Whether you are looking to get a little exercise, don’t have a driver’s license, or simply want to take the scenic route, there are plenty of ways to get around Cape Cod while on vacation.
Bike trails are numerous, giving you unmatched access to everything from small towns, to beaches, to nature preserves.
Trolley and shuttle services offer you a more efficient way to see more of the Cape’s towns and natural beauty. Cape Cod ferries give you access to some of the small islands, like Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, just off the mainland.
Below is a guide to vehicle-free Cape Cod transportation you must try on your next visit to the region.
Bike Trails
Cape Cod is full of bike paths and trails that will keep you fit – and out of a hot car – this summer. The following paths are just a few of the many options on the Cape.
The Cape Cod Rail Trail offers 22 miles of paved, off-road paths following the old railroad. The path winds through forests, around ponds, and through five Cape towns. Pass through quaint Harwich, Brewster, and Orleans, all of which are home to many beautiful Cape Cod vacation rentals.
For great views of the Falmouth area, cycle the Shining Sea Bikeway, another paved, off-road trail that runs more than 10 miles to the tip of the arm. Cycle along the beach, through cranberry bogs, and the Salt Pond Bird Sanctuary.
Between the Bourne and Sagamore bridges lies the Cape Cod Canal, a 14-mile paved bike path that runs along both sides of the canal. This is a wide path with clearly marked lanes, making it a great place for families and new cyclists. Peddle to Scusset Beach for a swim, or between Sandwich and Bourne, to see the coastal towns.
Trolley
The Cape Cod transportation authority offers two worthwhile services in different towns on the Cape.
The seasonal Hyannis Trolley gives visitors a glimpse of life in Hyannis. Beginning at the Transportation Center, the trolley runs down Main Street making its way to the waterfront parking area, then looping back up along Ocean Street to service the docks and waterfront. The trolley is free of charge. It runs weekends only in May, and seven days a week starting in late June.
The WHOOSH trolley is an open-air trolley that services Falmouth and Woods Hole.
The trolley is a great way to see the town of Falmouth. It starts at the Walmart parking lot, cruises through downtown, then heads to Woods Hole.
While there are designated stops, the trolley will pick you up anywhere along its route. The fee is $2 per person, and runs daily from June until September, leaving every 30 minutes.
Shuttle
Different from a hop-on-hop-off trolley, the Cape Cod National Seashore Bike Shuttle offers a unique service to those who want to cycle the outer cape.
Get on in Wellfleet (Marconi Beach Road) and ride the shuttle all the way to Provincetown, on the tip of the cape. Spend the day scouting for wildlife, visiting lighthouses, swimming at remote sandy beaches, and winding through cranberry bogs – all on two wheels.
The service runs seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., every hour and a half. The shuttle fee is $2 for adults and youth and $1 for those over the age of 60.
Ferries
Both Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are popular day trips for vacationers staying at Cape Cod vacation rentals. Fortunately, a number of different operators offer services within Cape Cod.
Travel from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard or Hyannis to Nantucket with The Steamship Authority, one of the more budget-friendly ferries. While many ferries accommodate vehicles, a few are passenger-only.
Stay With Us
For a complete list of ferry services, visit the Cape Cod Chamber website.
To learn more about getting around Cape Cod without needing a vehicle and the many options available to you, contact us at (508) 619-7658.
