Cape Cod ferry questions answered

Hyannis for the year-round Hy-Line fast ferry and the Steamship Authority car ferry, or Harwich Port for the seasonal Freedom Cruise Line ferry from the Lower Cape.

Three ports serve the Vineyard from the Cape. Falmouth has the shortest passenger crossing to Oak Bluffs with the Island Queen, Hyannis the Hy-Line fast ferry to Oak Bluffs, and Woods Hole the Steamship Authority car ferries to Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs.

By fast ferry from Boston with Boston Harbor City Cruises in about 95 minutes, or from Plymouth with Captain John Boats in about 90 minutes. Both arrive at MacMillan Pier in the centre of town.

Yes. Hy-Line's inter-island ferry sails between Nantucket and Oak Bluffs in about 70 minutes, three times a day in season. It is the only ferry that links the two islands directly.

It depends on the operator. Hy-Line asks for at least 45 minutes in Hyannis, Boston Harbor City Cruises for 30 minutes at Long Wharf, the Island Queen for 30 minutes on busy days and 15 minutes otherwise. Allow more if you park at an off-site lot with a shuttle.

Boston Harbor City Cruises allows luggage up to 45 linear inches per piece on the Provincetown ferry. Hy-Line has not published a luggage limit on the pages we read; if you travel with bulky items, ask the operator before you book.

Yes, on every route on this site. Hy-Line, the Island Queen, Freedom Cruise Line and the Provincetown ferries carry bikes for a fee; Hy-Line takes e-bikes as well. Add the bike in the booking step so a space is reserved.

Hy-Line allows pets on its ferries, though not in the Captain's View lounge. The Island Queen carries pets free on a leash or in a carrier, and Freedom Cruise Line takes most pets. Check the operator's current rules before you travel.

Only with the Steamship Authority, which runs the car ferries from Woods Hole to the Vineyard and from Hyannis to Nantucket. Car reservations are sold on its own website; this site sells passenger tickets only. See the Steamship Authority page.

Hy-Line has a lot at the terminal on Ocean Street and off-site lots on Iyannough Road and Brooks Road with a free shuttle to the pier in season. Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure if you use the shuttle. The Hyannis port page has the addresses.

The Island Queen lot in Falmouth is 200 yards from the pier and charges per calendar day in cash. Freedom Cruise Line in Harwich Port offers free day parking at Saquatucket Harbor, with overnight parking on request.

Not for a day trip. Nantucket town and Oak Bluffs start at the ferry pier, and every ferry on this site carries bikes if you want to bring your own. For a longer stay, the car ferries of the Steamship Authority are the only way to bring a vehicle.

Each operator sets its own rules. Island Queen tickets are non-refundable but can be rebooked or turned into a credit up to 30 minutes before departure. For a booking made through this site, the conditions in your confirmation apply; the contact page lists the right support for each seller.

The fast ferries can be cancelled at short notice in high winds or heavy seas. The operator will contact you about the next available sailing or a refund under its conditions. The timetable on this site shows the sailings that are still in the booking feed for your date.

Hy-Line's Hyannis - Nantucket fast ferry and the Steamship Authority's car ferries run all year. The Vineyard passenger ferries from Hyannis and Falmouth, the Harwich Port ferry and the Provincetown ferries stop in October and return in spring.

In the timetable: pick the route and date, and switch the direction for the way back. The prices page compares the from-prices of all routes.