Travel Information to Martha’s Vineyard

Flight Options

Flying into Boston is likely to be the best option for most travelers but you could also consider flying into Providence, RI. Another option is to connect through Boston, Providence, or even New York, if you’re interested in arriving on Martha’s Vineyard by air. As you might imagine, this is the most convenient and, of course, the most expensive option. You can make travel arrangements through your airline or booking website. You should also make arrangements for transportation from the airport to Oak Bluffs prior to arrival.

Getting to the Ferry

By Car from Boston to Woods Hole
If you plan on driving to the Cape, you’ll need to reserve a space for your vehicle on the ferry. The Steamship Authority will begins taking vehicle reservations at the beginning of January and we highly advise that you to make the reservation as soon as possible. The island is very busy in August and getting vehicle reservations on any of the ferries can be tricky. Alternatively, you may consider leaving the car behind. It’s very easy to get around the island without a car, so unless you’re traveling with a large family or with lots of luggage, then we strongly recommend going without a car. You could also look into rentals on island; jeeps are a popular thing, as are bikes.

By Bus from Boston to Woods Hole
If you are traveling by bus, there are a few convenient options. Peter Pan bus company runs out of Boston, Providence, or New York airports and drops passengers off at the Woods Hole Steamship Authority for $20-40 / person. You can virtually walk off your plane, onto the bus, which will deliver you the the boat with minimal hassles. Peter Pan buses have power outlets at every seat and free WiFi, so it’s the best way to protect your sanity from traffic. If you’re not flying into Boston, you’ll depart from South Station, rather than the Logan.

Ferry to the Island

By Ferry from Woods Hole
As mentioned above, vehicle reservations on the ferry need to be made far in advance. If you’re traveling to the Cape by bus or if you plan park in one of the Falmouth lots for the weekend, then you can purchase a roundtrip ferry ticket  –  $16 / adult  –  when you arrive at the docks and simply walk-on to any boat. There’s no need to purchase walk-on tickets in advance and there are plenty of boats departing Woods Hole throughout the day. Half of the boats take passengers to Vineyard Haven and the other half go to Oak Bluffs, typically they alternate every hour. Since our wedding activities will be held in Oak Bluffs, we recommend taking one of the ferries there, unless you are facing a wait of an hour or more, in which case you should just jump on the next departing boat and take a shuttle bus from Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs. If you’d prefer to plan ahead, you can review the Steamship Authority ferry schedule online.

If you’re staying in Vineyard Haven, you can just take a boat there and use public transportation or taxi to get to Oak Bluffs for wedding events. When you arrive in Oak Bluffs, most of the hotels are less than a five minute walk from the boat and you’ll pass by our church on the way. Not up for the walk with luggage? No problem. Please feel free to give us a call when you are on the boat and we can make arrangements to pick you up at the docks and deliver you and your luggage directly to your hotel. From there, it’s off to the beach!

By Fast-Ferry from New Bedford, MA
There’s a fast-ferry option out of New Bedford, MA. The fast-ferry is a small, speedy boat, it offers a comfortable ride, and will shave at least an hour off your trip, plus you get to avoid Cape traffic. The tradeoff is that it’s significantly more expensive; around $70 / person, round-trip versus $16 each. If you prefer the fast boat ride and you’re all about avoiding Cape traffic, then you should consider taking a Peter Pan bus from Boston Logan or South Station to New Bedford. If you’re able to time it right, you could really get from Boston to boat to your hotel in three hours or less.

By Fast-Ferry from Providence / Quonset, RI
Another option is to fly into Providence, RI. There’s a second fast-ferry company that provides roundtrip shuttle service from airport to boat. If you’re flying in from the west coast and you’re not planning on spending any time in Boston, this is could be a brilliant option if you get good airfare because you’ll end up avoiding Logan hassles and the bus trip in Cape traffic. If you’re interested in either fast-ferry options, be sure to book in advance and be sure to schedule a boat that will deliver you to Oak Bluffs, if possible, rather than to Vineyard Haven. 

Getting Around the Island

Once you’re on the island there’s a pretty nice public transportation system that will take you just about anywhere you’s like to visit. If you’re staying at one of our recommended inns in Oak Bluffs, you’ll be within walking distance of our wedding venues, plus many great shops, tons of excellent restaurants, and even the beach! If you’d like to see other parts of the island, there is a bus stop right in town that will take you to Edgartown in no time or to the other side of the island. There are also ample taxis, if you want to go directly to one of the lighthouses or a specific restaurant.