For Island Residents
As a full-time or seasonal resident of Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket, you know that the Steamship Authority serves as the “Lifeline to the Islands”, providing reliable and safe transportation, with the most frequent daily departures, at the lowest possible fares.
Because we value your regular patronage, we’re pleased to offer a variety of value-added and cost-savings opportunities for island residents. Please take a moment and read about the many “Ways to Save” when you travel with the Steamship Authority. For further assistance, please call (508) 477-8600.
Martha’s Vineyard Excursion Fares
For Residents of Martha’s Vineyard
Passenger vehicles originating from Martha’s Vineyard on a round-trip basis and returning within 1-31 days are eligible for excursion fares which include up to two (2) adults and two (2) children.
To be eligible for the auto excursion fare an island resident must have his/her name contained on the town’s street list, and provide both a valid MA driver’s license and vehicle registration with an island address.
Please visit our Policies, Forms & Information page for our Excursion Profile Application.
| 2024 Martha’s Vineyard Islander Excursion Fares (Autos) | Round-Trip | |
| Under 17′ in length | Jan 1 – May 14 | $73.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $106.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec 31 | $73.00 | |
| 17′ but less than 20′ | Jan 1 – May 14 | $93.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $126.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec 31 | $93.00 | |
| 20′ but less than 22′ | Jan 1 – May 14 | $103.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 1 | $136.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec 31 | $103.00 | |
| Extended Load beyond front or rear bumper | Jan 1 – Dec 31 (one-way) | $12.50 |
College Excursion Fare Program
For Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Residents
The College Excursion Fare Program allows currently enrolled college students to save money when traveling with the Steamship Authority by becoming eligible for our extended automobile excursion rates. Eligible college students will be able to travel within thirty (30) days prior to, or following, a semester, and will be allowed four (4) extended excursion round trips per school year.
In order to qualify for this program, a college student must be enrolled full-time and be a year-round island resident. Qualified students are required to have active Excursion Profiles in his or her name. You can download an Excursion Profile application from our website at www.steamshipauthority.com/about/forms.
Additionally, college students need to provide the Steamship Authority with documentation from their college registrar’s office verifying that he or she is a full-time student for the current semester. Students may submit a “College Program Verification Form and Application,” which is available on our website at www.steamshipauthority.com/about/forms, or a letter from the college verifying their enrollment for the current semester. The form or school letter may be faxed to (508) 417-8717 or emailed to Supervisors@steamshipauthority.com.
Military Automobile Excursion Fare Program
Active Military personnel may travel on an excursion fare on a one-way basis (for one-half of the applicable round-trip excursion fare) regardless of the port of origin and regardless of whether he or she is returning to the Island earlier or later than 30 calendar days from the date of the vehicle’s trip from the Island.
In order to be eligible for this program, the individual must be an island resident with thier own profile account and must provide the Authority with thier active service card showing that he or she is serving in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.
Martha’s Vineyard Motorcycle Excursion Fares
For Residents of Martha’s Vineyard
An excursion fare is available for a motorcycle which includes the transportation of a motorcycle and up to two passengers. Honored for transportation daily round trip starting at Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs. Tickets are valid for transportation on the day of purchase and for the following 30 days.
| 2024 Martha’s Vineyard Island Resident Motorcycle Exursion Fares | Round-Trip | |
| Motorcycles without Side Car or Trailer | Jan 1 – May 14 | $46.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $59.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec 31 | $46.00 | |
| Motorcycles with Side Car or Trailer | Jan 1 – May 14 | $52.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $78.50 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec 31 | $52.00 | |
| Three Wheeled Trikes without side car or trailer | Jan 1 – May 14 | $52.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $78.50 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec 31 | $52.00 | |
| Three Wheeled Trikes with side car or trailer | Jan 1 – May 14 | $68.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $99.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec 31 | $68.00 | |
Martha’s Vineyard Preferred Space
For Residents of Martha’s Vineyard
Qualified residents can access the Steamship Authority’s Preferred Space Program, which provides island residents the opportunity to make reservations, either seven days or one day before the day of sailing. The Islander Preferred program is typically for seasonal residents; the Preferred Excursion program is for year-round residents.
New residents to the island may apply at any time to become enrolled in the appropriate program. Island residents who are currently profiled in either the Preferred or Preferred Excursion program and have a profile ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) must update their profile information by December 31, 2023, to continue to receive the benefits of the program. The 2024 Excursion and Islander Preferred Profile applications are available online at https://www.steamshipauthority.com/about/forms.
Individuals in the Islander Preferred or Preferred Excursion programs can book preferred reservations starting at 7:30 a.m. online at SteamshipAuthority.com, by calling our reservation line at (508) 477-8600 or in person at our terminals.
Customers may reserve Preferred Spaces as follows:
7-Day Preferred Space Reservations: These spaces go on sale 7 days before your travel date and remain on sale until the day prior to sailing. At noon the day prior to sailing, any remaining spaces become avialable to the general public.
1-Day Preferred Space Reservations: These spaces go on sale the day prior to travel. At noon, any remaining spaces also become available to the general public.
Please note that all Preferred Space reservations are non-refundable and non-transferable.
For more details and to download the preferred profile application, visit steamshipauthority.com/about/forms and scroll down to the Reservation Forms section.
Nantucket Automobile Excursion Fares
For Residents of Nantucket
Passenger vehicles originating from Nantucket on a round-trip basis and returning within 1 – 31 days are eligible for excursion fares which include up to two (2) adults and two (2) children.
To be eligible for the auto excursion fare, a Nantucket resident must have his/her name contained on the town’s street list and provide both a valid MA driver’s license and vehicle registration with a Nantucket address. Please visit the Policies, Forms & Information page for our Excursion Profile Application.
| 2024 Nantucket Excursion Fares | Round-Trip | |
| Under 17′ in length | Jan 1 – May 14 | $182.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $246.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec 31 | $182.00 | |
| 17′ but less than 20′ | Jan 1 – May 14 | $207.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $276.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec 31 | $207.00 | |
| 20′ but less than 22′ | Jan 1 – May 14 | $222.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $296.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec 31 | $222.00 | |
| Extended Load beyond front or rear bumper | Jan 1 – Dec 31 (one-way) | $37.50 |
Nantucket Motorcycle Excursion Fares
For Residents of Nantucket
An excursion fare is available for a motorcycle which includes the transportation of a motorcycle and up to two passengers. Tickets are honored for transportation starting on Nantucket and will be valid for transportation on the day of purchase and the following 30 days.
| 2024 Motorcycle Excursion Fares | Round-Trip | |
| Motorcycles without Side Car or Trailer | Jan 1 – May 14 | $100.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $135.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec. 31 | $100.00 | |
| Motorcycles with Side Car or Trailer | Jan 1 – May 14 | $130.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $195.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec. 31 | $130.00 | |
| Three Wheeled Trikes without side car or trailer | Jan 1 – May 14 | $130.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $195.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec. 31 | $130.00 | |
| Three Wheeled Trikes with side car or trailer | Jan 1 – May 14 | $170.00 |
| May 15 – Sep 14 | $230.00 | |
| Sep 15 – Dec. 31 | $170.00 | |
Nantucket 1-Day High-Speed Passenger Excursion Fare
For Residents of Nantucket: Valid March 25, 2024 – January 3, 2025
Travel from Nantucket on the Steamship Authority’s high-speed passenger-only ferry, the M/V Iyanough, round-trip on the same day and enjoy a significant savings, 7 days a week. This discounted travel fare provides the perfect opportunity for island residents to travel to the mainland on our high-speed ferry for appointments, shopping, errands or a quick get-away to the mainland.
The round-trip rates are as follows:
Adults: $60.00
* Senior Citizens: $46.50 (Eligibility restrictions apply.)
Children (ages 5-12): $30.00
Children under the age of 5 travel free.
Rates include a $1.00 town-mandated embarkation fee.
Travel must originate from Nantucket and the return trip must be made on the same day. These tickets are available for purchase at the Nantucket Terminal.
* Eligibility restrictions apply. Senior Citizens 65 years or older must be a resident of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Barnstable or Falmouth. To apply for a Steamship Authority Senior Citizen Travel Card, contact the Group Sales Office at 508-548-5011 ext. 244/344 or email groups@steamshipauthority.com.
Nantucket High-Speed Ferry Ticket Upgrade
Passengers traveling at the auto excursion fare (which includes up to two adults and two children) may purchase upgraded passenger tickets so they may travel on the Authority’s high-speed ferry instead of the traditional ferries.
The cost of the upgraded ticket is $20.00 for adults and $10.25 for children (5 – 12 years) one-way.
Upgraded tickets purchased before March 25, 2024 (while the M/V Iyanough is not in service), will be valid for travel anytime within the M/V Iyanough’s 2024 operating season.
Upgraded tickets purchased March 25, 2024, through January 3, 2025 (while the M/V Iyanough is in service), will be valid for travel within seven (7) days prior to or following the date on which vehicle transportation is provided.
Nantucket 1- to 3-Day Passenger Combo Ticket
For Residents of Nantucket – March 25, 2024, through January 3, 2025
Customers may purchase a combination round-trip ticket originating from Nantucket, which will allow the customer to travel one-way on the high-speed ferry and one-way on the traditional ferry provided they complete their trip within three calendar days.
Adults……………….$48.00
Senior Citizens…….$35.00 (Eligibility requirements apply.)
Children (5-12)……$24.75
Children 4 and under ride free.
Rates include a $1.00 town embarkation fee.
Discounted Ticket Books/Lifeline Cards
We offer a variety of discounted multi-ride cards and ticket books for both our traditional ferries and our high-speed passenger ferry to Nantucket that can help you save time and money. Follow this link to view the Ticket Book details and rates.
Discounted Fares
We offer discounted passenger fares for military personnel in active service who show their Active Duty Card, as well as individuals with disabilities who show their Transportation Access Pass. Click here to access the application for a Transportation Access Pass.
We also offer senior citizens (age 65 or older) who are residents of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Barnstable or Falmouth, individuals with disabilities, military personnel in active service.
Residents of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Barnstable or Falmouth can apply for a Senior Citizen Travel Card. Stop by any Steamship Authority Terminal to pick up an application or contact Group Sales to request an application. Please note that eligibility restrictions do apply.
Medical Travel
TRAVELING TO THE MAINLAND FOR MEDICAL TREATMENTS AND/OR APPOINTMENTS
If you are an island resident who needs to travel to the mainland with your vehicle on a repeated basis for special medical treatments or appointments, you might be eligible to travel on a discounted automobile excursion fare. The rate is equal to one-half of the excursion fare, based on the time of the year and the size of the vehicle, and is available to those island residents who are already eligible for the excursion fare and are profiled as such in the Steamship Authority’s reservation system, and meet the following requirements:
- Eligible island residents must have a series of at least five (5) scheduled medical appointments and any follow-up appointments within a twelve month period for the same medical condition.
- Vehicle reservations at this reduced rate must be arranged through the reservation manager or a supervisor at the Mashpee Reservation Office.
- Supporting documentation from a doctor or medical office need to be provided at the time of the request for this reduced fare.
- The Reservation Manager and Supervisors will be allowed, at their discretion, to make other special travel arrangements upon request for those island residents requiring frequent treatments or appointments on the mainland for the same medical conditions.
Vehicle reservations at this reduced rate can be requested and arranged through the Reservation Manager or a Supervisor at the Mashpee Reservation Office, open daily from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Please call 508-477-8600 or email supervisors@steamshipauthority.com.
High-speed Ferry 10-ride Ticket Books for Frequent Medical Travel
Nantucket residents who require frequent medical treatment on the mainland may purchase High-speed ferry 10-ride ticket books at fifty percent (50%) of the price of the applicable 10-ride electronic ticket book price on the following conditions: The eligible resident must have at least five (5) scheduled medical appointments
over a three-month period for the same medical condition; reservations at this reduced price must be requested and arranged through the Reservation Manager or a Supervisor at the Mashpee Reservation Office; and the eligible resident must provide supporting documentation from a doctor or medical office.
Reserving Preferred Space for Medical Treatments, Disability or to attend a Family Member’s Funeral
If you (and your caregiver) need to travel with your vehicle for medical appointments or treatments or to attend a funeral service upon the death of a member of your immediate family, you may reserve preferred space in advance, provided you have a preferred profile account with the Steamship Authority. Please contact
the Mashpee Reservation Office during regular office hours and ask to speak to a supervisor on duty. You may be required to submit written verification of your eligibility and need for the advance reservation, which will be determined by the supervisor.
PREFERENTIAL BOARDING FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
The Steamship makes every possible accommodation for medical emergencies. In these cases, an ambulance or a personal vehicle is boarded on a preferential basis. Per our policy, an emergency situation exists when an ambulance or a customer’s vehicle needs to be transported to the mainland without delay for emergency medical care that is not available on the island, or a customer’s vehicle needs to be transported to the mainland without delay so that the patron can attend to a death or an unexpected serious illness or injury of a member of the patron’s immediate family on the mainland.
Customers who need to arrange for emergency preferential boarding should contact a Mashpee Reservations Supervisor at (508) 477-8600 during regular business hours. When a supervisor is not available, a terminal agent makes the determination. A customer is required to provide written verification from his/her physician or health care provider of the customer’s urgent need to travel on our ferry without delay, by submitting a Certificate of Medical Need, which can be downloaded from our website. Navigate to the “About” section and choose “Policies, Forms & Information” page from the drop-down menu, or you may request the form at any of our terminals. Completed forms can be sent to the Mashpee Reservation supervisors by fax at (508) 477-8717, or submitted by email to supervisors@steamshipauthority.com
Student Groups
For Island Residents
Ten or more individuals traveling together as a group for student-related travel in connection with an event authorized by an island school or a recognized island youth group are charged the student group fare. Group fares for spectators are also available. For more information, please call the Group Sales Office at (508) 548-5011 ext. 244 or 344.
Inter-island Motorcycle Excursion Fare
For Island Residents
Customers who are eligible for the excursion fare are also able to purchase an inter-island motorcycle excursion, which allows them to take their motorcycle to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard and pay the excursion rate instead of the standard rate. Below are the round-trip motorcycle excursion rates:
Inter-island Motorcycle without Side Car
Jan. 1 – May 14: $146.00
May 15 – Sep. 14: $194.00
Sep. 15 – Dec. 31: $146.00
Inter-island Motorcycle with Side Car
Jan. 1 – May 14: $182.00
May 15 – Sep. 14: $273.50
Sep. 15 – Dec. 31: $182.00
Our parking permit applications are available on our website at www.steamshipauthority.com/reservations/parking.
Nantucket Preferred Space
For Nantucket Residents
Qualified residents can access the Steamship Authority’s Preferred Space Program, which provides island residents the opportunity to make reservations one day before their day of sailing. The Islander Preferred program is typically for seasonal residents; the Preferred Excursion program is for year-round residents.
New residents to the island may apply at any time to become enrolled in the appropriate program. Island residents who are currently profiled in either the Preferred or Preferred Excursion program and have a profile ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) must update their profile information by December 31, 2023, to continue to receive the benefits of the program. The 2024 Islander Excursion and Islander Preferred Profile applications are available online at https://www.steamshipauthority.com/about/forms.
Individuals in the Islander Preferred or Preferred Excursion programs can book preferred reservations starting at 5:30 AM one day in advance of departure date in person at the Nantucket terminal.
ALL PREFERRED SPACE RESERVATIONS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE
For more details and to download the preferred profile application, visit steamshipauthority.com/about/forms and scroll down to the Reservation Forms section.
Nantucket Drive-On / Drive-Off
Unaccompanied vehicle drive-on/drive-off service is available for vehicles traveling between Hyannis and Nantucket. A service fee is charged each time one of our employees drives your vehicle on or off a vessel. Restrictions apply to those customers traveling on a standby basis who wish to use our drive-on/drive-off
services.
Under 20’ Vehicles
January 1 – May 14: $25.00
May 15 – September 14: $40.00
September 15 – December 31: $25.00