Best way from Maine to the Vineyard
 

without a car?

We're staying on Southport Island (near Boothbay) and my almost 18 year old son is invited to stay with friends on the Vineyard, the problem is, getting there without a car is a bear.

There are no flights from Portland to Boston, where he could take Cape Air to the Vineyard, he would have to stop in NYC first, which is ludicrous.

The flights that do stop in NYC arrive at night then the flight to the Vineyard doesn't leave until the next morning, I'm not having him sit in the airport for 9 hours or get a hotel.

Does anyone know of a less problematic way of doing this or is there an airport I'm not thinking of? I really don't want to drive him more than 2 hours one way to the airport...thanks!

Bangor used to have flights to Boston -- I think it was Cape Air, too.

Out of curiosity I checked -- there are direct flights from Bangor to MV. Pretty pricey though, starting at around $500.

How about putting him on a bus or train to Boston, then having him catch the bus to Woods Hole?

he could definitely take the train from Portland to Boston, as Pausanias suggested. and from there he could get a bus to the ferry at New Bedford
http://www.nefastferry.com/land_connections.html

There is a bus from Pease AFB in Portsmouth, NH - C&J Trailways. It is under $30 to Logan and he could grab other transportation from there. My DH has used it lots..great buses, great service, always on time.