Getting Around

The down-island towns of Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown are fairly compact, and if your inn is located in the heart of one of these small towns, you will be within walking distance of shopping, beaches, and attractions in town. Frequent shuttle buses can whisk you to the other down-island towns and beaches in 5 to 15 minutes. To explore the up-island towns, you will need to bike; it's possible to tour the entire island -- 60-some odd miles -- in 1 day. In season, you can also take the shuttle bus up-island. Otherwise, you will have to take a cab.

By Bicycle & Moped

You shouldn't leave without exploring the Vineyard on two wheels, even if only for a couple of hours. There's a little of everything for cyclists, from paved paths to hilly country roads, and you don't have to be an expert rider to enjoy yourself. Plus, biking is a relatively hassle-free way to get around the island.

Mopeds are also a way to navigate Vineyard roads, but the number of accidents involving mopeds seems to rise every year, and many islanders are opposed to these vehicles. If you rent one, be aware they are considered quite dangerous on the island's busy, narrow, winding and sandy roads. Moped renting is banned in Edgartown.

Bike-rental shops are clustered throughout all three down-island towns. Mopeds and scooters can be rented in Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven only and you will need a driver's license. Bike rentals cost about $18 to $25 a day, mopeds cost $90 a day. For bike rentals in Vineyard Haven, try Martha's Bikes, at Five Corners (tel. 508/693-0782), or Martha's Bike Rentals, Lagoon Pond Road (tel. 508/693-6593). For mopeds, try Adventure Rentals, Beach Road (tel. 508/693-1959). In Oak Bluffs, there's Anderson's, Circuit Avenue Extension (tel. 508/693-9346), which rents bikes only; and Sun 'n' Fun, Lake Avenue (tel. 508/693-5457), which also rents mopeds. In Edgartown, you'll find bike rentals only at R. W. Cutler Bike, 1 Main St. (tel. 508/627-4052); and Wheel Happy, 204 Upper Main St. and 8 S. Water St. (tel. 508/627-5928).

By Car

If you're coming to the Vineyard for a few days and you're going to stick to the down-island towns, it's best to leave your car at home, since traffic and parking on the island can be brutal in summer. Also, it's easy to take the shuttle buses from town to town, or you can simply bike your way around. If you're staying for a longer period of time or you want to do some exploring up-island, you should bring your car or rent one on the island -- my favorite way to tour the Vineyard is by jeep. Keep in mind that car-rental rates can soar during peak season, and gas is much more expensive on the island. Off-road driving on the beaches is a major topic of debate on the Vineyard, and the most popular spots may be closed for nesting Piping Plovers at the height of the season. If you plan to do some off-road exploration, check with the chamber of commerce to see if the trails are open to vehicles before you rent. To drive off-road at Cape Pogue or Cape Wasque on Chappaquiddick, you'll need to purchase a permit from the Trustees of Reservations (tel. 508/627-7260); the cost is $190 for the car and $3 per person. Keep in mind, if you drive a rental car off-road without permission from the rental company, you could be subjected to a $500 fine.

There are representatives of the national car-rental chains at the airport and in Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs. Local agencies also operate out of all three port towns, and many of them also rent jeeps, mopeds, and bikes. The national chains include Budget (tel. 800/527-0700 or 508/693-1911), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131), and Thrifty (tel. 800/874-4389).

In Vineyard Haven, you'll find Adventure Rentals, Beach Road (tel. 508/693-1959), where a jeep will run you about $160 per day in season and a regular car costs about $79 to $109 per day. In Edgartown, try AAA Island Rentals, 141 Main St. (tel. 508/627-6800; also at Five Corners in Vineyard Haven, tel. 508/696-5300).

By Shuttle Bus & Trolley

In season, shuttle buses run often enough to make them a practical means of getting around. They are also cheap, dependable, and easy.

The Martha's Vineyard Regional Transit Authority (tel. 508/693-9440; www.vineyardtransit.com) operates shuttle buses year-round on about a dozen routes around the island. The buses, which are white with purple logos, cost about $2 to $5 depending on distance. The formula is $1 per town. For example, Vineyard Haven to Oak Bluffs is $2, but Vineyard Haven to Edgartown (passing through Oak Bluffs) is $3. A 1-day pass is $6; a 3-day pass is $15. The Edgartown Downtown Shuttle and the South Beach buses circle throughout town or out to South Beach every 20 minutes in season. They also stop at the free parking lots just north of the town center -- this is a great way to avoid circling the streets in search of a vacant spot on busy weekends. The main down-island stops are Vineyard Haven (near the ferry terminal), Oak Bluffs (near the Civil War statue in Ocean Park), and Edgartown (Church St., near the Old Whaling Church). From late June to early September, they run more frequently -- from 6am to midnight every 15 minutes or half-hour. Hours are reduced in spring and fall. Buses also go out to Aquinnah (via the airport, West Tisbury, and Chilmark), leaving every couple of hours from down-island towns and looping about every hour through up-island towns.

For bus tours of the island, call Island Transport (tel. 508/693-0058) or hop on one of the Island Transport buses that are stationed at the ferry terminals in Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs in the summer.

By Taxi

Upon arrival, you'll find taxis at all ferry terminals and at the airport, and there are permanent taxi stands in Oak Bluffs (at the Flying Horses Carousel) and Edgartown (next to the Town Wharf). Most taxi outfits operate cars as well as vans for larger groups and travelers with bikes. Cab companies on the island include Adam Cab (tel. 800/281-4462 or 508/693-3332), Accurate Cab (tel. 888/557-9798 or 508/627-9798; the only 24-hr. service), All Island Taxi (tel. 508/693-3705), Vineyard Taxi (tel. 508/693-8660), Patti's Taxi (tel. 508/693-1663), and Atlantic Taxi (tel. 508/693-7110). Rates from town to town in summer are generally flat fees based on where you're headed and the number of passengers on board. A trip from Vineyard Haven to Edgartown would probably cost around $17 for two people. Late-night revelers should keep in mind that rates double after midnight until 7am.

The Chappaquiddick Ferry

The On-Time ferry (tel. 508/627-9427) runs the 5-minute trip from Memorial Wharf on Dock Street in Edgartown to Chappaquiddick Island from June to mid-October daily, every 5 minutes from 7am to midnight. Passengers, bikes, mopeds, dogs, and cars (3 at a time) are all welcome. A round trip is $3 per person, $10 for one car/one driver, $6 for one bike/one person.