How to Get to Cape Cod from Boston

A visit to Cape Cod should always be included on your list of things to see and do in Boston. It is a peninsula located east of Massachusetts and 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.

Taking a tour from Boston to Cape Cod is perhaps the best decision you can make, as it allows you to focus on the places you want to visit and forget about the logistics. If you enjoy :::link|text=history tours in Boston|element=sc-30-1348:::, you will love these excursions, as the guides share interesting facts and historical information throughout the tour. If you don't speak English, don't worry, these tours usually have Spanish-speaking staff 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 glass and the manufacturing process.
• The John F. Kennedy Memorial.
• The Cape Cod Canal, which you will cross while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views.

Next, you can stroll along 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 photos. There, you can also walk along the boardwalk over the famous marshes, depending on how much time is allowed on the tour. 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 iconic sites. 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. 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 buying your ticket, check what type of luggage you can take with you. Personally, I recommend taking only what you need, as extra luggage will mean spending a little more on your trip. Also, if you are only visiting for a day, all you will need is a backpack with the basics for your trip. Don't forget to plan your route 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's 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'll 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 until MA-132 S/Lyannough Road in Barnstable. To avoid getting lost, I recommend using an online map or a printed map, in addition to GPS, if your car has it.

You should also think about the places you want to 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 somewhere to park, which may involve 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 is 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, and more. The buses are air-conditioned, have toilets, power outlets 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 popular destinations, I recommend travelling to Falmouth. Make sure your last stop is at Steamship Authority Pier, where you can take a ferry to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.

Practical information

• Price: from £16 to £30.
• Journey time: around 4 hours.
• Advantages: it's cheap and convenient
• Disadvantages: the journey time can be very long compared to other means of transport.

Unfortunately, the train is not always 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 during those dates, you can avoid traffic when 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 Cape Cod islands, I recommend taking the trains that have coordinated schedules with some ferries. This way, you can get to one of these stops, board the boat and start your tour from the islands.

Practical information

• Price: approximately £25. 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. Please note 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 passengers off in Provincetown, from where they can explore the whole of Cape Cod. However, you can take other boats to the islands by purchasing tickets from companies such as Hy-Line Cruises.

Practical information

• Price: approximately £60 and usually includes drinks and snacks for the journey.
• Journey time: 1 hour and a half, 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 visit at any time of year, the best season is during the summer, as you will be able to enjoy the beaches more.

This destination is usually very busy on weekends, so if possible, it's best to go on a weekday. That way, you'll enjoy lower prices and less traffic if you're travelling by car.

In any case, you'll find plenty of options to enjoy:

• 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 shops, museums and coastal towns at your own pace, I recommend taking your bike. Once you arrive, you can use it on the Cape Cod Rail Trail, a paved and signposted 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'll find five-star hotels such as the well-known Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, but you can also find more affordable options.