Every Ferry to Martha's Vineyard: Routes, Parking, Fares & Booking Tips (2026)

Seven ferry services and two airlines connect Martha's Vineyard to the mainland. The Steamship Authority is the only year-round and only car-carrying option, but four seasonal passenger ferries offer alternatives from Falmouth, Hyannis, New Bedford, and Rhode Island. A major 2025–2026 policy change eliminated vehicle standby for non-residents at Woods Hole during terminal reconstruction — advance reservations are now essential. Here's every option with verified 2026 fares and practical strategy.

All Ferry Routes at a Glance

Flying: Cape Air year-round from Boston (~$159, 35 min), JFK (~$299), Nantucket (~$99). JetBlue seasonal from JFK, LaGuardia, Boston Logan, and Washington Reagan (from ~$99).

Parking at Every Departure Port

Woods Hole (SSA) — There is zero parking at the terminal. All parking is at off-site lots connected by free shuttle buses:

Parking is first-come, no advance reservations. Arrive at least 1 hour early in summer. Check real-time lot status: call (508) 457-PARK, tune 1610 AM, or check the SSA mobile site. Shuttle buses carry bike racks for 2 standard bikes; e-bikes are too heavy for shuttle racks — ride the Shining Sea Bike Path (3.5 mi) to the terminal instead.

Falmouth (Island Queen) — Two lots within 200 yards of the dock. General $20/day (cash only), valet $30/day (cards accepted). Lots rarely both fill. The easiest parking of any Cape ferry.

Hyannis (Hy-Line) — 220 Ocean Street. On-site $30/day peak (Jun–Sep), $10–22 shoulder season. Unique advantage: parking can be reserved in advance when booking ferry tickets. Overflow lot at 183 Iyannough Rd ($20/day) with free shuttle.

New Bedford (Seastreak) — Valet at pier $30/day (SMS-based, no reservation needed). Whale's Tooth lot (570 spaces) at 532 Acushnet Ave, ~$15/day with $5 shuttle. Completely bypasses Cape Cod traffic.

Rhode Island (Vineyard Fast Ferry) — Dockside parking $15/day at 1347 Roger Williams Way, North Kingstown. Walk straight from car to ferry. Easiest parking of all.

Which Ferry Works Best for You

Budget travelers: SSA walk-on at $11 one-way ($22 round trip) is the cheapest by far. Combine with Peter Pan Bus from Boston South Station (~$30) for ~$40–55 total per person, zero parking. On-island, VTA buses are fare-free through at least spring 2026.

Day trippers: SSA offers hourly departures for maximum flexibility at $22 RT. Take a 7–8 AM ferry for up to 13 hours on-island. For a shorter visit, Island Queen lands directly in Oak Bluffs — Flying Horses Carousel, ice cream, and shops all walkable. See our One Day Itinerary for planning help.

Families with kids: SSA's large vessels (M/V Island Home carries 1,274 passengers) have elevators, spacious restrooms, snack bar, free WiFi, and open-air decks. Children under 5 ride free on all ferries. Strollers are free everywhere. For the full family planning guide, see Martha's Vineyard with Kids.

Coming from New York: Best value: drive to New Bedford (~3.5 hrs) + Seastreak (50 min) — bypasses all Cape traffic. Total: gas + $84 RT ferry + $15–30 parking. Seastreak also runs direct from East 35th St, Manhattan (~5 hrs, $115+) on select summer weekends. Budget option: Peter Pan Bus to Woods Hole (~7 hrs, $50–70) + SSA walk-on.

Bringing a car: SSA is the only car ferry. Peak one-way ~$98+ for a car under 17 ft, plus passenger tickets. A family of four with a car: roughly $260+ round trip. However, many find it cheaper to walk on and rent on-island — daily rentals start ~$38–50/day. See our Boston to MV guide for route options.

Travelers with disabilities: SSA is the most accessible — full ADA compliance with elevators, accessible restrooms, wheelchair-accessible shuttles, and a Transportation Access Pass for discounted fares. Other ferries are limited to the main deck only with no elevators.

Booking Strategy: The SSA February Scramble

SSA opens summer vehicle reservations in a structured sequence each year:

• Mid-January (8 AM): Head Start for enrolled island residents (~2 weeks)
• Early February (8 AM): General public online reservations open for May–October
• ~1 week later (7:30 AM): Phone and in-person reservations begin

The online opening uses a virtual waiting room that randomly assigns queue positions — logging in early gives no advantage. In 2025, SSA processed ~23,014 transactions on opening day (~$7.3 million). Peak Friday and Sunday slots fill within hours.

Winning strategy: Create your SSA account in advance, have vehicle details ready (year, make, model, plate), queue at 8 AM sharp, and have flexible backup dates. If your dates are gone, join the Wait List (auto-searches for cancellations). Midweek slots are easier to get and cheaper — $127 vs $168 one-way for vehicles.

Critical change: Vehicle standby has been eliminated for non-residents during Woods Hole terminal reconstruction (through ~2027). You cannot show up without a reservation and expect to board.

Foot passengers don't need reservations — buy tickets day-of at the terminal or via the eFerry app. But peak summer sailings can reach capacity, so arrive 45–60 minutes early.

Other ferries: Island Queen now requires reservations (opens ~February 1). Hy-Line reservations "highly recommended" — walk-up is risky in summer. Seastreak and RI Fast Ferry: book online to avoid $5 walk-up surcharges.

Pets, Bikes & Children's Fares

Pets ride free on all ferries — leash or crate required. SSA allows pets in all non-food areas. Seastreak restricts pets to outdoor decks only (no pets on NYC route). Service animals permitted everywhere per ADA.

Want to estimate your full trip budget including ferry fares? Try our Trip Cost Calculator.

Island Queen also carries kayaks and paddleboards ($6 OW). On SSA, cyclists board first — wait near the front of the loading area. For island bike routes, see our cycling guide.

Weather Cancellations & First-Timer Tips

Summer cancellations are rare. SSA, as the statutory island lifeline, treats cancellation as a last resort. Wind above 30 mph raises concern; sustained 45–60+ mph gusts halt service. Fog alone rarely cancels SSA ferries (radar navigation) but may cause delays. Smaller catamarans (Seastreak, Hy-Line, RI Fast Ferry) cancel more easily in moderate conditions.

If cancelled: SSA waives all fees and lets you rebook to any date. Island Queen provides full refunds when they cancel. Hy-Line requires calling (800) 492-8082 — refunds aren't automatic. Seastreak refunds only with Trip Protection ($5 OW). RI Fast Ferry gives full automatic refunds — the most traveler-friendly weather policy.

Seasickness: SSA's large ferries are the smoothest — "you can barely feel it moving." The roughest crossing is RI Fast Ferry (95 min of open water). Take Dramamine 30–60 min before boarding, sit center-lower, watch the horizon, and choose early morning crossings when seas are calmest.

Luggage: SSA has no bag limits and provides free carts. Seastreak: 1 carry-on + 1 personal item free, extras $7.50. RI Fast Ferry: strictest policy — suitcases $10/bag each way.

When Woods Hole Parking Is Full

Peak summer Saturdays fill all SSA lots. Your escape plan:

1. Check before driving: Call (508) 457-PARK or check the SSA mobile site
2. Accept a farther SSA lot — Landers or Cataumet. Same price, same free shuttle
3. Try the Woods Hole Garage — $40/day, 100 yards from terminal, call (508) 548-5150
4. Switch ferries: Island Queen from Falmouth ($20 parking, no shuttle) or Seastreak from New Bedford (bypasses the Cape entirely)
5. Ditch the car: Peter Pan Bus from Boston South Station (~$16–45, ~2 hours) runs directly to the SSA terminal. The Shining Sea Bike Path covers 3.5 mi from Palmer Ave to the terminal

Summer traffic warning: Bourne Bridge to Woods Hole is 18 miles/25 minutes without traffic. On peak Fridays and Saturdays, expect 45–75+ minutes. Allow 3 hours from Boston including driving, parking, and shuttle. Arriving the night before in Falmouth eliminates morning stress entirely.

For more transport options, see Getting from Boston to MV, our Day Trip guide, and the VTA Bus Schedule for getting around the island once you arrive.