Travel to Martha's Vineyard

Traveling to Martha's Vineyard Island can be a challenge but it does not have to be. If you allow some time and do some planning you can enjoy the journey.

Timing is Everything

Make your plans as soon as you can. For a car you will need Ferry Reservations from the Steamship Authority website. They are available starting in January of each year. If you are on our mailing list we will send you a notification.

The Steamship Authority has an excellent waitlist system that has replaced the old standby line. First, you make reservations as close to your ideal dates and times and then you get onto the waitlist with the date and times you prefer. Make your waitlist times. If you are too specific you may not get filled. In our experience, this works very well. Try constantly and do not be afraid to call for advice from the Authority.

If you have to have your car then there is no substitute for making early ferry reservations Take the time to make an online account and do it that way. Waiting on the phone is normally torture.

Allow plenty of time. If you rush it makes it stressful for all involved. If you get to Woods Hole early for your boat then check out the town. Walk over the bridge to the North West of the town and explore the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Have a relaxing meal at one of their excellent restaurants like the Lee Side or Landfall. These are just some of the restaurants along the way - from North to South

Sandys at 7 Bourne Road under the Bridge
Cape Cod Bagel Company - 419 Palmer Ave Falmouth

Cars are not needed for your trip to Martha's Vineyard

You can do it all without a car. Many of our guests come to the island without one. We are in town and easy walking distance to everything in Edgartown. There are plenty of cabs that come when they are called and they use 12-15 passenger vans for the most part. The MV bus system is really good and a short walk from the house. The cost and hassle of taking a car to the island through the Steamship authority (the only way to do it) is often more money than taking a cab anywhere you want to go (rainy day in Oak Bluffs, grocery shopping, out to dinner and then maybe out to a bar.) If you have to do errands do them EARLY in the morning.

If you decide to leave the car there are at least five other ways to get to the island. I prefer the Falmouth Edgartown Ferry especially if my travel plans can avoid Cape traffic (thickest on Friday and Sunday Evenings). The "Pied Piper" offers valet parking. On arrival they come in at the Edgartown Town Dock. From there the Captain Morse House is only two blocks away and an easy walk. We have a garden cart to carry luggage in the tool shed or a cab is easy to get . When you are ready to leave the Ferry takes you back to Falmouth and your car is ready and waiting for you. This is by far the most relaxing and fun way to go.

A similar service is the Patriot that goes from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs - 508-548-2626. They run earlier and later than other choices.

The Sea Streak (was the NE Fast Ferry) from New York to Martha's Vineyard will not be running for 2023. They blame work at home but I think it was the high ticket costs. Flying was cheaper.

For folks who want to travel by Air there are several that service the island. The price is reasonable and will allow connections from other parts of the country. Again once on the island you will really not miss a car.

There is good bus service from Logan Airport through South Station to Woods Hole. Relax and let Peter Pan Bus Lines do the driving. Allow extra time for traffic if you are returning north to the airport. Traffic can sometimes interfere with the best laid plans.

Travel Distances

  • Nearest Airport - Martha's Vineyard Airport, West Tisbury 5.7 Miles - For private planes Katama Airpark 3.5 miles
  • Nearest Ferry - Passenger = Falmouth Ferry Dock Street .2 miles Car = Steamship Authority Oak Bluffs 5.9 miles
  • Nearest Train - Amtrak Station in Boston 86 miles
  • Nearest Beach - Lighthouse Beach and others 9 minute walk
  • Nearest Golf - Vineyard Golf Club and others 3 miles
  • Nearest Restaurant - Harbor View Hotel and others 4 minute walk

 Links with local travel information:

 

 Get to the Island by water:

    Steamship Authority Ferry

    The Ferry Service known as the Steamship Authority is the most popular way to travel to the island

    Martha's Vineyard Steamship Authority

    508-477-8600

    If you want to bring a vehicle this is your only option. The easiest way to make a reservation is to go to the website of the steamship authority, register an account, and then search for the reservation dates you want. There is a post on how to make early-season reservations located here. Reservations for next year's season start in January.

    I make a few advanced reservations for my prime unrented weeks. These are available on a first come first served basis to people making new reservations. 

    If you cannot find your ideal reservations I have found that the Steamship Authority waiting list works very well. I have always gotten my choice filled.
    What I do is secure the best available date and time and then waitlist a reasonable window for my preferred date and time. For example, If I want to leave the island on the 10th I will make the window anytime from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The bigger the window the more likely a fill will occur. After filling a waitlist you can always try again to get closer to your preferred travel time.

       Passenger only Ferries

      • Falmouth Edgartown Ferry 508-548-9400 A seasonal passenger ferry ride from Falmouth to a block from our Edgartown Martha's Vineyard front door
      • Sea Streak  508-477-8600 Fast Ferry Service from New Jersey, New York and New Bedford to MV
      • Vineyard Fast Ferry from Rhode Island 401-295-4040 Goes from Quonset, R.I. to Oak Bluffs on MV - very fast 1.5 hours
      • Island Queen - 508-548-4800 Passenger Ferry goes from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs on MV
      • Hy-Line Cruises - 508-790-0696 Passenger Ferry goes from Hyannis to Oak Bluffs on MV
        This passenger ferry also connects seasonally from Oak Bluffs on MV to Nantucket
      • Patriot from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs - 508-548-2626  This passenger ferry is what the locals take when the other ferry's stop running

      Once On Island

      • MVTA Transit Bus System - website
      • Taxis - website
      • Bikes - We provide bikes at the house. You can also rent
      • Uber & Lyft are also good on Island transportation alternatives

      Car Rentals

      Links with local travel information:

      Limo Pricing from Airports

      Mention code "CMH" for Captain Morse House and receive a 10% discount on your fare.
      Green shuttle runs from TF Green Airport in Providence or from Logan in Boston from $155
      Green Vehicles handle up to 10 passengers + luggage available. Tip is not included.

      Boston Carriage617-828-5646 800-905-9025
       1-3 Full Size Sedan $246 to 11-27 Mini-Bus $790
      Tip included

      Five Star Luxury Transportation 617-799-7777
      $235 all inclusive Wood Hole to Logan Airport (2016)
      fivestarluxurytransportation@gmail.com

       

      Travel by air to the Island

      Air Service to MVY / Martha's Vineyard changes seasonally. Currently, we have service by most of the major carriers.
      Also see kayak.com or your favorite travel website.
      Here are some of them.

      American

      Delta

      JetBlue

      Cape Air

      Cape Air flies year-round to NYC, New Bedford, and Boston's Logan Airport. Cape Air is a smaller regional airline

      TRAVEL BY AIR ADVICE

      Air travelers should note that the cost is quite high and fog or bad weather will ground planes into MV. The ferries almost always run unless it is really bad weather.

      Travel by air is best through Logan Airport in Boston Mass with subsequent transportation to one of three ferries that leave from Falmouth or Woods Hole.

      From Logan there is a Peter Pan Bus Lines bus to Woods Hole that runs about $30 per person. There are other lines as well.

      You can also fly directly into Providence Rhode Island's TF Green Airport
      There is no easy bus from TF Green but you can get a limo.

      The final water part of the trip can be from any of the three ferries. Once on island, these two options will require a cab trip from the MV ferry terminal to the house - about $30

      • Woods Hole Steamship Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs $8.50
      • Falmouth Island Queen to Oak Bluffs $12.00

      The most fun trip is via this ferry which drops you within walking distance of the house.

      • Falmouth Edgartown Ferry $25.00

      Limo Pricing from Airports

      A better solution, especially for a group, maybe a private limo or van depending on how many are ready for pickup.

      Mention code "CMH" for Captain Morse House and receive a 10% discount on your fare.
      Green shuttle runs from TF Green Airport in Providence or from Logan in Boston from $155
      Green Vehicles handle up to 10 passengers + luggage available. Tip is not included.

      Boston Carriage617-828-5646 800-905-9025
       1-3 Full Size Sedan $246 to 11-27 Mini-Bus $790
      Tip included

      Five Star Luxury Transportation 617-799-7777
      $235 all inclusive Wood Hole to Logan Airport (2016)
      fivestarluxurytransportation@gmail.com

       

      From Falmouth to Boston

      General Info

      Links with local travel information:

       

      Car Rentals

       

      DRIVING

      The discussion here is for travel from Charlotte NC to Woods Hole MA. Since this start point is fairly far west you have a choice of going up 81 or 95. There is a lot of construction on route 95 at all times of the day so 81 would seem to me to be the easiest route.

      Suggested Northern Travel Routes from the Mid Atlantic

      The discussion here is for travel from Charlotte NC to Woods Hole MA. Since this start point is fairly far west you have a choice of going up 81 or 95. There is a lot of construction on route 95 at all times of the day so 81 would seem to me to be the easiest route.
      One excellent resource is Google Maps. You can actually pull the route inside of the map page to take into account a side trip or perhaps to take the Tappan Zee bridge rather than the George Washington bridge. Here is a link to Google Maps
      This ALL depends on your ferry reservations which should be made ASAP if you have not already done so.
      (You must include an allowance for arriving in the ferry line one hour in advance of the schedule sailing time. If you arrive 15 minutes before departure you may still get on but any closer than that and they may load a standby driver in your place.)

      OPTION ONE - Traveling on a Saturday with a stop before NY City
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      We have stopped at the Meadowlands / Secaucus in New Jersey the last few trips I have done.

      9.5 hours from Charlotte to Secaucus with about 4-5 hours left for the next day
      Make sure you ask what conventions or games are in the area as this could cause some congestion.
      This can be risky if there is traffic in the morning going through NY City so a weekday trip past the city would require extra time.
      The default route will take you over the "George Washington Bridge"
      An alternative is to go North to 87 over the Tappan Zee Bridge - less congestion and chance of being stopped in traffic. This will need to be manually planned.
      You can google "secaucus hotels nj" to see several hotel suggestions
      Nicer Holiday Inn hotel we like a lot.
      Meadow Plazza Hotel is being renovated and getting better each trip we take.
      https://www.meadowlandsplazahotel.com/
      40 Wood Avenue, Secaucus, NJ 07094 PHONE: (201) 272-1000 RESERVATIONS: (866) 272-0060
      OPTION TWO - Traveling on a Saturday with a stop after NY City
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      If you have an early boat I would suggest a stop in Essex or Mystic CT which is 11.5-12.5 hours from Charlotte. This means you need to leave Essex 3.5 to 4 hours before your scheduled boat. They want you there 1 hour before departure.
      My Favorite spot, which is both gorgeous and historic, is the Griswold Inn in Essex. Of course this is the best choice if you have some time.
      There are also fine hotels in the area nearby. Simply Google them.
      Another good spot to stop is Mystic which is actually worth a visit if you have the time.
      Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium are excellent stops for one and old.
      If you want to overnight before taking a boat I suggest the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth for a unique experience.
      There are MANY ways to do this. The trick is to allow plenty of time for the journey so that it is an adventure and not a forced march.

      Suggested Eastern Travel Routes from the Mid West

      You are going to end up on route 95 eventually so the only real decision is taking the George Washington Bridge or 87 over the Tappan Zee Bridge. Again the GW can be risky if there is traffic in the morning going through NY City. A weekday trip past the city will require extra time.

      The default route will take you over the "George Washington Bridge". There is a lot of construction on route 95 at all times of the day so 81 would seem to me to be the easiest route. See my suggested stopping spots above.

      Suggested Southern Travel Routes from Boston and Maine

      From Boston or Syracuse NY the routes are fairly obvious. They will all eventually put you onto 28-S. The trick is to avoid the flood of cars going on to the cape on Friday and off of the Cape on Sunday. If traffic is thick consider stopping for a bite to eat. The Western Bourne Bridge is always the better choice than the Eastern Sagamore Bridge. I also tend to like the southern road along the canal when heading north and the northern road along the canal when heading south.

      By Private Boat

      Dockage and Mooring reservations can be booked through the harbormaster's office

      Edgartown Harbormaster will start accepting reservations for the upcoming season on 02/16/2022 at 10:00am EST.

      508-627-4746 or email us at edgharbor@gmail.com
      Dockage reservations open Wednesday 16-February-2022
      Mooring reservations open Tuesday, 01-March-2022

      Click here to create an account so you can make a reservation on Dockwa

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