The Island of Martha’s Vineyard can be reached by sea or by air; there are no land routes, bridges or tunnels connecting it to the mainland. Most travelers arrive via our harbors; a lesser, but growing, number use the airports as their point of entry. Island can be reached by sea or by air. Many options exist – Choose the one that’s best for you.
BY AIR
Martha’s Vineyard is easily accessible by plane. The Island is home to two airports – one for private planes, the other serviced by Cape Air year-round and by U.S. Airways, Jet Blue, and Delta during the summer season. Direct flights are available from Boston, Providence, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
BY SEA
There are several options available when accessing Martha’s Vineyard by Sea. Some of the most common vehicles are the ferries, which make regular runs between Martha’s Vineyard and the mainland daily. Getting to the ferries is easy. Here are directions to reach the ferries by car, and by bus. If Ferries aren’t for you, there is also the option of chartering a private boat.
Martha’s Vineyard Ferry, Woods Hole Ferry and Ferry Schedules
- Ferries to the Island sail from Falmouth, Hyannis, Nantucket, New Bedford and Woods Hole in Massachusetts; Quonset Point in Rhode Island, Montauk in New York and NYC, New York.
- Ferries from Woods Hole operate year round. Other ferries run seasonally. Please check schedules for current information.
- The Steamship Authority is the only ferry that carries vehicles. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. All ferry companies provide paid parking if you come without your vehicle.
AUTOMOBILE AND PASSENGER FERRIES
One ferry transports automobiles to Martha’s Vineyard, and that’s the Steamship Authority which travels from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard. To learn more, visit the WWW.STEAMSHIPAUTHORITY.COM.
Passenger Only Ferries
Depending on your port of departure and destination, there are several options available to travel to Martha’s Vineyard.
Falmouth Edgartown Ferry
(Falmouth to Martha’s Vineyard)
See website for schedule: WWW.FALMOUTHFERRY.COM
Hy-Line
(Hyannis to Martha’s Vineyard)
See website for schedule: WWW.HYLINECRUISES.COM
Island Queen
(Falmouth to Martha’s Vineyard)
See website for schedule: WWW.ISLANDQUEEN.COM
Martha’s Vineyard Fast Ferry
(Quonset Point, Rhode Island to Martha’s Vineyard)
See website for schedule: WWW.VINEYARDFASTFERRY.COM
Seastreak , LLC
(New York City, New Bedford & New Jersey to Martha’s Vineyard)
See website for schedule: WWW.SEASTREAK.COM
Viking Fleet
(Montauk, New York to Martha’s Vineyard)
See website for schedule: WWW.VIKINGFLEET.COM
By Car To The Ferries
Getting to the Ferries by car
Ferries are one of the most popular methods of TRANSPORTATION used by people traveling to Martha’s Vineyard. There are several options available from several destinations all over the eastern seaboard. Ferries operate on varying schedules throughout the year, depending on the season, and no matter where you’re coming from – there’s a ferry waiting to help you get to Martha’s Vineyard.
Coming from New York…
Going to Quonset Point, Rhode Island:
Take Route I-95 North to exit 8A in Rhode Island, to Route 4 South to exit 7B (Quonset/Rt. 403), take Route 403 for 3 miles following signs to Quonset and continue for 3 miles to Roger Williams Way following the signs to the ferry.
Going to New Bedford:
Follow Route I-95 to Providence, then take I-195 east, to exit 15, Route 18 south to 2nd light.
Going to Falmouth and Woods Hole:
Continue from New Bedford on I-195 east, then take Route 25 east, cross the Bourne Bridge, and follow Route 28 south.
Going to Hyannis:
Continue from New Bedford on I-195 east, take Route 25 east, and then follow Rte 6.
Coming from Boston…
Take Route 3 to the Sagamore Bridge.
Going to Hyannis:
Follow Route 6 east.
Going to Falmouth and Woods Hole:
Take Route 6 west to Buzzards Bay, cross the Bourne Bridge, and follow Route 28 south.
Want an alternate route from Boston?
Follow I-95 to Route 24.
Going to New Bedford:
Take 24 and I-195 east.
Going to Falmouth and Woods Hole:
Take 24 to I-495, I-495 to Buzzards Bay, cross the Bourne Bridge, and follow Route 28 south.
If you are planning to leave your automobile on the mainland, you can park in the area maintained by the Steamship Authority in Falmouth, and in the areas maintained by the other ferry operators in New Bedford, Falmouth Heights, and Hyannis.
BY BUS TO THE FERRIES
- Bus service to Woods Hole is provided from Boston and from New York (stopping in Providence) daily, year round. Call Peter Pan/Bonanza Bus Line at 888-751-8800 or 401-751-8800, WWW.PETERPANBUS.COM.
- Seasonal bus service to Quonset Rhode Island, New Bedford and Woods Hole from the upper east side or upper west side of Manhattan is available. Call Adventure Northeast Transportation Service at 917-861-1800 or WWW.ADVENTURENORTHEAST.COM.
BY PLANE
There is year-round scheduled service to the Martha’s Vineyard Airport from Boston, Hyannis, Nantucket, and New Bedford, and in season service from New York City and Providence. The fast ferry from Quonset Point, Rhode Island provides shuttle service to and from PROVIDENCE AIRPORT. Charter services are also available, and the airport has facilities for private planes. M.V. Airport is at the center of the Island. Taxis and cars can be hired at the terminal.
BY TRAIN
The fast ferry from Quonset Point, Rhode Island, provides shuttle service to and from the AMTRAK STATION IN KINGSTON (KIN), Rhode Island.
BY PRIVATE BOAT
HARBOR FACILITIES
Marina and mooring services are available in the harbors at Edgartown, Menemsha, Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. Please contact the harbormasters at:
Edgartown:
508-627-4746
Monitors ch. 9, 16; working ch. 74
Menemsha:
508-645-2846
Monitors ch. 9; working ch. 8
Oak Bluffs:
508-693-9644
Marina Manager: 508-693-4355
Monitors ch. 9; working ch. 71
WWW.OAKBLUFFSHARBOR.COM
Vineyard Haven:
508-696-4249
Monitors ch. 9; working ch. 69
