The Vineyard

Transportation

By Car

Many visitors to Martha's Vineyard choose to drive to the ferry and either walk across or bring their car along. In the summer season there are a number of ports from which you can reach the Vineyard, although only one through which you can bring a car. Walking aboard gives you more options and on-island transportation is quite good.

Approximate mileage to Woods Hole, MA (the Steamship Authority port) from the following cities:

Boston, MA	80 miles
Hartford, CT	157 miles
New Haven, CT	173 miles
New York, NY	252 miles
Providence, RI	71 miles

Driving Directions

From New York and points South:

To New Bedford - Follow Route I-95 North to Providence, then take I-195 East.
To Falmouth and Woods Hole - From I-195 East take Route 25 East, cross the Bourne Bridge, and follow Route 28 South.
To Hyannis - From I-195 East take Route 25 East and then follow Route 6.

From Boston and points North:

Take Route 3 to the Sagamore Bridge.
To Hyannis - Follow Route 6 East.
To Falmouth and Woods Hole - Take Route 6 West to Buzzards Bay (Bourne), cross the Bourne Bridge, and follow Route 28 South.

Alternate route from Boston and points North:

Follow I-95 to Route 24.
To New Bedford - take 24 and I-195 East.
To Falmouth and Woods Hole - take 24 to I-495, I-495 to Buzzards Bay (Bourne), cross the Bourne Bridge, and follow Route 28 South.

If you are planning to bring your car over to the island of Martha's Vineyard, you must have a reservation for the ferry. Book these as early as possible! Visit www.steamshipauthority.com or call 508-477-8600.

If you choose to leave your car on the mainland, you can park in the area maintained by the Steamship Authority in Falmouth, or in areas maintained by the other ferry operators in New Bedford, Falmouth, and Hyannis. Be sure to allow time to get from the parking areas to the boat. In summer months you should allow no less than 30 minutes from parking to arrive at the boat.

By Bus

Bus Services
Year-round bus service to Woods Hole (the Steamship Authority port) is available from Boston's South Station and Logan Airport, from New York and from Providence daily on the Bonanza Bus Line, www.bonanzabus.com , 888-751-8800.

By Air

There is year-round scheduled plane service to the Martha's Vineyard Airport from Boston, Hyannis, Nantucket, New Bedford, and seasonally from Providence via Cape Air, www.flycapeair.com , 800-352-0714.  US Air flies to Martha's Vineyard from LaGuardia and Philadelphia from June through October.  Charter services also are available, and the airport has facilities for private planes.   Martha's Vineyard Airport is located in the center of the Island. Taxis and cars can be hired at the terminal.

Local Transportation

Should you opt not to bring your car to the Vineyard, there are several ways to get around.   The bus system is reliable and inexpensive and covers the whole Island, cab service is available and convenient, and car rentals offers all types of vehicles in different price ranges.

Bus Service

Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA)
www.vineyardtransit.com
Martha's Vineyard offers a comprehensive year-round bus system that connects the "down-Island" towns of Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven with the "up-Island" towns of Aquinnah, Chilmark, and West Tisbury.   Buses run regularly, have numerous centrally-located drop-off and pick-up points and are a great cost-effective way to see the beauty of the Island. You can pay as you go, or purchase 1-day, 3-day, 1-week or 1-month bus passes at the Edgartown Visitors Center.

VTA buses are all equipped with bike racks, so you can take your bike with you on your more distant excursions--bike and bus-- it's a great way to go!

All VTA buses are handicap accessible. Visit www.vineyardtransit.com for current schedules, route maps, fares and additional information.

Taxi Service

Taxis meet all incoming ferries and are equipped to handle bikes on a first-come first-serve basis.    We are happy to call you a cab from the front desk whenever you need one.

Rental Cars

During the summer months it is recommended that you reserve a rental car in advance.  

AAA Island Auto Rentals Inc
196 Main St
Edgartown, MA 02539
Phone: 508-627-6800
Toll Free: 1-800-627-6333

Budget Rent A Car of Martha's Vineyard
OB, VH, Ed, Martha's Vineyard Airport
Phone: 508-693-1911
Toll Free: 800-527-0700
www.Budgetmv.com

Hertz Rent A Car
Martha's Vineyard Airport, MA
Phone: 508-693-2402

 
Sun 'n' Fun Jeep Rentals
Lake Ave
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
Phone: 508-693-5457

 

Transportation information provided in part by the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.