vineyard-hero
Home-Slider4-K1-20180605-VSH-EmilyOBrienPhoto-294-Edit_LUXONEBEDLOCKOFF_LIVINGRM_FACINGBALCONY2
Home-Slider3-20180605-VSH-EmilyOBrienPhoto-1353-Edit_BREAKFAST_FOODDETAIL_FROMABOVE2
Home-Slider5-20180605-VSH-EmilyOBrienPhoto-934-Edit_FRONTPORCH_GUESTS2

How to Get to Martha’s Vineyard

A couple planning their Martha's Vineyard vacation.

When Martha’s Vineyard starts to slow down for the off-season, it’s time to turn your attention to planning next year’s memorable escape. From booking your stay at Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites to researching memorable things to do, there are plenty of things to do before your Martha’s Vineyard vacation. To help you get ready, we’ve put together a guide to frequently asked questions travelers have before they arrive.

How Do You Get to Martha’s Vineyard?

The best way to reach Martha’s Vineyard is by ferry. There are several service options available, and your best one will depend on where you are departing from. For example, the Steamship Authority is a great option for those departing from Woods Hole and bringing their car. There’s also Seastreak, which has fast ferry service from New Bedford. If you’re visiting between May and September, check out the Rhode Island Fast Ferry, which is a seasonal and passenger-only ferry.

Another great option that not everyone knows about is flying. Cape Air, Delta, and JetBlue all offer in-season flights.

Pro Tip: Book your ferry reservations early, especially if you are visiting during the peak season.

What Is the Best Way to Get Around the Island?

While you can bring your car, there are plenty of other ways to get from our Edgartown hotel to your adventures. Public transportation courtesy of the Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority is a great option. Some routes connect you to every town on the island. 

You can also go for a scenic ride on a rental bike. While we do offer complimentary bike rentals to our guests, we only have a limited number. If ours are all checked out, stop by Wheel Happy Bike Shops and Edgartown Bicycles.

Pro Tip: If you’re planning on riding the bus, purchase a multi-day pass.

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

The best time to visit can vary greatly depending on what you want to do during your stay. Summer is peak season and has great water and lively events. Soak in the sunshine at local beaches like Lighthouse Beach, or go on a sailing tour with Nauti Girl Excursions.

For a more relaxed and less crowded visit, plan your stay for late spring or early fall. For those visiting in the spring, you can enjoy popular natural attractions like the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest or the Island Alpaca Company without worrying about large crowds.

Pro Tip: If you’re visiting in the off-season, many businesses close or operate on shorter hours, so be sure to check websites for up-to-date information.

What Amenities Do We Offer?

A group of people on bikes on their Martha's Vineyard vacation.

Our hotel offers you more than a well-appointed room. We also have a number of amenities, all designed to enhance your stay. This list includes complimentary in-season continental breakfast, a fitness center, free bike rental, complimentary off-site parking, free use of beach chairs, board games, and afternoon treats.

Pro Tip: Be sure to stop by our front desk to ask our friendly staff for recommendations on where to eat and things to do during your Martha’s Vineyard vacation.

When Should You Book Your Stay at Our Edgartown Hotel?

Now! Winter is the best time to plan your Martha’s Vineyard vacation. Booking your stay at Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites early means you can get your top choice of lodging. Reserving your accommodation early means you have one less thing to worry about as your trip draws closer. Learn more about our hotel on Martha’s Vineyard and how to save by calling 508-627-4711.

Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Guide | Answers to Your Questions
Where to Find the Best Lobster Roll on Martha’s Vineyard
Who Wins in the Battle of Cape Cod vs Martha’s Vineyard?
Where to Take Photos on Martha’s Vineyard
Enjoy a Delicious Meal at Cafes in Edgartown
Cast Your Line with Martha’s Vineyard Fishing Charters
The Best Places to Eat on Martha’s Vineyard for Sweet Treats
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jaws on Martha’s Vineyard
A ferry, one of the top results when searching for how to get to Martha's Vineyard.

If you’re looking for a vacation filled with charm and adventure, look no further than Martha’s Vineyard. The New England island is home to numerous charming towns, including Edgartown. Home to Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites, the seaport village has countless things to do and see. However, before you can enjoy all the fun, you need to figure out how to get to Martha’s Vineyard. There are a few different ways to reach your final destination; keep reading to learn more about them.

What to Know about Riding the Ferry

In the movie Jaws, Chief Brody remarks, “It’s only an island if you look at it from the water.” Notwithstanding that island-centric outlook, visitors still have to cross a body of water to get to the Vineyard!

Found only two and a half miles off Massachusetts’ Cape Cod coast, the most popular way to reach Martha’s Vineyard is by ferry, and there are quite a few options. There are more offerings between May and October, but several routes are available year-round. Most ferries are passenger-only, so be sure to find out what parking options are available if you are driving to the dock.

The Steamship Authority provides the most extensive ferry schedule throughout the year, accommodating passengers and cars. Steamship ferries leave from Woods Hole on Cape Cod and arrive in Vineyard Haven year-round and Oak Bluffs during the summer and fall. If you plan on bringing a car, be sure to book well in advance, particularly during the summer season, as boats fill quickly.

Seastreak is a passenger-only, fast ferry service that leaves from New Bedford, MA, to Vineyard Haven. Once a seasonal operation, the Seastreak now runs year-round with multiple ferries to and from the Vineyard daily.

For those traveling from the NY metro area and points further south, or from Connecticut or Rhode Island and would like to cut down on the drive time to the Cape, there’s a great option. The  Rhode Island Fast Ferry is a high-speed ferry that takes vacationers from Quonset Point, RI, to Oak Bluffs. This service only runs during the summer and early fall, so check the schedule before planning your vacation.

The Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry drops riders off at Memorial Wharf, only about a five-minute walk from our Edgartown hotel. This seasonal ferry operates between Falmouth Harbor on Cape Cod and Edgartown.

You can also reserve your seat on Hy-Line Cruises. You can choose to depart from either Hyannis or Nantucket, but either service arrives at the Oak Bluffs Harbor. The Hy-Line is a seasonal ferry that operates only in the summer and fall.

One final option is The Island Queen. The seasonal service provides numerous daily departures between Falmouth on Cape Cod to Oak Bluffs.

What about Flying? 

Ferries aren’t the only way to reach Martha’s Vineyard. A second mode of transportation is by plane. Fly from Boston, New Bedford, Providence, Hyannis, or Nantucket on Cape Air. Just like ferries, other options become available during tourist season, including American Airlines, Delta, and Jet Blue

Once you reach Martha’s Vineyard, there are several ways to get around the island, including numerous taxi services, rental cars, and more. Check out our blog for more information.

Plan Your Next Edgartown Vacation Today

A couple relaxing on the porch of an Edgartown hotel after successfully figuring out how to get to Martha's Vineyard.

As you’re figuring out how to get to Martha’s Vineyard, reserve your room at Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites at the same time. Our charming boutique hotel is located in the heart of Edgartown, which means adventure is right around the corner. Have fun exploring all this popular New England destination has to offer before resting up at the hotel.

We have worked to provide several accommodation styles, which allows us to host groups of all budgets. Our Edgartown hotel also features several on-site amenities that’ll enhance any stay. To learn more about our hotel or special offers, call 508-627-4711.

Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Guide | Answers to Your Questions
Where to Find the Best Lobster Roll on Martha’s Vineyard
Who Wins in the Battle of Cape Cod vs Martha’s Vineyard?
Where to Take Photos on Martha’s Vineyard
Enjoy a Delicious Meal at Cafes in Edgartown
Cast Your Line with Martha’s Vineyard Fishing Charters
The Best Places to Eat on Martha’s Vineyard for Sweet Treats
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jaws on Martha’s Vineyard