Once you decide to book a trip to Cape Cod and the Islands, you’ve likely figured out that Martha’s Vineyard is bigger than you may have realized, right? I definitely did when I was planning my first ever trip to the island! So, you may be wondering if you can easily navigate Martha’s Vineyard without a car.
I’ve visited the island several times both with a car, and without, I’ve learned a lot about getting around over the years! In this post, I’m sharing all my tips on visiting without a car, whether or not having a car is the right decision for you, and how to see the island without a car.
So, let’s start planning!
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Don’t have time to read the entire post?
No problem, I have you covered!
→ This tour is is my pick as the best day trip option from Boston when you don’t have a car!
→ This tour is the best all-around once you’re already on the island to see the top sights!
→ This private tour of the island is the best way to fully customize your time on the island!
Need more info on tour options and getting around via public transit? Then just keep reading 😉
Is Martha’s Vineyard Worth Visiting Without A Car?
Absolutely! Definitely don’t let not having a car deter you from visiting Martha’s Vineyard, and it’s absolutely worth seeing even if you don’t have a car to get around. While I always say that Nantucket is the easier island to see without a car, Martha’s Vineyard is also worth checking out without a car because there are so many wonderful things to see and experience. Many towns and attractions are easy to get to without a car, and it all just requires some extra planning and time management to see.
Many ferries will drop you off in Oak Bluffs, which is one of the main towns to experience, and lots of things are walkable in Oak Bluffs, including the famous gingerbread cottages.
The other popular towns are also not too far away from one another, and there are options like public buses and Uber to get you around this part of the island.
The hardest part of the island to see without a car is Aquinnah and the iconic bluffs out that way. But I’ll share some great tours that will take you out there!
In a nutshell, if you’re looking to see as much of the island as possible, exploring without a car definitely requires a bit more planning, as mentioned. You’ll want to do your research, decide what you’d like to see, and come up with a plan. But that’s why I’m here to help you 😉
Can You Get Around Martha’s Vineyard Without A Car?
Yes, you absolute can! It just requires a bit of planning, and some expert knowledge, which I’m more than happy to share 😊 Here’s a general breakdown of the pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros to having a car on Martha’s Vineyard:
→ The freedom to explore what you want, when you want.
→ Ability to take your own excursion to the Aquinnah Cliffs, one of the top attractions on the island.
→ Freedom to go from town to town without worrying about Uber wait times or public transit.
→ Flexibility to visit a variety of beaches.
Cons to having a car on Martha’s Vineyard:
→ Bringing your car over on the ferry, or renting one when you’re there, can be pretty expensive.
→ Parking in popular towns like Oak Bluffs, Edgartown and Vineyard Haven can be challenging in the peak summer season.
I’m personally 50/50, and love having a car for the freedom to explore on my own schedule if I want to pack a lot in, and see a lot of the attractions, beaches, etc. But for some of my trips, I choose to not have a car so I don’t have to deal with parking, and to save money.
Which option is best for you?
My general recommendation is: Bring your car over on the ferry or rent a car once on the island if you’re coming for the day and want to see as much as possible, including Aquinnah. Having a car, and not worrying about bus schedules or waiting for Ubers might make your day a bit more stress-free. If you choose this option, I recommend researching where to park in the towns you plans to visit to make things easier once you arrive.
Seeing the island with a car is also a lot easier outside of peak season, so having a car is less stressful in the spring and fall seasons.
Alternatively, see Martha’s Vineyard without a car if you’re up for doing some fun tours that take you out to the parts of the island that are hard to get to with public transit, like Aquinnah. Then, you can pick one of the towns (or a beach!) to spend the rest of your day. Being car-free on the island is especially nice in the summer season (especially July and August) when the island is the most crowded because parking in the towns can definitely be challenging.
If you’re planning a multi-day stay, you can certainly rely on public transportation and Uber to get you around, and more on that later in the post. For multi-day stays, I do think it’s nice to rent a car for at least one day to see more of the island, but that’s entirely your decision.
How To Get From Boston To Martha’s Vineyard Without A Car
Lots of people ask me about getting to Martha’s Vineyard without a car from Boston, and good news – It can be done if you book a tour! This tour takes you from locations throughout Boston to the ferry terminal by car, and then you have the option to add on an extra island tour once you’re there to really tailor it to your preferences and needs.
🚐 Click here to check out this customizable tour from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard
Highlights of this tour:
- Free pick-up locations in Boston
- Ferry tickets already included
- Transportation in an air-conditioned mini coach bus to the Falmouth ferry terminal (no need to worry about parking at the terminal!)
- Option to add on a 3-hour island tours, which includes the cliffs at Aquinnah.
- Option to just book the transportation from Boston and the ferry ride to the island for those who want to explore at their own pace.
While there’s no direct ferry from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard, THIS TOUR is an awesome option for those looking to take a fun day trip from the city to the island without having to rent a car for the day.
Best Tours Around Martha’s Island
If you don’t have a car for your trip to Martha’s Vineyard, I highly recommend you book a tour that includes an excursion to the Aquinnah Cliffs and Gay Head Lighthouse, one of the most scenic parts of the island.
These are the 2 best tours of Martha’s Vineyard that include Aquinnah:
→ 3-Hour Private Tour Of The Island – Best for those with a group for a private experience that can also be customized.
→ 3-Hour Island Tour From Oak Bluffs – Best for those looking for an overview tour of the island and top attractions, but don’t need a long time at the Aquinnah Cliffs overlook.
So, why do I recommend a tour out to Aquinnah?
Aquinnah is located on the opposite side of the island from the most popular towns like Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and Edgartown, and public transportation getting there isn’t easy or fast. These cliffs and overlooks are some of the most stunning parts of the island, and the views are likely what you see in stock photos and post cards of Martha’s Vineyard. Without a car, a tour is an amazing and easy option.
3-Hour Island Tour From Oak Bluffs Highlights:
- 4.5/5 ⭐️ rating
- Air-conditioned transportation around the island.
- Visit or drive by top sites like the gingerbread cottages, the Jaws bridge and Edgartown lighthouse.
- Time to explore the Aquinnah Cliffs overlook and Gay Head Lighthouse (the main reason to book a tour!).
- Departs from: Oak Bluffs.
- Perfect for first-timer’s to Martha’s Vineyard to get a feel for the island.
→ Click here to check rates & availability for the 3-Hour Island Tour from Oak Bluffs
3-Hour Private Tour Highlights:
- 5/5 ⭐️ rating
- A fully private and customizable experience, so you can ask for more time out in Aquinnah if that’s your biggest priority (or just rely on their expertise to take you around the island!).
- Customizable pick-up and drop-off location to make your day more convenient.
- Perfect for those looking to tailor their time on the island to exactly what they want to see, for special occasions, or for bigger groups to save a bit of money!
→ Click here to check rates & availability for this private tour of the island
After your tour, I recommend spending the rest of your time in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs if you don’t have a car. I have a breakdown of all the towns a bit further down in the post, so be sure to keep reading! But in general, these towns have the most to offer when it comes to scenery, restaurants, and shopping. Edgartown has a bit more to do than Oak Bluffs (in my opinion), so I’d recommend you spend most of your leftover time in Edgartown, and budget 1-2 hours for Oak Bluffs.
The No. 13 bus is an easy-to-use line that runs between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, and takes only about 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. You can download an affordable day pass to your phone, and just tap your phone when you get on the bus, which makes things so easy. This line also stops at the Jaws Bridge, which is between the two towns, so you can see this attraction without having to take a separate bus line.
Alternatively, Uber is available on the island, but just know that fares are typically pretty expensive on Martha’s Vineyard, and the costs cab really add up. I usually use the bus system for that reason.
Best Places To Stay On Martha’s Vineyard Without A Car
The Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown: This is the best hotel on the island for a luxury stay, and it’s packed with incredible amenities, and amazing views of Edgartown Lighthouse.
Highlights of Harbor View Hotel:
- Walkable to downtown Edgartown, making it easy to explore without a car
- Complimentary bicycles to explore the island
- Complimentary use of the hotel’s Mercedes-Benz cars for 3 hours!
- Private pool cabanas
- Lawn games
- Gorgeous rooms
- On-site dining
→ Click here to check out prices & availability at the Harbor View Hotel
Oak Bluffs Inn: A stunning Victorian mansion that’s centrally-located to everything in Oak Bluffs.
Highlights of Oak Bluffs Inn:
- Walkable to everything in Oak Bluffs, including beaches!
- Complimentary continental breakfast in-season.
- Daily refreshments like freshly-based cookies and lemonade.
- The cutest little front porch for relaxing.
- A fire pit for guests to enjoy.
→ Click here to check prices & availability at the Oak Bluffs Inn
Mansion House Inn in Vineyard Haven: Perfect for those wanting to stay in Vineyard Haven because of the awesome location!
Highlights of the Mansion House Inn:
- Walkable to everything in Vineyard Haven, including the ferry terminal!
- On-site health club & spa.
- Some rooms have views of the harbor.
- Rooftop terrace with water views for guests to enjoy.
→ Click here to check prices & availability at the Mansion House Inn
Best Towns To Visit On Martha’s Vineyard Without A Car
Even though Martha’s Vineyard is bigger than most people realize, the great thing about it is that the 3 best towns to visit are relatively close to one another, and they are:
→ Oak Bluffs
→ Edgartown
→ Vineyard Haven
And as mentioned, the No. 13 bus line goes between all three of these towns, and it’s very easy to use with your phone.
Oak Bluffs
This is the most popular town for ferry arrivals, and also where you’ll find the gingerbread cottages, the famous Nancy’s Restaurant, the Flying Horses Carousel and a few family-friendly beaches. Everything is very walkable in Oak Bluffs.
I always recommend everyone visits Oaks Bluffs because it’s got some iconic attractions worth visiting (like the gingerbread cottages!), but I don’t think you need more than 1-2 hours here because it’s also a bit more touristy than Edgartown and Vineyard Haven. That’s just my opinion, though.
Edgartown
My personal favorite town on Martha’s Vineyard! I think it’s the most charming and beautiful, and has lots of shops, restaurants, access to Chappaquiddick and Edgartown Lighthouse. Edgartown is also very walkable.
You can easily spend the whole day in Edgartown without a car, and if you take the Edgartown Ferry from Falmouth, it drops you off right in town.
Vineyard Haven
An adorable little village that was very quiet when I first visited almost 10 years ago, and has since developed a bit more to offer some beautiful shops and restaurants that make for a lovely couple of hours. Some ferries also arrive and depart from Vineyard Haven, and I love strolling through this area. It’s very walkable without a car, and smaller than Oak Bluffs and Edgartown.
You’ll sometimes see Vineyard Haven referred to as Tisbury. Technically, Vineyard Haven is the town center of Tisbury, so hopefully that helps you when looking at things to do.
The other 3 towns on Martha’s Vineyard are: Chilmark, West Tisbury and Aquinnah. I’ve already covered why Aquinnah is worth visiting, so that leaves Chilmark and West Tisbury. These towns are also more remote, and don’t have as many things to do. They’re also a bit harder to get to without a car.
Chilmark is home to Menemsha, which I highly recommend for an amazing sunset and awesome seafood! But Oak Bluffs, Edgartown and Vineyard Haven are the best towns to explore on the island if you don’t have a car.
Best Things To Do On Martha’s Vineyard Without A Car
Explore Oak Bluffs, Edgartown & Vineyard
The easiest thing to do on Martha’s Vineyard when you don’t have a car is to stick to the three main towns – Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, and Vineyard Haven. Most ferries drop you off right in Oak Bluffs, and here, you can spend some time visiting the gingerbread cottages, the Flying Horses Carousel, Ocean Park, trying out the awesome restaurants, getting donuts from Back Door Donuts, beaches and more.
From Oak Bluffs, you can take the bus to Edgartown (the bus departs right at Ocean Park, and drops you off at the Visitor’s Center in the heart of downtown Edgartown). Here, you’ll want to checkout the awesome shops and restaurants in downtown Edgartown, explore Edgartown Lighthouse and maybe head over to Katama Beach.
In Edgartown, you can also walk to the Chappaquiddick Ferry. A great option without a car is to rent bikes in town, and take the ferry over to explore the island. Alternatively, you can also book this tour, which takes you around the island, including out to the remote Cape Poge lighthouse.
You can also take the bus to Vineyard Haven and cover all 3 of the main towns in one day (or over the course of your multi-day trip). Vineyard Haven is a bit smaller than Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, but equally as cute. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful shops and restaurants along Main Street, and also visit the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
These 3 towns are reason enough to visit Martha’s Vineyard without a car!
Pro Tip: Some ferries depart from Vineyard Haven, so for a day trip, you could plan to arrive in Oak Bluffs, and depart from Vineyard Haven to make it a bit easier for you without a car.
See The Beaches
Without a car, you could also plan a gorgeous beach day. The #8 bus takes visitors to Katama/South Beach, which is the prettiest beach on the island (in my opinion). And the great thing about visiting without a car is that you won’t have to worry about parking 😉
If you wanted to visit Katama Beach, and then spend time in downtown Edgartown, the same bus runs to Church Street in Edgartown.
Lambert’s Cove is another beautiful beach on the island that you can get to via the public bus. Bus route #2 takes you from the Vineyard Haven ferry terminal to that beach, which is a great option without a car. Keep in mind that this beach does charge a walk-on fee, even if you don’t plan to park, so come prepared if visiting in the summer. In the off season, it’s free for everyone to park or walk-on.
See The Famous Jaws Bridge
The No. 13 bus makes a stop at the Jaws Bridge, which is famous from the movie, and for people jumping off of it into the water. If you’re a fan of the movie, this is a really fun stop to make (especially if you jump off!).
If you’re not familiar with the movie, though, the bridge won’t be all that exciting for you. However, this stop is nearby the coastline and other beaches that you can walk to, so it may be worth a stop just to enjoy the coastal scenery for a bit.
Public Transportation On Martha’s Vineyard
If you don’t have a car, I definitely recommend looking into the public bus system on the island, as it’s pretty easy to get around the 3 main towns this way. Click here for the Martha’s Vineyard public bus website.
The only time I wouldn’t suggest you rely on the bus system is if you only have a day, and you’re looking to get out to Aquinnah and Menemsha. The buses will take well over an hour, and will require transfers, making it tough to squeeze into a day trip. This is why I suggest the tour options to see this part of the island.
If you’re on the island for multiple days, then you can absolutely take the public buses out to the western parts of Martha’s Vineyard, as time won’t be as big of an issue.
Pro Tip: As mentioned, you can use your phone top purchase electronic tickets, but if you’d like to pay per ride, you’ll need cash, and exact change. Click here for more information.
Is There A Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus On Martha’s Vineyard?
No, unfortunately, this service isn’t offered on Martha’s Vineyard, which is why booking a tour or taking a bus are the best alternatives.
Is Uber Available On Martha’s Vineyard?
Yes, Uber is available, and you can definitely get around the island without a car this way. It’s good to know that wait times can be a bit longer than in bigger cities, and the cost will definitely be high (because everything’s more expensive on an island).
The reason I usually recommend tours over getting around everywhere by Uber, if you’re just visiting for the day, is because the price of the Uber rides will add up fast. So, if you plan your day strategically, take a tour to see the top sites, and then just stay in Oak Bluffs or Edgartown for the rest of the day (for day trippers), that’s the best way to stretch your dollar.
However, if you’re on the island for more than a day, and want to rely on Uber during your trip, it’s a good option if public transit isn’t convenient for you. Just keep in mind that service out in Aquinnah can be spotty, so you may want to schedule your Uber pick-up there in advance.
More of my Martha’s Vineyard guides you may find helpful:
- The Ultimate Martha’s Vineyard Day Trip Guide
- Best Things To Do On Martha’s Vineyard
- Best Beaches On Martha’s Vineyard
- Deciding Between Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard For A Day Trip
More posts you may find helpful:
- Best Time To Visit Cape Cod & The Islands
- What To Pack For Cape Cod & The Islands
- Best Towns To Stay In On Cape Cod
- Summer In New England: Best Places To Go & Things To Do!
- Best Beach Towns In New England
- Gorgeous New England Islands Worth Visiting
That’s A Wrap On Visiting Martha’s Vineyard Without A Car
Now you’re an expert on exploring Martha’s Vineyard without a car, and hopefully you see that it absolutely can be done. Whether you choose to take one of the awesome tours, or rely on the public transit system to get around, the island makes for a memorable trip regardless of how you choose to see it.
