🛥️ Martha’s Vineyard Ferry Comparison for 2026

Travel Time, Pricing, Parking + Shuttles, Bikes, Pets, Season dates, and Bringing a Car

Feb 17, 2026

This guide breaks down the main ways to get to Martha’s Vineyard in 2026. It’s updated annually because ferry schedules + fares change every year!

🎯 TLDR: Choosing the Right Ferry

Best for day trips: Island Queen
Best for bringing a car, off-season trips: The Steamship Authority
Closest to airport arrivals: Rhode Island Fast Ferry
Best if you’re coming from NY/CT/NJ: Seastreak
Best if you’re already on Cape Cod: Hy-Line

🗺️ Quick Comparison Chart

Steamship Authority

Routes + seasonality: Woods Hole ↔ Vineyard Haven year-round; Woods Hole ↔ Oak Bluffs 5/14–10/22.
Cost: $22 RT (passenger); vehicle fares vary by date + day of week.
Notes: 45 min crossing. Only public car ferry. Vehicle reservations matter most in peak season; SSA walk-on passengers typically don’t need a reservation. Parking is $20–$25/day (shuttle). Parking lots can fill and none take reservations.

Island Queen

Routes + seasonality: Falmouth ↔ Oak Bluffs 5/22–10/12.
Cost: $30 RT.
Notes: 35 min crossing. Easy day trip option. Parking is $20/day (cash). Parking lots can fill and none take reservations.

Hy-Line (Hyannis)

Routes + seasonality: Hyannis ↔ Oak Bluffs May–October (exact dates TBD).
Cost: $72 RT.
Notes: 60 min crossing. Parking is $10–$30/day (shuttle). Add time for shuttle + lines in peak season. Prebook for summer weekends.

Seastreak (New Bedford)

Routes + seasonality: New Bedford ↔ Vineyard Haven 4/16–5/13; New Bedford ↔ Oak Bluffs 5/14–10/12.
Cost: $84 RT.
Notes: 55 min crossing. Big advantage is the drive-up setup from the south coast (and dodging Cape bridge traffic). Parking is $15/day offsite or $30+ valet. NY/NJ shuttle is back on select dates in 2026 (check the schedule). Reservations recommended in peak.

Rhode Island Fast Ferry (Quonset)

Routes + seasonality: Quonset Point, RI ↔ Oak Bluffs 5/21–10/12.
Cost: $115–$135 RT (peak vs off-peak).
Notes: 105 minutes each way. Best for PVD flyers + southern New England drivers. Parking is $15/day (dockside). Parking lots can fill and none take reservations.

Falmouth–Edgartown Ferry

Routes + seasonality: Falmouth ↔ Edgartown 5/23–9/1.
Cost: $70–$90 RT.
Notes: 60 min crossing. This is the “arrive right in Edgartown” option. Parking is $15/day (dockside). Parking lots can fill and none take reservations.

The Patriot Boat

Routes + seasonality: Falmouth ↔ Oak Bluffs year-round.
Cost: $40 RT.
Notes: 30 min crossing. Parking is passholders only. More utilitarian / no-frills experience.

🔹 What’s New in 2026

Seastreak’s NY/NJ shuttle is back for select dates in 2026!
Online booking is only partially open right now for some routes/dates, more inventory rolls out as operators open their seasons.
Prebook anything you can (especially fast ferries + peak weekends) except SSA walk-on passengers, who usually buy a ticket without reserving.
Parking lots can hit capacity and none take reservations, so plan buffer time and have a backup plan.
VTA buses are fare-free through April 30, 2026 (helpful for car-free trips).

💡 Insider MVacay Tips for Travelers

Don’t stress too much about your arrival port once on MV. Oak Bluffs / Vineyard Haven / Edgartown are all down-island and close.
Route to the parking lot, not the terminal. Parking logistics are the real timeline.
If you’re shuttling, add 30–60 minutes. More on summer Saturdays.
Expect weather disruptions. Smaller/fast ferries are more sensitive to wind + seas.
Bikes and pets are allowed on most ferries, but rules vary, so confirm fees + restrictions for your exact sailing.
Snacks and restrooms are common on bigger boats. Don’t assume on smaller/shuttle-style runs.
Most “reservation panic” is about vehicles. Walk-ons are usually simpler!

❓FAQs

Do I need reservations for passenger tickets?
Steamship Authority walk-on passengers typically do NOT need a reservation (cars do). For the seasonal/fast ferries, reservations are strongly recommended on peak weekends and holidays, some sell out.
Which ferries take cars?
Steamship Authority, and plan early.
Where do I park, and can I reserve parking?
Parking lots can fill and none take reservations (across the board). Route to the lot first, then build in 60 minutes of shuttle/walk time.
Do I need to drop off bikes/e-bikes before I park?
I suggest you do! Many shuttle setups don’t accommodate bikes the way you’d hope (limited spots, E-bikes are too heavy).
Do ferries allow dogs? Which ones?
Steamship Authority allows pets with restrictions (leash/carrier rules, limited areas, and you’re responsible for cleanup). For others check operator rules.
What happens if there’s a cancellation?
You’ll usually be rebooked or refunded depending on operator policy. The best habit: screenshot your confirmation, check alerts early, and assume fast ferries cancel sooner than SSA in rough weather.
If I’m flying into BOS vs PVD, what’s easiest?
PVD: pairs cleanly with Quonset + Rhode Island Fast Ferry for a simple drive-to-boat day.
BOS: you’re usually choosing between (1) renting a car and driving to Woods Hole/Falmouth/Hyannis (or uber is $100-200), or (2) using bus/train options to get to the Cape, then ferry. A popular low-stress option in summer is the PB Bus from Logan.
Can you travel to and from Nantucket from MV? (day trip-friendly?)
Yes, Hy-Line Oak Bluffs ↔ Nantucket is the classic inter-island day trip because it drops you right downtown. Typical day-trip rhythm (morning over, late afternoon/evening back) May-October.
Please leave a comment if you have another question!