Martha’s Vineyard is a beautiful island located just south of Cape Cod. It has a classic coastal feel, with stunning beaches, peaceful farmland, and quaint towns. Come here for a quintessential New England summer and read on to learn about how to get from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ferry from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard?
Unfortunately, no.
Can you take a day trip from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard?
Technically yes but in my opinion, a day trip is not worth the amount of travel required.
Can you get from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard without a car?
Yes, you can take a bus or train to a ferry or take a plane.
What is the easiest way to get from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard?
The easiest way is to drive and then take a ferry. I usually drive to Woods Hole and then take the Steamship Authority.
Boston to Martha’s Vineyard by Car
Driving from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard is the most flexible option, but keep in mind that you also have to take a ferry. You will likely have to contend with traffic as well. To avoid it, leave early in the day or late at night.
For parking, the ferries have a mix of onsite, satellite, and valet. Check out my post on the Martha’s Vineyard ferry for more details!
Directions: I-93 South to MA-3 South to US-6 East across the Sagamore Bridge, then varies depending on the ferry
| Ferry | Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Steamship Authority in Woods Hole | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Island Queen in Falmouth | 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Pied Piper in Falmouth | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Hy-Line Cruises in Hyannis | 1 hour 25 minutes |
Boston to Martha’s Vineyard by Bus
Taking a bus from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard is another flexible option, but again keep in mind that you also have to take a ferry. Two companies, Plymouth & Brockton and Peter Pan, have routes with stops at or close to a ferry. You will likely have to contend with traffic as well. To avoid it, choose a departure in the morning.
Plymouth & Brockton
Origin: Logan International Airport or South Station
Destination: Woods Hole (at the Steamship Authority) or Hyannis (15-minute walk or 5-minute shuttle from Hy-Line Cruises)
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: Woods Hole (at the Steamship Authority) or Hyannis (15-minute walk or 5-minute shuttle from Hy-Line Cruises)
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 Martha’s Vineyard by Train
Taking a train from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard can save you hours of travel time, especially during the height of summer, but again keep in mind that you also have to take a ferry. CapeFLYER runs the train, and you can bring a bike. It also has a cafe.
Origin: South Station
Destination: Hyannis (15-minute walk or 5-minute shuttle from Hy-Line Cruises)
Travel time: 2.5 hours
Operating season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Schedule: Weekends, multiple departures a day – Schedule for CapeFLYER
Cost: $22 for one way, $40 for round trip
Boston to Martha’s Vineyard by Ferry
Unfortunately, there is no ferry from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard, but you can take a ferry from several locations on Cape Cod. The Steamship Authority is in Woods Hole, the Island Queen and the Pied Piper are in Falmouth, and Hy-Line Cruises is in Hyannis.
The ferries can be affected by high winds and rough seas. If you get seasick easily, then I would consider a different travel option. The Steamship Authority is the least likely to cause seasickness because the ship is large.
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. The Steamship Authority is the least likely to get canceled in bad conditions because the ship is large.
The Steamship Authority
Origin: Woods Hole
Destination: Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven
Travel time: 45 minutes
Operating season: Year-round
Schedule: Schedule for the Steamship Authority
| Age | One Way Fare | Round Trip Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Children (under 4) | Free | Free |
| Youth (5 to 12) | $5.25 | $10.50 |
| Adults | $10 | $20 |
The Island Queen
Origin: Falmouth
Destination: Oak Bluffs
Travel time: 35 minutes
Operating season: Late May to early October
Schedule: Schedule for the Island Queen
| Age | One Way Fare | Round Trip Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Children (under 4) | Free | Free |
| Youth (5 to 12) | $12 | $16 |
| Adults | $19 | $27 |
The Pied Piper
Origin: Falmouth
Destination: Edgartown
Travel time: 1 hour
Operating season: Late May to early September
Schedule: Schedule for the Pied Piper
| Age | One Way Fare | Round Trip Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Children (under 4) | Free | Free |
| Youth (5 to 12) | $31 | $62 |
| Adults | $50 | $100 |
Hy-Line Cruises
Origin: Hyannis
Destination: Oak Bluffs
Travel time: 1 hour
Operating season: Early May to early October
Schedule: Schedule for Hy-Line Cruises
| Age | One Way Fare | Round Trip Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Children (under 4) | Free | Free |
| Youth (5 to 12) | $23 | $43 |
| Adults | $36 | $70 |
Boston to Martha’s Vineyard by Plane
Flying from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard can also save you hours of travel time. Both Cape Air and JetBlue fly out of Terminal C at Logan International Airport and land at Martha’s Vineyard airport with a flight time of 40 minutes.
Cape Air
Operating season: Year-round
Schedule: 7 days a week, multiple departures a day
JetBlue
Operating season: Seasonal
Schedule: 7 days a week, multiple departures a day
I hope this guide on how to get from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard helped with your travel plans!
For another trip, check out how to get from Boston to Cape Cod or Nantucket.