Travel Tips

Planning Your Trip
As a convenience to our visitors, we have provided the following travel tips to make your journey and visit to Hyannis, Cape Cod more enjoyable.

When to go:
Ocean breezes keep summer temperatures cooler here than inland, especially at night. Even in the summer, it is advisable to bring along a jacket for cool evenings. More and more travelers are discovering the "Indian Summer" season on Cape Cod. From Labor Day to Thanksgiving, the Cape is less crowded and offers plenty of interesting cultural and special events in and around Hyannis (see Calendar of Events page). Motels and resorts usually offer lower rates during the off-season - an added incentive for visitors.

How to get here

By Car:
From Boston & points north: Take Route 93 to Route 3 South. Follow over the Sagamore Bridge where Route 3 becomes Route 6 (Mid-Cape Highway). Follow to exit #6, Route 132 and bear right off exit ramp. The Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Info Center is one mile from exit ramp on the right.

From Springfield & points west: Take Mass. Pike, Route 90 East. Follow to exit #11A, Route 495 South. Follow over Bourne Bridge, go ¾ around Bourne Rotary, pick up Route 6 East along the Cape Cod Canal. Follow until first set of traffic lights (near the Sagamore Bridge). Take a right to Route 6. Take exit #6 and bear right onto Route 132. The Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Info Center is one mile from exit ramp on the right.

From New York/Connecticut and points south, take I-95 to Providence, Rhode Island. Take exit #20 to Route 195 East. Follow to Route 25 South (exit #22) to the Bourne Bridge. Go over Bourne Bridge, go ¾ around Bourne Rotary, pick up Route 6 East along the Cape Cod Canal. Follow until first set of traffic lights (near the Sagamore Bridge). Take a right to Route 6. Take exit #6 and bear right onto Route 132. The Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Info Center is one mile from exit ramp on the right.

By Air:
Cape Air/Nantucket Airlines at the Barnstable Municipal Airport services direct flights to and from Boston, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. There are other airlines with direct flights to and from Newark and New York.

By Bus:
Plymouth & Brockton Bus Company provides hourly, scheduled motorcoach service between Logan Airport, downtown Boston, Plymouth and throughout Cape Cod. Charter services available. There are other bus companies providing service from New York, Providence and other locations.

By Boat:
Full-service marine facilities are offered for pleasure craft. There is daily ferry transportation to and from Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket from Hyannis, on Steamship Authority or on Hy-Line (Martha's Vineyard service is available May through October), as well as the Island Queen which leaves from Falmouth Harbor.

By Train:
Sightseeing trips on Cape Cod Central Railroad are available Spring through Fall. Please call 888-797-RAIL.

Driving Tips:

When approaching a rotary (traffic circle), traffic in the rotary has the right of way.
Right turn at red light is permitted, except where noted.
Highway speed limit is 55 mph.
Seat belt use is required in Massachusetts. Child restraints are required for children 4 and under.
Legal driving age is 16 years.
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.

4-Wheel Drive Vehicles:
are permitted on certain areas of Sandy Neck Beach after inspection by the Sandy Neck Rangers. There is a fee for this inspection. Vehicles are not permitted on any other beach in the Town of Barnstable. Please observe speed limit signs on both land and sea.

Car Rentals:
Major rent-a-car companies have offices conveniently located in Hyannis. Call the Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce for more information at 1-877-HYANNIS or search for Car Rental Listings.

Taxi:
24-hour courteous taxi service is available.

Sightseeing:
Tours of Hyannis/Barnstable and the entire Cape Cod area are conducted on land, sea and air, on a scheduled basis.

Trolley Tours:
Summer service in downtown Hyannis is available and links with trolley service in other towns.

Laws and Regulations to Help You Have a Safe, Enjoyable Vacation

Bottle Laws

Camping

Parking

Beaches

Pets

Fishing, Hunting & Shellfishing