Ocracoke village is small and flat — an ideal place to get around by bicycle. Several rental shops in the village offer basic cruisers by the hour or day. The ride from the ferry dock to the lighthouse takes about 10 minutes; the ride to the wild pony pasture at the north end is about 7 miles and takes under an hour on a flat road with almost no traffic.
Golf carts are popular and can also be rented. They are useful for getting between the ferry and the village with luggage, and for families with children or visitors who don't want to cycle.
You can bring a car on the ferry — all three ferry routes carry vehicles — and driving is straightforward since there is essentially one road. But the village itself is better explored on foot or by bicycle, and parking is limited. Most people who bring a car use it mainly to carry gear and then leave it parked.
The beach access ramps on the National Seashore require a four-wheel-drive vehicle with appropriate tire pressure; ramp locations and conditions are posted at the National Park Service visitor center near the lighthouse.