When you think of Nantucket, you probably think ? elite and expensive. In many ways, you are right. It is an island that is considered exclusive and reserved for people with money.
But if you plan ahead and plan wisely, you can still go on vacation to this beautiful island without having to break the bank.
Keep in mind that in times like this, you should check the regulations for traveling and safety of Massachusetts and the island of Nantucket to make sure that you will comply with the local guidelines for health and safety.
Here are our top tips for going on a vacation to Nantucket, MA, on a budget.
Choose the cheapest way to get to the island
Yes, you can fly to Nantucket via a commercial or a private plane, take the high-speed passenger-only ferry there, and even transport your car via the steamship ferry. But if you want to save money, the best choice is to leave the car behind and travel via the Steamship Authority Traditional Ferry service. It takes the longest time (approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes) to get from the port of Hyannis on Cape Cod to the island of Nantucket. The island is less than 30 miles south of the Nantucket Sound.
By choosing this option, you can save $35 per adult as compared to the high-speed ferry. The current fare for a round trip per adult for the traditional ferry service is $39. Children aged 5 to 12 can travel for a round-trip fee of $20. Tickets for children aged up to 4 years are free.
If you prefer flying, then keep in mind that the mid-week flights are up to 50% cheaper than those for the weekend.
Taking your car on vacation with you can cost from $332 to $600, depending on the season, day, and car’s length!
On the island, you can rent a car or rent bicycles. There are also regular bus shuttles with daily passes costing $2-3 dollars. An average taxi fare is about $38. There are also Uber and other rideshare services available during the season.
Plus, the island is relatively small, and there are many trails and walking paths that you can explore.
Find and share a residential rental with friends
Despite the small size of the island of Nantucket, there are plenty of rental residences that are more affordable than the hotels and inns.
If you plan ahead or plan your vacation before or after the peak of the summer season, you can find a reasonably priced residence. Even better, you can split the cost of renting a house on the island with friends or family to save money further.
Plan your trip off-season
The population of the island of Nantucket increases from about 10,000 up to 50,000 people during the peak of the summer season. If you want to avoid the crowds and to be able to find affordable accommodations and restaurant reservations, then you should consider traveling to Nantucket either in the spring or in the fall. Officially, the summer season on the island starts from Memorial Day and ends on Columbus Day. So, you can still enjoy the open shops, eateries, and other venues but sans the crowds and waiting if you go in May or late September. If you are keen on going to a hopping destination during the peak summer season you should look at things to do in Cape May, NJ as its summer population can swell to as high as 750,000!
Shop in stores and markets and bring a cooler
According to various tour guides and sites, the average cost for food in Nantucket is $65 per person per day. There are some high-end restaurants and other more affordable eateries, but the average price per dinner per person in the high season is about $26.
You can find some more budget-friendly restaurants, food trucks, and diners, but if you want to save money, you can shop in the local grocery stores and markets and make snacks or prepare meals yourself. You can bring your food and drinks in coolers to the beach and save a lot of your hard-earned money, at least for breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
If your rental residence has a kitchen, you can save tons of money by buying products and making breakfast, lunch, and snacks there instead of eating out.
Also, keep in mind that alcohol is more expensive on the island than on the mainland, so if you want to save money for drinks, bring your own alcohol with you. It is allowed to carry alcohol in your checked bags on the traditional ferry but without consuming it during the cruise.
If you don?t want to bring your own alcohol, you can expect to pay an average of $28 per day for beverages during your vacation. The cost will vary according to your drinking preferences and habits.
Find free entertainment
Needless to say, there are many attractions and events in Nantucket, especially during the high season. On average, you can expect to pay about $27 per day per adult for attractions, such as day tours, museum tickets, and sightseeing.
But the good news is that the Nantucket Parks and Recreations also organize many free events. So, you can check out some of these, which can include free yoga classes, concerts, outdoor movies, and beach events. You can also sign up for some of the budget-friendly craft workshops held throughout Nantucket during the summer.
Ride a bicycle
Instead of renting a car or taking a cab, you can bring your own bicycles to Nantucket. The round-trip fare for one bike with the traditional ferry is only $14. Or you can rent a bike when you arrive on the island. The entire Nantucket can be reached via cycling, thanks to the many bike paths crossing from one shore to the other.
Go on a day-trip
To avoid all of the costs associated with accommodation in Nantucket, you can plan and go on a day trip. Walking, sightseeing, going to the beach via the picturesque trails on the island is all completely free. You can plan a road trip to Cape Cod and catch the ferry there, or fly into Nantucket, enjoy the day, and leave in the evening.
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