Getting Here

Visitors | Getting Here | Weekend | 7 Days | Kids | Facts

Martha's Vineyard is an island - which means you can only get here by plane or boat - but there are many options depending on where you're travelling from and what your specific travel needs are.

By Air:

If you choose to fly, two airlines provide service to the island - and your decision is narrowed down by your point of departure. If you're coming from Massachusetts or Rhode Island, Cape Air has flights from Logan Airport in Boston, Providence's TF Green Airport, and New Bedford.

US Airways is the way to go if you're coming from Philadelphia, New York, or DC.

Both airlines have flights from Hyannis.

By Sea:

If travelling by boat, you have eight ferry services to choose from. Each has their benefits and drawbacks, so read carefully.

• The Steamship Authority:

If you want to bring a vehicle you have no choice - the Steamship Authority runs the only car ferry. Reservations can be hard to come by, but don't fear, the island has rental cars as well as public transportation and the relatively small size makes it ideal for vehicle-less visitors.

Travel time: 45 minutes
Frequency: Many trips a day almost every hour until 10pm in the summer.  Fewer, but still frequent trips in the off-season
Passenger fare: $8
Parking: $10 a day

PROS: Ferries leave almost every hour and can carry vehicles as well as passengers - but you must make a reservation for your car.

Amenities include a snack bar with wine and beer, wi-fi, a quiet area and comfortable seating.

Plenty of parking - there are actually five parking lots scattered throughout the Woods Hole/Falmouth area with free shuttle bus service. Leave extra time for parking at a remote lot and waiting for the bus (at least 1/2 an hour)

CONS: A vehicle reservation can be very difficult to procure during the high season. Travelling without a reservation can be risky, as well as tricky, business. You take the chance of getting stuck on the Vineyard and waiting all day or more in the standby line. No one, even seasoned local travelers, truly understands the ins and outs of the Steamship Authorities rules and regulations surrounding reservations and standbys.

The traffic on the Cape can add an hour or more to your trip during the busy season.

• Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry:

If you're travelling from New York, the closest ferry is the Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry from Quonset Point, RI.

Travel time: 90 minutes
Frequency: 3-4 trips a day, seasonal
Passenger fare: $46 one way/$69 round trip
Parking: $10 a day

PROS: Fast and scenic ride. The trip from NY can save 50-100 miles driving time, avoiding what can be heavy Cape Cod congestion. If you would like to travel by train from New York, this is the only ferry close to an Amtrak Station and they provide shuttle service for a fee. Parking is right at the dock, unlike other ferries who only have off-site parking with shuttle service, adding time to your trip.

CONS: Expensive - compared to other ferries this is the costliest. Shuttles are available from both the train station and the airport but they will add $15 or $18 respectively to your travel expenses.

• New England Fast Ferry:

The fastest way to the Vineyard by ferry, including time in your car and on the water is travelling from New Bedford on the New England Fast Ferry.

Travel time: one hour
Frequency: 9 trips in the summer, 3-5 in the off-season
Passenger fare: $29 one way/$58 round trip
Parking: $10 a day

PROS: Saves you travel time from New York. Under the best of circumstances, Woods Hole and Falmouth are an hour and a half further - with summer traffic on the Cape you could be crawling for much longer. Relatively cheap for a fast ferry. Operates year-round

CONS: Parking is off-site - about a half mile away, there is a free shuttle.
Relatively small boat can get crowded in the summer. Make a reservation.

• Hy-Line:

The Hy-Line operates both a fast ferry and  traditional ferry service from Hyannis.

Travel time: high speed ferry - 55 minutes; traditional ferry trip - 95 minutes
Frequency: 4-5 trips a day, seasonal
Passenger fare: $59 r/t high speed/$37 r/t traditional
Parking: $5-$15 a day, depending on season

PROS: This departure site is a good option for travellers doing a tour of Cape Cod as Hyannis is only about 45 minutes from Provincetown, another highlight of a Cape visit. Hyannis is also the departure for Nantucket travel-service, making Hy-Line a good starting off point if you want to tour both Islands.

CONS: The high-speed is a little pricey, and the traditional only runs once a day.

• Island Queen:

Another good option for those exploring the Cape.

Travel Time: 35 minutes
Frequency: 7-8 trips in the summer, 2-5 in the spring and fall, no winter service.
Passenger fare: $8 one way/$15 round trip
Parking: $15 a day

PROS: Daytrippers favor this ferry for its short run and point of departure from the bustling town of Falmouth. Also makes frequent trips.

CONS: Can get crowded.

• Patriot Party Boats:

Converted fishing boats make up the Patriot Party Boats fleet. Bare-bones travel, there is limited indoor seating but it can get crowded and noisy as the name of the company derives from the commuting tradespeople who make up the majority of the passenger list. The ferry is also a delivery service for newspapers and other freight so there is sometimes a delay for loading/unloading.

PROS: Fast, frequent runs. Very early morning departures.
Operates in the almost any weather making the Patriot the only option sometimes in rough seas. Friendly crew and passengers (not so good if you're not in the mood) Free shuttle service in Falmouth to local shopping malls.

CONS: Noisy, and crowded. Engine fumes and rough ride can sometimes result in seasickness. Not easy to embark and disembark for older or handicapped folks. Not always reliable for times or even scheduled trips.

• The Pied Piper:

The Pied Piper is the only ferry that operates out of Edgartown, and befitting its more genteel departure town, it is also a little more luxurious than its Oak Bluffs to Falmouth counterparts.

Travel time: 45 minutes
Frequency: 5-6 trips, summer only.
Passenger fare: $15 one way
Parking: 

PROS: Only Edgartown ferry. Crew is always willing to help with luggage, etc. Larger than other "shuttle ferries" with nice amenities

CONS: More expensive than other short run ferries.

• Hy-Line Inter-Island Ferry:

If you're interested in visiting both MV and Nantucket, the Hy-Line operates a ferry between the two islands, one trip a day in the summer.

PROS: Since this is the only ferry service between the two Islands, it is unarguably the best option.

CONS: Since only one trip runs a day each way you'll have to spend the night on Nantucket if you make the jaunt over there. There are certainly worse places to be stranded.