If you are taking the Point Judith ferry to Block Island, parking is the first decision you actually have to make. The terminal sits in the village of Galilee, where space is tight and several different lots compete for your business. Some are right next to the dock; others are a half-mile away with a shuttle. Prices range from around $15 to $25 per day. In summer, the close-in lots fill up by 9 AM on weekends. Off-season, you can show up at any of them and walk on. This guide walks through what is actually available, what each costs, and how to choose based on how long you are gone and how much luggage you are dragging.
The Short Version
If you are doing a day trip: cheapest outer lot. The shuttle is fine, you have nothing to carry, and you save $10. If you are staying overnight or longer with a duffel and a cooler: closest paid lot, even at the higher rate. Saves you the shuttle hassle on both ends. If you are visiting for a full week: ask about the long-term weekly rate. Some lots offer a discount that knocks the per-day cost down meaningfully. If you are arriving on a summer weekend: reserve a spot in advance, or arrive 90 minutes before your sailing.
The Lots Around the Galilee Ferry Terminal
Several private operators run parking lots in Galilee, each at slightly different distances from the dock. The exact names and operators shift year to year as some lots change hands, but the general layout has been stable for a long time. As you turn off Route 108 onto Great Island Road, lots line both sides as you approach the terminal at the end.
Closest-In Lots ($20–$25 per day)
- These are the lots closest to the ferry terminal — usually within a 2–5 minute walk. Pay-and-display or cash-at-attendant. Shaded spots are limited; arrive early in summer if you want one.
- Pros: No shuttle. Easiest with luggage, kids, or coolers. Easiest to find again at the end of a long day on the island.
- Cons: Most expensive option. Fills up first.
- Best for: Overnight and multi-day trips, families with gear, anyone who wants the simplest in-and-out.
Mid-Range Lots ($17–$20 per day)
- Slightly farther out, usually 5–10 minutes on foot or a short shuttle ride. These lots run about 1,000 feet to a quarter-mile from the terminal.
- Pros: Cheaper. Often less crowded than the closest-in lots, even on busy days.
- Cons: A walk with bags. Some have shuttles, some don’t — confirm before you park.
- Best for: Day-trippers with light loads, anyone trying to balance cost and convenience.
Outer Lots ($15–$18 per day with shuttle)
- These are the budget options. Located farther from the terminal, but with regular free shuttle service that drops you right at the dock.
- Pros: Cheapest rate. Shuttle service is included. Almost never full.
- Cons: Adds 10–20 minutes on each end of your trip. Last shuttle of the night runs early — check the schedule if you are taking the late ferry back.
- Best for: Day trips, solo travelers without bags, anyone who would rather pocket the savings.
How Parking Pricing Works
- Most Galilee lots charge a flat day rate that runs from when you park to closing time the same day. Multi-day rates accumulate per day. Here is what to know:
- Cash vs. card: Most lots take both, but a few smaller ones are still cash-only. Bring some bills as a backup.
- Pay on arrival: You usually pay the full multi-day fee up front when you park. Tell the attendant when you plan to return; the rate is calculated then.
- Returning early or late: If you come back a day early, you do not get a refund. If you come back a day late, you owe the difference. Most attendants will hold your car if the lot is technically closing, as long as you are staying somewhere reachable.
- Long-term rates: Several lots offer a weekly rate that works out cheaper per day. Worth asking about if you are staying on the island for 5+ nights.
Reserving a Parking Spot
Some Galilee lots take reservations through their own websites, especially in summer. The reservation usually guarantees a spot but does not assign you a specific space — you just pull in and pay the pre-arranged rate. Reserve ahead if any of these apply: - You are traveling on a summer Saturday or Sunday - You are catching a morning ferry on a holiday weekend (July 4, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day) - You have a tight schedule and cannot afford to spend 20 minutes finding a different lot - You are bringing more than two passengers (the close-in lots tend to fill first, and you want everyone able to walk to the terminal together) Off-season weekends and weekday travel almost never require reservations. Show up, pick a lot, pay, and walk to the boat.
When Lots Fill Up
In peak summer, the closest-in lots fill up by 9 AM on weekends. The mid-range lots fill by 10 to 11 AM. The outer lots almost never fill, but their shuttle queues can get long when multiple ferry sailings stack up. If you are catching the 8:00 AM traditional ferry or the 9:30 AM high-speed ferry, plan to be in the parking area no later than 7:15 AM in summer to give yourself time to choose a lot, walk to the terminal, and check in. For the day trip itinerary, this is one of the things people underestimate. The trip out starts in the parking lot, not on the boat.
Parking with a Car You’re Bringing on the Ferry
If you are bringing a vehicle onto the Block Island car ferry, you do not park at any of these lots. You queue at the staging area inside the ferry terminal directly. The traditional ferry has its own vehicle staging system; you’ll be told which lane and what time to be in line when you reserve. Most visitors do not need a car on Block Island. The island is seven miles long and three miles wide; bikes, mopeds, and taxis cover almost every itinerary. A round-trip ferry ticket for a car runs $260+, on top of your parking-on-arrival situation. We have a full breakdown in Block Island without a car if you are weighing it.
Tips for an Easy Parking Day
A few things that save people headaches every summer: - Write down where you parked. Lot name, row, space number, and a photo on your phone. Galilee in late afternoon light all looks identical, and a tired post-ferry brain is not your sharpest brain. - Don’t leave valuables visible. The lots are private and most have some level of monitoring, but cars do get broken into. Anything worth taking should be in the trunk before you arrive — not after, when someone is watching. - Check the shuttle’s last run. If you are taking the last ferry back from Block Island, the shuttle from the terminal to the outer lots may stop running before your boat docks. Confirm before you choose an outer lot for an evening return. - Bring small bills. A handful of $5 and $10 bills covers most situations cleanly, especially if you decide to switch lots after you see a “FULL” sign. - Have a backup lot in mind. If your first choice is full, you do not want to be making decisions while a line of cars stacks behind you. Know which lot you’d try second.
Other Ferry Ports
If you are leaving from Newport, New London, or Montauk instead of Point Judith, the parking situation is different at each. Our ferry routes compared covers the basics for each port — and the main ferry guide walks through every route option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at the Block Island ferry?
Around $15 per day at outer shuttle lots, $17 to $20 at mid-range lots, and $20 to $25 at lots closest to the terminal. Some lots offer weekly rates at a discount.
Can you park at the Point Judith ferry overnight?
Yes. All Galilee parking lots accept overnight and multi-day stays. You pay for the total number of days when you park.
Is there free parking at the Point Judith ferry?
No. All parking near the Galilee terminal is paid. Some on-street public parking exists in the surrounding village but it is limited and generally not feasible for ferry passengers.
How early should I arrive for ferry parking in summer?
Plan to be parking 60 to 90 minutes before your ferry departure on summer weekends. Off-season, 30 minutes is fine.
Are there shuttles from the parking lots?
The outer lots run free shuttles to the terminal. The closest-in lots are a short walk and do not need shuttles. Mid-range lots vary — confirm before you park if you have heavy bags.
Can I leave my car parked while I stay on the island for a week?
Yes. Most lots welcome multi-day stays and many offer a weekly rate. Confirm with the attendant when you arrive.