How to Get to Cape Cod from Boston

Among the list of things to see and do in Boston, you should always include a visit to Cape Cod. It is a peninsula located east of Massachusetts that is very easy to reach from Boston. It is about 112 kilometres by road from the city of Boston, and you can use different modes of transport to get there.

Travelling on an excursion from Boston to Cape Cod is perhaps the best decision as it allows you to focus on the places you want to visit and forget about the logistics. If you like history tours in Boston, you will love these excursions as the guides narrate interesting and historical facts during the tour. If you don't speak English, don't worry, these tours usually have staff who speak Spanish or provide headphones and equipment so you can listen to the narration.

This journey begins with a sightseeing cruise that can depart from Long Wharf or MacMillan Pier. The ferry passes by places such as:

• The Sandwich Glass Museum, located in the historic town of Sandwich, a museum that displays a variety of rare glassware and its manufacturing process.
• The John F. Kennedy Memorial.
• The Cape Cod Canal, which you will cross while enjoying the breathtaking panoramic views.

Next, you can stroll down Main Street Hyannis to grab a bite to eat and buy souvenirs. The next stop will most likely be Gray's Beach, a beautiful spot ideal for taking some photographs. There, you can also walk along the boardwalk located above the famous marshes, depending on the time allowed on the excursion. The last part of the tour is usually a trip around Lewis Bay to appreciate the beauty of the landscape and see the Kennedy residences and other landmarks. At the end, a bus will be waiting to take you back.

Practical information

• Price: approximately €150.
• Duration of the trip: the entire excursion can take 9 to 10 hours.
• Advantages: you can enjoy beautiful views of the city and the islands of Boston Harbour during your cruise.
• Disadvantages: you must be punctual at all pick-up times so as not to miss your bus or ferry trip. In addition, weather conditions are sometimes unfavourable, so it may be necessary to find another option.

If you are in a hurry, it is best to buy a plane ticket. With Cape Air, you can fly from Boston Logan International Airport to any airport in Cape Cod:

• Hyannis and Provincetown (Provincetown Municipal Airport).
• Nantucket Islands (Nantucket Memorial Airport).
• Martha's Vineyard.

If you land on one of the islands, you will have the opportunity to explore it first before travelling to other locations. If that is what you want to do, you will need to take a ferry to one of the towns I mentioned earlier.

Before purchasing your ticket, check what type of luggage you can take. Personally, I recommend taking only what you need, as extra luggage will cost you a little more on your trip. Also, if you are only visiting for a day, all you will need is a rucksack with the basics for your trip. Don't forget to plan your journey from the airport to the beach or hotel.

Practical information

• Price: between €70 and €140.
• Journey time: around half an hour, plus boarding and disembarking time and transfer from the airport to your final destination.
• Advantages: this is the fastest option available.
• Disadvantages: depending on the date, tickets may be sold out or very expensive.

For some people, it is much safer and more relaxing to drive to their destination. If that's the case for you, don't worry, you can drive to Cape Cod even if you don't have your own car, as you can hire one from companies such as Budget or AVIS.

Before setting off on your journey from Boston to The Cape, you will need to find an easy route to follow: the quickest is to take the I-93 South from Boston. Then, exit onto MA-3 South and US-6 East to MA-132 S/Lyannough Road in Barnstable. To make sure you don't get lost at any point, I recommend using an online or printed map, as well as GPS, if your car has it built in.

You should also think about the places you will visit once you arrive at Cape Cod. Among them is the Cape Cod National Seashore, located on the Outer Cape peninsula. There you can see beaches, forests, ponds and many other landscapes that will be a delight if you are a nature lover.

Practical information

• Price: approximately £120 plus parking costs (some towns and villages have free parking, while certain beaches have special rates).
• Journey time: around 1 hour and a half.
• Advantages: you can plan your departure time and make any stops you like.
• Disadvantages: when you arrive at your destination, you will have to find a place to park, which may incur additional costs.

Traveller Tip

Don't forget to bring enough water to stay hydrated when spending long periods in the sun, and check the weather forecast in advance.

The easiest and cheapest way to travel from Boston to Cape Cod is by bus, although you will have to start your journey very early in the morning. If you don't want to rush or have a marathon day, it's best to find a hotel to spend at least the night.

Peter Pan Bus Lines is a New England bus company that offers different routes to various locations in Cape Cod, such as Barnstable, Eastham, Falmouth, Orleans, Provincetown, among others. The buses are air-conditioned, have toilets, power sockets for charging electronic devices and enough space to stretch your legs in your seat.

If you want to explore beyond Hyannis and Barnstable, two of the most common destinations, I recommend travelling to Falmouth. Make sure the last stop is at Steamship Authority Pier, and you will have the option of taking a ferry to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.

Practical information

• Price: from €16 to €30.
• Journey time: around 4 hours.
• Advantages: economical and comfortable.
• Disadvantages: the journey time can be very long compared to other means of transport.

Unfortunately, the train will not always be a viable option, as the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) offers a train line called CapeFlyer that only runs from 30 May (Memorial Day) to 5 September (Labour Day), and only on weekends.

The good news is that if you travel within those dates, you can avoid the traffic leaving Boston, which is often heavy, especially during the summer.

This transport can take you to Wareham Village, Buzzard's Bay and Hyannis. And if you want to travel to the islands of Cape Cod, I recommend taking the trains that have schedules coordinated with some ferries. This way, you can get to one of these stops, board the boat and begin your journey from the islands.

Practical information

• Price: approximately €30. Children under 11 travel free.
• Journey time: around 2½ hours.
• Advantages: it is inexpensive and allows you to avoid road traffic.
• Disadvantages: it only runs for a few months a year around the summer and only on weekends.

Travelling by ferry from Boston to Cape Cod is one of the first options travellers consider. Although it is most common to take the ferry as part of an excursion, you can also travel on your own.

Companies such as Boston Harbor City Cruises offer boat rides/water taxis, ferries, cruises and special whale watching excursions, although the only option that will drop you off at Cape Cod is the ferry. Keep in mind that they do not transport vehicles, so you will have to get to the departure point by taxi or park your car until you return at the end of the day.

On the other hand, ferry trips usually drop off their passengers in Provincetown, from where they can explore the whole of Cape Cod. However, you can take other boats to the islands by purchasing your tickets from companies such as Hy-Line Cruises.

Practical information

• Price: approximately €70, which usually includes drinks and snacks for the journey.
• Journey time: 1½ hours, more or less.
• Advantages: not dependent on traffic and the sea journey is very interesting.
• Disadvantages: less frequent than other modes of transport and only one destination.

Cape Cod is a beach paradise that attracts tourists from all over the United States and the world. It is famous for being a tropical haven that many city dwellers long for. Although you can go at any time of year, the best season is during the summer, as this is when you can enjoy the beaches the most.

This destination is usually very busy on weekends, so if possible, it is best to go on a weekday. That way, you can enjoy lower prices and less traffic if you are travelling by road.

In any case, you will find many options to enjoy there:

• Going to the beach is definitely one ofthe things to see and do in Boston during the summer. You can even choose from quieter beaches such as Race Point Beach, Cape Cod National Seashore and Herring Cove Beach.
• If you want to surf, then the beaches with waves that I recommend visiting are Nauset Beach and Coast Guard Beach.
• If you want to visit the shops, museums, and coastal towns at your leisure, I recommend taking your bicycle. Once you arrive, you can use it on the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a paved and marked route.
• You can also use the Shining Sea Bikeway, which takes cyclists to the seashore.
• If you want to stay on the peninsula, there are many options to suit all budgets. You will find five-star hotels such as the well-known Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, but you can also find more affordable options.