Traveling to Martha's Vineyard |
Martha's Vineyard is an island located 6 miles off the coast of Cape Cod Massachusetts. To get to Martha's Vineyard you must take either a plane or a ferry, there are NO bridges or tunnels connecting Martha's Vineyard to the mainland. The most common method of transportation to the island of Martha's Vineyard is by ferry. There are quite a few different ferries you can take, but if you would like to bring a car across your only option is the Steamship Authority ferry that leaves from Wood's Hole. Passenger ferries leave from Rhode Island, New Bedford, Falmouth, and Hyannis.Make sure to check the schedules for the different ferries as some only run May - September.
Tips on Traveling to Martha's Vineyard From:
Boston | New York | Providence | Point's West | Hyannis/Cape Cod | Flying from Abroad |
Flights to Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard airport is served by Cape Air and a number of charter companies on a year round basis. Cape Air flights that serve the Island depart from: Boston, Providence, Hyannis, New Bedford and Nantucket. For flights to and from New York, Cape Air partners with Jet Blue for service via Boston. Other airlines, including US Airways, fly to and from the Vineyard only during the peak summer season. US Airways service to the Vineyard departs La Guardia airport in New York, Ronald Regan National in Washington DC and Logan Airport in Boston. As of our last visit to the US Airways web site there was no information available on flights to Martha's Vineyard. For information on their schedules and to book your flight, call them directly.
Flying into the Vineyard can seem expensive, but with growing competition reasonable fares can be found. The amount of time and effort saved by flying in versus driving and ferry time is a major factor for many when considering the value of a flight. The celebrity factor at the airport must also be considered. Most high-profile visitors fly in on charter or private plane which makes for interesting people watching especially during the summer months.
Some Driving Distances: 
Woods Hole to Falmouth: 4 miles
Woods Hole to Hyannis: about 26 miles
(about 40-45 minutes)
Bourne Bridge to Woods Hole: 20 miles
(about 25 minutes)
Boston to Woods Hole: approximately 75 miles
Providence to Woods Hole: approximately 70 miles
New York to Woods Hole: approximately 260 miles
Allow sufficient time for traffic in summer months from Boston or New York especially on route 24 or Route 3 (south from Boston) and near the bridges crossing the Cape Cod Canal. Driving time from Boston to Woods
Hole is usually about 90 minutes, but in the busy summer months that time can double. Driving time from New York to Woods Hole is usually around 4 hours, but is the summer months 6 to 7 hours is not unheard of.
Tips on Traveling to Martha's Vineyard From:
Boston | New York | Providence | Point's West | Hyannis/Cape Cod | Flying from Abroad |
Some Ferry Voyage Times:
From Woods Hole: 45 minutes
From Falmouth: 40 minutes
From Hyannis: 1 hour and 45 minutes
From New Bedford: 1 hour
From Nantucket: 2 hours and 15 minutes
From Quonset, Rhode Island: 1 hour and 30 minutes
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GETTING TO MARTHA'S VINEYARD FROM BOSTON AND POINTS NORTH
Driving | Flying | Bus
DRIVING
from Boston and points north to:
Woods Hole Terminal
Traveling south on route 128 (interstate 95) or 93 south from downtown Boston, take MA-24 S toward BROCKTON / FALL RIVER. On MA-24 take exit 14A merge onto I-495 S via toward CAPE COD. Continue along I-495 S which will become MA-25 E until you reach the Bourne Bridge. Once across the bridge you will enter a roundabout (rotary), take the second exit onto MA-28 (GEN MACARTHUR BLVD). Continue along MA-28 and go around the second roundabout, continue on MA-28 toward Falmouth, Wood's Hole and the Islands. As your near Falmouth, MA-28 will turn one lane each way. If you plan on parking your car and traveling to the Vineyard aboard Steamship Authority without your car please follow the signs posted by the Steamship Authority to the proper parking lot, DO NOT drive all the way to Wood's Hole; you will just have to drive back to the parking lot they directed you to earlier. If you are bringing your car across, continue along the two lane road, route 28, until you reach Woods Hole and follow the signs directing you to the Steamship Authority or Ferries to the Islands.
New Bedford Ferry Terminal
Traveling south on route 128 (interstate 95) or 93 south from downtown Boston, take route 24 S via toward BROCKTON / FALL RIVER. At exit 12 get onto Route 140 South. Continue along Route 140 S until Exit 2E/A take I-195 East towards Cape Cod. About a mile later take Exit 15, Route 18 South/Downtown. Turn Left at 2nd light (Note: this is a left lane turn). Drive straight onto the State Pier and look for signs for Vineyard Ferries.
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BUS SERVICE
from Boston
Traveling to the Vineyard by bus from Boston is one of the most convenient ways to get to the island. The bus leaves from South Station or Logan Airport in Boston and there are numerous trips in the morning afternoon and evening. Bonanza Bus / Peter Pan Lines is the only company running the route. To purchase tickets either go online or buy it right at the terminal. The bus will take you directly to Woods Hole where Steamship Authority ferries run daily to Martha's Vineyard.
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FLIGHTS
Logan Airport, Boston to Martha's Vineyard
If you would like to fly from Boston there are a few options, including local carriers like Cape Air and US Air Express (seasonal) as well as charter flights. For the latest information on charter flights visit our Charter Flight Section of MVOL. For the latest list of local carriers visit the MVOL airline page.
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GETTING TO MARTHA'S VINEYARD FROM NEW YORK CITY OR POINTS SOUTH
Direct Seasonal Ferry Service
from Conner Dock in Highlands, NJ & East 35th St. Marina, NYC to Oak Bluffs Martha's Vineyard. Visit the SeaStreak website for details.
Driving | Flying | Bus | Train
DRIVING
from New York City to Wood's Hole
Take Route I-95 to Providence, RI, in Providence exit onto I-195 East to Wareham, MA. i-195 ends at I-495/route 25, take exit for Cape Cod and the Islands, Route 495/25 East, follow across the Bourne Bridge and then follow Route 28 to Falmouth and Woods Hole. Distance from New York City - approximately 260 miles.
from New York to Rhode Island Ferry
Take I-95 N to exit 8A in Rhode Island, get off and get into far left lanes. At the first light take a left and continue until your reach the first traffic light (about 300 yards). Turn right onto route 4 south toward Quonset Point. After a couple of miles take exit 7 (Quonset Point/Route 403). Stay Left at top of exit and continue on for 2 ½ miles until you pass under a very large bridge and come to a traffic light. Turn Right, this is Roger Williams Way. Follow the green Vineyard Fast Ferry signs for 2 miles the ferry is located on the right-hand side.
from New York to New Bedford Ferry
Take I-95 N until you reach Exit 20 I-195 East towards Providence/Cape Cod in Rhode Island. Forward I-195 E into Massachusetts toward Fall River and New Bedford. Take Exit 15: Route 18 South/Downtown (New Bedford). Turn Left at 2nd light (Note: this is a left lane turn). Drive straight onto the State Pier. There you will see signs for Vineyard Ferries.
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TRAIN SERVICE
from points south to Martha's Vineyard
When coming to Martha's Vineyard from New York City or points south on the train(Amtrak)you have two options, the Kingston, Rhode Island (KIN) stop and a shuttle or a taxi to the Vineyard Fast Ferry and Boston's South Station with a bus down to the Wood's Hole Ferry.
New York to Boston
The only year round options for taking the train to Martha's Vineyard is to travel to Boston's South Station on Amtrak. From there you can take a Bonanza/Peter Pan Bus at South Station to Wood's Hole. For more information about the schedule check out the Peter Pan / Bonanza Bus website.
New York to Rhode Island
You can also take the Amtrak Train to the Kingston, Rhode Island (KIN) stop. From there you can catch a shuttle or a taxi to the Vineyard Fast Ferry. For more details visit the Vineyard Fast Ferry website.
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BUS SERVICE
from New York City
Traveling to Martha's Vineyard by bus from New York can be convenient and you don't have to worry about parking your car. The main bus line traveling to Wood's Hole and Cape Cod is Bonanaza Bus/Peter Pan Lines which departs from the Port Authority Terminal at 42 Street and Eighth Avenue. Tickets can be purchased on line or at the terminal.. The bus stops in both New Bedford and Providence making it convenient to with the fast ferries in each of those cities. To reach Woods Hole and the Steamship Authority ferry service to Martha's Vineyard it will be necessary to change buses in Bourne. Check Bonanza Bus / Peter Pan's website for the latest times and schedules. Another option for bus travel from New York is to take either a Fung Wah or Lucky Star bus from Chinatown. These have hourly schedules to Boston where you can pick up the Bonanza Bus to Woods Hole.
FLIGHTS
from New York City to Martha's Vineyard
For flights to and from New York, Cape Air partners with Jet Blue for service via Boston. US Airwars flies to and from the Vineyard only during the peak summer season with service to the Vineyard departing La Guardia airport in New York. This service is also available from Ronald Reagan airport in Washington DC.
GETTING TO THE VINEYARD FROM WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS, VERMONT & UPSTATE NEW YORK
DRIVING
from Points in Western Massachusetts, Vermont and Upstate New York
Follow Interstate 90 (Mass Turnpike) to Exit 11A, Route 495 South; then follow the directions above from 495.
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GETTING TO THE VINEYARD FROM RHODE ISLAND
Driving | Flying
DRIVING
from Rhode Island to Quonset Point Ferry
Located in North Kingstown, the Vineyard Fast Ferry terminal is only 10 minutes from I-95, 15 minutes from TF Green airport and 20 minutes from the Amtrak train station. The ferry provides shuttle service to and from both hubs. Take I-95 N to exit 8A in Rhode Island, get off and get into far left lanes. At the first light take a left and continue until your reach the first traffic light (about 300 yards). Turn right onto route 4 south toward Quonset Point. After a couple of miles take exit 7 (Quonset Point/Route 403). Stay Left at top of exit and continue on for 2 ½ miles until you pass under a very large bridge and come to a traffic light. Turn Right, this is Roger Williams Way. Follow the green Vineyard Fast Ferry signs for 2 miles the ferry is located on the right-hand side. For more information vist http://www.vineyardfastferry.com or call them at 401-295-4040, this ferry is seasonal, so make sure to visit the website to get the latest times and schedules.
from Rhode Island to New Bedford Ferry
Exit off of I-95 onto I-195 East towards Providence/Cape Cod in Rhode Island. Forward I-195 E into Massachusetts toward Fall River and New Bedford. Take Exit 15: Route 18 South/Downtown (New Bedford). Turn Left at 2nd light (Note: this is a left lane turn). Drive straight onto the State Pier. There you will see signs for Vineyard Ferries. For more information visit New England Fast Ferry or call 866.453.6800, this ferry is seasonal, so make sure to visit the website to get the latest times and schedules.
from Rhode Island to Wood's Hole
Take Route I-95 to Providence, RI, in Providence exit onto I-195 East to Wareham, MA. i-195 ends at I-495/route 25, take exit for Cape Cod and the Islands,Route 495/25 East, follow across the Bourne Bridge and then follow Route 28 to Falmouth and Woods Hole. Distance from New York City - approximately 260 miles. For more information about the Steamship Authority ferries and schedules or getting reservations for your car, please visit there website at http://steamshipauthority.com or call 508.477.8600.
FLIGHTS
from Providence TF Green Airport
If you would like to fly from Providence there are a few options: Cape Air serves Martha's Vineyard, as do a number of charter companies. For the latest information on charter flights visit our Charter Flight Section of MVOL. For the latest list of scheduled carriers check out MVOL airline page.
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GETTING TO THE VINEYARD FROM THE CAPE COD/HYANNIS AREA
DRIVING
from Hyannis to Woods Hole
Take Route 28 West to New Seabury Rotary in Mashpee. Circle the rotary and take your third right to pick up and continue onto Route 28 towards Falmouth Center. Proceed towards the town on Route 28 to the traffic light intersection at Jones Road and Route 28. Before the lights you will see one of our green directional signs pointing the way. At the lights, turn right onto Jones Road. Continue straight on Jones Road to the second set of lights (intersection of Jones Road and Palmer Avenue) and then turn left onto Palmer Avenue. Proceed to end of road and turn right onto Woods Hole Road. Follow to Woods Hole.
FLIGHTS
Via Cape Air from Barnstable Airport, Hyannis MA or New Bedford Municipal airport.
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FLYING FROM POINTS ABROAD
If you are trying to get to Martha's Vineyard from far away places there are no direct options without first flying to New York, Providence or Boston.
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