Boston to Martha's Vineyard

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

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Martha's Vineyard is an island, so however you travel from Boston, the trip ends with a ferry across Vineyard Sound. The main question is how you get to the ferry terminal at Woods Hole in the first place — by bus, by car, or by a direct seasonal boat straight from Boston itself — and this guide sets out the realistic options and honest timings for each.

The classic way: bus or drive to Woods Hole, then the ferry

The standard route is to travel first to Woods Hole, on Cape Cod, and then take the Steamship Authority ferry across to the island. Direct buses run from Boston (typically from South Station or Logan Airport) to Woods Hole in around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on traffic on the approach to the Cape. Driving takes a broadly similar amount of time outside peak summer weekends, though the final stretch onto Cape Cod can slow considerably on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings in July and August.

From Woods Hole, the Steamship Authority ferry to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs takes about 45 minutes. It is the only ferry operator permitted to carry vehicles to the island, so anyone bringing a car must book this crossing specifically and well in advance for summer travel — vehicle space sells out weeks ahead in peak season. Passenger-only tickets are easier to get on short notice, but even these are worth booking ahead on midsummer weekends.

The direct option: seasonal fast ferry from Boston

Between late spring and early autumn, a direct high-speed passenger ferry runs straight from Boston to Martha's Vineyard, cutting out the need to travel to Woods Hole at all. The crossing takes around 3 to 3.5 hours — longer in total than the bus-plus-ferry combination, but with the advantage of a single booking and no changes. This suits travellers who want the simplest possible journey and don't mind trading a little extra time for convenience, though it runs a more limited schedule than the year-round Woods Hole crossing and only operates in the warmer months.

Bringing a car

If you plan to have a car on the island, you must use the Woods Hole vehicle ferry, and reservations are essential for summer sailings — walk-up vehicle space is rarely available in July and August and can be scarce on shoulder-season weekends too. Many visitors choose to leave their car on the mainland instead and rely on the island's local bus network, taxis and bike rentals, which cover Martha's Vineyard's main towns and beaches comfortably without the cost and hassle of the vehicle crossing.

Why there is no train and only a seasonal flight case

There is no rail line to Woods Hole or anywhere else useful for this journey, so the train is not part of the picture at all. Flying is technically possible — Martha's Vineyard Airport receives seasonal flights from Boston — but for most travellers it adds cost without saving meaningful time once airport transfers on both ends are factored in, and it lacks the appeal of the ferry crossing itself, which many visitors consider part of the experience.

Getting around once you arrive

Martha's Vineyard has its own local bus network, run by the Vineyard Transit Authority, connecting the island's main towns — Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown and further afield to Aquinnah — reasonably well in season, with a reduced timetable outside the busy summer months. Taxis and bike rentals are widely available in the main towns too, and cycling is a genuinely popular way to get around given the island's relatively flat terrain and network of dedicated paths linking several of the towns. This local network is a large part of why many visitors choose to leave a car on the mainland rather than pay for the vehicle ferry.

Which should you choose?

For most travellers without a car, the bus to Woods Hole plus the Steamship Authority ferry is the most reliable, frequent and reasonably priced option, running year-round rather than only in summer. If convenience matters more than a slightly longer total journey, the seasonal direct ferry from Boston avoids any changes. Anyone bringing a car has no real choice: it must be the Woods Hole vehicle ferry, booked as far ahead as possible for summer travel.

Where to land: Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs

Most Woods Hole ferries land at either Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs, and the two are close enough together — a short taxi or bus ride apart — that it rarely matters hugely which one your sailing uses. Vineyard Haven tends to have slightly more year-round ferry traffic, while Oak Bluffs sees more sailings in the summer season and sits closer to some of the island's liveliest restaurants and shops. Either makes a perfectly good arrival point, and onward buses and taxis from both connect easily to Edgartown and the island's other towns.

Practical tips for the trip

• Book vehicle ferry reservations for Woods Hole as early as your dates are confirmed if travelling in summer — this is the single biggest bottleneck for anyone bringing a car.
• Passenger tickets can usually be bought closer to travel, but booking ahead for July and August weekends avoids any risk of being turned away at a sold-out sailing.
• Check whether your ferry lands at Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs, since the two are a short distance apart and it affects how you reach your accommodation on arrival.

Timing your visit

Martha's Vineyard is busiest from late June through Labor Day, when both bus seats and ferry space are at their most constrained and prices climb accordingly. Late spring and early autumn offer a genuinely good compromise — most services still run, the island is far less crowded, and the weather is often still pleasant enough for beach walks if not always swimming. Our guide to Boston to Cape Cod covers the wider peninsula if you plan to combine the island with time on the Cape itself, and our Boston airport to the city guide covers getting into town first if you are starting from Logan. If Boston is only a stop on a longer Northeast trip, our New York to Boston guide covers the Amtrak Acela and Regional services along the corridor, and our CharlieCard guide for Boston covers the transit card worth having if you spend any time on the city's own subway and bus network before heading to the coast. Our Boston to Portland guide covers a comparable coastal day trip north to Maine by the Amtrak Downeaster, if you are weighing up other options for your time in New England.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Boston to Martha's Vineyard?

Take a bus or drive to Woods Hole (about 1h15–1h30), then the Steamship Authority ferry across to the island (about 45 minutes), or use the seasonal direct high-speed ferry from Boston (about 3–3.5 hours).

Do I need to book the ferry in advance?

Vehicle reservations for the Woods Hole ferry are essential in summer and should be booked as early as possible. Passenger tickets are more flexible but still worth booking ahead for peak weekends.

Can I fly from Boston to Martha's Vineyard?

Yes, seasonal flights serve Martha's Vineyard Airport, but for most travellers the cost and airport transfers make it less practical than the bus-and-ferry route.

Do I need a car on Martha's Vineyard?

Not necessarily. The island has local buses, taxis and bike rentals that cover the main towns and beaches, so many visitors leave their car on the mainland and travel as foot passengers.