By ferry
| Ferry | From | Lands | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steamship Authority | Woods Hole | Vineyard Haven (year round), Oak Bluffs (seasonal) | The only car ferry. About 45 minutes. Car reservations required. |
| Island Queen | Falmouth | Oak Bluffs | Passengers and bikes. About 35 minutes. Late May to mid-October. |
| Hy-Line Cruises | Hyannis | Oak Bluffs | High-speed, passengers and bikes. About an hour. Seasonal. |
| SeaStreak | New Bedford; New York City and New Jersey on summer weekends | Martha’s Vineyard (check the port) | High-speed, passengers and bikes. Its island port moved to Vineyard Haven in fall 2026. |
Every car trip on the Steamship Authority needs a reservation, and summer space goes months ahead, so book as soon as reservations open in winter. Car standby is not offered on holiday weekends or summer Fridays through Mondays. Island travelers can’t park at Woods Hole: use the Steamship Authority’s Falmouth and Bourne lots with free shuttle buses, and allow an extra hour in summer.
By air
Martha’s Vineyard Airport (MVY) is in the middle of the island. Airlines include Cape Air year round from Boston, with seasonal service from JetBlue, Delta and American from cities including New York, Washington and others. Schedules change each year, so check the airport’s airline page.
Rental cars at the airport come from Avis, Hertz and Budget; reserve early. Taxis and the VTA buses serve the airport too.
Do you need a car?
Not always. If you stay in or near Edgartown, Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven, you can walk, bike and take the bus, which saves the car reservation entirely. Up-island (West Tisbury, Chilmark, Aquinnah), a car makes life much easier. Many guests take the passenger ferry and rent a car on the island for a few days. See getting around.
Arrival day tips
- Book ferries before anything else, then line up your rental dates to match.
- Most weekly rentals start Saturday afternoon; plan a beach or lunch stop if your boat arrives early.
- Shop before you come or plan a grocery stop on the way: Saturday afternoons are busy at island markets.
- Your arrival details, door code and Wi-Fi are in your Guest Hub when you book with us.
Questions we hear
How long is the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard?
About 45 minutes on the Steamship Authority from Woods Hole, about 35 minutes on the Island Queen from Falmouth, and about an hour on Hy-Line from Hyannis or SeaStreak from New Bedford.
Which ferry takes cars to Martha’s Vineyard?
Only the Steamship Authority, from Woods Hole. Reservations are required and summer space books up months ahead.
Can I fly to Martha’s Vineyard?
Yes, into Martha’s Vineyard Airport (MVY): Cape Air year round from Boston, and seasonal flights from airlines including JetBlue, Delta and American.
Updated October 2026. Hours, seasons and rules change: check with each business or town before you go.