© Bob Lyon
There are a ton of things to do on Block Island (check out our Discovering Block Island series) but the fist step is getting there. Given it's an island, at some point a plane or a ferry will be involved and there are a surprising amount of options for such a small place. I actually find getting there part of the fun. It's a quintessential New England experience without all the hubbub of Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard.
Before I begin I should establish a couple of things:
- If you want to bring a car over taking a ferry out of Pt. Judith is your only option (make sure to book a car reservation in advance).
- Not every option operates year round. Most operate in the late spring to early fall period.
- Have fun and bring your sunscreen!
1. Keeping it Simple - The Main Ways to Get to Block Island (Additional Options Below)
If you don't want to read through all the options, there are a ton, here's the simple advice:
Drive to Pt. Judith, RI and Take a Ferry:
This is the main leaping off point to Block Island. Lots of ferry options, year round service and ferries that can carry cars. You can take a train here too, but the Kingston train station is a cab ride away from the ferry. Here's the ferry schedule.
Train or Drive to New London, CT and Take a Ferry:
Don't want to drive? New London's Amtrak station is right next to the ferry terminal. It's a passenger only summer seasonal ferry but a good option that I've taken before. Here's the schedule.
Fly from Providence or Westerly, RI:
Both Rhode Island airports have flights to Block Island (note: we re-checked in May 2017 and Cape Air's flights from Providence to Block Island were suspended at that time). Providence/TF Green is a major airport so you can get commercial flights in and then take Cape Air to Block Island. Westerly is a small regional airport in the south of Rhode Island and New England Airlines flies in and out of here to Block Island. I'm not aware of any other commercial airlines that fly into Westerly. Of course, you can drive to either of these airports. Amtrak is possible too but a bit more cumbersome.
2. Ferry from Pt. Judith (Galilee, RI)
This is the main transit point to Block Island. There are multiple ferries that operate year round. It's also the only place with ferries that carry cars.
Carries Cars
Yes. Make a reservation one to two months advance. Particularly in the summer months. Car spots fill up quick.
How to Get There
Car: You can drive to Pt. Judith and leave your car in one of the long-term parking lots. If you want to take a car over, make a reservation in advance.
Train: Take Amtrak to Kingston station and then take a taxi to the Pt. Judith. The taxi ride should be about 20 minutes. Be sure to leave enough time to take a later ferry in case the train is delayed.
Plane: Fly into Providence/TF Green airport and take a taxi down to Pt. Judith. It's about a 40 minute taxi ride according to Google Maps. Make sure to call a taxi company in advance (although with Uber and Lyft that might not be necessary anymore). I've flown into Providence and taken a taxi to the ferry a few times.
Ferry Schedule
Pt. Judith, RI to Block Island ferry schedule
Travel Time
Half and hour to 1 hour 15 minutes depending on the type of ferry.
Operates Year Round
Yes
3. Ferry from New London, CT
A high speed ferry from New London to Block Island, this is the most accessible stop via train. I'd advise buying a ticket in advance and allow for plenty of time if you travel via train. Although I've never had a problem, my brother has experienced a few Amtrak delays.
Carries Cars
No.
How to Get There
Car: Easy to drive to the ferry terminal and park your car. Long term parking is available.
Train: Take Amtrak to the New London, CT station. The station is directly across from the ferry terminal. It's walkable. Plan ahead for train delays. There are multiple ferries a day so plan for an early ferry and take a later one if you miss it.
Ferry Schedule
New London, CT to Block Island Ferry schedule
Travel Time
Roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Operates Year Round
No
4. Fly from Providence/TF Green Airport
(Note: as of May 2017 Cape Air's flights from Providence to Block Island were suspended. Check agin to be sure.) Cape Air flies from TF Green to Block Island via small propeller planes. This is a new service that Cape Air offers and they have several other regional routes. The planes are small propeller planes that carry 10 - 12 people. I have not flown Cape Air before but plan to this summer.
How to Get There
Car: Drive to the airport and park. Just that simple.
Train: Providence has a train station accessible via Amtrak. They also have a commuter link rail system. I'm not sure how close either of these are to the airport.
Plane: TF Green is a major airport that serves the major US airlines. Fly in via one of these airlines and transfer to Cape Air.
Flight Schedule
Cape Air's Providence to Block Island flight reservations.
Travel Time
Approximately 32 minutes in the air.
Operates Year Round
No
5. Fly from Westerly, RI
New England Airlines has been flying out of Westerly since 1970. They are a small outfit that I don't believe flies anywhere else. They operate propeller planes and I've taken these flights before. If memory serves me correct, their planes seat 6 - 8 people.
How to Get There
Car: Westerly airport is not too far from I-95. Drive up, park and fly over.
Train: Amtrak has a stop in Westerly. I'm not sure how close the airport and the train station are. Best to call ahead.
Plane: You'd think you could fly in but I don't know of any other commercial airline that flies into Westerly. Perhaps there is one that I'm unaware of.
Flight Schedule
New England Airlines' Westerly, RI to Block Island flight schedule
Travel Time on Plane
About 30 minutes as I recall.
Operates Year Round
Yes
6. Ferry from Montauk, NY
This ferry leaves from the tip of Long Island. It's accessible via New York City. I've taken it a few times. It has one departure a day with the exception of a few busier days each summer. Generally these are Sundays.
Carries Cars
No
How to Get There
Car: Drive out to the tip of Montauk and get on the ferry.
Bus: I believe the Hampton Jitney goes out there. Call in advance as I haven't done this in a while.
Train: The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) goes to Montauk. Take a taxi from the Montauk train station to the ferry. This I've never done but I know it's possible.
Ferry Schedule
Montauk, NY to Block Island ferry schedule
Travel Time
One hour on the high speed ferry.
Operates Year Round
No
7. Ferry from Newport, RI
I've never taken this ferry but have seen it often in the Block Island harbor. It's a passenger only ferry and departs twice a day.
Carries Cars
No
How to Get There
Car: Drive up and park. Pretty simple. Having never been there I don't know what the parking situation is like. I imagine there is long term parking but you might want to call in advance.
Plane: Fly into Providence/TF Green airport and take a taxi to the ferry terminal. According to Google Maps this should take 30 - 40 minutes.
Ferry Schedule
Newport, RI to Block Island ferry schedule
Travel Time
About an hour.
Operates Year Round
No
8. Ferry from Fall River, MA
This is another ferry I haven't tried. At a two hour and 15 minute journey, it's the longest ride to Block Island. It departs once a day.
Carries Cars
No
How to Get There
Car: Drive up and park. As with some of the others I haven't been to, I'm not sure what the parking situation is. I would guess there is long-term parking but it's best to call in advance.
Plane: Fly into Providence/TF Green airport and take a taxi. Google Maps says it's a 30 minute taxi ride.
Ferry Schedule
Fall River, MA to Block Island ferry schedule
Travel Time
2 hours and 15 minutes. This is the longest ferry or plane ride to Block Island.
Operates Year Round
No
9. Getting a Car on the Island
If you want to bring a car over to Block Island, the Pt. Judith ferry is your only option. Make sure to call in advance, I'd say a month or two, to guarantee yourself a space. The car spots fill up quick particularly in the summer high season. Also, you'll need to arrive about an hour early to get your car on the ferry.
10. Summing it All Up
Whew, that's a lot to consider. Hopefully it proved helpful. If you want to know more about Block Island, check out our Discovering Block Island series and don't forget your sunscreen!
