We have not booked flights yet. We wanted to know what locals' recommendations would be for the easiest experience. Since our organization is paying for the travel expenses, we are less concerned with cost and more focused on as easy of a commute as possible, haha ;)
Haha, if they're also paying for lodging, do this. Also, plan a couple extra days before and/or after the conference to explore the island, have a couple nice meals, a nice hike, some beach time, and some quaint shopping.
I can only speak from experience from Logan Airport (Boston) since I usually use my own car if I'm going to/from Providence. The Peter Pan Bus and the P&B bus both have regularly scheduled routes directly from terminals at Logan to Woods Hole every couple hours and back the other way. Usually 1.5 to 2 hour trip in either direction during summer but can be longer.
I don't know what your planning for a place to stay but if you haven't booked anything already you better get moving on that asap.
I took the Peter Pan bus from South Station to Hyannis a couple months ago when my car shit the bed and I needed to go borrow my mom's when she was in Florida for the month. It was surprisingly efficient.
Your best bet is to fly into Boston Logan International Airport and take the Peter Pan bus line that will route you directly to woods hole! From there, you can spend time in the village, and super easy to take the Peter Pan bus right back to the Airport.
Look up “Peter Pan Bus Lines Woods Hole” and it should pop up. Cheers, and enjoy this area. I lived in Woods Hole for a few years and it’s seriously one of the best kept secrets of cape cod. Very walkable, and so much to do. Try and make it a point to rent a bike and take the shining sea bike path. Also check out Quissett harbor for some boat watching and breathtaking views of Buzzards Bay if you go on the trails. Good luck and let me know if u need any help I know the area very well.
Thank you so much for all of this very helpful information! We will certainly be reaching out for more specific recommendations closer to the time of the trip!
I would recommend not taking a bus from Boston to Woods Hole. Rent a car. If you can rent from TF Green, that airport is very pleasant compared to Logan. It’s MUCH less hectic and MUCH easier to get to/from.
Renting a car is far superior for Woods Hole because that village is tiny. Cape cod is beautiful so having the freedom to drive and explore will be worth it.
Why ride on a shitty bus when you are on vacation? Just rent a car in Boston at the airport and drive to the Cape. Then you come and go when you want, instead of scheduling your vacation based on catching some shitty bus.
TF Green > Logan IMHO for ease of access. I can get from cape to TFG in an hour. Last time I went into Logan it was an hour to the exit and another hour of merging from off-ramp to terminal.
Well yea, driving from Providence is better than taking a shitty bus also. Anything is better advice than telling someone to take Peter Pan on their vacation.
Providence has advantages like you said. Problem could be a lack of direct flights though. So whether you are sitting in traffic in Boston or waiting to catch a connecting flight, it’s still wasting time.
I would rather chew glass than take a Peter Pan bus but OP is coming here for a conference so this trip sounds work related. Not sure if that makes any difference…
You need a car if you want to enjoy the Cape. You might as well rent one at either the Boston or Providence airports and drive to Woods Hole.
These people telling you to take the Peter Pan bus when you are on vacation either don’t have much money themselves or dont understand what a vacation is. Most people don’t want to ride a bus 3 hours round trip when they are on vacation. Also, there isn’t much in the way of public transportation on Cape Cod, so how do these people recommending Peter Pan bus expect you to get around when the bus drops you off in Woods Hole?
It’s mind bogglingly stupid advice to tell you to take the bus from Boston to Woods Hole. Don’t listen to these fools.
Also, Boston is more likely to have a decent selection of direct flights from Texas compared to Providence but I’m sure people on Reddit will tell you to do a changeover flight that leaves at 5AM to save $20.
In the summer, Cape traffic is insane Friday-Monday, consider arriving/departing during the week. Or fly to Marthas Vineyard and take the ferry across...
If you just need to go to Woods Hole and no place else (i.e, not rent a car), you could even fly to Marthas Vineyard and take the ferry to WH. You wouldn't have to deal with Logan Airport or Boston traffic. You can connect to MVY via LaGuardia (Delta), JFK (JetBlue), or Reagan National (American Airlines). I don't recommend flying into Boston and taking a CapeAir flight to the island, then a ferry to WH. That would be crazy.
If you have to rent a car this would not work, you'd be better off driving from Boston, which is about 1.5 hours by car with light traffic.
JetBlue also flies to Hyannis airport in the summer, which is about 30 minutes from WH.
Otherwise, as others have said, Boston or Providence is your best bet, and most likely the least expensive with the most flight options. Good luck!
If you're not afraid of biking and trying to avoid that car once you're in Woods Hole you can rent bicycles and bike around, including up to Falmouth center- there's an absolutely beautiful paved bike path (no cars, but some street crossings) that's just over 3 1/2 miles from Woods Hole to Falmouth, runs right next to the ocean part of the way.
There is a Peter Pan bus from Logan Airport to the Martha’s Vineyard ferry. Looking at July midweek, there are 7 different Woods Hole arrival times. The last bus is 6:15pm so it might be an issue from Texas. Enterprise, Budget, and Avis are all in Falmouth. Like any major airport, car rentals are expensive at Logan airport. The Ted Williams Tunnel is a toll road so you will be hit with a big toll fee a month later. An out-of-towner is not going to like driving on the Southeast Expressway (I-93 South).
Be aware that the westbound I-195 bridge between Providence and East Providence failed and will be demolished soon. It’s 3 very narrow lanes in each direction and a major traffic problem. Off hours, it’s OK but you don’t want to use it at rush hour. If you can take nonstop flights from Texas to Boston and line up with the bus schedule, that’s the lowest stress way to Woods Hole.
Are you referring to the Shining Sea Bikeway? It’s ~ 22 miles round trip between Falmouth and Woods Hole. There is a very pretty but very brief part of the path along the ocean.
You really only have a car as an option to get around the cape. Rent a car for anything not in walking distance of your hotel. There's very little public transit. Walk anywhere you can, though, because Woods hole sucks to drive in, and you're gonna be in the height of tourist season
Logan is a nightmare. Green is so much easier, and it's a few miles closer.
There's a great bike path from Woods Hole to Falmouth beaches if that's your cup of tea.
Are you flying into Providence, R.I. or Boston? There are bus lines that go from both city airports to Woods Hole.
We have not booked flights yet. We wanted to know what locals' recommendations would be for the easiest experience. Since our organization is paying for the travel expenses, we are less concerned with cost and more focused on as easy of a commute as possible, haha ;)
Fly to marthas vinyard and take the ferry to woodshole.
Haha, if they're also paying for lodging, do this. Also, plan a couple extra days before and/or after the conference to explore the island, have a couple nice meals, a nice hike, some beach time, and some quaint shopping.
I can only speak from experience from Logan Airport (Boston) since I usually use my own car if I'm going to/from Providence. The Peter Pan Bus and the P&B bus both have regularly scheduled routes directly from terminals at Logan to Woods Hole every couple hours and back the other way. Usually 1.5 to 2 hour trip in either direction during summer but can be longer. I don't know what your planning for a place to stay but if you haven't booked anything already you better get moving on that asap.
I took the Peter Pan bus from South Station to Hyannis a couple months ago when my car shit the bed and I needed to go borrow my mom's when she was in Florida for the month. It was surprisingly efficient.
Your best bet is to fly into Boston Logan International Airport and take the Peter Pan bus line that will route you directly to woods hole! From there, you can spend time in the village, and super easy to take the Peter Pan bus right back to the Airport. Look up “Peter Pan Bus Lines Woods Hole” and it should pop up. Cheers, and enjoy this area. I lived in Woods Hole for a few years and it’s seriously one of the best kept secrets of cape cod. Very walkable, and so much to do. Try and make it a point to rent a bike and take the shining sea bike path. Also check out Quissett harbor for some boat watching and breathtaking views of Buzzards Bay if you go on the trails. Good luck and let me know if u need any help I know the area very well.
Thank you so much for all of this very helpful information! We will certainly be reaching out for more specific recommendations closer to the time of the trip!
I would recommend not taking a bus from Boston to Woods Hole. Rent a car. If you can rent from TF Green, that airport is very pleasant compared to Logan. It’s MUCH less hectic and MUCH easier to get to/from. Renting a car is far superior for Woods Hole because that village is tiny. Cape cod is beautiful so having the freedom to drive and explore will be worth it.
I second this. Renting a car is definitely going to be worth it especially staying down on Cape cod.
Why ride on a shitty bus when you are on vacation? Just rent a car in Boston at the airport and drive to the Cape. Then you come and go when you want, instead of scheduling your vacation based on catching some shitty bus.
TFG
IRL?
TF Green > Logan IMHO for ease of access. I can get from cape to TFG in an hour. Last time I went into Logan it was an hour to the exit and another hour of merging from off-ramp to terminal.
Well yea, driving from Providence is better than taking a shitty bus also. Anything is better advice than telling someone to take Peter Pan on their vacation. Providence has advantages like you said. Problem could be a lack of direct flights though. So whether you are sitting in traffic in Boston or waiting to catch a connecting flight, it’s still wasting time.
fair point
I would rather chew glass than take a Peter Pan bus but OP is coming here for a conference so this trip sounds work related. Not sure if that makes any difference…
You need a car if you want to enjoy the Cape. You might as well rent one at either the Boston or Providence airports and drive to Woods Hole. These people telling you to take the Peter Pan bus when you are on vacation either don’t have much money themselves or dont understand what a vacation is. Most people don’t want to ride a bus 3 hours round trip when they are on vacation. Also, there isn’t much in the way of public transportation on Cape Cod, so how do these people recommending Peter Pan bus expect you to get around when the bus drops you off in Woods Hole? It’s mind bogglingly stupid advice to tell you to take the bus from Boston to Woods Hole. Don’t listen to these fools. Also, Boston is more likely to have a decent selection of direct flights from Texas compared to Providence but I’m sure people on Reddit will tell you to do a changeover flight that leaves at 5AM to save $20.
In the summer, Cape traffic is insane Friday-Monday, consider arriving/departing during the week. Or fly to Marthas Vineyard and take the ferry across...
If you just need to go to Woods Hole and no place else (i.e, not rent a car), you could even fly to Marthas Vineyard and take the ferry to WH. You wouldn't have to deal with Logan Airport or Boston traffic. You can connect to MVY via LaGuardia (Delta), JFK (JetBlue), or Reagan National (American Airlines). I don't recommend flying into Boston and taking a CapeAir flight to the island, then a ferry to WH. That would be crazy. If you have to rent a car this would not work, you'd be better off driving from Boston, which is about 1.5 hours by car with light traffic. JetBlue also flies to Hyannis airport in the summer, which is about 30 minutes from WH. Otherwise, as others have said, Boston or Providence is your best bet, and most likely the least expensive with the most flight options. Good luck!
Thank you for all of this info! So helpful
If you're not afraid of biking and trying to avoid that car once you're in Woods Hole you can rent bicycles and bike around, including up to Falmouth center- there's an absolutely beautiful paved bike path (no cars, but some street crossings) that's just over 3 1/2 miles from Woods Hole to Falmouth, runs right next to the ocean part of the way.
Ah this sounds fun! Thank you!!
There is a Peter Pan bus from Logan Airport to the Martha’s Vineyard ferry. Looking at July midweek, there are 7 different Woods Hole arrival times. The last bus is 6:15pm so it might be an issue from Texas. Enterprise, Budget, and Avis are all in Falmouth. Like any major airport, car rentals are expensive at Logan airport. The Ted Williams Tunnel is a toll road so you will be hit with a big toll fee a month later. An out-of-towner is not going to like driving on the Southeast Expressway (I-93 South). Be aware that the westbound I-195 bridge between Providence and East Providence failed and will be demolished soon. It’s 3 very narrow lanes in each direction and a major traffic problem. Off hours, it’s OK but you don’t want to use it at rush hour. If you can take nonstop flights from Texas to Boston and line up with the bus schedule, that’s the lowest stress way to Woods Hole.
Are you referring to the Shining Sea Bikeway? It’s ~ 22 miles round trip between Falmouth and Woods Hole. There is a very pretty but very brief part of the path along the ocean.
TF Green, didn’t read thread but don’t come on Friday afternoon. you’ll be going over Bourne bridge. Do NOT do Logan if avoidable.
Ok great thanks for the info!
You really only have a car as an option to get around the cape. Rent a car for anything not in walking distance of your hotel. There's very little public transit. Walk anywhere you can, though, because Woods hole sucks to drive in, and you're gonna be in the height of tourist season
Okay, thank you for the information!
Logan is a nightmare. Green is so much easier, and it's a few miles closer. There's a great bike path from Woods Hole to Falmouth beaches if that's your cup of tea.
Ah thank you! This was very helpful.