Quick answer: There isn’t one Block Island ferry; there are four mainland ports that reach the island, run by two different companies. For most people the decision comes down to two: the Point Judith ferry in Rhode Island (year-round, the only one that carries cars, and the cheapest walk-on fares) and the New London ferry in Connecticut (seasonal, passenger-only, and the easy choice from New York and central Connecticut). If you’re bringing a car or visiting off-season, Point Judith is your only real option. If you’re coming from the New York City direction without a car, New London usually saves you the drive around to Rhode Island. Everything below helps you pick and plan.
Block Island sits about 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast, and the boat ride is the only practical way there unless you’re chartering a small plane. So the ferry choice shapes your whole trip: where you park, how long the crossing takes, whether you can bring the car, and how much the day costs before you’ve bought a single beach snack.
Which ports have a ferry to Block Island?
Four do, and they split between two operators.
Block Island Ferry, run by Interstate Navigation, sails from Point Judith and (seasonally) from Newport, both in Rhode Island. Block Island Express, run by Cross Sound Ferry, sails from New London, Connecticut, seasonally from late May through Columbus Day. A fourth option, the Viking Fleet from Montauk on Long Island, runs summer weekends only and is a niche route for Long Islanders. All of them dock at Old Harbor on Block Island, right in the main village, so wherever you leave from, you arrive in the same walkable spot.
Here’s the at-a-glance comparison. Treat the fares as 2026 ballpark figures and confirm the exact number on the operator’s site before booking, because fuel surcharges and seasonal changes do move them.
| Port | Operator | Crossing time | Cars? | Season | Adult one-way (approx.) |
| Point Judith, RI (traditional) | Block Island Ferry | ~55 min | Yes | Year-round | ~$12 |
| Point Judith, RI (high-speed) | Block Island Ferry | ~30 min | No | Seasonal | ~$28–30 |
| Newport, RI (high-speed) | Block Island Ferry | ~1 hr+ | No | Seasonal | ~$26–30 |
| New London, CT (high-speed) | Block Island Express | ~1 hr 15 min | No | Seasonal | ~$33 |
| Montauk, NY (high-speed) | Viking Fleet | ~2 hrs | No | Summer weekends | ~$45+ |
What’s the Block Island Ferry schedule from Point Judith?
Point Judith is the workhorse, and its schedule expands as summer builds. In the peak stretch, roughly June 19 through September 7, 2026, the traditional ferry leaves Point Judith daily at 7:15 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 1:20 p.m., 4:40 p.m., and 6:45 p.m., with return sailings from Block Island at 8:00 a.m., 10:05 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:50 p.m., and 7:35 p.m.
Outside peak season the boat runs fewer times a day, and winter drops to a lean weekday-by-week timetable. The traditional Point Judith ferry is the only year-round service to the island, which is why it’s the default for anyone visiting in the shoulder or off-season.
The high-speed catamaran from Point Judith is the same company’s faster, passenger-only boat. It makes the crossing in about 30 minutes and takes bicycles but not cars. For a day trip, that speed difference is the whole game: the fast boat hands you roughly 40 extra minutes on the island in each direction versus the traditional ferry.
The terminal is in the fishing village of Galilee, at 304 Great Island Road, Narragansett, about half an hour south of Providence.
What about the New London ferry to Block Island?
If you’re driving from New York City, Long Island, or most of Connecticut, the New London route usually beats the trek around to Rhode Island. The Block Island Express is a seasonal, passenger-only high-speed service that runs from a terminal next to the Cross Sound Ferry pier. The crossing takes roughly 80 to 90 minutes, and there’s no car service.
Departures are limited, so this route rewards planning. The boat leaves New London three to four times a day in season, with the first sailing around 8:30 a.m. Reservations are strongly recommended rather than optional, especially on summer weekends.
The convenience argument for New London goes beyond the drive. The Block Island Express dock sits directly across from Amtrak’s New London station, so you can leave the car at home entirely and arrive by train. If you do drive, limited parking at the New London terminal runs $15 per calendar day, with nearby garages as backup. One more perk worth knowing: the operator runs a Thursday “dinner run” special with discounted evening fares, handy if you want a sunset dinner on the island without committing to a full day.
How much do Block Island Ferry tickets cost?
Prices swing widely by route and boat type, so match the fare to how you’re traveling rather than assuming they’re all similar.
On the Point Judith traditional ferry, walk-on fares are the cheapest way across. For 2026, an adult one-way is $12.30, with a same-day round trip at $22.60 and a different-day round trip at $24.60. The Point Judith high-speed boat costs more for the time you save: a mid-2024 rate increase put the one-way adult fare at $28 and round trip at $56, and 2026 figures sit in that same range.
From New London, the Block Island Express one-way adult fare is around $33, with a same-day round trip near $64. Children ages 2 to 11 pay roughly $17 each way, and kids under 2 ride free. A priority fare adds preferred boarding for about $40 one-way. A fuel surcharge applies to these fares and can change, so check the current total when you book.
Bringing a car is the expensive path, and it’s only possible on the Point Judith traditional ferry. Expect well over $100 each way for a car and driver in season, and note that vehicle reservations must be made in advance by phone and often sell out far ahead. For most visitors this isn’t worth it.
Do you actually need to bring a car?
Usually not, and skipping it saves real money and hassle. Block Island is small and flat enough that a rented bike or moped covers nearly everything a day-tripper or weekender wants to see, from Mohegan Bluffs to the beaches to Old Harbor’s shops. Unless you’re staying a week, hauling a lot of gear, or visiting in winter, the practical advice is to leave the car on the mainland and rent wheels once you arrive.
That single decision unlocks the faster, cheaper passenger boats. It removes the need for a hard-to-get vehicle reservation, drops your fare by a hundred dollars or more, and lets you use whichever high-speed route is most convenient rather than being tied to the one car ferry.
Here’s the honest trade-off, drawn from how the routes are set up rather than any single day on the water: the traditional Point Judith Boat has more deck space and, by reputation, a steadier ride, which matters if anyone in your group is prone to seasickness. The high-speed catamarans are quicker but can feel choppier in a swell. On a rough day, the extra 25 minutes on the slower boat can be the more comfortable 25 minutes.
Which ferry should you take?
Rather than a “best” boat, think in terms of where you’re starting and what you’re carrying.
Coming from Providence or elsewhere in Rhode Island, or visiting outside summer, take Point Judith. It’s closest, cheapest for walk-ons, and the only year-round service.
Doing a day trip and leaving the car behind, take the Point Judith high-speed. The 30-minute crossing gives you the most daylight on the island for the money, and it’s the most frequent fast service.
Driving from New York City, Long Island, or central Connecticut, take New London. You’ll skip the extra hour-plus of driving around to Rhode Island, and you can even arrive by train.
Already staying in Newport, use the seasonal Newport boat. It’s a scenic run through Narragansett Bay and saves you a backtrack, though it runs less often than Point Judith.
Bringing a car, you have exactly one choice: the Point Judith traditional ferry, booked well ahead by phone.
When should you book, and how early should you arrive?
Summer weekends sell out, full stop. July and August sailings, and any car reservation, should be booked as far ahead as you can manage. Passenger tickets on the high-speed boats can also fill on peak days, so buying online in advance beats gambling on the ticket window.
Give yourself a buffer at the dock. Arriving 30 to 45 minutes before departure is sensible in peak season, both to find parking in Galilee’s privately run lots and to board without stress. The first morning ferry is the day-tripper’s friend: it maximizes island time and dodges the midday crush.
Key info at a glance
For a quick scan before you go:
- Where boats arrive: Old Harbor, Block Island (all routes)
- Cheapest crossing: Point Judith traditional, ~$12 adult one-way
- Fastest crossing: Point Judith high-speed, ~30 minutes
- Only car-carrying route: Point Judith traditional (reserve by phone, in advance)
- Best from the NYC direction: New London (Block Island Express), train-accessible
- Year-round service: Point Judith traditional only
- Book ahead for: all summer weekends and every car reservation
- Always verify: exact fares and times on the operator’s site, since surcharges and seasonal schedules change
Note on accuracy: all fares and schedule times above are 2026 figures pulled from the ferry operators; they shift with season and fuel surcharges, so the article keeps pointing readers to confirm before booking.
FAQs
Q. How long is the ferry ride to Block Island?
A. It depends on the route. The Point Judith traditional ferry takes about 55 minutes; the Point Judith high-speed catamaran does it in around 30 minutes. The New London high-speed run is roughly 80 to 90 minutes, and Newport and Montauk are longer still.
Q. Can I bring my car to Block Island?
A. Only on the Point Judith traditional ferry, and only with an advance phone reservation. The high-speed boats and the New London service are passenger-only. For most trips, renting a bike on the island is cheaper and simpler.
Q. Can I take a bike on the ferry?
A. Yes. Bicycles are accepted on the high-speed Point Judith ferry and on the other services for a small additional fee, though many day-trippers find it easier to rent once they arrive.
Q. Does the ferry run in winter?
A. Only the Point Judith traditional ferry operates year-round. The high-speed and New London services are seasonal, roughly late spring through mid-October.
Q. Do I need a reservation for a walk-on passenger ticket?
A. Not strictly, but it’s wise in summer. Passenger tickets can be bought online or at the ticket window on the day of travel, but popular sailings sell out, so booking ahead is the safer bet.
Q. Is the ferry ever cancelled?
A. Weather can disrupt sailings, and the high-speed boats feel rougher seas than the larger traditional ferries. Check the operator’s status before heading to the dock on a stormy day.
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