One of the perks of New England is its accessibility. By air, sea, road, or rail, there is never a shortage of travel options for this first step in planning your northeastern getaway.

By Car

Most of New England is well connected by interstate highways, and traveling to and around the region by car allows the highest degree of flexibility. New England's compact geography makes it possible to explore multiple states even during a weekend getaway. If you are flying to New England or arriving by rail or bus, you may want to consider renting a car for the duration of your stay. Boston is really the only New England destination where you won't need a car — in fact, you're better off without one. Major interstate highways include:

• I-95, which runs north and east from New York City through Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine

• I-84, which enters Connecticut at Danbury and traverses the state, connecting to I-90, also known as the Massachusetts Turnpike, at Sturbridge

• I-91, which runs due north from New Haven, Connecticut, through Hartford, to Springfield, Massachusetts, bisecting the Massachusetts Turnpike, and then along the Vermont/New Hampshire border before taking a turn into northern Vermont

• I-93, which branches off I-95 near Boston and runs through New Hampshire, meeting I-91 at St. Johnsbury, Vermont

The speed limit on most interstate highways is 65 miles per hour, but it is often lower around major cities. Be alert for posted speed limits as you approach cities and towns. Also be sure to obey speed limits posted on local roadways. Highway routes may be your fastest option, but there may be more scenic alternatives if travel time is not a major issue.

Traffic can be a hassle, particularly if you are traveling a popular “escape route” on Friday afternoon. Traffic through Boston, into Maine, and especially entering Cape Cod can be nightmarish during peak travel weekends. If you can plan your drive for off-peak times, you may have a smoother journey.

By Plane

Boston's Logan International Airport is by far the region's busiest airport. Major carriers also serve Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut; T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick (near Providence), Rhode Island; Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, New Hampshire; and smaller airports in Portland and Bangor, Maine; Burlington, Vermont; and Hyannis, Massachusetts. New England is also accessible to New York airports in Albany, Westchester County, Newburgh, and New York City and to Montreal, Canada.

There are several other small airports for certain niches throughout New England. Some of the most popular serve Provincetown, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket in Massachusetts; Westerly and Block Island in Rhode Island; Nashua and Lebanon in New Hampshire; and New Haven in Connecticut.

By Train

Amtrak (800-872-7245, www.amtrak.com) is the region's major rail carrier. The Regional route connects Newport News, Virginia, with Boston, and stops in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York's Penn Station, and New Haven, Connecticut. At New Haven, the line splits, and travelers may choose stops along the Hartford route including Springfield, Massachusetts, or along the shoreline route, including Mystic, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island.

The Vermonter route is popular with skiers and fall foliage seekers. With daily service from Washington, D.C., and New York, this train stops in Vermont at Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Windsor, White River Junction, Randolph, Montpelier, Waterbury, Essex Junction, and St. Albans. There are also stops at New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, and Springfield and Amherst, Massachusetts, and you can continue on to Montreal by bus from St. Albans. The Ethan Allen Express route connects New York City to Rutland, Vermont, with several New York stops along the way.

Metro-North Railroad (212-340-3000 or 800-638-7646, www.mta.info/mnr) operates from New York's Grand Central Station and offers more affordable service to points in Connecticut. The New Haven line carries passengers between Grand Central and points along Connecticut's shoreline as far east as New Haven. There is connecting service from Stamford to New Canaan, from South Norwalk to Danbury, and from Bridgeport to Waterbury. Metro-North offers a wide variety of special excursion packages including round-trip rail transportation from New York City to Connecticut destinations such as The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk and Mohegan Sun Casino.

By Cruise Ship

Though New England may not be the first destination that comes to mind when you're planning a cruise vacation, there are several cruise lines that stop at ports of call along New England's coast such as Boston, Portland, and the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. The majority of departures coincide with fall foliage season, although some lines do offer late spring and summer sailings. Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, and Holland America Line are particularly well known for their onboard programs for children and teens.

MAJOR CRUISE LINES SERVING NEW ENGLAND

By Bus

Interstate bus companies that provide service to many points in New England include Greyhound Lines (617-526-1800 or 800-231-2222, www.greyhound.com), Peter Pan Bus Lines (800-343-9999, www.peterpanbus.com), and Concord Coach Lines (617-426-8080 or 800 639-3317, www.concordtrailways.com).