Ferry operator
Steamship Authority
The public ferry authority of the islands, and the only way to take a car across
- The only car ferries to the islands
- Woods Hole to the Vineyard year-round
- Hyannis to Nantucket year-round
- Public authority created in 1949
- Car ferries from Woods Hole and Hyannis
Routes and role
The Steamship Authority, in full the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority, is the public ferry authority of the two islands. It was created in 1949, is based in Falmouth, runs a fleet of ten vessels, and holds the car ferry monopoly: it is the only operator that carries cars to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.
This site does not sell Steamship Authority tickets. The authority sells them itself, and this page exists because anyone planning a trip to the islands needs to know where the car ferry fits.
Routes
From Woods Hole, the authority sails to Vineyard Haven all year and to Oak Bluffs from mid-May to mid-October, both in about 45 minutes. From Hyannis it sails the traditional ferry to Nantucket year-round, in about two hours and a quarter.
With a car
Vehicle spaces are the reason most people book the Steamship Authority, and in summer they sell out well ahead. Without a car, the passenger ferries on this site are faster and more frequent: Hy-Line from Hyannis reaches Nantucket in about an hour, and the Island Queen crosses from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs in about 35 minutes.
What we do not know
The Steamship Authority's own website was not reachable when this page was written, so the facts here come from the encyclopaedic record and are limited to the routes, the durations, the seasons and the fleet. Fares, vehicle rules and the current timetable are with the authority itself.
FAQ Steamship Authority
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Steamship Authority.
What is the Steamship Authority? +
The public authority created in 1949 to run the ferries to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. It is based in Falmouth and runs a fleet of ten vessels.
Which routes does it sail? +
Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven year-round and to Oak Bluffs from mid-May to mid-October, both about 45 minutes, and Hyannis to Nantucket year-round in about two hours and a quarter.
Can I take my car with the Steamship Authority? +
Yes. It is the only operator that carries cars to either island. Vehicle spaces in summer book out early.
Can I book the Steamship Authority here? +
No. The Steamship Authority sells its tickets itself. This site covers the passenger ferries of Hy-Line, the Island Queen, Freedom Cruise Line, Boston Harbor City Cruises and Captain John Boats.
Which is faster to Nantucket, the Steamship Authority or Hy-Line? +
Hy-Line's high-speed ferry, about one hour against about two hours and a quarter. The Steamship Authority is the choice with a car. See Hyannis - Nantucket.
The passenger ferries
Without a car, the high-speed ferries are faster - compare the routes and find your sailing.