On the Martha's Vineyard ferry · Photo: m01229 · CC BY 2.0
Car Service to the Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Ferries
Skip the off-site lots and shuttle buses: how a car service to Woods Hole or Hyannis works from the South Shore, and how much time to allow before your boat.
3 min read
To reach Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket from the South Shore, most travelers drive to one of two Cape Cod ports: Woods Hole for the Vineyard, about an hour and a half from Hingham, or Hyannis for Nantucket, about an hour and 20 minutes. Driving yourself means using the ferry companies' off-site parking lots and shuttle buses. A car service drops you at the terminal with your bags and picks you up when your boat comes back.
Here is how each port works, and how much time to allow.
Which port for which island?
| Island | Main port | Main operators | Crossing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martha's Vineyard | Woods Hole, Falmouth | Steamship Authority | about 45 minutes |
| Nantucket | Hyannis | Steamship Authority, Hy-Line Cruises | about 1 hour on the fast ferries, over 2 hours on the traditional boats |
Other passenger ferries run in summer, including boats from Falmouth Harbor and Hyannis to the Vineyard. Check the operators' current schedules for your date.
Drive times from the South Shore
| From | To Woods Hole | To Hyannis |
|---|---|---|
| Braintree | about 1 hour 30 minutes | about 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Weymouth | about 1 hour 30 minutes | about 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Hingham | about 1 hour 30 minutes | about 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Norwell | about 1 hour 20 minutes | about 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Scituate | about 1 hour 25 minutes | about 1 hour 15 minutes |
These are light-traffic times. On summer Fridays, Saturdays and holiday weekends, traffic at the Cape Cod Canal bridges can add an hour or more. Plan to leave much earlier on those days.
Woods Hole: why the parking matters
The Steamship Authority does not offer parking at the Woods Hole terminal itself. Drivers park in off-site lots in Falmouth or farther away, then take a free shuttle bus to the boat. The Steamship Authority advises arriving an hour before your departure to allow time for the lot and the shuttle, and longer on busy summer weekends.
With a car service, you skip the lot and the shuttle: your chauffeur drops you and your bags at the terminal.
Hyannis: the Nantucket boats
In Hyannis, the Steamship Authority and Hy-Line Cruises both run boats to Nantucket from the harbor. The fast ferries take about an hour, and the Steamship Authority's traditional ferry a little over two. Both operators have parking in Hyannis, which fills up on summer weekends.
A car service takes you to the right terminal for your operator. Tell us which company and which boat when you book.
How much time to allow
- Start from your departure time, and plan to be at the terminal at least 30 minutes before as a foot passenger, more in summer. Check your ferry operator's guidance.
- Add the drive time from the table above.
- Add a cushion for the bridges: 30 minutes on a normal day, an hour or more on a summer weekend.
For a 1 p.m. boat from Woods Hole on a summer Saturday, that means leaving Hingham by about 10 a.m.
Coming home: the pickup at the dock
Book your return ride with the ferry company, the port and the scheduled arrival time. When the boat docks, collect your bags and call us; your chauffeur will be nearby to bring you home to the South Shore.
Which vehicle for island trips?
Island vacations mean luggage: suitcases, beach bags and sometimes a cooler. A luxury SUV takes six bags, with up to seven passengers in the Cadillac Escalade or the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L. For a larger family or two families traveling together, a passenger van carries up to 12. See choosing the right vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my bike or beach gear?
Mention it when you book. Some gear fits in an SUV's cargo area, and we will tell you what fits in the vehicle you choose.
Should I book my car service before or after my ferry ticket?
After. Book the ferry first, then the ride, with the operator, the departure time and the port.
Do you drive to other Cape Cod destinations?
Yes. We drive to Hyannis, Falmouth, Provincetown and anywhere else on the Cape, and to every airport in New England.
