Photo Credit: Ava Pearl Serving Lynn Photo Credit MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Dept.
Learn about ferry travel options to and within Massachusetts. It’s not just a boat ride – you’ll find beaches, dining, and attractions that await you when you arrive! Check current schedules as offerings are subject to change and some ferry services are seasonal.
MBTA Ferry Services
The MBTA, Greater Boston’s public transportation agency, offers many ferry services to visitors and commuters. Some of the routes are operated in partnership with Boston Harbor Cruises. The MBTA’s Ferry Guide provides detailed information on all of the routes and stops. Many of these routes is up-close views of airplanes arriving and departing from Logan Airport, adding to the fun and adventure of taking the ferry around Greater Boston.
– Long Wharf and Rowes Wharf on Boston Harbor: Take a ferry inbound to Boston. Find yourself on the doorstep of the New England Aquarium, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, the North End, and much more!
– Charlestown: Hop on a ferry to Charlestown and explore the maritime and revolutionary history of Charlestown Navy Yard, the USS Constitution Museum, and Bunker Hill.
– East Boston and Winthrop: In just a 10-minute ride from Long Wharf find East Boston. This neighborhood is chock full of art (including the seasonal ICA Watershed and the Sea Walls mural series), top-notch food, and Piers Park. From Winthrop Landing, explore Deer Island HarborWalk or make your way to Winthrop Beach.
– Lynn: From the Ferry terminal in Lynn, check out Beyond Walls murals, a vibrant culinary scene including the nationally recognized Nighshade Noodle Bar, the Northern Strand Community Trail, and the 30-acre Lynn Harbor Park.
– Quincy, Hingham, and Hull: Take the ferry to Quincy to Marina Bay with its shops, restaurants, and brewery, and Squantum Point Park. Explore further into Quincy and enjoy additional Waterfront attractions and Presidential sites. Enjoy the Hingham Shipyard where you can dine, shop and play. Hop on a bike and explore downtown Hingham and World’s End. From Hull’s Pemberton Point, passengers can access Nantasket Beach with a 20 minute ride on the 714 bus or a flat bike ride.
– Logan Airport: Use water transportation for a unique way to travel to and from the airport. A free shuttle connects ferry passengers to all terminals.
Boston Harbor Islands Access by Ferry
The Boston Harbor Islands offer up a wide array of adventure and activities. Pick up your tickets online or at the kiosk on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. From there the ferry is a short walk away. On your way to Georges or Spectacle Island, keep an eye out—you’ll pass by many of the 34 Boston Harbor Islands along the route. On the islands, Boston Harbor Now runs special programs and self-guided tours. Georges Island contains Fort Warren, a Civil War era fort that protected Boston from naval attack for nearly 100 years. Spectacle Island offers swimming, yoga, music, and many other activities. Peddocks Island is a popular and unique camping spot.
Boston Seaport
The Seaport Ferry connects Lovejoy wharf (next to TD Garden, outdoor dining, and the North End) to Fan Pier and Pier 10 in the Seaport, where visitors can explore the waterfront, the Institute for Contemporary Art, the Fan Pier Park, seasonal activations, and much more.
Getting to Salem by Ferry
Hop aboard the Salem Ferry and then take advantage of all that Salem has to offer: history, culture, dining, and much more! In Salem you’ll have additional transportation options including rentable Blue Bikes at Salem Landing, the Salem Trolley, and easy access to the Commuter Rail – so you can stay later into the evening or have the flexibility of additional transportation options to get back to Boston. Cape Cod and the Islands
Ferries for Cape Cod and the Islands
Provincetown: Save time and stress by journeying from Boston to Provincetown on outer Cape Cod from Boston (Baystate Cruise Company and Boston Harbor Cruises) or Plymouth (Captain John Boats). On this 90-minute ride, you’ll cruise the coast, see historic lighthouses, and avoid traffic. Plus, the ferries and Provincetown are bike-friendly and make for a great way to explore the shore and surrounding towns.
Martha’s Vineyard: Check out the ferry options that will get you to Martha’s Vineyard’s laid back and authentic beaches, food, arts & culture.
Nantucket: Several ferry routes connect to Nantucket’s charming shops, iconic beaches, and welcoming accommodations.
For full details about getting to the Islands, check out our recent blog post.
Water Shuttles and Taxis
Water shuttles and water taxis aren’t quite ferries but offer up local water transportation options around popular coastal destinations in Massachusetts:
– Boston Launch Company connects Charlestown, East Boston, and the Seaport with a focus on accessing waterfront restaurants.
– Boston Water Taxi maintains over a dozen stops along Boston Harbor including services for cruise ship passengers.
– Encore Harbor Shuttle connects customers from Long Wharf in Boson to Encore Casino in Everett.
– Gloucester Water Shuttle connects Gloucester’s Cultural Districts and several area attractions.
There’s nothing quite like taking a ferry. Grab a spot on an outside deck and breathe in salty air. Enjoy refreshments from the snack bar if available! Soak in the scenic views and snap some pictures. Most importantly, relax with this car-free way to take in the best things about coastal Massachusetts.
This post was updated Summer 2026.
