Directions
Numerous transportation combinations bring travelers to beautiful Block Island: Planes, trains, buses, cabs and private cars take vacationers to docks and airports; planes and ferries deliver them to firm island ground. A number of connections are usually necessary, which can make for frustrating travel. But don’t fret — with basic planning, all will go well.
Road directions to the ferries...
Ferry service from Galilee, R.I.
Two ferry lines run to Block Island out of the Port of Galilee, in Rhode Island: the larger, year-round ferry company, Interstate Navigation, and seasonally operated Island Hi-Speed Ferry.
From the south: Take I-95 North to Exit 92. Turn right onto Rt. 2 South. Continue to Rt. 78 (Westerly bypass). Stay on Rt. 78 for 4 miles, until it ends at a light, where you will turn left onto Rt. 1. Drive north for 20 minutes to the exit for Narragansett and Rt. 108 South, where you can follow signs to the ferry.
From the north: Take I-95 South to Exit 9, for Rt. 4 South, which merges with Rt. 1 South. About 20 minutes from I-95, exit to the right for Narragansett and Rt. 108. From here, take your next right and follow signs to the ferry, about six miles south on Rt. 108.
Ferry service from New London, Conn.
In summer, a high-speed ferry operated by Block Island Ferry Services runs between Block Island and New London, Conn.
From the west and south: Take I-95 North to Exit 84 South for downtown New London. At the second light, turn left onto Governor Winthrop Blvd. Go through the next light and over the railroad tracks; bear right to the ferry entrance.
From the north and east: Take I-95 South to Exit 83 West for downtown New London. Stay left at the fork. At the third light, turn left onto Governor Winthrop Blvd. Go through the next light and over the railroad tracks; bear right to the ferry entrance.
(Plan on parking fees of $5-$15 per day at all points of embarkation)
Which ferries, from where...
From Galilee, in Narragansett, R.I.:
Interstate Navigation Co.
(401/783-4613)
This is Block Island’s year-round ferry service, operating two large, car-carrying vessels and one large passenger-only ferry. The ferries arrive in Block Island’s Old Harbor. The passage is approximately 55 minutes. Auto reservations must be made well in advance. Passenger reservations are not necessary. In summer months, the ticket offices are open all day. Allow yourself enough time to park, purchase tickets and get on board. Boats depart approximately every two hours in summer.
(prices from 10/04)
The one-way fare is $8.30S
ame-day roundtrip is $13.65, and a different-day roundtrip is $16.45.
www.blockislandferry.com
Island Hi-Speed Ferry
(877/733-9425)
This ferry service runs to Block Island’s New Harbor, which is about two miles from the island’s downtown area (Old Harbor). The ferry line does not take cars but does accept passenger reservations. The trips take about 35 minutes. The ferry operates mid-May until mid-October. Trips depart from Galilee approximately every two hours; less frequently in spring and fall.
(prices from 10/04)
Fares are $14 one-way, $26 roundtrip
$8 and $12 for children
www.islandhighspeedferry.com
From Newport, R.I.:
Interstate Navigation Co.
(401/783-4613)
A ferry runs from Fort Adams in Newport, to Old Harbor, daily June 1 to Sept. 6. The ferry leaves Newport at 9:15 a.m. and leaves Block Island at 4:45 p.m.
(prices from 10/04)
The roundtrip fare is $11.85.
It is a two-hour trip.
From Montauk, N.Y.:
Viking Star
(631/668-5700)
Daily high-speed ferry service between Montauk, N.Y. and Block Island R.I. The Viking Superstar offers quick, comfortable passage to Block Island’s New Harbor (Champlin’s Marina). The trip takes one hour and features outside deck space. The ferry is passenger-only but does accommodate bicycles. Reservations recommended for summer travel. Daily service runs June 15 to October 8 (service also offered Memorial Day weekend).
The roundtrip price is $50; $30 one-way.
You can reach the Viking dock in Montauk from New York City via the Long Island Railroad (516/822-5477) or by bus with Hampton Jitney (631/283-4600). Weekly service also available to Martha’s Vineyard and New London.
Call Viking for specific departure times, or check www.vikingfleet.com.
From New London, Conn.:
Block Island Ferry Services
(860/444-4624)
Block Island Ferry Services begins high-speed ferry runs to Block Island in June, 2004.
The ferry departs New London every three hours, four times per day, beginning at
8:30 a.m. A late ferry departs New London
at 8:30 p.m. on weekend nights.
The one-way fare is $21, same-day round trip is $37. Children are $10 each way, $17.50 same-day round trip.
www.goblockisland.com
Flying to the Island:
The quickest, most convenient way to get to Block Island is to fly New England Airlines (Airport Road, Westerly. 401/596-2460, 800/243-2460, 401/466-5881). The 15-minute trip is the preferred means of travel for many locals. Flights depart hourly in summer. Call for reservations. Charter flights are available between Block Island and numerous mainland airports, including T.F. Green Airport in Providence.
Directions to Westerly Airport
From Galilee
The New England Airlines’ terminal in Westerly is a 20-minute drive from the ferry docks in Galilee. Take Rt. 108 North to Route 1 South. Turn left on Airport Road. (Look for signs as you enter Westerly.)
From I-95
Take exit 92 to Route 2 South. Continue on Route 78 to Westerly. At the Route 1 stop light, go straight. The airport is one mile further, on the left.
Limo service from Providence
T.F. Green Airport in Providence is served by major airlines from many U.S. cities. Increasing numbers of Block Island visitors arrive at T.F. Green then head directly to Block Island.
A Airline Express Limousine & Car Service serves BI-bound passengers traveling via T.F. Green and Logan International airports or local Amtrak and Bonanza bus stations. Their primary objective is to get you to the ferries and back, on time, with all the courtesies and customer satisfaction you'd expect from a luxury service. With local headquarters in South County, A Airline Express offers competitive prices. They can accommodate parties of any size with sedan, van or limo. 401/295-1100.
Airport Car Express (401/265-5356) offers reasonably priced trips to the Block Island ferries in late model Town Cars, vans and limos, making getting to BI from T.F. Green easier and more affordable than ever. Airport Car Express also makes pick-ups at the Providence bus and train stations. Trips in Town Cars start at $74 from the airport to the the Galilee ferries.
By Rail
Amtrak (800/872-7245) stops at Westerly. A $10 cab ride (Wright’s Oceanview Taxi 800/698-2941 or Eagle Cab 800-339-2970) gets you to Westerly Airport, where New England irlines offers regularly scheduled flights to B.I. Another stop, Kingston, is a $25 cab ride to the ferry docks in Galilee. In New London, the B.I. ferry is adjacent to the Amtrak station.
By Bus
Greyhound Lines
(š800/231-2222)
Bonanza Bus Lines
(800/556-3815)
S share a terminal situated five miles north of Providence, at Exit 25 off I-95. The Greyhound terminal in New London is adjacent to the B.I. ferry. For transport from the bus stop to the ferries, see “limo service” above.
Off-Island Lodging
Lighthouse Inn
Stay here and skip the traffic on the first day of your Block Island vacation. This newly renovated inn is directly across from the Block Island Ferry docks in Galilee, an authentic New England Fishing Village. Walk along the docks; stroll the nearby beaches; then enjoy a great seafood dinner. Newly renovated guest rooms. Large heated indoor pool with Jacuzzi. Plentiful parking. ˙Across from the BI ferries, in Galilee, RI.
401/783-9341.
Rental Cars
To avoid the cost and time required to put a car on the ferry, consider renting a car on Block Island. Two island companies offer rentals: Block Island Bike and Car Rental (401/466-2297) and Boat Basin Bike & Car Rental (401/466-5811). A wide variety of car types are available, by the week, day or portion thereof. Call ahead to reserve your ride; demand is high in latesummer.