TRAVEL
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There are 2 ways to get to Martha’s Vineyard: fly to MVY or take a ferry.
Additional Resources (shoutout to Mike’s sister, Lis, who runs mvacay.com):
Travel by Plane
Flying to MVY (best option)
The easiest way to travel to Martha’s Vineyard is to fly onto the island (airport code: MVY). You can fly there directly from JFK & BOS (as well as select DCA). There is one main airport in West Tisbury, conveniently located in the middle of the Island.
Flying into Martha’s Vineyard Airport is a charming entry to the beautiful Island. Seeing Martha’s Vineyard from the sky is always a magical experience. There is one gate in the airport terminal which makes getting in and out super easy and efficient.
The Airport offers ample onward transportation so no need to worry about how to get to your final destination. Public transport via the VTA bus is a breeze, or take an Uber, taxi, private car, or get a rental car right from the terminal.
Flying to Logan (BOS)
From Logan, our #1 recommendation would be to connect on Cape Air to fly to MVY.
If you are planning to travel to ferry, you can either take a bus, private ride or rent a car. The most popular ferries are about a 90-minute drive from Boston in Falmouth, MA.
From there, there are various ferries that take passengers about 30-60 minutes to get you to the island. So keep in mind that traveling to and taking the ferry could add an additional ~3 hours of travel per way.
*We highly recommend reading through this detailed outline that Mike’s sister, Lis, wrote on all of the ways to get from BOS Logan Airport to the island.
What Mike & Melissa typically do if we fly into Logan:
Take the PB Bus directly from Logan Airport to Woods Hole and it brings you right to the Steamship Authority ferry terminal. You can use your ticket anytime, so no stress if your flight is delayed.
If you’re traveling with a few people, consider scheduling a private car (Green Shuttle, White Tie or Long’s Taxi) for after your plane lands...
Travel by Ferry
Ferry Options
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The most popular ferries are about a 90-minute drive from Boston in Falmouth, MA. See above for resources on how to get from Boston Logan Airport to the Woods Hole Ferry.
There are various ferries that take passengers about 30-60 minutes to get you to the island.If you are coming from Logan, the default answer is to get dropped off at or take the bus to The Steamship Authority from Woods Hole, MA. This option is the least expensive, is available year-round, does not require advance passenger tickets and has the most extensive schedule.
You can either ferry into Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven (which are both only about 10 minutes from each other). If you are staying at Summercamp Hotel, you can walk to the hotel from the Oak Bluffs ferry. It really is no big deal if you come into Vineyard Haven, it’s super easy and quick to get around the island.You do not need to purchase a ferry ticket in advance to walk on, but if you’d like to save time from going into the ticket office upon arrival you can purchase ferry tickets at steamshipauthority.com.
If you arrive early, take a quick walk around and enjoy one of our favorite food spots near the ferry: Water Street Kitchen, Pie in the Sky & Landfall. -
If you are planning to drive up and leave your car parked, the New Bedford ferry may be closer to you and easier to get to with less traffic (the Seastreak from New Bedford, MA). It is a tiny bit more expensive to walk onto but with traffic and parking fees it may be worth it over going all the way to the Steamship Authority out of Woods Hole, MA.
We will share some recommendations for getting around the island soon!
Keep in mind you can’t bring a car onto these two ferries. If you’d like to bring a car on or take the Steamship Authority ferry out of the Cape than see below. -
The most popular ferries are about a 90-minute drive from Boston in Falmouth, MA. There are various ferries that take passengers about 30-60 minutes to get you to the island.
The default answer is to get dropped off at or take the bus to The Steamship Authority from Woods Hole, MA. This option is the least expensive, is available year-round, does not require advance passenger tickets and has the most extensive schedule.
There are multiple ferry options from the Cape.
WOODS HOLE PARKING DETAILS:
Be sure to route your GPS to the Palmer Ave parking lot and not the ferry itself. If the lot is full there will be signs directing you to another Steamship lot. There will be multiple shuttles from each lot to the ferry terminal.
You should budget time for arriving 30-60 minutes before your desired ferry departs.
You do not need to purchase a ferry ticket in advance to walk on, but if you’d like to save time from going into the ticket office upon arrival you can purchase ferry tickets at steamshipauthority.com.
If you arrive early, take a quick walk around and enjoy one of our favorite food spots near the ferry: Water Street Kitchen, Pie in the Sky & Landfall.
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The only way to bring a car onto the island is via Steamship Authority out of Woods Hole, MA. FYI - the typical price to walk onto the ferry is $20/rt for an individual, if you bring a car it will be closer ~$215/rt per car. If you want a car on the island, make sure to check if it’s worth it to you to bring it on vs. renting a car on the island.
If you do want to bring your car on, you MUST make car reservation in advance at www.steamshipauthority.com. If a time you want is sold out, select the closest one, and when you check out add yourself to the waitlist. There is a very high chance of getting off waitlist or them adding an additional ferry. FYI Friday afternoon shows as sold out, so if you were hoping to bring a car on then, add yourself to the waitlist. (A lot of business people who commute from island will book all their ferries for the season up front and then cancel, so it’s likely you’ll get a spot).
You will drive directly to the Woods Hole terminal, show them your reservation and they will line you up. If you arrive in time for an earlier ferry, you can always wait and see if there is room and they may let you on earlier.
If you do arrive early, take a quick walk around and enjoy one of our favorite food spots near the ferry : Water Street Kitchen, Pie in the Sky & Landfall.