars allowed:** No **Best for:** Travelers from western Connecticut, New York, and points south New London’s high-speed ferry, the Block Island Express, leaves from a terminal next to the Cross Sound Ferry pier. This is the easiest route from New York City, eastern New York, and most of Connecticut. From Manhattan, the drive is a little under three hours; from Hartford, about 90 minutes.
4. Montauk, New York
**Operator:** Viking Fleet **Crossing time:** About 2 hours **Runs:** Seasonal, summer weekends only **Cars allowed:** No **Best for:** Long Island visitors and people doing both islands in one trip Montauk’s ferry to Block Island is a niche option. The Viking Fleet runs it on weekends in summer, and the schedule changes year to year, so always check their site before you plan around it. The crossing is the longest of any route, but it spares Long Island visitors the long detour up and around to Rhode Island. For a side-by-side comparison of the three secondary routes, see our [Block Island ferry routes compared](/block-island-ferry-routes-compared/).
Traditional Ferry vs. High-Speed Ferry
Two different boats run from Point Judith, and visitors often ask which is better. The honest answer is that they serve different people.
| Traditional Ferry | High-Speed Ferry | |
|---|---|---|
| **Crossing time** | About 55 minutes | About 30 minutes |
| **Cars** | Yes | No |
| **Runs** | Year-round | May through October |
| **Adult fare (one-way)** | Around $18 | Around $30 |
| **Vibe** | Bigger boat, open decks, slow crossing | Newer cat, faster, more enclosed |
| **Reservations** | Walk-on never required; cars must reserve | Walk-on usually fine; reservations recommended in peak |
The traditional ferry is the better choice if you want a car on the island, you are traveling off-season, you have flexible timing, or you just like a slower crossing. The high-speed ferry wins on convenience for short trips and tight schedules. A quick note on cars: most visitors do not need one. Block Island is seven miles long and three miles wide. [Bicycles, mopeds, and the island’s small fleet of taxis](/your-guide-to-transportation-on-block-island/) cover almost every itinerary. Bringing a car costs over $100 each way and locks you into specific ferry departures. Unless you are staying for a week, hauling lots of gear, or visiting in winter, leave the car on the mainland and rent a bike when you arrive. Our full breakdown is in [Block Island without a car](/block-island-without-a-car-your-complete-guide-to-getting-around/).
How Much Does the Block Island Ferry Cost?
Ticket prices vary by route and time of year. The numbers below are typical 2026 fares — confirm current prices on the operator’s site before you book. **From Point Judith (Block Island Ferry):** – Traditional ferry, adult one-way: ~$18 – Traditional ferry, child (5–11): ~$10 – High-speed ferry, adult one-way: ~$30 – High-speed ferry, child: ~$20 – Bicycle: ~$5 each way – Car (driver and vehicle, one-way): ~$130 in season **From Newport (Block Island Ferry, seasonal):** – Adult one-way: ~$30 – Child: ~$20 **From New London (Block Island Express):** – Adult one-way: ~$35 – Child: ~$25 **From Montauk (Viking Fleet):** – Adult one-way: ~$70 (the longest route is also the priciest) – Child: ~$45 Round-trip fares are usually about double the one-way price. Some routes offer small discounts for booking online in advance. None of the ferries take pets without specific rules, so check before you bring an animal.
Block Island Ferry Schedule
Schedules change between high season (Memorial Day to Columbus Day), shoulder season, and winter. The summary below gives a sense of frequency. Always check the operator’s published schedule for the exact day you plan to travel. **Point Judith traditional ferry:** 6–9 round trips per day in summer; 2–4 in winter. First boat from Point Judith is usually around 8:00 AM; last return from Block Island is typically 5:00 to 7:00 PM depending on season. **Point Judith high-speed ferry:** 3–5 round trips per day, summer only. **Newport:** 1–2 round trips per day, summer only. **New London:** 2–4 round trips per day, late May through Columbus Day. **Montauk:** Weekend service in summer only. Often one round trip per day on Friday, Saturday, Sunday. If you are planning a [day trip to Block Island](/block-island-day-trip-guide/), the schedule decides everything. Pick the boat, then build the rest of your day around it.
Where to Park for the Ferry
Each port has its own parking situation. The full Point Judith parking breakdown lives in our [Block Island ferry parking guide](/block-island-ferry-parking/), but a quick summary by port: **Point Judith:** Multiple lots, ranging from $15 to $25 per day. Some are walking distance to the terminal; others run shuttles. Reserve in summer if you can. **Newport:** Limited city parking near Perrotti Park, plus paid lots within walking distance. Newport gets crowded in summer — arrive early. **New London:** Cross Sound Ferry runs paid lots adjacent to the terminal, around $15–25 per day. Easier to find than Newport. **Montauk:** Paid municipal parking is the norm. Walk-up availability is generally fine, but on summer weekends the village fills up.
Reservations: When You Need Them
Walk-on passenger tickets rarely sell out on any route. Cars on the Point Judith traditional ferry are a different story — those routinely sell out weeks in advance for summer weekends, holidays, and whenever there is good weather. **Reserve ahead if you are:** – Bringing a car (always) – Traveling on July 4, Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, or Columbus Day – Going on the Newport or Montauk routes (limited daily capacity) **Walk-on is generally fine if you are:** – Traveling without a car on the Point Judith traditional ferry, off-peak – Coming back from the island on any route (return capacity is rarely the bottleneck) When a sailing is sold out, a few standby spots usually open at the dock. Show up an hour early and ask.
What to Expect on the Boat
The Point Judith traditional ferry is bigger than it looks in photos. There is an enclosed cabin, an open top deck with bench seating, a small snack bar selling coffee, beer, hot dogs, and chowder, and clean restrooms. Pets on leashes are allowed on the open decks. Bicycles get racked at the bow or stern. The high-speed ferries are smaller, more enclosed, and quicker. There is still a small bar and bathrooms onboard, but the layout is more like an airliner than a traditional boat. Less time outside, less time on the water. Either way, the crossing is part of the trip. Block Island starts feeling different the moment you push away from the mainland — the cell signal goes patchy, the light shifts, the boat dips into the swell. People who try to scroll their phone the whole way usually give up halfway across and end up staring at the water.
After You Land
Both ferry boats from Point Judith dock at Old Harbor in the village of Block Island, the cluster of inns, restaurants, and shops you see in every postcard. The high-speed ferries from Newport and New London also land at Old Harbor. The Montauk ferry lands at New Harbor, on the other side of the island. From Old Harbor, almost everything is within walking distance. The taxi line, [bike rental shops](/biking-block-island-guide/), and the [hotels closest to the ferry](/block-island-hotels-find-your-perfect-island-getaway/) are all within a few hundred yards of the dock. If you are headed to a hotel farther out, like the [Spring House](/places-to-stay/spring-house/) or [1661 Inn](/places-to-stay/1661-inn/), call your hotel about pickup or grab a taxi from the line. From there, the rest of the island opens up. Some places to point yourself first: – [Mohegan Bluffs](/why-mohegan-bluffs-should-be-at-the-top-of-your-block-island-bucket-list/) — the dramatic clay cliffs at the south end – [Mansion Beach](/mansion-beach-block-island/) — wide, quiet, the locals’ pick – [The Oar restaurant](/restaurant/the-oar/) — drinks at New Harbor with a sunset view – [Aldo’s Bakery](/restaurant/aldos-bakery/) — the morning stop everybody knows about For a fuller sense of what waits on the other side, [Visit Block Island](/visit-block-island/) is our overview page, and [What to do on Block Island](/what-to-do-on-block-island-top-activities-and-attractions/) collects the activity guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Block Island Ferry running today?
The Point Judith traditional ferry runs year-round in almost any weather. Cancellations happen a few times a winter from heavy storms, but day-to-day reliability is high. The seasonal high-speed ferries shut down for the off-season entirely (roughly November through April). When in doubt, the operator’s site posts service updates by 6 AM on the day of travel.
Can I bring my car on the Block Island Ferry?
Only on the traditional ferry from Point Judith. Newport, New London, and Montauk are passenger-only. If you are bringing a car, reserve well in advance, especially for summer weekends.
How long is the ferry to Block Island?
It depends on the route. The fastest is the Point Judith high-speed ferry at about 30 minutes. The traditional Point Judith ferry takes 55 minutes. Newport runs about an hour, New London about an hour and 15 minutes, and Montauk about two hours.
Do I need to reserve ferry tickets?
Walk-on passengers rarely need to reserve except on the smaller routes (Newport, Montauk). Cars on the Point Judith traditional ferry should always be reserved. Online reservations also save time at the terminal in summer.
What’s the cheapest way to get to Block Island?
Walk-on tickets on the Point Judith traditional ferry, around $18 each way for adults. The high-speed ferries cost more, and Montauk is the priciest route by a wide margin.
Can I take my dog on the ferry?
Most routes allow leashed pets on open decks. Confirm with the specific operator and arrive early — pets sometimes need to stay on certain parts of the boat.
