A Nantucket visit or vacation should be smooth and hassle-free from start to finish, so set the tone for your island trip by arriving to the ferry terminal at a minimum of 30-45 minutes before departure time. If you are traveling with children, luggage and/or bikes, then arriving at least one hour prior is advisable. That will enable you to calmly unload, check-in and park your vehicle. If you are hoping to travel on one of the high-speed ferries in the summer months without a reservation, then an early arrival is a must in order to purchase a ticket. The high-speed ferries have limited capacity, so availability of tickets cannot be guaranteed without first making a reservation. Building in extra time for your arrival also helps if there is an unexpected traffic delay getting to the terminal. Is it really possible to arrive at the terminal too early? We don't think so. Sit on the dock and enjoy a cup of coffee and a bagel while gazing at beautiful Hyannis Harbor. Your vacation has already started.
