Cape Cod is a part of Massachusetts and stretches 65 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. With over 500 miles of coastline, it is the perfect spot for sun, sand, and sea. Come here for a quintessential New England summer and read on to learn about how to get from Boston to Cape Cod!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many towns are there on Cape Cod?
There are 15 towns on Cape Cod, and many also have their own villages. They are divided into the Upper Cape (Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth, Mashpee), the Mid-Cape (Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis), the Lower Cape (Brewster, Harwich, Chatham, Orleans), and the Outer Cape (Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, Provincetown).
How far is Cape Cod from Boston?
Cape Cod is roughly 60 miles from Boston.
How far is Cape Cod from Logan International Airport?
Cape Cod is roughly 60 miles from Logan International Airport.
Can you take a day trip from Boston to Cape Cod?
Yes, but you should expect a couple of hours of travel time each way.
Can you get from Boston to Cape Cod without a car?
Yes, you can take a bus, train, ferry, or plane.
Boston to Cape Cod by Car
Driving from Boston to Cape Cod is the most flexible option. The drive to Bourne (on the closer end of Cape Cod) is 1 hour 10 minutes, while the drive to Provincetown (on the farther end of Cape Cod) is 2 hours 20 minutes. Keep in mind that you will likely have to contend with traffic. To avoid it, leave early in the day or late at night.
Directions: I-93 South to MA-3 South to US-6 East across the Sagamore Bridge
Upper Cape
| Town | Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Bourne | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Sandwich | 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Falmouth | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Mashpee | 1 hour 20 minutes |
Mid-Cape
| Town | Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Barnstable (Hyannis) | 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Yarmouth | 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Dennis | 1 hour 30 minutes |
Lower Cape
| Town | Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Brewster | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Harwich | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| Chatham | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Orleans | 1 hour 40 minutes |
Outer Cape
| Town | Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Eastham | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Wellfleet | 2 hours |
| Truro | 2 hours 10 minutes |
| Provincetown | 2 hours 20 minutes |
Boston to Cape Cod by Bus
Taking a bus from Boston to Cape Cod is another flexible option. Two companies, Plymouth & Brockton and Peter Pan, have routes with multiple stops. Again, keep in mind that you will likely have to contend with traffic. To avoid it, choose a departure in the morning.
Plymouth & Brockton
Origin: Logan International Airport or South Station
Destination: Bourne, Falmouth (including Woods Hole), Barnstable (including Hyannis), Harwich, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, or Provincetown
Travel time: Depends on the origin and destination
Operating season: Year-round
Schedule: 7 days a week, multiple departures a day – Schedule for Plymouth & Brockton
Cost: Fares for Plymouth & Brockton
Peter Pan
Origin: Logan International Airport or South Station
Destination: Bourne, Falmouth (including Woods Hole), Barnstable (including Hyannis), Harwich, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, or Provincetown
Travel time: Depends on the origin and destination
Operating season: Year-round
Schedule: 7 days a week, multiple departures a day – Schedule for Peter Pan
Cost: Fares for Peter Pan
Boston to Cape Cod by Train
Taking a train from Boston to Cape Cod can save you hours of travel time, especially during the height of summer. CapeFLYER runs the train, and you can bring a bike. It also has a cafe.
Origin: South Station
Destination: Bourne or Hyannis
Travel time: 1.5 hours to Bourne, 2.5 hours to Hyannis
Operating season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Schedule: Weekends, multiple departures a day – Schedule for CapeFLYER
| Destination | One Way Fare | Round Trip Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Bourne | $20 | $35 |
| Hyannis | $22 | $40 |
Boston to Cape Cod by Ferry
Taking a ferry from Boston to Cape Cod can also save you hours of travel time. Two companies, Bay State Cruises and City Cruises, sail a direct route to Provincetown, and you can bring a bike on both.
The ferries are catamarans and can definitely be affected by high winds and rough seas. If you get seasick easily, then I would consider a different travel option.
The ferries are weather dependent and can be canceled in bad conditions. If you absolutely must reach your destination by a certain time, then make sure you have a backup travel plan.
Bay State Cruises
Origin: Boston Harbor
Destination: Provincetown
Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Operating season: Mid-May to early December
Schedule: Schedule for Bay State Cruises
Cost: Fares for Bay State Cruises
City Cruises
Origin: Boston Harbor
Destination: Provincetown
Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Operating season: Mid-May to early October
Schedule: Schedule for City Cruises
Cost: Fares for City Cruises
Boston to Cape Cod by Plane
Flying from Boston to Cape Cod can also save you hours of travel time. Cape Air flies out of Terminal C at Logan International Airport, and there are two airports on Cape Cod: the Cape Cod Gateway Airport in Hyannis and the Provincetown Municipal Airport in Provincetown.
Cape Cod Gateway Airport
Location: Hyannis
Travel time: 35 minutes
Operating season: Year-round
Schedule: 7 days a week, multiple departures a day
Provincetown Municipal Airport
Location: Provincetown
Travel time: 30 minutes
Operating season: Year-round
Schedule: 7 days a week, multiple departures a day
I hope this guide on how to get from Boston to Cape Cod helped with your travel plans!
If you are still choosing a vacation spot, then make sure to read about the towns on Cape Cod.
If you want to visit the islands, then check out how to get from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket.