Getting to MVY
How to Get to Martha’s Vineyard
Overview
Because Martha’s Vineyard is 3.5* miles from Cape Cod and locals have long resisted a bridge, you have two main options – get to Martha’s Vineyard by plane or come to the island by ferry. And of course, you need to get to the ferry if that’s the route you take. We’ll cover the full overview here on this page with links to all the extra nitty gritty details you might need to get here!
The most common and least expensive choice to make your way to Martha’s Vineyard is to either drive (then park nearby) or bus it to the ferry. You’d drive to one of the ferry parking lots OR take a bus route from any one of several cities nearby, that will drop you off directly in front of our main ferry terminal. You’ll then grab a ticket right there at the ticket office and take a cozy and super scenic 45-minute ferry ride to the island.
Want to fly to the island? During summer months, you have quite a few more options overall and also will find some the addition of reasonably affordable direct flights from NYC and Washington, D.C.
Another cool summer option is a luxurious boat ride from NYC to MVY or an inter-island ferry that allows visitors to come here from Nantucket for some island-hopping action. You can read more about the boat options below, which also include cruises and where you can anchor your private vessel.
Some travelers even come to MVY by private plane, and we have two different airfields you can fly into in addition to our main airport.
BY: Éva@ExploreMVY
PUBLISHED: June 11, 2024
LAST UPDATE: July 12, 2024
PAGE CONTENTS
Click to jump to travel info from:
Boston/Logan Airport
Rhode Island
NYC
Cape Cod
Washington, D.C.
… anywhere else!
Boston/Logan Airport to MVY
These are the best options to make your way from the Boston area to Martha’s Vineyard:
BUS to FERRY — Both Peter Pan Bus + Plymouth & Brockton Bus Co. will bring you directly from either South Station or Boston Logan Airport, to where you buy passenger tickets for the Steamship Authority ferry in Woods Hole, MA. From there, you’ll hop on the Steamship Authority ferry and land on Martha’s Vineyard!
DRIVE to PARK to FERRY — If you’d like to drive but walk onto the ferry as a passenger, these are the main options to ferry over:
MOST FREQUENT + YEAR-ROUND: Steamship Authority in Woods Hole (Falmouth) to either Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs (two towns on island, just a few miles from each other). Park at Thomas Landers parking lot during the high season, and a bus will shuttle you to the ticket office.
FROM MID-CAPE + YEAR ROUND: “the Fast Ferry” via HyLine Cruises from Hyannis to Oak Bluffs (If you’ll also spend time on Cape Cod and/or Nantucket, that would be a great reason to choose this one.)
ISLAND QUEEN FROM FALMOUTH TO OAK BLUFFS IN MAY-OCTOBER: Park within walking distance of their ferry at 75 Falmouth Heights Road, Falmouth MA 02540 (parking & ferry info here).
DRIVE to FERRY — You can bring your vehicle onto the Steamship Authority boat with you if there is space and you have an advance registration (book here for Woods Hole, MA to Martha’s Vineyard).
PLANE — Cape Cod Air has commercial flights from Boston directly to MVY year-round! It’s a super quick flight. In addition to the main MVY airport, we also have Tradewinds and Katama Airfields available for private planes.
Rhode Island to MVY
These are the best options from Rhode Island to Martha’s Vineyard:
BUS to FERRY — Peter Pan Bus will bring you directly from the Providence Bus Terminal (1 Peter Pan Way, Providence, RI — just off 1-95 exit 39C) to literally the spot where you buy passenger tickets for the ferry in Woods Hole, MA. This is around $65 round-trip and the least expensive option if you’re coming from Providence without a vehicle, but there will be traffic, and your bus will make a transfer.
FAST FERRY from Quonset Point in North Kingston, RI — The Rhode Island Fast Ferry allows you to enjoy a cruise-like experience instead of crazy summer traffic. Out of ALL the options listed here, this is the fastest, if the ferry timing works for you and you’re willing to spend a bit more to upgrade your experience! This option is only available in the high season (late May to late September), and it doesn’t operate every single day outside of July and August. You’ll pay $15/day to park your car, but it will be RIGHT THERE at the dock and super convenient. You can find ferry schedules and more details here. You’ll head to this address: 1347 Roger Williams Way, North Kingstown, RI 02852.
DRIVE to PARK to FERRY — If you’d like to drive but walk onto the ferry as a passenger, these are the main options to ferry over:
MOST FREQUENT + YEAR-ROUND: Steamship Authority in Woods Hole (Falmouth) to either Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs (two towns on island, just a few miles from each other). Park at Thomas Landers parking lot during the high season, and a bus will shuttle you to the ticket office.
ISLAND QUEEN FROM FALMOUTH TO OAK BLUFFS IN MAY-OCTOBER: Park within walking distance of their ferry at 75 Falmouth Heights Road, Falmouth MA 02540 (parking & ferry info here).
FALMOUTH TO EDGARTOWN FERRY IN HIGH SEASON: From around Memorial Day to Labor Day, you’ll find this ferry operates as the only option directly into Edgartown. This one feels extra VIP, skips a lot of the traffic and hassles, and even has valet parking on the Falmouth side (or you can buy a seasonal pass if you prefer and come often enough). You’ll land at Memorial Wharf in the downtown Edgartown area.
DRIVE to FERRY — You can bring your vehicle onto the Steamship Authority boat with you if there is space and you have an advance registration (book here for Woods Hole, MA to Martha’s Vineyard)
New York City to MVY
These are the best options from the NYC area to Martha’s Vineyard:
BUS to FERRY — Peter Pan Bus will bring you directly from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to literally the spot where you buy passenger tickets for the ferry in Woods Hole, MA.
PLANE — Delta, Jet Blue, and American Airlines all have flights from NYC (you’ll find options from LaGuardia and JFK airports) directly to MVY during the summer. Just over an hour in the air, and you’re here! In addition to the main MVY airport for commercial flights, we also have Tradewinds and Katama Airfields available for private planes. (Speaking of, Tradewind Aviation has Martha’s Vineyard on their list as a featured destination for private flights.)
BOAT from NYC to MVY — Seastreak offers a high-speed ferry that gets you from Highland, NJ to NYC, then from NYC to Oak Bluffs the ride is 4.5 hours. This option is only available in the high season (late June to early September), generally leaves NYC on Fridays and leaves MVY on Sundays. This works perfectly for a weekend trip, or alternatively you can stay for an additional 7 days and take a full week away + a bonus weekend. You can find ferry schedules here. Note: The same service and timing operate to Nantucket, so if you love your trip to Martha’s Vineyard and want to try the same idea to Nantucket, it’s an option!
DRIVE to PARK to FERRY — If you’d like to drive but walk onto the ferry as a passenger, these are the main options to ferry over:
MOST FREQUENT + YEAR-ROUND: Steamship Authority in Woods Hole (Falmouth) to either Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs (two towns on island, just a few miles from each other). Park at Thomas Landers parking lot during the high season, and a bus will shuttle you to the ticket office.
ISLAND QUEEN FROM FALMOUTH TO OAK BLUFFS IN MAY-OCTOBER: Park within walking distance of their ferry at 75 Falmouth Heights Road, Falmouth MA 02540 (parking & ferry info here).
FALMOUTH TO EDGARTOWN FERRY IN HIGH SEASON: From around Memorial Day to Labor Day, you’ll find this ferry operates as the only option directly into Edgartown. This one feels extra VIP, skips a lot of the traffic and hassles, and even has valet parking on the Falmouth side (or you can buy a seasonal pass if you prefer and come often enough). You’ll land at Memorial Wharf in the downtown Edgartown area.
DRIVE to FERRY — You can bring your vehicle onto the Steamship Authority boat with you if there is space and you have an advance registration (book here for Woods Hole, MA to Martha’s Vineyard)
Cape Cod to MVY
These are the best options from the Cape to the Vineyard:
BUS to FERRY — The Sealine route on the RTA brings you directly to the Hyannis Transportation Center (very close to the Hy-Line ferry in Hyannis) as well as to Woods Hole where the Steamship Authority ferry leaves.
FERRIES — You have several options, and these are some of the most recommended depending where you’re coming from.
FROM FALMOUTH (MOST FREQUENT + YEAR-ROUND) (STEAMSHIP AUTHORITY): From Woods Hole (Falmouth) to either Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs (two towns on island, just a few miles from each other). Park at Thomas Landers parking lot during the high season, and a bus will shuttle you to the ticket office.
FROM FALMOUTH TO OAK BLUFFS IN MAY-OCTOBER (ISLAND QUEEN): Park within walking distance of their ferry at 75 Falmouth Heights Road, Falmouth MA 02540 (parking & ferry info here).
FALMOUTH EDGARTOWN FERRY IN MAY-SEPTEMBER: From around Memorial Day to Labor Day, you’ll find this ferry operates as the only option directly into Edgartown. This one feels extra VIP, skips a lot of potential traffic and hassles, and even has valet parking on the Falmouth side (or you can buy a seasonal pass if you prefer and come often enough). You’ll land at Memorial Wharf in the downtown Edgartown area.
FROM HYANNIS (HY-LINE): “the Fast Ferry” via Hy-Line Cruises from Hyannis to Oak Bluffs
DRIVE to FERRY — You can bring your vehicle onto the Steamship Authority boat with you if there is space and you have an advance registration (book here for Woods Hole, MA to Martha’s Vineyard).
PLANE — Cape Cod Air has regular flights from Hyannis to MVY.
Washington, D.C. to MVY
These are details specific to coming from the Washington, D.C. area to Martha’s Vineyard:
BUS to FERRY — Bus to either Boston or NYC (for a bonus trip perhaps?!), then follow the instructions in the Boston section or the NYC section to make your way for the final legs.
PLANE — During the summer months, both Jet Blue and American Airlines offer direct flights from D.C. to MVY. If you book with the right timing, sometimes you can even find budget fare tickets below $100 each way(!). It’s a quick and easy 90-minute flight, then VOILA, you’re here! In addition to the main MVY airport for commercial flights, we also have Tradewinds and Katama Airfields available for private planes. (Speaking of, Tradewind Aviation has Martha’s Vineyard on their list as a featured destination for private flights.)
DRIVE to PARK to FERRY — If you’d like to drive but walk onto the ferry as a passenger, this is the main option to ferry over:
MOST FREQUENT + YEAR-ROUND: Steamship Authority in Woods Hole (Falmouth) to either Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs (two towns on island, just a few miles from each other). Park at Thomas Landers parking lot during the high season, and a bus will shuttle you to the ticket office.
DRIVE to FERRY — You can bring your vehicle onto the Steamship Authority boat with you if there is space and you have an advance registration (book here for Woods Hole, MA to Martha’s Vineyard).
Anywhere else to MVY!
This is what’s generally recommended if you’re coming from anywhere not listed in our current options:
USE THE OTHER AREAS ON THIS PAGE — If you’re close enough that you’d like to drive or bus it, you may want to get yourself to Cape Cod, then work your way here using the options from Cape Cod. If you’re coming from a place near Boston or NYC, you may want to enjoy those options. Or… you may want to have more than one leg of your adventure! Enjoy some time in another lovely place to visit, then come to the Vineyard next!
PLANE TO BOSTON — If you’re far enough away that flying is your best option, you might find it easiest to simply fly to our nearest large commercial airport (Boston Logan) and choose an option to get here from Boston.
MORE INFO TO COME, AS REQUESTED! — For now, we’ve included the most common and helpful options on this page, but over time we’d love to add more info.