Day trip to Martha’s Vineyard from Cape Cod?

[amy56]

Hi all,

We are staying in Cape Cod for five days in August, as part of our New England road trip & want to spend a day on Martha’s Vineyard.

I’m looking to book the Jaws walking tour (I loved the film growing up and I think the boys will enjoy the tour too!).

I’m just undecided whether we should take our hire car across in the ferry? We are most interested in visiting edgartown and are unsure how easy it is to get about from the ferry terminal? But if there are other bits of the island that are worth seeing too, and it will be easier to bring the car, then we don’t mind doing that.

I’ve been reading lots of recommendations about hiring bikes, but sadly I have a broken coccyx, and cycling is no longer an option for me.

Many thanks for any advice!

[DonnaD]

I grew up on Cape Cod. The car ferries really aren't for daytrippers. I remember it being very expensive to take a car over in high season. You also might struggle to even get a spot as those staying longer book them months in advance. I remember locals going standby for unexpected trips to the mainland but you wouldn't want to risk it for a quick visit. Going as a foot passenger is much cheaper and easier.

The day trippers usually use the special bus service laid on in the summer. Basically they turn the yellow school buses into tourist buses.

[amy56]

Originally Posted by DonnaD

I grew up on Cape Cod. The car ferries really aren't for daytrippers. I remember it being very expensive to take a car over in high season. You also might struggle to even get a spot as those staying longer book them months in advance. I remember locals going standby for unexpected trips to the mainland but you wouldn't want to risk it for a quick visit. Going as a foot passenger is much cheaper and easier.

The day trippers usually use the special bus service laid on in the summer. Basically they turn the yellow school buses into tourist buses.

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That’s great thank you - we will definitely go as foot passengers and use the buses then!

[Loretta]

If you are looking to go to Martha’s Vineyard from Falmouth, you have two options. The Island Queen passenger ferry and the Steamship Authority from Woods Hole you can check out their web sites. I suggest the Island Queen, you won’t be able to park in Woods Hole and would have to use one of their off site lots and take the shuttle to the ferry.

[Anne K]

We took the free shuttle at Woods Hole, it honestly wasn't an issue at all. IIRC the cost of the ferry there was less than the alternatives?

[amy56]

Thank you both - I will check out both options

[vanilla8]

We did the ferry from Hyannis and used the buses to get round when we arrived. Lovely day and we would stay on the island next time!

[amy56]

Originally Posted by vanilla8

We did the ferry from Hyannis and used the buses to get round when we arrived. Lovely day and we would stay on the island next time!

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I was hoping to go from Hyannis, but the ferry from there seems so much more expensive than from Falmouth - unless I’m reading it wrong?!

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by amy56

I was hoping to go from Hyannis, but the ferry from there seems so much more expensive than from Falmouth - unless I’m reading it wrong?!

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It probably is. The Vineyard is much closer to Falmouth. You can actually see it from some of the beaches.

[vanilla8]

Originally Posted by amy56

I was hoping to go from Hyannis, but the ferry from there seems so much more expensive than from Falmouth - unless I’m reading it wrong?!

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Yes it is, we didnt research very well and had already booked the hotel in Hyannis (Seacoast Inn) so it was just a short walk down from there to get the ferry. A lovely day out