You know the feeling. You’re sitting in a line of brake lights on Route 3, staring at the bumper of a minivan, wondering why you thought a weekend getaway was a good idea. The "Cape Cod crawl" is a rite of passage for New Englanders, but it’s a miserable one. If you've lived here long enough, you know the Sagamore and Bourne bridges are basically bottlenecks designed to test your sanity.
Honestly, the ferry to Cape Cod from Boston is the only way to travel if you value your time and blood pressure.
It’s not just about avoiding traffic. It’s about the fact that you can grab a spicy bloody mary, sit on the top deck, and watch the Boston skyline shrink while the salty air hits your face. By the time the tourists in cars are just hitting the Plymouth split, you’re already stepping onto the pier in Provincetown. It feels like a cheat code.
The Two Players in the Game
There isn't just one boat. You basically have two main choices: Bay State Cruise Company and Boston Harbor City Cruises (which is part of the City Experiences/Hornblower umbrella). They both run out of different spots in the Seaport, which is something people constantly mess up.
If you head to Long Wharf expecting the Bay State boat, you’re going to watch your vacation sail away without you. Bay State operates out of the World Trade Center site. Boston Harbor City Cruises leaves from Long Wharf, right near the New England Aquarium. It’s a ten-minute walk between them, but in Seaport traffic? That’s an eternity.
Bay State Cruise Company
These guys have been around forever. They run the Provincetown III and the Provincetown IV. The "Fast Ferry" takes about 90 minutes. They also have a slow boat—the M/V Provincetown—which takes about three hours. Why would you take the slow one? It’s cheaper. It’s also kinda nostalgic. If you have a bike and a book and zero interest in rushing, the slow boat is a vibe. But most people want the 90-minute sprint.
Boston Harbor City Cruises
This is the high-speed catamaran. It’s sleek. It’s fast. It’s got a massive capacity. Usually, this one clocks in at exactly 90 minutes too. They have decent Wi-Fi, though it gets spotty once you hit the open water of Massachusetts Bay. Don't plan on hosting a Zoom call mid-ocean. It won't work.
What it Really Costs (And the Sticker Shock)
Let’s be real: this isn't a cheap commute. You’re looking at somewhere between $100 and $120 for a round-trip ticket. Prices fluctuate based on the day of the week and how far in advance you book.
Is it worth a hundred bucks?
Think about it this way. Gas is expensive. Parking in P-town is a nightmare—you'll pay $40 a day just to tuck your car into a cramped lot near MacMillan Pier. Then there’s the "time tax." If the ferry saves you four hours of sitting in a car over a weekend, you’re basically paying twenty-five bucks an hour for your own freedom. To me, that’s a bargain.
The Provincetown Landing Reality
When you take the ferry to Cape Cod from Boston, you aren't landing in the middle of a quiet marsh. You are dropping right into the heart of Provincetown at MacMillan Pier.
It’s loud. It’s colorful. It smells like fried clams and sea salt.
The second you step off that ramp, you’re steps away from Commercial Street. You don't need a car. That is the biggest misconception about taking the ferry. People think they’ll be stranded. Provincetown is one of the most walkable (and bikeable) places in America. You can rent a bike at a place like Ptown Bikes or Gale Force Bikes and be at Race Point Beach or Herring Cove in fifteen minutes. The bike trails through the dunes are better than any drive you’d take anyway.
Weather and the "Barf Factor"
We have to talk about the water. Most days, the ride is smooth. The catamarans are designed to cut through the chop.
But.
If there’s a stiff northeast wind, the bay gets spicy. I’ve seen people who thought they had "sea legs" looking pretty green by the time they hit the mid-point of the trip. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take the Dramamine an hour before you board. Once you feel the boat pitching, it’s too late. The crew usually sells ginger ale and crackers, but come prepared. Also, even if it’s 85 degrees in Boston, it’s going to be 15 degrees cooler on the water. Bring a hoodie. Seriously. You’ll thank me when you’re out on the deck.
Logistics: Getting to the Pier
If you're coming from outside the city, don't drive to the ferry. That defeats the purpose. The parking rates in the Seaport or near Long Wharf will drain your bank account faster than the ferry ticket.
Take the Blue Line to Aquarium for the P-town Ferry at Long Wharf. Take the Silver Line or a quick Uber to the World Trade Center for Bay State. If you're coming from South Station, it’s a very doable walk to either.
- Pro Tip: Arrive at least 30 minutes early. They start boarding early, and the overhead bin space for bags fills up fast.
- Bikes: You can bring them, but you need a bike ticket. They usually cost an extra $10-$15 each way. They limit the number of bikes per sailing, so book that ahead of time.
- Dogs: Most of the ferries are dog-friendly! It’s actually one of the best ways to get your pup to the Cape. Just keep them on a leash and off the furniture.
Is there a ferry to the rest of the Cape?
This is where people get confused. Most people searching for a ferry to Cape Cod from Boston are looking for Provincetown. If you’re trying to go to Falmouth, Hyannis, or Chatham, there is no direct ferry from downtown Boston.
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If you want to go to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket, you have two real options from the city. You can take the "CapeFLYER" train from South Station to Hyannis and then hop on a ferry there. Or, there is a seasonal ferry run by Seastreak that goes from New Bedford to the islands, but you have to get to New Bedford first.
But for a direct "city-to-sand" experience? Provincetown is your only destination from the Boston docks.
The Secret of the Commuter Ferry
A lot of people don’t realize there is a "commuter" version of this life. While not technically the "Cape" in the way people think of it, the ferry to Hingham or Hull is a fraction of the price. If you just want to see the ocean and walk a rocky beach without the $100 price tag, you can take the MBTA ferry from Rowes Wharf. It’s about $10. It’s not P-town, but it’s a boat, and it gets you out of the city.
Why the Ferry Wins Every Time
The drive from Boston to Provincetown is roughly 115 miles. On a Tuesday at 2:00 AM, you can do it in two hours. On a Friday at 4:00 PM in July? It can take four, five, or even six hours.
I once spent five hours in a car trying to get to a dinner reservation in Wellfleet. I arrived tired, angry, and smelling like exhaust fumes. Contrast that with the ferry. You spend 90 minutes reading, chatting, or just staring at the horizon. You arrive refreshed.
The ferry is an experience; the drive is a chore.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
If you’re planning to ditch the car this summer, here is exactly how to handle it so you don’t end up stressed.
Check the Schedule Early
The ferries usually start running in mid-May and wrap up in October. The "high season" (July and August) sells out weeks in advance for weekend slots. If you want a Saturday morning departure, book it in May.
Watch the "Last Boat"
If you're doing a day trip, be very aware of the return times. The last boat usually leaves P-town around 7:30 or 8:30 PM. If you miss it, you are staying the night. There is no "late night bus" that is easy to find, and an Uber back to Boston will cost you more than a hotel room.
Pack Light
There are no porters. You carry what you bring. If you’re staying at a guest house in P-town, many of them will send a little wagon to the pier to pick up your luggage if you call ahead. It’s a classic P-town service that feels very old-school and helpful.
Mobile Tickets are King
Don't mess with paper. Both companies have solid mobile scanning. Have your QR code ready before you get to the front of the line because the signal on the pier can be wonky when 300 people are all trying to load their email at once.
Download the App
Check the "MarineTraffic" app if you're a nerd like me. You can see exactly where your ferry is in the harbor so you know if it's running late before the gate agents even announce it.
Traveling via the ferry to Cape Cod from Boston isn't just a transport choice. It’s a lifestyle choice. It’s choosing to start your vacation the moment you leave the office, rather than when you finally find a parking spot three towns away from where you actually want to be. Grab a seat on the starboard side for the best view of the coastline as you head south.
Next Steps for Your Journey:
First, confirm which Boston pier is most convenient for you based on your starting point in the city. Then, check the 10-day marine forecast via NOAA; if seas are projected over 3-4 feet, buy your motion sickness bands now. Finally, head to the Bay State or Boston Harbor City Cruises websites to cross-reference their "Slow Boat" vs. "Fast Ferry" pricing for your specific dates.