More about: Day Trips to Martha’s Vineyard from Boston
Martha's Vineyard is one of the best-known islands on the east coast of the United States. Located 150 kilometres from Boston, it is one of the most popular destinations for tourists when it comes to choosing excursions from the city to the surrounding area, and although the island is mainly a summer colony, it offers activities all year round.
If you are preparing your list of things to see and do in Boston and you like to enjoy the beaches, this destination will be a very appealing option for you. To get to Martha's Vineyard, you need to take a bus from Boston and then a ferry to the island's port, or you can opt for a plane trip and, once there, hire a tour so you don't miss anything. Some alternatives include all services and simplify your organisation. Below, I will tell you about all the options, with their advantages and disadvantages.
Martha's Vineyard Day Trip from Boston
Explore the charming island of Martha's Vineyard in a day from Boston
Enjoy a full day of nature, coastal villages, and beaches on one of New England's most picturesque islands. Transportation, ferry, and guide included.
If you are looking for a quiet getaway from the city, this excursion to Martha's Vineyard from Boston is ideal for you. You'll travel by air-conditioned minibus to Falmouth, where you'll take a ferry to this famous island. The tour is designed to allow you to enjoy the main attractions in complete comfort.
You'll have free time to explore places such as Oak Bluffs (with its iconic colourful houses), the cliffs of Aquinnah and elegant Edgartown at your own pace. You can also add a guided bus tour of the island as an additional option.
Includes water, snacks and the company of an expert guide who will give you tips on what to see, where to eat and how to get around this little paradise. Ideal for those looking for a relaxing day among seascapes and local charm.
Recommended if... you fancy something different, surrounded by nature, history and a great atmosphere without having to worry about organising the trip.
What is the full-day excursion to Martha's Vineyard from Boston like?
If you want to be sure that your trip is organised and a success from the moment you leave Boston, the best option is to choose an organised excursion that includes all transfers to the island and a tour to explore it. With this option, your experience will be more complete and you will have the assistance of an expert guide who will tell you everything about Martha's Vineyard.
The island has many attractions, especially if you are visiting Boston during the summer and decide to visit Martha's Vineyard, because the beaches are very beautiful and the weather is warm, although during the rest of the year it also offers attractions such as the local museum, the Aquinnah cliff viewpoint, and the Gay Head and Edgartown viewpoints.
Organising the visit on your own can be stressful because it is a destination that requires various means of transport, unless you decide to go by plane, although this is one of the most expensive options and the least popular among visitors. An organised tour will save you from having to arrange everything yourself and will save you time and money.
A complete organised tour lasts approximately twelve hours. You will start the tour in downtown Boston on a bus that will take you to Island Queen, where a ferry will take you to Martha's Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts. At your destination , you will have a total stay of six hours, with a three-hour guided tour that includes a visit to the iconic attractions of the six towns on one of the most exclusive islands in the United States. Tickets for the return ferry and bus are included.
Important details
- Price... From £100, including round-trip bus and ferry transfers, local guide and three-hour tour of the island.
- Duration of the trip... The tour lasts a total of twelve hours, including six hours on the island and a three-hour guided tour of the main sites of Martha's Vineyard.
- Recommended if... You want to forget about the organisation and enjoy one of the most beautiful places around Boston with a comprehensive tour.
What you'll see on a trip to Martha's Vineyard
On a day trip from Boston to Martha's Vineyard, you'll have the opportunity to discover one of the most picturesque islands on the east coast of the United States. This getaway combines nature, charming architecture and a relaxed atmosphere that has made it a popular holiday destination. Here are some of the places you won't want to miss:
- Oak Bluffs: known for its pastel-coloured Victorian cottages and for being home to the oldest working carousel in the United States.
- Aquinnah Cliffs: stunning sea cliffs and home to the historic Gay Head Light lighthouse.
- Edgartown: an elegant village with period houses, shops and a past linked to the whaling industry.
- South Beach (Katama Beach): a long, sandy beach perfect for walks and very popular with surfers.
- Chappaquiddick Island: a nearby island famous for its natural landscapes and for being the setting of the film Jaws.
Price and duration of trips to Martha's Vineyard
Excursions to Martha's Vineyard from Boston usually last around 12 hours and include minibus and ferry transport, an expert guide, snacks and water. The price is around £85, although this may vary depending on the season and whether you choose to add the guided tour of the island. It's an ideal option for a hassle-free day trip from the city.
How to get to Martha's Vineyard on your own
You can visit Martha's Vineyard without an organised tour by combining ground transportation and ferry. There are several possible routes depending on your budget, time and preferences:
By bus and ferry
Travel from South Station (Boston) to Falmouth or Hyannis, transferring to the ferry port for the island. This is an economical option, although it involves transfers and variable travel times.
- Price: from £17 for the bus + £10 for the ferry
- Duration: 2 to 3 hours by bus + 45 minutes by ferry
- Recommended if... you want to save money and don't mind organising the trip yourself.
By car and ferry
Rent a car in Boston and head to Woods Hole to board the ferry with your vehicle (advance booking required).
- Price: car hire from £75/day + £55 ferry with car
- Duration: 1 hour by car + 45 minutes by ferry
- Recommended if... you are spending several days on the island and want to get around freely.
By train and ferry
Take the Cape Flyer train to Buzzards Bay, then a taxi to Woods Hole and from there the ferry. Ideal if you want to explore Buzzards Bay.
- Price: from £5 for the train + £90 for the taxi + £10 for the ferry
- Duration: 1.5 hours by train + 30 min taxi + 45 min ferry
- Recommended if... you want to explore the region before arriving on the island.
By plane
Direct flights from Logan Airport to the island in just 40 minutes.
- Price: from £120
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Recommended if... you are short on time and prefer a quick option with no transfers.
By taxi and ferry
From downtown Boston to Woods Hole with no transfers.
- Price: from £180 by taxi + £10 ferry
- Duration: 1 hour by taxi + 45 minutes by ferry
- Recommended if... you are travelling in a group or with children and are looking for comfort.
We compare all the options for getting from Boston to Martha's Vineyard
- Organised excursion
- Price: From £147 with tour and round-trip transfers.
- Total duration: 12 hours.
- Advantages: Everything is included and you save time.
- Disadvantages: Not an option for you if you like to travel at your own pace and without restrictions.
- Bus and ferry
- Price: From £17 for the bus and from £10 for the ferry.
- Total duration: From an hour and a half by bus and 45 minutes by ferry.
- Advantages: It is one of the most economical options.
- Disadvantages: It involves transfers and does not include services on the island.
- Train, taxi and ferry
- Price: Train from £5, taxi from £9, and ferry from £10.
- Total duration: One and a half hours by train, half an hour by taxi and 45 minutes by ferry.
- Advantages: A good alternative if you want to see Buzzards Bay.
- Disadvantages: This option involves many transfers and is expensive.
- Private car and ferry
- Price: From £90 per day if you rent a car. The ferry with vehicle transfer starts at £55.
- Total duration: Just over an hour by car and 45 minutes by ferry.
- Advantages: This is the fastest and most comfortable option by land.
- Disadvantages: Not economical if you are only going to the island for one day.
- Plane
- Price: From £120 return.
- Total duration: The flight takes 40 minutes from Boston.
- Advantages: Fast and convenient.
- Disadvantages: It is one of the most expensive options and does not include services on the island.
- Taxi and ferry
- Price: From £180 daytime fare.
- Total duration: Just over an hour by taxi and 45 minutes by ferry.
- Advantages: Convenient if you are travelling with children and there are no transfers.
- Disadvantages: An expensive option if you are not travelling in a group.
- Uber and ferry
- Price: From £160 daytime fare.
- Total duration: Just over an hour by Uber and 45 minutes by ferry.
- Advantages: Convenient if you are travelling in a group or with a lot of luggage.
- Disadvantages: It is an expensive option if you are travelling alone or the fare changes due to high demand.