Major city · United States
Swansea, MassachusettsSwansea
Skip Swansea as a base: it is a car-only retail town on Route 6. Sleep in Providence or Fall River and use it for a half-day of shopping or ice cream.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (ice, few reasons to stop)
- Airports
- PVD · BOS
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Swansea is a suburb of Providence and Fall River with no walkable centre: almost everything sits on or just off Route 6, and the mall that once anchored it closed in 2019. Come by car for the retail strips, the town beach and the ice cream stands, then sleep somewhere with a real downtown.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Swansea, Massachusetts, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetySwansea is a low-crime residential town; the real risks are Route 6 traffic, winter ice on unlit roads and driving after a stop at the liquor stores.
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control (24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPVD Rhode Island T.
- Getting aroundA car is effectively required: sights and shops are strung along Route 6 and Swansea Mall Drive with no continuous pavement.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, one personBefore tax and an 18–22% tip.$20–40
- Street or quick mealPizza or sandwich lunch$10–18
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 mi taxi or ridesharecheck$15–25
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedMotel double room on Route 6, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedMotel double room on Route 6, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedMotel double room on Route 6, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (Nearest major airport, in Warwick, RI; about 25–30 min by car (check)) · BOS Boston Logan International (Primary international gateway for the area; about 1 h 15 min by car without traffic (check))
Weather and climate
Swansea, Massachusetts: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C37°F
−6°C21°F
10 rd
Feb
4°C39°F
−5°C23°F
9 rd
Mar
8°C46°F
−2°C28°F
10 rd
Apr
14°C57°F
3°C37°F
11 rd
May
19°C66°F
8°C46°F
11 rd
Jun
24°C75°F
14°C57°F
10 rd
Jul
28°C82°F
17°C63°F
9 rd
Aug
27°C81°F
17°C63°F
9 rd
Sep
23°C73°F
13°C55°F
8 rd
Oct
17°C63°F
7°C45°F
9 rd
Nov
11°C52°F
2°C36°F
10 rd
Dec
6°C43°F
−3°C27°F
10 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is effectively required: sights and shops are strung along Route 6 and Swansea Mall Drive with no continuous pavement. SRTA buses run limited stops along Route 6 and Swansea Mall Drive from Fall River. Cyclists and joggers use Old Warren Road and Route 118; the 14 mi East Bay Bike Path starts in Providence and runs to Bristol, RI.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 10–15 min
I-195 east by car
Battleship Cove and the USS Massachusetts are about 5 mi away.
Door to door: About 15–25 min
I-195 west by car
Best food, trains and nightlife within a short drive.
Somerset, Massachusetts
cautionDoor to door: About 10 min
Route 6 east by car
Mostly residential; combine with Fall River rather than a trip of its own.
Westport, Massachusetts
goDoor to door: About 20–25 min
Route 6 and Route 88 south by car
Farm stands, Horseneck Beach and the Westport rivers.
Wareham, Massachusetts
cautionDoor to door: About 40–45 min
I-195 east, then Route 25 north by car
Gateway to Cape Cod; better as a stop on the way than a return day trip.
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
I-195 east by car
Small historic centre; pair it with New Bedford.
Mattapoisett
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
I-195 east by car
Harbour village; a summer afternoon, not a full day.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Route 6 (GAR Highway) strip
The only practical place to sleep: two motels and the retail plazas, all car-dependent.
Providence, RI
About 13 mi west, 15–25 min by car; a real downtown with trains, food and nightlife.
Fall River, MA
About 5 mi east, 10 min by car; waterfront, Battleship Cove and more beds.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room on Route 61 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$75 · check | US$75 |
| Fuel for about 60 mi of local driving1 × US$8 · check | US$8 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$47 |
| Trip total≈ US$260 per person per day, bed included | US$520 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Ice cream cone at a seasonal standcheck | $5–9 |
| Pizza or sandwich lunch | $10–18 |
| Sit-down dinner, one personBefore tax and an 18–22% tip. | $20–40 |
| 5 mi taxi or ridesharecheck | $15–25 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No walkable town centre: plan every stop by car and expect to drive between them.
- Route 6 traffic is heavy and turning lanes are short; avoid the 16:00–18:00 peak.Route 6 traffic is heavy and turning lanes are short; avoid the 4:00 PM–6:00 PM peak.
- The Swansea Mall closed in 2019 — do not plan around it.
- Ice cream stands are seasonal: check before you drive out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison control (24 h)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Swansea, MassachusettsSwansea
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control (24 h)1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in Swansea; consulates-general are in Boston and New York, and most countries' missions are in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rideshare Swansea → Providence: $25–45, about 20 min (check)
- Rideshare Swansea → Fall River: $12–20, about 10 min (check)
- SRTA bus, Fall River route: about $1.50–2, exact change (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- To this address, please — To this address, please
US tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis. Prices are shown before sales tax.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Swansea, Massachusetts. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (ice, few reasons to stop) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PVD and BOS: last departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three driving clusters with rescue anchors: Route 6 retail, the town beach and south Swansea, the Fall River and Providence edges.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (town beach, ice cream stands, Venus de Milo) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.