Getting Here and Around

Air Travel

New England Airlines operates scheduled flights from Westerly to Block Island State Airport year-round. Cape Air flies seasonally between Block Island and Providence's T. F. Green Airport.

Ferry Travel

There's year-round car-and-passenger ferry service to Block Island from the Port of Galilee, in the town of Narragansett in South County. Seasonal passenger-only ferry service is available from Newport; New London, Connecticut; and Montauk, New York. Most ferry companies permit bicycles. The charge runs $3–$10 each way.

The most heavily trafficked route is Block Island Ferry's car-passenger service and high-speed passenger service between Block Island's Old Harbor and Galilee. By conventional ferry, the hour-long trip costs about $14 one way for passengers (rates fluctuate with oil prices) and $43 one way for automobiles. Ferries run from one or two times per day in winter to 10 times per day in summer. Make car reservations well ahead by telephone. Arrive 45 minutes ahead in high season to allow time to find parking in the pay lots ($10–$15 per day) that surround the docks. From early June to mid-October the high-speed service makes four to six daily 30-minute trips ($19 one way) along the same route. There is no auto or bicycle service on the high-speed ferry; passenger reservations are recommended.

Block Island Ferry also operates seasonal service from Newport's Perrotti Park to Old Harbor. The passengers-only ferry leaves Newport for Block Island once a day from July to early September at 9:15 am and leaves Block Island at 4:45 pm. One-way rates are about $25.50; no reservations or credit cards are accepted in Newport. Approximate sailing time is 70 minutes.

From late May to mid-October, a high-speed passenger-only ferry operated by Block Island Express runs between New London, Connecticut, and Old Harbor. The ferry departs from New London every three hours, three or four times a day, and takes a little more than an hour. Tickets are about $25 one way. Reservations are recommended.

Viking Fleet runs high-speed passenger service from Montauk, Long Island, to Block Island late May–mid-October. The boat departs from Montauk at 10 am and leaves Block Island at 5 pm, plus an additional trip on Sundays in July and August that departs from Block Island at 11:30 am and Montauk at 3:30 pm. The fare is $50 one way. Travel time is one hour; the ferry docks at New Harbor.

Getting Around

Block Island has two harbors, Old Harbor and New Harbor. Approaching the island by sea from New London, Newport, or Point Judith, you'll see Old Harbor, the island's only village, and its group of Victorian hotels. Most of the smaller inns, shops, and restaurants are also here. It's a short walk from the ferry landing to most of the interesting sights as well as many accommodations.

A car isn't necessary but can be helpful if you're staying far from Old Harbor or visiting for long. You can rent one at Block Island Car Rental.