Getting to Martha's Vineyard

One of Cape Air's Cessna 402C

The best way to go is via charter plane.  But if you're reading this site you're probably not a NetJets customer.  

Here are the options for the rest of us:

Airplane to Martha's Vineyard:

Cape Air (http://flycapeair.com) flies from Boston-Logan, Providence, White Plains NY, New Bedford MA  or Hyannis MA to Martha's Vineyard Airport (airport code MVY).  Typical roundtrip flight is $200.  Flying time from Boston is 35 minutes.  The Cape Air terminal at Boston Logan is shared with Jet Blue which is a nice option to get to The Vineyard from NYC.

US Airways Express (http://www.usairways.com) flies to the Vineyard from NYC (Laguardia), DC (Reagan), Philadelphia and Hyannis MA. Typical roundtrip is $300-400 from NYC and is a 90 minute flight.  The flight from DC is a four hour flight with a stops at Laguardia.

Ferry boat to Martha's Vineyard:

The Steamship Authority (SSA) (http://islandferry.com) runs between Woods Hole (on Cape Cod) and Vineyard Haven.  It's the traditional Vineyard ferry.  It also takes cars - the newer Ferries do not.  The SSA runs year round - the fast ferries do not.   The SSA is also the cheapest - $15 for a roundtrip ticket. Bikes are $6 roundtrip and cars are $135 round trip. The 8 mile trip takes about 45 minutes (they also offer a high speed ferry.)

Hy-Line crusies (http://www.hy-linecruises.com) runs between Hyannis (on Cape Cod) and Oak Bluffs.  The "traditional" ferry takes about 90 minutes and is $43 roundtrip. They also have a high speed ferry that takes about an hour and is $70 roundtrip.  Neither offer car traffic - only people and bikes.  Parking is $17 per day in Hyannis and bikes are $12 roundtrip.

The Island Queen from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs (http://www.islandqueen.com) $18, no vehicles.  Parking in Falmouth is $15 per day. Runs mid May through mid October and takes just 35 minutes.

The Martha's Vineyard Express Ferry runs from New Bedford to Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs (http://www.mvexpressferry.com). This is a high speed catamaran ferry that takes about an hour.   $70 round trip but no vehicles - only bikes and people. parking is $10/day in New Bedford.  This is an easier ferry option for people south of Massachusetts.  This ship also does a special NYC to Martha's Vineyard direct trip on 4th of July weekend.

The Vineyard Fast Ferry runs from Providence (actually Quonset Point) Rhode Island to Oak Bluffs (http://vineyardfastferry.com).  $70 roundtrip - no vehicles.  Bikes are $7 each way.  Provide a shuttle to the Providence airport for $15 and from Providence Amtrak station for $18. The trip takes about 90 minutes.  Parking in Providence is $10 per day and the ship runs May-October.

By the way, It's a good idea to visit the Ferry websites and get a reservation in advance.

To plane or to Ferry?

Those Cape Air Cessnas look pretty small.  They're even smaller when you're about to board one.   The ferries from the Cape are the way to go - but if getting to the Cape on  a Summer Friday can be a nightmare.  So it's really a toss up!

More Martha's Vineyard: getting to Martha's Vineyard, Martha's Vineyard hotels & inns, Martha's Vineyard beaches, things to do & map. Or back to home.