By Air or SEa? How to Get to Martha's Vineyard

While getting to Martha’s Vineyard can pose some challenges the trip is always worth it! The beautiful beaches, world class restaurants, rolling hills, rustic charm and relaxed Island vibe are reasons thousands of people continue to visit year after year to share in the magic of Martha’s Vineyard. While there’s extra logistics involved in getting here the payout is huge–the mainland just can’t compare. Martha’s Vineyard is a small island located just 7 miles from Cape Cod. There is no bridge, and no tunnel, meaning there are only two ways to get here, by air or by sea. 

By Air
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Cape Air offers daily, year-round flights from Boston, and additional seasonal service from New Bedford, Hyannis and Nantucket in Massachusetts, New York’s JFK, ZYP and Westchester, New York. The Martha’s Vineyard Airport code is MVY and the airport is located in the middle of the Island, at 71 Airport Rd, West Tisbury. Taxicab and car service pick up is available from the airport (we recommend planning in advance), as well as bus service from the Vineyard Transit Authority and onsite car rental options trough Avis, Budget, and Hertz.

As for commercial airlines, Delta provides seasonal flight service direct from New York’s LaGuardia airport to Martha’s Vineyard select days of the week between Memorial Day and Labor Day. American Airlines provides seasonal service from Washington, DC, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Charlotte Douglas (CLT), and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). JetBlue ​offers seasonal daily service to Martha's Vineyard from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Boston Logan International (BOS), Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). New in 2021,  Elite Airways now offers seasonal non-stops from White Plains, New York (HPN).

Private Air Charters are another year-round option for getting here in the sky. Tradewind Aviation offers scheduled shared charter flights to Martha’s Vineyard as well as private charter service and Jannus Air Charter offers on demand air charter services Martha’s Vineyard throughout New England, to popular destinations including White Plains, NY, Bar Harbor, ME, Providence, RI, Boston, MA, East Hampton, NY and more. 

By Sea
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The Steamship Authority is the only year round ferry service to Martha’s Vineyard and it’s the only ferry service that allows for transportation of your car or automobile. If you decide on taking your car, be sure to contact the Steamship Authority as soon as you know your travel dates to make a reservation–their summer schedule can book up months in advance. If you are walking on, you will need to park at one of the designated Steamship Authority parking lots where you will park your car and board their complimentary shuttle. The shuttle runs frequently and brings you to the ferry terminal in Woods Hole where you will purchase your passenger ticket and board the boat. Allot at least 30 minutes to park, take the shuttle, and purchase your ticket before the scheduled boat’s departure.

The Patriot Party Boat offers year round service between Falmouth Harbor and Oak Bluffs harbor as well as 24-hour water taxi service if you miss another scheduled boat or need late night or early morning transportation. Parking is available in Falmouth and a free shopping shuttle is available to the Falmouth Mall and Falmouth Plaza, allowing you to shop Kappy's, Christmas Tree Shop, Staples, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Walmart and other stores.
 
In the summer season there are several additional passenger ferry services and water shuttles.

• The Island Queen operates service between Falmouth Harbor and Oak Bluffs harbor from May to October. Parking available in Falmouth.
• The Falmouth Edgartown Ferry operates seasonal service from Falmouth harbor to Edgartown harbor from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Their 72-foot luxury fast ferry, the Pied Piper, is the only ferry that sails into Edgartown Harbor.
•  Hyline Cruises operates seasonal service from Hyannis harbor to Oak Bluffs harbor from May to October. Parking is available in Hyannis, arrive at least 45 minutes prior to departure to allow for drop-off, parking and ticketing. Hyline also operates the only seasonal inter-Island ferry which allows for direct transportation between Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket from May to October.
• The Seastreak offers seasonal ferry service from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.  Relax onboard one of their luxury catamaran ferries from New Jersey, New York City, Boston, or New Bedford.
• Martha’s Vineyard Fast Ferry operates seasonal high-speed ferry service between Quonset Point, Rhode Island and Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard from May to October. Enjoy a  quick 95-minute trip with business-class service and avoid the Cape Cod summer traffic!

For additional information on getting here and getting around browse through all of our help travel tips at mvy.com.