Rhode Island travel guide · Reviewed October 2026
The easiest way to get to Block Island is the ferry from Point Judith in Narragansett, which runs year-round and takes about 55 minutes on the traditional boat or about 30 minutes on the seasonal high-speed boat. In summer you can also take a high-speed ferry from Newport, New London, Connecticut, or Montauk, New York, or fly from Westerly in about 12 minutes. This guide covers every route, 2026 fares, car reservations, parking and how to plan a Block Island day trip.
Block Island ferries and flights at a glance
| Departs from | Operator | Trip time | Season / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Judith (Narragansett) | Block Island Ferry, traditional | About 55 min | Year-round; only ferry that takes cars |
| Point Judith (Narragansett) | Block Island Ferry, high-speed | About 30 min | Seasonal; passengers only |
| Newport (Perrotti Park) | Block Island Ferry, high-speed | About 1 hour | June 19–Sept 7, 2026; passengers only |
| New London, CT | Block Island Express | Just over 1 hour | Seasonal; passengers only |
| Montauk, NY | Viking Fleet | About 1 hr 15 min | Summer; passengers, bikes and surfboards |
| Westerly State Airport | New England Airlines | About 12 min | Year-round flights |
How to get to Block Island by ferry from Point Judith
Most visitors leave from the Block Island Ferry terminal at 304 Great Island Road in the Galilee section of Narragansett. Boats arrive at Old Harbor, right in Block Island’s main village. Block Island Ferry official site.
- Traditional ferry: about 55 minutes, year-round, and the only way to bring a car. 2026 adult fares were $12.30 one way and $22.60 for a same-day round trip, with children 5 to 11 at $5.15 one way. Bikes cost $3.50 each way.
- High-speed ferry: about 30 minutes, passengers only, and seasonal. Adult fares were about $29 one way in 2026, with children at $15. Seats are limited, so buy online ahead of time and board at least 15 minutes early.
Off-season sailings are limited. On October 30, 2026, for example, the traditional ferry left Point Judith at 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Check the current ferry schedule for your date.
Taking a car to Block Island
Car reservations are required and are made by phone only, at 866-783-7996 ext. 3. In 2026, a standard car was $39.60 each way. You need to arrive an hour before sailing, and cancellations need at least seven full days’ notice. Standby is available year-round. Many visitors skip the car and rent bikes or mopeds on the island instead.
Parking at Point Judith
The ferry company does not own a lot. Independent lots along and across Great Island Road are within walking distance of the terminal and charge roughly $10 to $30 a day depending on the season. They fill quickly on summer weekends.
Is there a ferry from Newport to Block Island?
Yes, in summer. Block Island Ferry runs a high-speed boat from Perrotti Park at 39 America’s Cup Avenue in downtown Newport. In 2026 it ran from June 19 to September 7, leaving Newport at 9:10 a.m. and noon, with a crossing of about an hour. Adult fares were $26 one way and $51 round trip, and bikes were $6 each way. Passengers only.
That makes Newport an easy base for a Block Island day trip: stay downtown, walk to the dock in the morning and be back for dinner on Thames Street. The ferry FAQ lists the public garage next to the Newport Visitor Center at $5 an hour, up to $40 a day. If you are coming from farther away, see our guides to getting from Providence to Newport and Boston to Newport.
Other Block Island ferries: New London and Montauk
- Block Island Express, New London, CT: a high-speed catamaran from 2 Ferry Street, next to the New London train station. The crossing is just over an hour, and it runs seasonally. Block Island Express.
- Viking Fleet, Montauk, NY: a summer fast ferry from 462 West Lake Drive that arrives at New Harbor rather than Old Harbor. It carries passengers, bikes and surfboards, but no cars. Viking Fleet schedule and fares.
Flying to Block Island
New England Airlines flies year-round from Westerly State Airport, and the flight takes about 12 minutes. Westerly has free airport parking and is reachable by Amtrak. Block Island State Airport is within walking distance of town and the beaches, but fog and wind can cancel flights, so keep your plans flexible.
Getting around Block Island
Old Harbor is walkable, with shops and restaurants on Water Street and Crescent Beach just north of the village. To see more, rent a bike, moped or small car near the ferry landing (book early for July and August), or use the taxis that wait by the Old Harbor docks. Many taxi drivers also offer island tours.
Block Island day trip highlights
- Mohegan Bluffs: clay cliffs more than 200 feet high, about 2.5 miles from Old Harbor. A long staircase leads down to the beach, which has no restrooms or lifeguards.
- Southeast Lighthouse: next to the bluffs. The lighthouse was moved back from the eroding cliff in 1993 and has a small museum.
- North Light: a granite lighthouse from 1867 at the island’s northern tip, reached by a beach walk from the Settler’s Rock lot.
- Crescent Beach and Mansion Beach: calm water near town and quieter sand to the north. See our best beaches in Rhode Island guide.
For more on the water around Newport, see our Newport boat tours and water activities.
Where to stay in Newport for a Block Island ferry
These downtown hotels are a short walk from the Perrotti Park ferry dock:
Newport Marriott
A large full-service hotel on the harbor by Long Wharf, steps from America’s Cup Avenue. Check Newport Marriott rates and availability →
Brenton Hotel
A modern boutique hotel on Long Wharf at the edge of the harbor. Check Brenton Hotel rates and availability →
Hammetts Hotel
A contemporary boutique hotel on Commercial Wharf, a short walk from the dock. Check Hammetts Hotel rates and availability →
Staying on Block Island instead?
Hotel Manisses is a Victorian inn on Spring Street with its own restaurant, and The 1661 Inn is a family-run historic inn nearby with Atlantic views. Check Hotel Manisses rates and availability → Check The 1661 Inn rates and availability →
Compare more in our downtown Newport hotels, hotels with harbor views and best hotels in Newport guides, and check our reader deals.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Block Island?
Most people take the Block Island Ferry from Point Judith in Narragansett. In summer there are also high-speed ferries from Newport, New London and Montauk, and New England Airlines flies year-round from Westerly.
How long is the ferry to Block Island?
From Point Judith, the traditional ferry takes about 55 minutes and the high-speed ferry about 30 minutes. The Newport high-speed ferry takes about an hour.
How much is the Block Island ferry?
In 2026, the traditional ferry from Point Judith was $12.30 one way for adults and $22.60 for a same-day round trip. The high-speed ferry was about $29 one way, and the Newport high-speed ferry was $26 one way.
Can you take a car to Block Island?
Yes, but only on the traditional ferry from Point Judith, and you need a reservation made by phone. In 2026 a standard car cost $39.60 each way.
Is there a ferry from Newport to Block Island?
Yes, in summer. In 2026 the high-speed ferry ran from Perrotti Park in Newport from June 19 to September 7, with morning and midday departures and a crossing of about an hour.
Can you do Block Island as a day trip?
Yes. With an early ferry from Point Judith or Newport you can bike to Mohegan Bluffs and the Southeast Lighthouse, spend time on Crescent Beach and catch an afternoon boat back.
More Newport guides
- Best Beaches in Rhode Island
- Fun Things to Do in Rhode Island
- Providence to Newport, RI
- Boston to Newport, RI
- Newport Boat Tours & Water Activities
- Downtown Newport Hotels
- Reader Deals
- All Newport Blog posts