Getting Here and Around

You'll need to cross at least one of four major bridges to reach Newport County. The largest is the Newport Pell Bridge, spanning Narragansett Bay's East Passage via Route 138 and linking the island community of Jamestown with Newport. Motorists without a Rhode Island–issued EZ-Pass transponder have to pay $4 to cross it. Newport anchors Aquidneck Island, also home to the towns of Middletown and Portsmouth. From the north end of Portsmouth, Route 24 takes you across the Sakonnet River Bridge to Tiverton. Follow Route 77 south through Tiverton to reach quiet Little Compton. From the northwestern end of Portsmouth, you cross the Mount Hope Bridge to reach the charming town of Bristol in Bristol County, home to the oldest continuously held Independence Day parade in the country. The Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge connects Jamestown to North Kingstown over Narragansett Bay's West Passage.

Ferry Travel

Visitors headed to Newport from the west can save themselves the hassle of parking in Newport and the Newport Pell Bridge toll by parking their cars for free in Jamestown and boarding the Jamestown Newport Ferry. Conanicut Marine operates the 40-foot passenger ferry from One East Ferry Wharf in Jamestown and offers a free shuttle service to a large parking area at nearby Taylor Point. The ferry runs daily, mid-June–early September, and on weekends, late May–mid-June and late September–mid-October. The ferry links the village of Jamestown to Rose Island, Fort Adams State Park, Perrotti Park, and Ann Street Pier. An $23 round-trip rate is good for all day, but one-way passage rates and bicycle rates are available. Ferry service starts at 9:15 am in Jamestown, and the last run leaves Newport around 7:20 pm on weekdays and around 11 on weekends.

Oldport Marine Services operates a harbor shuttle service Monday–Thursday noon–6 and on Friday and weekends 11–7 ($10 all day; $6 round-trip, $3 one way). The shuttle lands at Perrotti Park, Bowen's Wharf, Ann Street Pier, International Yacht Restoration School, the Sail Newport dock, Fort Adams, and Goat Island.

Taxi Travel

Cozy Cab runs a daily shuttle service ($25 each way) between T. F. Green Airport in Warwick and the Newport Visitors' Information Center, as well as major hotels.

Parking

In Newport several lots around town offer pay parking. The largest and most economical is the garage behind the Newport Visitors' Information Center. Street parking can be difficult to find in summer.