What Visitors Should Know Before Booking
If you’re planning a summer trip to Nantucket, one of the first questions visitors ask is:
“Do we need to rent a car?” Here’s the honest, local answer: No — and in many cases, you’ll enjoy Nantucket more without one. The short story: You don’t need a car on Nantucket in the summer. Free island-wide buses, bike paths to beaches, bike share, pedal cabs, and options like Turo make getting around easy — without parking or traffic headaches. Take a look at this comprehensive island transportation list here.
Free Island-Wide Transportation: The Wave
The Wave is Nantucket’s free public bus system covering the entire island, including Surfside, Cisco, Jetties, Madaket, and Sconset. Buses run frequently in the summer, include bike racks, and remove the stress of parking and traffic.
Bikes: The Most Nantucket Way to Get Around:
Nantucket features miles of dedicated bike paths connecting Town to Surfside Beach, Cisco Beach, Bartlett’s Farm, and Sconset Village. Biking is part of the Nantucket experience.
Bike Rentals & Bike Share: Sandy Pedals
Offers bike-share options ideal for short trips around town and the harbor.
Short Trips Around Town: Pedal Cabs: NantukTuk
Pedal cabs are perfect for short in-town trips, especially in the evenings.
Staying in the Right Location Matters:
Many visitors choose rentals in or near town to eliminate the need for a car. Explore available homes here.
What If You Still Want a Car?
For traditional rentals, Nantucket Island Rent A Car is the great provider as is Youngs and a host of other car rental agencies found here on the Chamber of Commerce website. For travelers arriving by ferry, several rental agencies are conveniently located near the Steamship Authority Ferry Dock. Affordable Rentals is situated just 0.2 miles away, offering Jeep Wranglers, trucks, SUVs, electric cars, and convertibles, with the added benefit of avoiding airport rental taxes and fees, which can range from 20% to 30% Young’s Bicycle Shop, located on Steamboat Wharf at the bottom of Broad Street, is another nearby option, offering car and Jeep rentals with pickup and return at their downtown location. Other rental agencies include Windmill Car Rental.
For flexible, short-term options, many visitors use Turo, that way you are not locked in to a full week rental but can still get out and explore when you want!
All rental companies require renters to be at least 21 years old, with those under 25 potentially facing additional daily fees or restrictions on vehicle classes For convenience, some agencies offer shuttle services from the ferry or airport, such as Nantucket Island Rent-a-Car, which provides pickup and drop-off assistance Additionally, rental packages may include optional add-ons like child safety seats, coolers, and other accessories. The bottom line is that Nantucket is a walkable, bikeable, bus-friendly island where simpler transportation leads to a better vacation.