Block Island Ferry Schedules 2026

The Block Island Ferry is operated by Interstate Navigation Company and is the scheduled link between mainland Rhode Island and Block Island, 12 miles offshore. It is the island's lifeline as much as a tourist service, carrying freight, islanders' vehicles and summer visitors on the same boats.

Two services, three terminals

The traditional ferry sails from Point Judith in Narragansett to Old Harbor in about 55 minutes and is the only service that carries vehicles. The high-speed passenger ferry runs from Point Judith year-round and from Newport (Perrotti Park) seasonally — Newport is passenger-only, so a car has to go via Point Judith.

Fares and booking

Adult passage is $12.30 one way, $22.60 same-day return; seniors $11.80 and children 5–11 $5.15. Bicycles cost $3.50 each way, electric bicycles $9.15. A standard car is $39.60 one way, a full-size van or SUV $48.70, and oversize vehicles are charged per foot. Vehicle fares carry a fuel surcharge that is revised on the 16th of every month.

Three booking rules matter: vehicles must be reserved in advance by phone; the vehicle ticket does not include the driver's passenger ticket; and mopeds and motorcycles cannot be reserved at all, being sold on the day at the car window. Surfboard tickets are also day-of only.

Check-in closes earlier than the short crossing implies — one hour before departure with a vehicle, 45 minutes to an hour for foot passengers.

The two ferries carry different things

This is the distinction that decides which boat you want. The high-speed ferry cannot carry freight at all — no boxed parcels, no tools, no deck cargo, no large quantities of groceries. All of that goes on the traditional ferry from Point Judith. Interstate Navigation's own suggestion is to split the journey: ship your goods on the traditional ferry and ride the high-speed one yourself.

Luggage on the fast boat is federally capped

Passengers get one small carry-on at their seat plus two pieces of personal luggage in the racks, limited to 30 lb per passenger. Suitcases, duffle bags, garment bags and small coolers are fine; crews stow them, and they are not allowed in the cabin. That is not a company preference — US Coast Guard regulations prohibit cabin stowage on high-speed vessels so that aisles stay clear for emergency egress. Surfboards and excess luggage are at the captain's discretion and are refused on heavily booked sailings. Strollers are accommodated.

Freight has a form, a deadline and a pallet size

Shipments are first come, first served and must be accompanied by an invoice; blank forms are available at the freight office for personal items. The paperwork needs consignee, telephone, shipper, contact person and a detailed list of contents. Loading and unloading from your vehicle is done as a courtesy — and you accept liability for any damage in the process. A personal pallet measures 48×48×36 inches, costs $10.50, is limited to two, and is for personal use only: you must be travelling on the same sailing. Arrive an hour early for the traditional ferry, or ninety minutes on high-season weekends between Memorial Day and Columbus Day.

Vehicles: phone only, and the driver is named

Every vehicle reservation is made by telephone on (866) 783-7996 ext. 3 — there is no online path — and paid by card in advance. You must give the make and model and name the driver; at check-in that driver shows photo ID matching the booking. Reservations are non-transferable and the driver's name cannot be changed afterwards. You must also declare anything on the roof, front or back, and whether the vehicle exceeds seven feet in height — that affects both availability and price.

Getting to the terminal

Point Judith sits in the fishing port of Galilee, at 304 Great Island Road, Narragansett. The nearest airport is T.F. Green (PVD) in Warwick, about 45 minutes away, and the nearest train station is Amtrak Kingston (KIN), roughly 20 minutes. There is no direct public transport to the terminals; the company points visitors to taxis, shuttles or ride-share.