First time to Martha’s Vineyard - everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask - Planning your trip through Boston or other points to or through Massachusetts to Martha’s Vineyard, by air or by car or train.
Reservations for planes, trains, automobiles, ferries and accommodations have to be made well in advance. I suggest January at the latest, if you are planning to vacation during the season.
(It’s always best to leave your hometown on the first flight of the morning. Since you will be making several connections enroute to Martha’s Vineyard, leaving early will give you ample time to make changes, if something goes awry in your travels. From the West Coast, take the all-nighter.)
The “in-season” for Martha’s Vineyard is middle of June to middle of September. The shoulder seasons are from middle of May to the middle of June and middle of September to the middle of November. I think the best time to visit the Vineyard is after Labor Day to October 31. The weather is beautiful, warm days, cool nights and smaller crowds. Regardless of the time of year you come to Martha’s Vineyard, remember to bring a jacket.
Flying through Boston to Martha’s Vineyard
From Boston (BOS-MVY) you can fly on Cape Air(9K) or Jet Blue(B6) to Martha’s Vineyard(MVY). The flight is about 45 minutes give or take. Cape Air flies a 9-seater prop airplane year round. Jet Blue flies jets in season (June-September). Always check airline schedules as they can change without notice.
You can also take Peter Pan Bus from Boston’s Logan International Airport or From South Station in Downtown Boston to Woods Hole to catch the Steamship Authority ferry. From the airport, the trip takes about 2-½ hours, from South Station about 2 hours. Of course, that’s with favorable traffic. In heavy traffic, it could take much longer. Sit back and relax, you started out early enough from your hometown to allow for delays. RIGHT!
Steamship Authority ferries run daily until 9:45 p.m. in season. No reservations for passengers are required. Always check ferry schedules as they change with the season.
Driving to, from or through Massachusetts
If you are driving your own car or a rental to or through Massachusetts, the Steamship Authority is the only ferry that carries cars to the Island. Set your GPS to 1 Cowdry Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543. You absolutely must have a reservation for your car to get on the Steamship Authority ferry. If you were not able to get a reservation for your car, or you were not planning to bring it over, there are several parking lots on the mainland to leave the car. Check out the Steamship Authority website to get the directions to them. There are shuttle buses from all of the parking lots that will bring you up to the ferry. Passengers only do not need reservations to ride the ferry. If you will need a car after arriving on the Island, you can rent on the Vineyard for your entire stay or just a couple of days.
Leave early as the summer and work traffic is very heavy. Did I say ‘leave early.’
By Bus from Logan International Airport or Boston
You can also take Peter Pan Bus from Boston’s Logan International Airport or From South Station in Downtown Boston to Woods Hole to catch the Steamship Authority ferry. From the airport, the trip takes about 2-½ hours, from South Station about 2 hours. Of course, that’s with favorable traffic. In heavy traffic, it could take much longer. Sit back and relax, you started out early enough from your hometown to allow for delays. RIGHT!
By train from Boston
The Cape Flyer travels from Boston’s South Station to Woods Hole with a connection at Buzzards Bay station to the Steamship Authority ferry via a FREE Steamship Authority shuttle bus to Woods Hole. Cape Flyer operates on weekends only during the season.