okoshi2002

I have another thread within which this question has come up.

Will businesses be open the last week of October ? We are looking for a quiet get away from Boston for a few days. Will it be easy to get there ? Recommendation for lodging ?
Thanks !

k9korps

a. Mostly.
b. Ferry out of Hyannis; you'll need to reserve ahead if you want to bring a car (and it's expensive). Take the hi-speed, which is only an hour. Or fly from Logan to Nantucket.
c. How much do you want to spend?

LittleWing

We adore nantucket off season and have many great memories staying at the Cottages at the Basin

http://www.thecottagesnantucket.com/...s/hotdates.php

You will even in the off season need some big money. Just to get there, whether ferry or plane. Whether to rent a car on island (taking your car over is not an option for a couple of days. Some great restaurants and shops will be closed, but there is always plenty of options.

We like the car rental company at the airport. Or you could just wing it and decide if you go, when you get there.

I'd rather spend a quick grand off season then a quick 2-3 grand during high season with the crowds. But then I like cool cloudy weather and empty beaches.

okoshi2002

Will $200-250/night get us a nice room ?

okoshi2002

We are flying into Boston to spend a parents weekend. We thought we would rent a car and take it to Nantucket on the ferry ? Is this an option ?

LittleWing

Yes. Look at the link. And then go to home to see their sister properties. Nantucket is a really special place.

LittleWing

google nantucket ferry. I know from previous visits that for a couple of days it was cheaper to rent on island. so figure the cost of parking car at ferry, about $120 RT for 2 and a rental if you so choose on island. The place at the airport will meet you at the ferry.

You'll need to do some homework, but it is a wonderful destination.

janiekins

I am staying at The Veranda House for Labor Day weekend. It looks wonderful

http://www.theverandahouse.com/

portiaperu

You may want to consider leaving your car off island. Nantucket is small: 3 1/2 by 14 miles in size.

If you enjoy walking and bike riding you really don't need a car to tour Nantucket. It could be argued you will "see" more of the island without a car.

As someone already wrote, the price of a vehicle ticket is hefty, I believe it's $380.

Here's the SSA: http://steamshipauthority.com/ssa/index.cfm

LittleWing

That looks fun janiekins!

Ackislander

It does not make any sense to bring a car. It will cost you more than $400 to bring a car and two people, and you can get around a lot more cheaply than that by renting a car or bike or by taking tours. I would be happy to recommend guides, but I won't be home to Nantucket until Monday.

If you stay in town you can get a nice place within your price range, and there will be shops and good restaurants -- not all but enough -- open until early December. Beaches will be chilly, but plenty of other things to look at and do. The two independent bookstores will be open, the Atheneum is likely to have programs, the historical association should still have some museum properties open, and the leaves are likely to still be pretty good.

If you are lucky -- and I am not kidding -- you will get a 24 hour storm. There is nothing cozier in the world than being warm and dry and having a nice drink while it howls outside, knowing that however much you tried, you couldn't get off the island until the weather changes.

okoshi2002

Sounds like a car is not a good idea.

What is the easiest way to Hyannis from Boston if we are staying near Copley ? Thanks.

LittleWing

there's a bus

portiaperu

Here's a link to the Nantucket chamber of commerce page on traveling to the island to get you started on options for traveling without a car:

http://www.nantucketchamber.org/visitor/gethere.html

Ackislander

Option 1 Boston to Hyannis
Take the P&B bus from South Station to the Transportation Center in Hyannis and use the courtesy phone (horrbible words) to call the Steamship Shuttle to take you to the boat. On the return journey, you can take the bus all the way to Logan if you are leaving town.
Option 2
Rent a car from Budget, Hertz or Avis (all available near Copley), drive to Hyannis, and turn the car in at Hyannis Airpost, taking a cab to the Steamship Ferry. Reserve another car for the trip to Logan when you return.
Option 3
Rent a car in Boston, leave it in the Steamship Parking lot, take the shuttle to the ferry. When you come back, drive the car to Logan and turn it in.

Option 2 is the cheapest, Option 1 is the easiest, Option 3 gives you the most control.

Parking rates (you will be in Lot 2) vary by time of year and are available on the Steamship website.

LittleWing

I'm surprised that option 1 isn't the cheapest.

Ackislander

Option 1 is the cheapest for one peron by far. Option 2 is cheaper for two people if you get any kind of discount rate, which should be widely available at that time of year IF you call the local number of the office or drop in to negotiate rather than call the 800 number or book on line. If they don't have anything you like, you can fall back on Option 1. This is based on years of experience, but rental car prices, as we all know, are all over the map these days.