As you probably know, Provincetown, MA, is at the far northeastern end of Cape Cod. As a result, you’ll have to drive through the entire Cape to get there.
It’s a scenic drive that will take you to some interesting towns and villages. You can also stop in multiple spots along the way, helping you see as much of Cape Cod as possible on your journey.
However, if you’re visiting the Cape solely for the Provincetown experience and want to avoid traffic, it’s worth looking into the cruise companies that dock in Provincetown Harbor. Here’s some information on the ships arriving at MacMillan Pier in Provincetown from Boston and Plymouth throughout the summer.
Captain John Boats
If you’re arriving from Plymouth, MA, you can jump on one of the daily fast ferry sailings from Captain John Boats. This boat departs from Plymouth Harbor, home of the Mayflower II and Plymouth Rock, at 10:00 AM every day between Memorial Day Weekend and the end of September, giving you plenty of opportunity to check out Provincetown.
Upon departure, the ship takes about an hour and a half to travel across Cape Cod Bay to P-Town. The ride is comfortable with indoor seating, an outdoor deck, and a restaurant with a full bar.
You can then board the return ferry at 4:30 PM if you’re only sticking around for the day, or book a one-way ticket to stay in Provincetown for as long as you wish.
Round-trip tickets are $75 for everyone 13 and over, $63 for seniors 62 and older, and $52 for kids between the ages of four and 12. Kids three and under are $3.
Or, if you aren’t returning on the same day, a one-way ticket is $45, no matter your age.
Captain John Boats provides a quick, easy, and, most of all, fun way to reach Provincetown so you can begin exploring the sights immediately.
Boston Harbor Cruises
Boston Harbor Cruises operates multiple ships from Long Wharf in downtown Boston. This site sits beside the New England Aquarium and overlooks Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, so it’s a destination worth checking out on its own.
When looking to visit Provincetown from Boston, you can get on one of the multiple daily sailings and arrive on the Cape in an hour and thirty-five minutes, making it a quick and easy way to travel.
Boston Harbor Cruises typically starts its season in the middle of May and continues operating daily sailings through Columbus Day Weekend, so you can use this method of transportation if you’re visiting Provincetown in the shoulder season, too.
As for the ship, it has a full-service concierge, a full bar, and complimentary on-board luggage storage. The price depends on the day you travel, with round-trip tickets ranging between $94 and $103 for adults 12 and older, $90 and $99 for seniors 65 and over, and $76 and $85 for kids between the ages of three and 11. Children three and under cost $9.
You don’t have to book your round-trip ticket for same-day travel with Boston Harbor Cruises, so you don’t have to worry about paying a premium for separate one-day trips.
Bay State Cruises
The final option is Bay State Cruises, which operates a fast ferry between Boston and Provincetown. This company has a longer season that starts in the middle of May and continues with daily sailings until late October. From there, Bay State Cruises continues with weekend sailings until the beginning of December.
Bay State Cruises departs from the World Trade Center Pier in South Boston. It’s a scenic spot that lets you see the cityscape as you leave the harbor, adding another element to your journey. The trip to Provincetown takes about an hour and thirty-five minutes once you get going but is enjoyable thanks to the ship’s indoor seating areas and outdoor viewing decks.
Round-trip tickets on this fast ferry range between $108 and $128 for adults 13 and over, $98 and $118 for seniors 65 and over, and $85 and $90 for kids between the ages of three and 12. Babies under three are $50.
You can book a return trip for any day, but it must be for this season. Otherwise, you’ll need two one-way tickets.
Explore Provincetown This Summer
There’s excitement in the air every summer in Provincetown, as the town hosts numerous events and has perhaps the Cape’s most vibrant nightlife. If you’re booking a vacation rental in the Provincetown area and aren’t bringing a car to Cape Cod, taking a ferry from Plymouth or Boston makes a lot of sense.
Once you arrive for your Provincetown vacation, you can still explore the rest of the Cape by renting a vehicle or taking a tour. Arriving by boat means you’ll reach your destination sooner, though, giving you more time to enjoy everything P-Town has to offer.
