Getting Here
Ferries, cars, and how to arrive well
The crossing is short. The planning around it, especially with a car in summer, is the part worth getting right.
Steamship Authority (Woods Hole)
The only ferry that carries cars. Runs year-round into Vineyard Haven and seasonally into Oak Bluffs. Walk-on tickets are easy; car reservations in summer should be booked weeks ahead, the moment your dates are firm.
Passenger ferries
Seasonal high-speed ferries run from Hyannis, Falmouth Harbor, New Bedford, and Nantucket. They’re faster, often easier to book, and a good choice if you’re willing to skip the car.
Should you bring a car?
For a long weekend, no. The VTA shuttle covers most down-island travel, bikes handle the rest, and a single rideshare for the up-island sunset is cheaper and easier than a car reservation. For a week-long up-island rental with kids, yes — book early.