Cape May is an island at the southernmost point of New Jersey accessible by one of two bridges that cross the canal linking the Delaware Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. Most people drive to Cape May, but you can also reach us by plane, ferry, public transportation, or private boat.
Most people drive to Cape May. If you don't mind a few hours in the car, this is the easiest way to reach us. We're located at the southern end of the Garden State Parkway.
Total driving time: 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic
From Philadelphia, take either the Walt Whitman or the Ben Franklin Bridge to I-676 S. Follow the signs to RT-42 S and Atlantic City Expressway. Once on the Expressway, get off at Exit 7S to the Garden State Parkway. Follow the parkway to its end.
Total driving time: 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on traffic
From New York, there are three ways to get to Cape May: Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, and the George Washington Bridge. Once you've made it through or over one of the aforementioned, follow the signs to the New Jersey Turnpike South. From the Turnpike, get off at exit 11 and continue to the Garden State Parkway heading south. Follow the Parkway until it ends.
Total driving time: 3 hours from Baltimore, depending on traffic
From Baltimore & southern locations, consider the Cape May-Lewes Ferry (more below). Otherwise, take 95 North and cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Take the bridge to Route 40 East. Follow Route 40 to Route 55 South. Take Route 55 to its end, which is at Route 47 South. Continue along Route 47 South toward the Garden State Parkway. Take the southbound GSP (there is a toll) until its end.
Travel Tip: If traffic is backed up across the main bridge, try the alternative.
The West Cape May bridge is most commonly used by people arriving via the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. To reach it from the Garden State Parkway, take Exit 0 north onto Route 109 (a right-hand turn). You'll pass a traffic light at Tranquility Rd. Look for a second traffic light up ahead. Before you reach it, there will be a hotel on your right and the entrance for a jug handle.
Take the jug handle onto Lincoln Boulevard and continue straight to the first traffic light. That's Seashore Road / Route 626. Turn left. Seashore will take you over the bridge. It will turn into Broadway Street at one point, but if you keep straight, it ends at the Atlantic Ocean in Cape May City. You can also turn left at various points to enter West Cape May.
Learn more about parking, meters, bike rentals, and getting around Cape May.
For most travelers, the closest major airport to Cape May is the Philadelphia International Airport, about two hours away by car. The Atlantic City International Airport is 45 minutes away but offers fewer connections. In both cases, we recommend renting a car to reach us.
Time from Philadelphia: Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes by car
For most travelers, the most convenient major airport will be the Philadelphia International Airport.
Philly's airport offers a number of car rental agencies. (link to Philly airport's website opens in a new window) It is an easy drive from Philadelphia to Cape May, taking under two hours in good traffic conditions. From there, please follow the driving directions to Cape May.
Picking someone up from Philly? They offer a cell phone waiting lot near the baggage claim areas.
Time from Atlantic City: Approx. 45 minutes by car
Atlantic City International Airport is 45 minutes north of Cape May. Currently, only Spirit Airlines flies into Atlantic City.
Rental cars, taxis, and shuttles run out of Atlantic City. If you need an alternate form of transportation into Cape May, you can
take a taxi or a shuttle to the NJ Transit Bus Station in Atlantic City. Buses
run from this station directly into Cape May. Visit NJTransit.com for more information.
101 Atlantic City International Airport
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
sjta.com
Time from Erma: 10 minutes by car
The closest airport to Cape May is the Cape May Airport in Erma, about five miles north. You can can fly into the airport via a small private plane, chartered flights, or corporate jet. It's not serviced by a commercial airline.
1108 Lexington Avenue
Erma, NJ 08242
609-886-8652
capemayairport.com
Time from Ferry Terminal to Cape May: 10 minutes by car
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is a great option for drivers coming from the South. The ferry will take you from Lewes, Delaware (17 miles or so) over the Delaware Bay to North Cape May. From North Cape May, you are only a 5 minute drive into Cape May. The ferry crossing takes approximately 80 minutes to cross the Delaware Bay. This is another great option for foot passengers or day trippers who want to leave their car behind. There are shuttles on the Cape May side of the ferry terminal to take you into Cape May.
Shuttle information Rates and tickets
Travel Tip: If you take the ferry across to Lewes, Delaware and points south, allow yourself 20 minutes to get to the ferry dock from the center of Cape May. You need to cross a bridge and traffic can build up easily.
Is there a bus that runs directly into Cape May? Yes. NJ Transit buses come to Cape May from Philadelphia, New York, and several locations within New Jersey.
On the NJ Transit site, select "Cape May Bus Terminal" as your destination. Bus routes to Cape May arrive at the Cape May Welcome Center, located within walking distance to B&Bs, restaurants, and shops.
Depending on your departure date and starting point, NJ Transit's website will recommend an itinerary.
NJ Transit Shore Travel Info NJ Transit website
Travel Tip: In some cases, such as coming from New York City, you will need to use a combination of public transportation, including subway trains. The NJ Transit website will help you create a full itinerary or you can call their customer service line at 1-973-275-5555 for assistance with schedules and fares.
Cape May is a popular vacation spot for boaters, and numerous marinas here make your visit enjoyable whether you're just passing through or planning an extended visit. Our full-service marinas that provide first class service, offer transient dockage for the visiting boater, and are a short cab or bike ride to downtown Cape May.
The Cape May Inlet Sea Buoy leads to the entrance of Cape May Inlet and is home to a large commercial fishing fleet. The inlet is wide and deep with long jetties on each side allowing these commercial vessels and pleasure craft to pass side by side safely. Cape May is home to the United States Coast Guard Training Center. Once inside the harbor, there's a no-wake zone that is strictly enforced.
CapeMay.com is made with by the team at Cape Publishing.
© 2024 Cape Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms and Privacy
Accessibility