Hi - we have never been to Nantucket but would love to go - is it possible to go there for a few days without breaking the bank? Stay off the island and do day trips? thanks

Staying off the island doesn't make a lot of sense. There are guest houses that are less expensive than hotels and if you go off season or shoulder season, rates are lower.

Yes, you want a guest house, mid-week between Memorial Day and the last week in June or between Labor Day and Columbus Day, mid week again. Most are within easy walking distance of downtown.

Buses are running so you won't need a car if you don't want to bike. Almost all restaurants and other attractions will be in full swing but not as crowded as in July and August.

Schools don't get out in NE until late June and start again in late August, so families have to come late and leave early. Beaches will be much warmer in September.

Take the Steamship Slow Ferry from Hyannis for the lowest price, their fast ferry for the second lowest.

If you decide to come, write again and I'll recommend restaurants and things to do. Restaurants change a lot from year to year and one place I would have recommended has already announced that it is closing in favor of another one.

Yes it is, according to Kate Hamilton Pardee, of Nantucket Visitor Services, who wrote an article on how to visit Nantucket on a budget: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=3611

no

That's fairly definite, Egbert. I suppose it depends on your definition of "on a budget."

For example, transportation. There is a classic capitalist relationship between time and speed. You can fly from Hyannis in 20 minutes for big bucks. You can take the slow ferry in 2 hours and 15 minutes for a lot less, or a 1 hour ferry for somewhere in between.

The same choices apply for food and lodging.