The Martha's Vineyard Times The Martha's Vineyard Times
The Martha's Vineyard Times The Martha's Vineyard Times The Martha's Vineyard Times
The Martha's Vineyard Times The Martha's Vineyard Times

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Getting to Martha's Vineyard

There are lots of stories of people who were born on the Vineyard and who, throughout their entire lifetimes, never left the island. There's a good reason for that - it's just too hard to get back on. Actually, to a first-time visitor who's trying to coordinate ferry reservations with house rental dates, it could very well seem that way. But in fact, there is a method to all the madness - hopefully this will help.

PARKING
If you're planning on departing from Woods Hole in the summer, you'll have to park in one of several Steamship Authority parking lots in Falmouth. Allow at least an extra hour to park and get on the boat.

TRAFFIC UPDATES
Current traffic information may be obtained by tuning your radio to 1601 AM or by tuning in to one of the following local stations:

WMVY 92.7 FM
WCIB 101.9 FM
WQRC 99.9 FM
WBUR 90.9 FM
WCAI 90.1 FM
WFPB 91.9 FM

AIR TRAVEL
Contact a travel agent for connecting flights to Martha's Vineyard or contact the following airlines directly:

Cape Air
www.flycapeair.com, 1-800-352-0714

US Airways Express
www.usairways.com, 1-800-428-4322

Providence Airport Connection - Fly into the Providence Airport (PVD) and connect with shuttle service to/from Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry in Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
May-Oct.  401-295-4040

If you have your own plane, visit the Martha's Vineyard Airport online, www.mvyairport.com.

TRAIN TRAVEL
Amtrak's Acela Express runs between Washington, D.C., and Boston, with a stop in Providence, R.I.
From Boston, take a bus or rent a car to continue your trip to the Steamship Authority ferries at Woods Hole on Cape Cod (http://web1.steamshipauthority.com/ssa/), a year-round ferry service to Martha's Vineyard.

Amtrak Connection - Take Amtrak to West Kingston, Rhode Island (KIN) and connect with shuttle service to/from Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry in Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
May-Oct.  (401) 295-4040. 

http://www.trainweb.org/kin/
http://www.amtrak.com/trains/acelaexpress.html

BUS TRAVEL
Bonanza Bus Lines serves New England and offers transportation from Boston, Providence, and New York to Woods Hole. For schedules and rates, go to www.bonanzabus.com, or call 1-800-556-3815.

FERRY SERVICES
The Steamship Authority, Woods Hole, MA
www.steamshipauthority.com
Year-round service
Passenger and vehicle

The Steamship Authority (SSA) operates a fleet of ferries year-round, servicing the islands of Martha's Vineyard (from Woods Hole) and Nantucket (from Hyannis).

Vehicle reservations should be made well in advance for the busy summer season. Passenger-only reservations are not necessary; tickets are on sale at all terminals.

The SSA recommends that all passengers and vehicles arrive ready to board at least 30 minutes before scheduled departures. Steamship Authority attendants (in uniform) are at your assistance; follow their instructions.

Public restrooms, an ATM, and visitor guides such as Vineyard Visitor are available at the Woods Hole terminal.

The travel time between Woods Hole and Martha's Vineyard is about 45 minutes. Restrooms and snacks are available on the ferries.

Note: For those who prefer to park their vehicles on the mainland, The Steamship Authority offers a shuttle service to and from Park and Ride lots. See Park and Ride info at http://web1.steamshipauthority.com/ssa/parkingwh.cfm

To get the Steamship Authority ferry updates, tune your radio to 1610 AM.

For schedules, rates, and reservation information, visit http://web1.steamshipauthority.com/ssa/

Island Queen, Falmouth, MA
www.islandqueen.com
Sept. 11 to Oct. 9
Passengers only

The Island Queen is a passenger-only ferry that runs between Falmouth and Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard. Reservations are not needed, but passengers should arrive 30 minutes before departure. There are two parking lots; the main lot is adjacent to the pier.

For driving directions, schedules, parking and passenger rates, visit http://www.islandqueen.com/sailinfo.htm#DIRECTIONS

Hy-Line Cruises, Hyannis, MA
www.hy-linecruises.com
Year-round service
Passengers only

Hy-line Cruises has a high-speed passenger-only ferry that runs between Hyannis and Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard. Passenger reservations are recommended; call 1-800-492-8082 or 1-508-778-2600.

For driving directions, schedules, parking and passenger rates, visit http://www.hy-linecruises.com/mv/high-speed.html

New England Fast Ferry Co., New Bedford, MA
www.mvexpressferry.com
Year-round service
Passengers only

This 1-hour express ferry runs between New Bedford and Martha's Vineyard (Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven mid-May to mid-October; Vineyard Haven mid-October to mid-May). For online reservations, ticket purchases, or driving directions to the ferry terminal at State Pier in New Bedford, visit www.mvexpressferry.com or call 1-866-MVFERRY (866-683-3779)

Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry, Quonset Point, RI
www.vineyardfastferry.com
May to Oct.
Passengers only

The Vineyard Fast Ferry, a passenger-only ferry that runs between Quonset Point, Rhode Island and Oak Bluffs, operates May through October. Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry is conveniently located right off Interstate 95 and is only12 minutes from the Providence Airport and 20 minutes from the Kingston Amtrak Station (Shuttle Services available). This is the only ferry that offers convenient dockside parking.

Reservations are recommended, visit www.vineyardfastferry.com or call 1-401-295-4040

Driving Directions to Steamship Authority terminal in Woods Hole
From NYC:
Take Route I-95 north through Connecticut and Rhode Island, and exit in Providence at Route I-195.

Follow Route 195 and exit at 22A to Route 25, traveling southeast to Cape Cod and over the Bourne Bridge. From the Bourne Bridge, follow Route 28 to Falmouth and Woods Hole. Allow at least 6 hours travel time; approximately 260 miles.

From Boston:
Take Route 3 south to the Sagamore Bridge and Route 6 towards Buzzard Bay. Cross the Bourne Bridge and follow Route 28 to Falmouth and Woods Hole. Or take I-93 south to Route 24 South until it intersects with I-495. Follow I-495 South, which becomes Route 25, to the Bourne Bridge. Allow at least 2 hours travel time; approximately 75 miles.

From Western Massachusetts:
Follow the Mass Turnpike east to exit 11A (Route I- 495). Follow 495 south to Cape Cod and cross the Bourne Bridge. From the Bourne Bridge follow Route 28 to Falmouth and Woods Hole.

Note: The distance between the Bourne Bridge and Woods Hole, where you board the Steamship Authority ferry to Martha's Vineyard is 18 miles; depending on the time of day or year, it's at least a 30-minute drive.

Gas Stations En Route to Woods Hole/Steamship Authority Terminal:
There is a CITGO station on Route 28 soon after you exit the rotary from the Bourne Bridge. Approximately two miles farther is a Mobil station and mini mart.

In Falmouth at the first traffic light there is a CITGO station and mini mart on the left. Continuing on to Woods Hole, there is a Mobil station on the right side before the Palmer Lot, the Steamship Authority's park and ride. If you miss all of these, there is a Gulf station farther along on Route 28, just before a blinker.

Eateries En Route to Woods Hole/Steamship Authority Terminal:
Look for fast food shops along Route 28. In Woods Hole, there is a variety of restaurants and delis. In season, there are ice cream shops and hot dog stands in the vicinity of the terminal.