By Ferry

Car-and-passenger ferries travel to Martha's Vineyard from Woods Hole on Cape Cod. Service is year-round to Vineyard Haven and from late May through September to Oak Bluffs. In season, passengers-only ferries serve Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs from Rhode Island, Falmouth and Hyannis on Cape Cod, and from New Bedford. All provide parking lots where you can leave your car overnight ($7-$12 per night).

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From Rhode Island ~ Vineyard Fast ferry

(Quonset Point, RI ~ Phone: 401/295-4040;  www.vineyardfastferry.com) New fast ferry state-of-the-art high-speed catamaran makes the trip from Quonset Point, Rhode Island to Oak Bluffs in just 90-minutes from late May through Columbus Day. The round-trip fee is $69.00 per passenger, $10.00 for bicycles; the one-way fee is $46.00, $5.00 for bicycles. Reservations are highly recommended.  Plenty of dockside parking available for $10.00 per day.  Vineyard Fast Ferry avoids all the Providence, New Bedford and Cape Cod traffic.  Our ferry the largest and fastest high-speed ferry to the island with first-class amenities; 400 passengers, three viewing levels, outside sun-deck seating or plush-cushioned interior seating with climate controlled interiors, restrooms and a full-service bar.  The fast and easy way to Martha’s Vineyard!

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From Woods Hole

The Steamship Authority (PHONE: 508/477-8600 for information and car reservations; 508/693-9130 on the Vineyard; 508/540-1394 TTY for information and car reservations; 508/548-3788 for day-of-sailing information; www.steamshipauthority.com ) runs the only car ferries to Martha's Vineyard. They make the 45-minute trip to Vineyard Haven daily year-round and to Oak Bluffs from late May through September. If you plan to take a car to the island in summer, you must have a reservation (specifically Memorial Day Weekend, Friday through Monday from the end of June to mid-September, and every day for the first two weeks of July).

Standby reservations are otherwise available, but make it easy on yourself and get an advance reservation, whenever you travel during the summer. Passenger reservations are never necessary. You should book your car reservation as far ahead as possible; in season, call weekdays from 5 AM to 9:55 PM for faster service. Those with confirmed car reservations must be at the terminal 30 minutes (45 minutes in season) before sailing time. The one-way year-round fee for passengers is $6.50; bicycles are $3. For cars, the one-way in-season (mid-May-mid-October) fee is $72.00 per car (not including passengers). Call for off-season rates. Tickets may be purchased through the contact numbers above or at Peter Pan bus terminals. A number of parking lots in Falmouth hold the overflow of cars when the Woods Hole lot is filled, and free shuttle buses take passengers to the ferry, about 15 minutes away. Signs along Route 28 heading south from the Bourne Bridge direct you to open parking lots, as does AM radio station 1610, which can be picked up within 5 miles of Falmouth.

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From Hyannis Hy-Line

Ocean St. dock, Phone: 508/778-2600; 800/492-8082; 508/693-0112 in Oak Bluffs; www.hy-linecruises.com makes the 1¾-hour run to Oak Bluffs May to October. The one-way per-person fee is $29.00; bicycles are $10.00. The parking lot fills up in summer, so call to reserve a space in high season. Note: this is not a car ferry.

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The Island Queen

(Falmouth Harbor, Phone: 508/548-4800; www.islandqueen.com) makes the 35-minute trip to Oak Bluffs from late May through Columbus Day. The round-trip fee is $12.00 per passenger, $6 for bicycles; the one-way fee is $6, $3 for bicycles. No reservations are necessary.

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Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry From New Bedford

www.mvfastferry.com 1-866-683-3779
State pier, New Bedford. This boat leaves New Bedford for Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven. Travel time 45 minutes. This is a great convenience for our visitors from Rhode Island and South. Passengers only. Parking available. Operates year round.

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By Bus

Peter Pan Bus Lines 888/751-8800; www.peterpanbus.com) travels to the Woods Hole ferry port on Cape Cod from Boston's Logan Airport, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York year-round.

Greyhound (PHONE: 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com) also provides service from U.S. destinations to Woods Hole.


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The Steamship Authority runs the only car ferries to Martha's Vineyard, departing from Woods Hole, about 75 miles from Boston. From Boston, take I-95 to Route 495/25 East, then take U.S. Route 6 across the Bourne Bridge and follow Route 28 South to Falmouth and Woods Hole. From other U.S. locations, take I-95 to Highway 25 East, then U.S. Route 6 to Route 28 South.
Remember that it is necessary to book your car reservation as far ahead as possible.


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