There’s a moment as you clear New London harbor when the river widens, the ferry steadies, and the Connecticut shoreline falls into a soft gray band behind you. The spray catches a bit of sun, the gulls pivot in your wake, and for 90 minutes your agenda lifts, just a little. A good travel day starts that way, with a purposeful crossing. If your target is Block Island and you’re leaving from New London, you’ve picked the relaxed route that trades a longer crossing for easier parking, a walkable terminal, and a day that feels like summer even in September. I’ve taken this trip in beach weather and sweater weather, with bikes and without, on midweek mornings and messy holiday returns. The rhythm is dependable, the details matter, and a few smart choices turn a good outing into a great one.
Why start in New London
For travelers from central or western Connecticut, Rhode Island’s South County, or even Westchester, the block island ferry New London CT option hits a sweet spot. You avoid the I‑95 crawl into Narragansett and the tighter parking situation at Point Judith. New London’s Cross Sound Ferry terminal sits just off I‑95 and Route 32, steps from the historic waterfront and the Amtrak station. If you’re coming by rail, your transfer is a straight walk across the platform-level lot. If you’re driving, you’ll find well-marked lots with posted day rates, attendants who keep things moving, and a short roll to the pier with your cooler or daypack.
The crossing itself is longer than the high-speed run out of Point Judith, typically about an hour and a half on the high-speed catamaran and longer on conventional service. That’s the trade. You pay a bit more for the ticket and a bit more in time, but you gain a less hectic embarkation and a stress-free return when everyone else is funneling through the same Narragansett parking exit at the same moment. For families with strollers, cyclists, or anyone who wants a ferry to feel like part of the day rather than a shuttle, New London earns its keep.
Schedules, seasons, and choosing your sailing
The schedule from New London is seasonal, with daily service ramping up in late spring and peaking in the prime summer months. Shoulder season sailings appear on weekends into early fall, sometimes with reduced frequency. Holiday weeks like late June through mid‑August can sell out, and early morning departures fill first when the forecast is pristine. If you’re eyeing a Saturday in July, the 8 or 9 a.m. outbound lets you land by mid-morning, which buys you time for a beach and a bike loop before lunch lines peak.
I book in advance when I know my day. Walk-on tickets can be available day-of, but it’s not a bet I make for peak weekends. Round-trip reservations lock in your return time and keep you honest about when to wrap your beach day. If you like a loose plan, you can sometimes switch to a later return for a fee at the Old Harbor ticket window, though that hinges on capacity. The last boat off the island often runs with full benches and sleepy kids wrapped in towels, so build in a buffer rather than gambling on a slot that doesn’t exist.
Weather drives choices more than any timetable. Block Island sits exposed where Long Island Sound opens out, and wind direction decides the ride. A stiff southwest blows up a chop on the return. If a small craft advisory is in play, expect a livelier crossing. The high-speed cat handles rough water better than most expect, but if you or your kids get seasick, take what you need an hour beforehand and aim for midship seating on the lowest passenger deck, where motion is gentlest.
Tickets, fares, and the reality of costs
Ferry fares from New London run higher than the Point Judith baseline, especially on high-speed service, which is the standard for many New London departures. Expect adult round trips priced in the range that makes you think just once about the total for a family of four. Kids’ tickets soften the blow a bit, and seniors save modestly. Bikes require their own ticket. That last point catches people. In peak months, bike spaces are capped, and those slots genuinely sell out. I’ve seen riders turned away with their handlebars in hand. Reserve the bike spot when you book your seats.
Parking is the other real cost. The main lot by the terminal posts daily rates that vary by season and proximity. If you’re timing a single-day visit, arrive early and expect to pay a fair city price for the convenience. There are more economical options a few blocks away, but they add a meaningful walk, which can be fine if you’re traveling light and the weather cooperates. If you’re coming by train, Shore Line East and select Amtrak Northeast Regional trains put you within a short stroll of the dock. When the timing lines up, the rail-to-ferry move feels almost European.
Boarding, baggage, and what actually happens at the terminal
Boarding is straightforward, but the flow rewards attention. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes ahead, earlier on peak days. Pick up or confirm your tickets at the window if needed. Tagged luggage goes on carts that the crew loads to the hold. For a day trip, I skip the checked bag and carry a soft-sided cooler and a backpack. Size matters. A compact cooler that fits under a seat is welcome on board. A rolling ice chest that weights like a barbell becomes everyone’s problem.
Bikes are staged separately. You wheel them down when called, the crew secures them, and you head upstairs to find seats. Lock isn’t required for the hold, but I bring a small cable out of habit for on-island stops. Pets are allowed in designated areas if leashed and under control. Food is available at the terminal cafe and on the boat, but the onboard menu runs to the predictable: coffee, snacks, beer, canned cocktails, hot dogs, a serviceable breakfast sandwich. If you care about lunch, plan to eat on the island.
Seating divides into indoor climate-controlled cabins and outdoor benches. On a clear day I start outside for the harbor view, then move in before the wind drills through my layers. If the forecast says cool, bring a windbreaker even in August. The Sound seldom cares what the calendar says.
What the ride is like
The first 15 minutes give you ship traffic and shoreline details. On the port side you’ll see Fort Trumbull’s granite profile and the Coast Guard presence upriver, then the long stretch past Groton and the submarine base. If you’re with kids, this is the moment to point out tugs, ferries, and the occasional submarine silhouette if the timing is right. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s not rare either. Once you clear the river mouth, the ride smooths to a steady slide through open water, sometimes spattered by flying fish and often trailed by inquisitive gulls waiting for a potato chip that shouldn’t be thrown.
On glassy mornings you’ll see lobster pots bobbing, their patterns a reminder that the Sound is a working waterway. On windy afternoons the catamaran’s bow throws spray that glitters and occasionally arcs over the rails in a burst that wakes a dozing passenger. The crew knows this rhythm and doesn’t make a show of it. They move through quietly, checking tickets, keeping aisles clear, and pointing the occasional first-timer to the snack bar.
As Block Island rises ahead, Old Harbor shows itself like a postcard, the hotels stepping up from the dock, Victorian porches lined with rocking chairs, bikes cutting lazy figure-eights on the street. The ferry slides into the slip with a practiced bump, the gangway goes down, and the island feels immediately small in the best way. If you’re carrying a bike, you’ll wait a minute or two for the hold to open, then roll into a crowd that disperses quickly toward rentals, beaches, and clam shacks.
First steps on Block Island
Old Harbor is compact. A half-dozen inns face the water. Within a minute’s walk you’ll find bike rentals, mopeds, and a taxi stand. The beach sits an easy stroll to the north with clear water and a long arc of sand. If you’re day-tripping, decide your first hour before you arrive. The difference between a smooth day and a wandering one is that early choice. On a hot Saturday, I head straight for a bike rental and ride the island loop before lunch. On a breezy shoulder-season Sunday, I grab coffee, walk the beach, then decide based on the wind.
The island rewards both motion and idling. The Mohegan Bluffs stairway offers a quad-burning descent to a stony strand with surf and space. The North Lighthouse has stark beauty, a stretch of beach where terns and solitude compete. The coastal roads roll gently for long sections, with a few honest climbs that pop your heart rate. If you favor views over speed, the west side’s sunset vantage points can be sublime, particularly in late summer when the light angles warm and the air holds just a hint of salt and cut grass.
Bikes, mopeds, and the real rules of the road
Bring a bike if you ride regularly. The roads are narrow, but drivers are used to sharing. Hills are moderate with a couple of steep pitches. If you don’t bring your own, rentals are clustered near the ferry. Price varies slightly by shop and season, with hourly and daily rates and add-ons like helmets and baskets included or optional depending on the place. E-bikes are on offer, and they take the sting out of the Bluff Road climb, though you still need to ride predictably and feather the brake on descents.
Mopeds seem like a breezy choice, and they are for some, but every island regular has a story about a shaky rider near the curves by Rodman’s Hollow. If you haven’t ridden a scooter before, Block Island is not the training ground. Stick with a pedal bike or hire a taxi for point-to-point. If you do rent a moped, go slow, lean lightly, and remember that sand on asphalt is a mini ice rink.
Food, drinks, and how to eat well without wasting time
Summer weekends generate lines by noon at Old Harbor spots. If you want a table with a view, arrive early or eat a late lunch. The quality of seafood varies with the place and the day, but the classic choices hold up: fried whole-belly clams, a lobster roll with just enough mayo to gloss the meat, chilled beer in a can that sweats on the table. For a faster, lighter option, grab a sandwich inland and picnic at the beach or at a quiet pull-off on the west side. The island’s drinking water is fine, but I carry a reusable bottle and top it off at cafes rather than chasing convenience-store plastic.
Dessert warrants a note. The ice cream scene is strong and honest, and nothing sets you up for a sleepy return ride like two scoops eaten on a pier bench while the harbor hums. If you’re the coffee type, you’ll find decent espresso within a short amble of the dock. Lines shrink dramatically after 3 p.m., when day trippers start thinking about the clock.
Beaches and how to read the day
Block Island’s beaches are the main event for many visitors, and with reason. Town Beach near Old Harbor is easy and family-friendly, with lifeguards in peak season. Scotch Beach stretches north with room to spread out. Down at the Bluffs, the surf runs stronger and the stones underfoot remind you to mind your step. On windy days, the leeward side is your friend. If the flag at the harbor flaps from the southwest, the north and east shores will be calmer. If the wind swings north, the south-facing beaches can be sheltered and warm.
Jellyfish appear in clumps during certain hot spells. You’ll see them, and usually you can walk a hundred yards to clearer water. Water temperature in midsummer sits in the 60s, sometimes nudging into the low 70s after a stretch of heat with light onshore breezes. Bring a towel that dries fast and a change of clothes for the ride home. The ferry air conditioning can feel bracing on sun-baked skin.
Timing the return and avoiding the crush
Your return time shapes the end of your day. Late afternoon sailings collect beach-goers who misjudged drying time, families corralling nap-resistant toddlers, and groups whose lunch turned into a round too many. I prefer an early evening boat when light softens and the harbor looks theatrical. You’ll board with a calmer crowd and land in New London with enough daylight to navigate easily. If you do need the late-afternoon departure, arrive at the dock 20 to 30 minutes early. The line cue snakes in a way that seems chaotic but resolves efficiently once boarding begins.
There’s a small art to stowing your gear so you can find it quickly when you disembark. Keep passports and car keys in a zipped pocket, not in a tote that can migrate under seats. Label your cooler with a name and cell number. If you checked a bag, wait until the cart rolls off before crowding the ramp. The crew runs this drill dozens of times a week, and the fastest way off is to follow their hand signals and give them two feet of space.
Costs and choices put in perspective
If you’re deciding between New London and Point Judith, the calculus breaks down to four inputs: travel time to the terminal, fare cost, parking ease, and crossing time. New London wins on parking and convenience for many Connecticut travelers, loses on price compared to conventional service at Point Judith, and ties or slightly loses on crossing time depending on the boat. For a day trip where the journey is part of the point, I’ll pick New London six times out of ten. For a tight budget or a last-minute add-on to a Rhode Island vacation, I’ll drive to Point Judith and take the next fast boat.
If seasickness is a concern, the high-speed cat can actually feel better to some riders than the slower conventional ferries, as catamarans slice through chop differently. Still, your stomach knows your history. Treat the day like a small voyage. Eat a light breakfast, hydrate steadily, avoid heavy fried foods before boarding, and sit where the horizon stays in view.
Small details that make a big difference
You learn a few tricks after a handful of crossings. The shady side of the upper deck is cooler but breezier, so have a hat you can cinch. If you need to charge a phone, Go block island express new london carry a small battery rather than hunting for outlets. Bring cash in small bills for bike shops and ice cream stands that process cards slowly on busy days. If you’re traveling with a group, set a rendezvous point on the island that isn’t “by the ferry,” which grows crowded at departure times. I like the lawn in front of the statue near the Old Harbor traffic circle because it’s visible without being in the swirl.
New London’s waterfront is worth a few minutes before or after your crossing. The Custom House area and the muraled blocks by Bank Street offer an easy amble and a couple of pubs where you can lift a last toast to salt air before heading back to the highway. If you’re returning on a Friday evening, budget an extra 10 minutes getting out of the lot and onto the on-ramp. That patience pays off more than any maneuvering will.
A day that fits more than one season
Summer gets the press, but May and September are quietly excellent. In May, the island wakes up with lilacs and lighter crowds. The water is cold, the light is crisp, and a windbreaker is not optional. In September, the ocean holds heat, the beaches thin out after Labor Day, and the island feels like it belongs to those who bothered to show up. Ferry schedules slim down, which means you plan more carefully, but if you can make a midweek trip then, you’ll find yourself eating on a porch with a view and no wait.
Even a gray day can be a good day. The ferry gives you horizon and fresh air, and the island offers miles of walking on dirt roads where stone walls cut across meadows. If your goal is a reset rather than a swim, clouds help. Pack a book, ride out to the North Light, sit where the surf thumps and the sky stacks, and let your shoulders settle.
A practical mini-plan for a perfect day
- Book an early outbound and early evening return, reserve bike spots if needed, and aim to park 45 minutes before departure at the New London terminal. Pack light but smart: windbreaker, sunscreen, reusable bottle, compact towel, phone battery, small cash, and motion comfort if you need it. On arrival, rent bikes immediately, ride the island loop clockwise, detour to Mohegan Bluffs, then head back toward Old Harbor for a late lunch when lines ease. Spend the last hour at Town Beach or on the pier with ice cream, then line up for your return 20 minutes early with bags consolidated and ready. Back in New London, take five minutes on the waterfront before the drive home, both to let traffic clear and to mark the day.
The character of the crossing
Part of the charm of taking the block island ferry new london ct route is the sense of travel that hasn’t been smoothed to frictionless sameness. Boats run on schedules, but they also run on weather, tide, and the unhurried choreography of docking lines and bow thrusters. You stand at the rail and remember that distance once meant something, that an island is an island because you earn your arrival. Families pose for photos with hair blown sideways. Cyclists compare tire pressure and gear ratios like they always do. Strangers trade sunscreen and watch each other’s bags for the two minutes it takes to grab a coffee.
Travel is often measured in efficiency now. The New London ferry invites you to measure it in crossings. Ninety minutes is time enough to leave behind whatever you meant to get away from and to think about what the day might feel like. When the pier comes into focus at Old Harbor, and the captain eases the cat into its slip, you’ve already had a small adventure. Everything after that is garnish: a beach, a road that curves toward a lighthouse, a bowl of chowder that tastes better than it should because you ate it outside. Then you do it in reverse, watching the island shrink to a smudge while the mainland grows. If you’re lucky, the ride back is quieter, the kind of quiet that signals a day well used.
Final, useful notes you’ll be glad you had
The ferry runs on time more often than you’d expect for a seasonal service, but delays do happen. Build block island express new london flexibility into your dinner plan on the mainland. If you’re catching a late train after the return, choose one departure later than the earliest possible connection to account for a slow load-out.
Sun protection is not optional. You can burn on a cloudy day with water throwing light back at your face. Apply before boarding and reapply after your beach swim.
If you’re deciding whether to bring a bike or rent, the fixed cost of bringing your own sometimes matches the rental price for a day once you add the bike ticket. It’s still worth it if fit, saddle, and familiarity matter to you, or if you want to skip the rental queue.
Watch the crew. They telegraph the boat’s next move before the PA does. When they unclip a line or open a gate, it’s your cue to gather things. Help your kids see how orderly systems work in the wild. It will make your day better now and their travel life smoother later.
And the simplest note: eat when you’re hungry, swim when the water looks good, pivot when the wind says so. The ferry gives you the frame. You fill the day.
Location: 2 Ferry St,New London, CT 06320,United States Phone number: 18604444624