Cape Cod Tourism Guide

Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket from Cape Cod

Cape Cod island day trips are easy to do and easy to do badly. Martha’s Vineyard is 45 minutes from Woods Hole on the Steamship Authority’s year-round ferry, or 35 minutes from Falmouth on a seasonal passenger boat; Nantucket is an hour from Hyannis by fast ferry or 2 hours 15 minutes on the traditional boat. The day works when you leave the car on the Cape, get to the dock early, book the fast boats in summer and plan everything around the boat home.

Neither island is part of Cape Cod: Martha’s Vineyard is Dukes County, Nantucket is its own county, and both are reached only by boat or plane. This page is for Cape visitors planning a day across the water: which island, which port and boat, what it costs, where to park, and how to handle bikes, dogs, wheelchairs and cars. The caveat that matters: schedules change with the season and the weather, and summer boats fill, so book the return as carefully as the trip out. Fares and rules were checked September 23, 2026 against the ferry operators and island transit agencies.

A white high-speed ferry docked in Hyannis Inner Harbor beside a small white lighthouse and a sandy beach
A high-speed ferry at Hyannis Inner Harbor in 2007. Boats for Nantucket and Oak Bluffs leave from here.

On this page: Ferries at a glance · Which island · Martha’s Vineyard · Nantucket · Parking · Cars · Flying · Bikes, dogs and access · Day plans · What it costs · Staying over · When to go · FAQ

Cape Cod to the islands: ferries at a glance

Fares are 2026 adult fares; children, bikes and cars cost differently, and schedules change through the year.

Route Operator Crossing Adult fare Cars? Season
Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs Steamship Authority 45 minutes $11 one way Yes, by reservation Year-round to Vineyard Haven
Falmouth to Oak Bluffs Island Queen 35 minutes $20 one way, $30 round trip No Seasonal
Falmouth to Edgartown Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry About 1 hour $35 to $45 one way, by day No Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend
Hyannis to Oak Bluffs Hy-Line fast ferry 1 hour $41 one way, $78 round trip No Seasonal
Hyannis to Nantucket Steamship Authority fast ferry 1 hour $48.50 one way No Check the schedule
Hyannis to Nantucket Steamship Authority traditional ferry 2 hours 15 minutes $21.50 one way Yes; standby possible Year-round
Hyannis to Nantucket Hy-Line high-speed ferry 1 hour $52 one way, $97 round trip No Check the schedule

One common mistake worth clearing up: there is no ferry from Woods Hole to Nantucket. Nantucket boats leave from Hyannis.

Which island is better for a day trip?

Both work in a day, but they’re different days. The Vineyard is closer, cheaper to reach and big enough that you’ll only see a slice of it. Nantucket takes longer to reach, costs more on the fast boats, and rewards you with a compact town you can walk the moment you step off the ferry.

Martha’s Vineyard Nantucket
Nearest Cape port Woods Hole (45 minutes) or Falmouth (35 minutes); also Hyannis (1 hour) Hyannis only (1 hour fast, 2 hours 15 minutes traditional)
Cheapest adult round trip in 2026 $22 on the Steamship Authority from Woods Hole $43 on the Steamship Authority’s traditional boat
Where you land Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs or Edgartown, depending on the boat Nantucket town, right on the wharves
Getting around Free VTA buses link all six towns Walk the town; free Wave buses to Sconset and the beaches
A good day Oak Bluffs and Edgartown by bus or bike, or Aquinnah if you start early The historic town center, the harbor and a ride out to Sconset
Think twice if You want to see the whole island in one day; it’s too big You’re prone to seasickness and only the long traditional boat fits your budget

Verdict: for a first island day with kids or on a budget, take the Steamship Authority from Woods Hole to the Vineyard. For the most memorable single day, take a fast ferry to Nantucket, stay in town, and rent bikes or ride the free bus to Sconset.

Martha’s Vineyard: which port and which boat?

Three Cape ports serve the Vineyard, and the right one depends on where you’re staying and which island town you want to see first.

From Woods Hole: the year-round Steamship Authority ferry

This is the workhorse route: 45 minutes to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs, and the only one that carries cars. In 2026 an adult one-way fare was $11 (including a 50-cent embarkation fee), a child’s fare $5.75 and a bike $5.25. Foot passengers don’t need reservations on the traditional ferries; just buy a ticket. Everyone has to be at the dock at least 30 minutes before departure, and in summer the Authority suggests 45 minutes to an hour, which is realistic once you count the parking shuttle.

There’s no dockside parking at Woods Hole. Drivers use the Steamship Authority’s lots in Falmouth, including the Palmer Avenue Lot at 286 Palmer Avenue and the lot on Thomas B. Landers Road, and ride a free shuttle bus to the terminal. The Woods Hole shuttles carry two bikes in the daytime.

You can also reach Woods Hole without a car. Peter Pan runs buses from Logan Airport to the Woods Hole piers with a Falmouth stop, CCRTA’s fare-free Sealine bus runs from the Hyannis Transportation Center to the Woods Hole docks, and in summer the WHOOSH trolley runs from the Falmouth mall to the terminal. Cyclists can ride the Shining Sea Bikeway, 10.7 miles from North Falmouth to Woods Hole, straight to the boat; our guide to Cape Cod’s bike paths covers the route.

From Falmouth: two seasonal passenger boats

Falmouth Harbor has two private, passenger-only boats in season, both useful if you’d rather skip the Woods Hole shuttle.

  • The Island Queen runs from Falmouth to Oak Bluffs in 35 minutes. Its 2026 fares were $20 one way or $30 round trip for adults, $14 and $18 for children 5 to 12, free under 5, $4 and $8 for bikes, and $6 and $12 for kayaks and paddleboards.
  • The Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry, the 72-foot Pied Piper, is the only ferry into Edgartown Harbor. It ran daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend in 2026, leaving Falmouth at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., with adult fares of $35 or $45 one way depending on the day and bikes at $8 each way.

Ask either operator where to park when you book, since neither uses the Steamship Authority’s lots.

From Hyannis: Hy-Line’s fast ferry to Oak Bluffs

If you’re staying on the Mid-Cape, Hy-Line’s seasonal fast ferry takes an hour from Hyannis to Oak Bluffs, at $41 one way or $78 round trip for adults in 2026. It saves the drive to Falmouth, but it’s the priciest way to the Vineyard, so it makes the most sense when you’d otherwise spend an hour in traffic.

Brightly painted gingerbread cottages with flower boxes and lacy trim along a lane in Oak Bluffs
Gingerbread cottages in Oak Bluffs, a short walk from the ferry landing, in July 2009.

Getting around the Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard has six towns, and the Vineyard Transit Authority’s buses link all of them year-round. Its buses have been fare-free since a program launched in November 2024, which has been extended through June 30, 2027. For a day trip that means you can land in Oak Bluffs, ride to Edgartown for lunch and come back to Vineyard Haven for the boat without paying a fare. Aquinnah, at the far western end, is worth the ride for its clay cliffs, but it eats most of a day, so start on an early boat if it’s on your list.

The white Edgartown Lighthouse on its sandy point under a clear blue sky
Edgartown Lighthouse in May 2013. The Falmouth-Edgartown ferry is the only boat into Edgartown Harbor.

Aquinnah is home to the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and the cliffs are protected: enjoy them from the overlook and the beach, and don’t climb them or take clay. Bikes are the other good way to explore, and rental shops sit near the ferry landings in the main towns.

Layered red, orange and white clay cliffs above a boulder-strewn beach at Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard
The clay cliffs at Aquinnah, on the western tip of Martha’s Vineyard, in 2006. They’re a long bus ride from the ferries, so start early.

What can you see in one day on Martha’s Vineyard?

Pick two places, not five. The towns are different enough that choosing well matters more than covering ground.

Town Known for From the ferry Time to allow
Oak Bluffs Gingerbread cottages, the harbor and the Flying Horses carousel A ferry port itself; walk Two to three hours
Vineyard Haven The main year-round port, with shops and cafes along Main Street A ferry port itself; walk An hour or two
Edgartown White captains’ houses, the harbor and the lighthouse Free VTA bus, a flat bike path along the beach from Oak Bluffs, or the Falmouth boat Three hours
Up-island: West Tisbury and Chilmark Farms, stone walls and the fishing village of Menemsha A longer bus ride or a real bike day Most of the afternoon
Aquinnah The clay cliffs and Gay Head Light The longest bus ride on the island Most of the day, with travel

The classic first day is Oak Bluffs in the morning and Edgartown in the afternoon, joined by a bus ride or the bike path that runs along the beach between them. Save up-island and Aquinnah for a second trip, or for a day when you catch the first boat over.

Nantucket: fast ferry or traditional boat?

Every Nantucket ferry from the Cape leaves from Hyannis, and the choice comes down to time against money.

Boat Crossing 2026 adult fare Good for
Steamship Authority fast ferry 1 hour $48.50 one way The most island time for the money; book ahead in peak times
Hy-Line high-speed ferry 1 hour $52 one way, $97 round trip; child $33 and $59; bike $8.50 and $17 A fast option from Hy-Line’s own terminal and parking
Steamship Authority traditional ferry 2 hours 15 minutes $21.50 one way Budget trips, outside decks, and anyone bringing a car

Hy-Line also sells Captain’s View seats on its high-speed boat ($61 one way, $109 round trip in 2026, including a $2 fuel surcharge from May 13). On a calm summer day the traditional boat is a pleasant ride in its own right, but it cuts roughly two and a half hours from your time on the island compared with a fast boat both ways. For a single day, the fast ferry usually wins.

The boats land right in town, so there’s no transfer to worry about. Nantucket’s own Wave buses are free on every route for all of 2026, running out to Sconset and, in summer, to Surfside, Jetties and Cisco beaches. Sconset is also reachable by bike path, and bikes are the classic way to see the island.

Brant Point Light at the mouth of Nantucket Harbor with a white lobster boat passing in front
Brant Point Light, which every ferry passes on the way into Nantucket Harbor, in June 2008.

What can you see in one day on Nantucket?

Area Known for From the ferry Time to allow
The town center Cobblestoned Main Street, whaling-era houses, the Whaling Museum and the wharves Step off the boat and walk Three hours or more
Brant Point The lighthouse at the harbor mouth, and the ferries sliding past it A short walk from town Under an hour
Sconset A village of small, rose-covered cottages and ocean bluffs on the island’s east end Free Wave bus or the bike path Half a day with the ride
The south shore beaches Surfside and Cisco, open to the Atlantic Wave buses in summer, or the bike paths An afternoon
Jetties Beach A calmer beach close to town A walk, a bike ride or the summer Wave bus A couple of hours

Nantucket’s paved bike paths fan out from town to Sconset and the south shore, and they’re the reason so many day-trippers bring or rent bikes. If you only want the town, you don’t need wheels at all: the center is compact, and you can see a lot of it on foot between a morning boat and an evening one.

Where do you park for the island ferries?

Parking is part of the trip, and it’s where first-timers lose the most time. Only Hy-Line’s on-site lot in Hyannis puts you steps from the boat; everywhere else, allow time for a shuttle.

Terminal Where to park 2026 cost Shuttle Arrive
Woods Hole (Steamship Authority) Authority lots in Falmouth, such as Palmer Avenue and Thomas B. Landers Road Varies by season and lot Free; carries two bikes in the daytime 45 to 60 minutes early in summer
Hyannis (Steamship Authority) Limited near the terminal; the Lewis Bay Road Lot and off-site lots Varies by season and lot Free; no bike racks 45 to 60 minutes early in summer
Hyannis (Hy-Line) On site at 220 Ocean Street, or off site at 183 Iyannough Road with overflow at 33 Brooks Road On site $30 a day in peak season, $15 mid season, $10 low; off site $20, $10 and $5 Free, daily April 23 to October 25 and November 24 to December 7 30 to 45 minutes on site, 45 to 60 off site
Falmouth (Island Queen, Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry) Ask the operator when you book Varies None Check with the operator

Hy-Line’s peak parking rate applied from May 14 to September 8, again from October 8 to 13, and from November 24 to December 7 in 2026, and its lots take cards only. The Steamship Authority posts real-time lot information at 508-457-7275. On the islands, there’s no Steamship Authority parking at Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven’s is for medical emergencies only, and Hy-Line runs no island parking at all, one more reason to leave the car behind.

Cars lined up at the Hyannis ferry terminal, seen from above across the ferry slips and harbor water
Cars lined up for the boat at Hyannis. For a day trip, leave yours on the Cape.

Should you bring a car to the islands?

For a day trip, no. A car costs far more than a passenger ticket, it needs a reservation to the Vineyard, and you won’t have time to use it. The islands’ buses are free in 2026, and both islands are made for bikes.

If you’re staying longer and truly need one, plan early. The Steamship Authority is the only ferry line that carries cars. Vehicles to Martha’s Vineyard need reservations, with no standby in summer or on holiday weekends; in 2026, Head Start booking opened on January 13 for travel from May 14 to October 22, and general booking for the Vineyard opened on February 3. Nantucket offers standby year-round, but on a busy summer day that can mean a long wait in the Hyannis lot.

Can you fly to the islands instead?

You can, though for most Cape visitors the ferry is simpler. Cape Air flies small planes from Hyannis’s airport, Cape Cod Gateway Airport, to both islands, but its Hyannis schedule has been limited, so check before you plan around it. Flying makes the most sense if you’re coming from farther away, if you hate boats, or if you’re heading to the islands for several days rather than one. For a single day from the Cape, the ferries run more often, cost less and drop you right in town.

What are the rules for bikes, dogs and wheelchairs?

Bikes

Bikes are the best way to see either island. On the Steamship Authority they travel on a space-available basis without reservations, for a fee ($5.25 one way on the Woods Hole route in 2026); e-bikes don’t fit the shuttle bus racks, so ride them to the terminal or plan another way. Hy-Line charged $8.50 one way or $17 round trip for a bike to Nantucket, the Island Queen $4 or $8, and the Falmouth-Edgartown Ferry $8 each way. If you’d rather not haul a bike, rental shops sit near the main ferry landings on both islands.

Dogs

Pets ride free on the Steamship Authority as long as they’re leashed or in a carrier and under your control, and they’re not allowed in the food service areas or on seats and tables. The private operators set their own rules, so check before you bring a dog, and remember that island beaches have their own dog rules too.

Wheelchairs and limited mobility

Five Steamship Authority vessels are fully accessible by elevator, three partially and two have limited access, and accessible parking is reserved at every terminal. If you need a drop-off at the terminal or other help, contact the Authority ahead of time to arrange it. Ask the private operators about access when you book, and allow extra time for the parking shuttles.

How do you plan a realistic island day?

The golden rule: work backward from the boat home. Know the last departure, aim for the one before it, and treat the ferry schedule as fixed and everything else as flexible. A missed last boat means an unplanned night on an island in high season, which is an expensive way to learn the lesson.

Martha’s Vineyard, car-free from Falmouth

  1. Park at the Steamship Authority’s Falmouth lot and take the free shuttle to Woods Hole, arriving 45 minutes to an hour before your boat in summer.
  2. Cross to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs in 45 minutes.
  3. Walk Oak Bluffs and its gingerbread cottages, then take the free VTA bus to Edgartown for lunch and the harbor.
  4. Bus back to your departure port with an hour to spare, and cross home.

Nantucket by fast ferry from Hyannis

  1. Park at the terminal lot (Hy-Line’s on-site lot was $30 a day in peak season in 2026) or the off-site lot and shuttle.
  2. Take a morning fast ferry; you’re in town an hour later.
  3. Walk the town center and the wharves, then rent bikes or take the free Wave bus to Sconset.
  4. Be back at the wharf 30 minutes before your boat, and keep the last boat as your backup, not your plan.

Oak Bluffs by Hy-Line from Hyannis

  1. Park at Hy-Line’s Ocean Street lot or the off-site lot and shuttle.
  2. Cross to Oak Bluffs in an hour.
  3. Spend the day between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown on the free buses or rented bikes.
  4. Return on the same line; Hy-Line tickets don’t carry over to the Steamship Authority’s boats.

A few habits help on any island day. Bring a warm layer, because the crossings are windy even in July. If you’re prone to seasickness, take something before you board and sit low and near the middle of the boat. Eat breakfast on the Cape; island prices run higher. And go on a weekday if you can, when the boats and the town centers are calmer.

What if the boat is canceled?

High wind and fog cancel or delay crossings a few times a season, more often in spring, fall and winter. Sign up for your operator’s service alerts or check its website the morning you travel, and again before you head for the return boat. If a crossing is canceled, the operators rebook passengers on later boats as space allows, so a flexible afternoon plan is worth more than a tight one. On a stormy forecast day, save the island for another day and do something on the Cape instead.

Island days with kids

Kids usually love the ferry as much as the island. Let them watch from an outside deck on the way out, bring snacks for the ride, and keep the day to one town plus a beach. Strollers are easier on the Steamship Authority’s larger boats and the parking shuttles than on a crowded fast ferry, and a small backpack beats a big bag on the buses. Our Cape Cod family vacation guide has more ideas for planning with children.

What does a Cape Cod island day trip cost?

Ferry fares vary a lot between routes, so it’s worth doing the math for your group. Using 2026 fares:

Trip Two adults, round trip What else to budget
Woods Hole to the Vineyard, Steamship Authority $44 Falmouth lot parking; children $5.75 each way; bikes $5.25 each way
Falmouth to Oak Bluffs, Island Queen $60 Parking in Falmouth; children 5 to 12 $18 round trip
Hyannis to Oak Bluffs, Hy-Line $156 Hy-Line parking, up to $30 a day on site in peak season
Hyannis to Nantucket, Steamship Authority traditional $86 Parking; a long day on the water
Hyannis to Nantucket, Steamship Authority fast ferry $194 Parking; book ahead in peak times
Hyannis to Nantucket, Hy-Line high-speed $194 Children $59 round trip; bikes $17 round trip; parking

A family of four (two adults and two children) on Hy-Line’s high-speed boat to Nantucket paid $312 in round-trip fares in 2026, plus $30 for peak on-site parking. The same family crossing to the Vineyard from Woods Hole on the Steamship Authority paid $67 in fares. Lunch, bikes and the day’s small spending come on top, and on both islands they cost more than on the Cape.

Should you stay overnight instead?

A day trip is the smart choice for most Cape visitors: island rooms are expensive, especially in summer, and the Cape is a cheaper, roomier base with the islands an hour away. A night on the island earns its keep in two cases. One is Martha’s Vineyard up-island or at Aquinnah, where a day trip spends more time on buses than in the places themselves; the other is anyone who wants a sunset and a late dinner without watching the clock for the last boat. If you do stay over, pack light, because you’ll be carrying your bag on and off the ferry and the shuttle.

When is the best time for an island day trip?

Summer brings the full schedule of boats and the full crowds; book fast ferries ahead and arrive early. Late May, June and September are the sweet spot, with most boats running and far fewer people on them. After Labor Day the Falmouth-Edgartown ferry stops for the year, Hy-Line’s free parking shuttle runs daily only through October 25 in 2026 (then again from November 24 to December 7), and schedules thin through the fall. The Steamship Authority runs all year, but winter crossings are more often delayed or canceled by weather, so keep plans loose.

For how the seasons play out on the Cape itself, see our guide to the best time to visit Cape Cod. If you’re choosing a base for island trips, Falmouth puts you closest to the Vineyard boats and Hyannis to the Nantucket boats; our guide to where to stay on Cape Cod and our guide to Cape Cod’s towns compare them. Our guide to getting to and around Cape Cod covers the buses and trains that reach the terminals, and our Cape Cod itineraries show where an island day fits into a longer trip.

Cape Cod Island Day Trip Questions

Can you do Martha’s Vineyard in a day from Cape Cod?

Yes, easily. The Steamship Authority’s ferry from Woods Hole takes 45 minutes and cost $11 each way for adults in 2026, and the free VTA buses link all six island towns. Pick one or two towns, such as Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, rather than trying to see the whole island, and plan around the boat home.

Can you do Nantucket in a day from Cape Cod?

Yes. Fast ferries from Hyannis take an hour, which leaves a full day in town if you take a morning boat. The traditional ferry takes 2 hours 15 minutes and costs less, but it cuts your island time. The boats land in town, and Nantucket’s Wave buses are free in 2026.

What is the cheapest ferry to Martha’s Vineyard?

The Steamship Authority’s ferry from Woods Hole: $11 one way for adults, $5.75 for children and $5.25 for a bike in 2026, with no reservation needed for foot passengers. Budget for parking at its Falmouth lots, which varies by season, and allow time for the free shuttle to the terminal.

Do you need a reservation for the island ferries?

Foot passengers don’t need one on the Steamship Authority’s traditional ferries, but reservations are recommended on its fast Nantucket ferry at peak times, and booking ahead on the private fast boats is wise in summer. Cars need reservations to Martha’s Vineyard, with no standby in summer or on holiday weekends.

Where do you park for the Woods Hole ferry?

Not in Woods Hole: there’s no dockside parking. Park at the Steamship Authority’s lots in Falmouth, such as the Palmer Avenue Lot at 286 Palmer Avenue, and ride the free shuttle bus to the terminal. In summer, arrive 45 minutes to an hour before your boat, and check lot status at 508-457-7275.

Can you take a dog on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket?

On the Steamship Authority, yes, free, as long as the dog is leashed or in a carrier and kept out of food service areas and off the seats and tables. The private ferry lines set their own rules, so check with them first, and look up the island’s beach rules for dogs before you go.

Can you fly from Cape Cod to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard?

Yes. Cape Air flies small planes from Cape Cod Gateway Airport in Hyannis to both islands, but its Hyannis schedule has been limited, so check current flights before you plan around them. For a day trip from the Cape, the ferries usually run more often, cost less and land you right in town.

What happens if your ferry is canceled?

Wind and fog occasionally cancel or delay crossings. Operators rebook passengers on later boats as space allows, so check alerts the morning you travel and again before your return, and don’t plan the day around the last boat home. On a stormy forecast, move the island day and do something on the Cape.

Is Martha’s Vineyard part of Cape Cod?

No. Martha’s Vineyard is in Dukes County and Nantucket is its own county; Cape Cod is Barnstable County. The islands sit south of the Cape across Vineyard and Nantucket sounds and are reached only by boat or plane, most often by ferry from Woods Hole, Falmouth or Hyannis.

Related Cape Cod Guides

Sources and verification

Fares, schedules, parking and policies were checked on September 23, 2026 against the ferry operators and transit agencies listed below. This guide is compiled from those sources and does not claim first-hand visits.

Cape Cod Tourism Guide is an independent publication, not affiliated with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, the National Park Service or any business named here.

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