G Golf · Line 2: Getting There
Signal notes
- The CapeFLYER runs Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day between Boston’s South Station and Hyannis.
- Kids 11 and under ride the CapeFLYER free with a paying adult, and bikes ride free in the bike car.
- The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority lists free fares on all its fixed routes.
Leaving the car at home sounds unrealistic for a place known for weekend traffic, but the pieces exist: a summer train from Boston, county-wide buses, ferries that take walk-on passengers without reservations and miles of bike paths. The trick is choosing a base and a schedule that fit those pieces, rather than expecting them to fit a car-shaped plan.
Step one: the CapeFLYER
The CapeFLYER is a weekend passenger train run for the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority between Boston’s South Station and the Hyannis Transportation Center. It operates Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, stopping at Braintree, Brockton, Lakeville, Wareham Village, Buzzards Bay and Bourne.
| Train | Leaves | Arrives |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Boston to Hyannis | South Station 5:22 p.m. | Hyannis 8:00 p.m. |
| Friday, Hyannis to Boston | Hyannis 9:20 p.m. | South Station 11:47 p.m. |
| Saturday and Sunday, Boston to Hyannis | South Station 7:50 a.m. | Hyannis 10:20 a.m. |
| Saturday and Sunday, Hyannis to Boston | Hyannis 6:15 p.m. | South Station 8:45 p.m. |
Times are from the timetable on the CapeFLYER site, last updated in September 2026; check it again before a trip. Fares listed there are $22 one-way and $40 round-trip between South Station, Braintree or Brockton and Hyannis, and $20 and $35 for the shorter run to Wareham, Buzzards Bay or Bourne. First class adds $15 each way. In July, August and September a $20 Sunday round-trip fare covers same-day travel from Boston to Bourne or Hyannis, bought on the MBTA mTicket app.
- Kids 11 and under ride free with a paying adult.
- Seniors and riders with disabilities pay half fare with a Senior CharlieCard, a Transportation Access Pass CharlieCard or the CCRTA GoCard.
- No reservations are needed or taken for general seating. Buy tickets on the app, at South Station or from the conductor.
- Bikes ride free in a bike car equipped with free bike tools, and there is free Wi-Fi.
Flying in
From Logan Airport, the CapeFLYER site points to the Silver Line SL1 bus, which is free from the airport terminals to South Station and runs about every 10 minutes from early morning until after midnight. Going back to the airport, the SL1 costs $2.40. The ride takes about 30 minutes.
Step two: buses on the Cape
Once you arrive, the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority runs fixed bus routes that connect all 15 Cape towns, from Bourne and Falmouth to Provincetown. Its schedules page currently advertises free fares on all fixed routes. Most routes offer flag-down service where it is safe to stop, and you can request stops by calling 800-352-7155.
Two other services fill gaps. DART is a door-to-door, ride-by-appointment service open to residents and visitors. SmartDART is an app-based ride-hail service that the authority says now covers the whole Cape. A seasonal Provincetown shuttle serves the Outer Cape tip.
Tip: The Friday evening train arrives after 8 p.m. If your rental is far from Hyannis, check the bus schedule for your route before you go, or arrange a pickup in advance.
Step three: the islands on foot
Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are the easiest part of a car-free trip. Passengers on the Steamship Authority’s traditional ferries do not need reservations, and island buses meet the boats: the Vineyard Transit Authority runs year-round service to both Vineyard terminals, and Nantucket’s The Wave runs from mid-May to early October. The CapeFLYER FAQ says the train connects with specific ferries for both islands. Fares and timing are in Ferries to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket: 2026 Fares, Car Reservations and Parking.
Step four: bikes
A bike turns a bus-and-train trip into a flexible one. The Cape Cod Rail Trail runs about 25 paved miles from South Yarmouth to South Wellfleet, and the canal service roads add another 13.5 miles along both banks. The Steamship Authority carries bikes for $5.25 each way to the Vineyard and $8.50 to Nantucket. There are limits worth knowing:
- Steamship Authority shuttle buses from the Falmouth lots carry two bikes in daylight and cannot take e-bikes, which are too heavy for the racks.
- Shuttles serving the Hyannis terminal have no bike racks at all.
- Massachusetts law requires riders 16 and under to wear a helmet.
Route details are in Biking the Cape Cod Rail Trail: Trailheads, Parking, Trail Rules and the 2026 Eastham Closure.
Where to stay without a car
Location does most of the work. Hyannis and its neighbors put you at the train station, the bus hub and the Nantucket ferry at once. Falmouth puts you near Woods Hole and the Vineyard boats. Towns along the Rail Trail suit cyclists. A house at the end of a long dirt lane far from any bus stop is lovely, but it is a car house. Choosing a Cape Cod Town for Your Summer Base: Ferries, Beaches, Trails and Weather Compared compares the options.
Think about groceries and beach gear too. A car-free week is far easier when the rental is a short walk or ride from a store and a beach, and when the beach you want is on a bus route or a bike path rather than at the end of a highway.
When car-free does not work
The train runs only on summer weekends, so a midweek arrival or a June trip before Memorial Day needs another plan. The Outer Cape ocean beaches of the National Seashore are spread out, and their parking lots are built for cars, although the Seashore sells a $15 per-person entrance pass for people arriving on foot or by bike. And if you need to leave in a hurry, there is no Sunday-night train after the 6:15 p.m. departure.