If you’re like us, you’ve been getting to Martha’s Vineyard on the Steamship Authority ferry for years. It’s an affordable, scenic ride, and it’s the only ferry service that’ll take us year-round islanders to the mainland through January’s frigid waters and July’s heat waves alike. It’s also the only way to bring a vehicle on-island. Let’s say you don’t need to bring your car, though—most people who bring cars the first time realize they’re better off without them—and you’re looking to try something new. Maybe you’ve seen a Martha’s Vineyard fast ferry down at the wharf and wondered what it’s all about, or maybe the thought of Friday night’s long haul to Woods Hole from New York City is dragging on your work week. Whether you’re looking to fly or float, we’ve got Martha’s Vineyard transportation options to fit both your schedule and your budget.
The Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry
Stroll down to Edgartown Memorial Wharf during the months of June, July, or August, and there’s a good chance you’ll see the 72-foot MV Pied Piper docked there. This luxury fast ferry is the only operation that’ll drop you off right here in Edgartown, just a couple blocks down Kelly Street from Vineyard Square. At one hour, the trip takes about 15 minutes longer than the Steamship Authority ride from Woods Hole, but on peak summer travel days, you’ll easily make that time back by skipping the traffic you’d hit on the ride over from Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs. The Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry allows leashed pets and you can pay a small extra fee to bring your bike—just remember, no cars.
Getting to Martha’s Vineyard from New York City and New Jersey
Over the last few years, Seastreak’s luxury ferry service has really been catching on with the NYC crowd. Plush seating, satellite TV, and a full cash bar make the five-hour ride fly by. Seastreak’s high-end catamarans have both indoor and outdoor seating, so you can lounge in the sun instead of stewing in I-95 traffic. Compared to the hassle of flying or the long drive to another ferry, this just might be the fastest and most convenient way to get to Martha’s Vineyard from Manhattan. Assuming you get around New York without a car, you’re also skipping the $20-30 daily parking fee most other ferry services charge.
Want to fly to Martha’s Vineyard? Cape Air is the obvious go-to with daily flights from White Plains to MVY during peak season. This is a great option for folks who live north of the city, and you can also bundle a train ride to Penn Station with any flight. Did you know the major airlines service the island in the summer, too? Delta and JetBlue both fly direct from JFK, and American from LaGuardia.
Martha’s Vineyard Fast Ferry from Rhode Island
Rhode Island Fast Ferry runs luxury boats—think similar high-end amenities to Seastreak above—out of Quonset Point in North Kingstown, RI. One of our co-owners here at Vineyard Square commutes from Rhode Island often and swears by this service. Unlike other ferries, their parking lot is directly at the dock, so you can just pull in and hop on. You’ll arrive on-island in about an hour and forty minutes.
More Martha’s Vineyard Fast Ferry Options
Hy-line Cruises runs fast ferries out of Hyannis, which is especially convenient if you’re linking your Martha’s Vineyard trip with a visit to the Cape Cod mainland. Island Queen is another great option from Falmouth, with only a half-hour trip time.
Still unsure about the best way to get to Martha’s Vineyard for your needs? Remember that when you call us at Vineyard Square, you’re getting through to an on-island expert right here at our front desk in downtown Edgartown. We’d be more than happy to help with your arrangements and to recommend the perfect room or suite, too.
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