How to Do Nantucket on a Budget

You have  options when it comes to taking the ferry from Hyannis to Nantucket. But the popular high-speed ferry is pricey and fills up fast during peak season. Instead, opt for the traditional service ferry through Steamship Authority to save money. It takes two hours and fifteen minutes (as opposed to just one hour on the high-speed ferry), but you'll save $32 per person on the round-trip voyage.

Known locally as "Star of the Sea," the HI Nantucket hostel is also a historical landmark. It's located within walking distance of Surfside Beach and connected to town via a bike path—there's even a bike rental company that will deliver bikes to the hostel. With a nightly rate of $42 during peak season (in gender-separated rooms), it's easily the cheapest lodging option on the island. There’s a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, bike racks, sand volleyball courts, free parking, and outdoor picnic tables at the facility.

Raw bars can be expensive, but there are some places on Nantucket that offer "buck-a-shucks"—$1 per raw seafood item—during special hours. Jetties Beach Bar & Restaurant, located on (you guessed it) Jetties Beach, has buck-a-shuck from 3 to 6 p.m. Memorial Day through the end of June, and from 3 to 5 p.m. from July through Labor Day. Brant Point Grill, located at the White Elephant, offers the special on its lawn every Friday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m between July and Labor Day; live music is included.

Bringing a car to Nantucket during peak season will cost you a pretty penny—$400 round-trip to be exact. Because of the island's small size, you really can get by with renting a bike or by hopping aboard the Wave, a public bus that will take you to popular beach spots, downtown, ferry docks, and even the mid-island area.

Alcohol is more expensive at liquor stores on Nantucket. Bring your own alcohol instead of purchasing it on the island. Note that you can bring alcohol in your checked bags on the ferry, but you cannot consume it on the ferry.