The New York City Traveler

Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season in the Hamptons.  The Hamptons is popular with New Yorkers who love to make the weekend trip just as “out-of-towners” love spend week-long vacations in the area.  There are several ways to get to the Hamptons, with prices to match every budget.        

LIRR-to-Hamptons:  Least Expensive

The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) offers five daily trips to the Hamptons.  Most trains require a transfer at Jamaica Station to the Montauk Branch train which goes east to the Hamptons.  Be sure you purchase your tickets from an automated vending machine or a ticket window before you board the train.  If you fail to do so, an additional fee will be assessed for any tickets bought onboard.  Expect the trip to take just under 3 hours.  Off-peak $15.25, peak $21.00      

LIRR’s Cannonball-to-Hamptons:  Least Expensive, Fridays Only

The Cannonball is LIRR’s premium express train to the Hamptons and by far the easiest and fastest way to get to eastern Long Island.  The Cannonball operates on Friday’s 3:58pm Hamptons/Montauk-bound departure from Penn Station.  You will need to make a transfer at Jamaica Station.  Expect the trip to take 2 hours.  Off-peak $15.25         

LIRR-to-Hamptons with Hamptons Reserve:  More Expensive

Hamptons Reserve is an add-on service that you can purchase on the Hamptons/Montauk-bound Cannonball trains.  The service allows for a guaranteed seat in an air-conditioned, bi-level, two seat-by-two seat car.  Each car has an attendant to deliver beverages and snacks to your seat.  Hamptons Reserve is only available on Friday’s 3:58pm Cannonball train departure from Penn Station.  Hamptons Reserve will be the last two cars of the train.  Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance online.  Hamptons Reserve add-on $17.75 + LIRR peak ticket $15.25 = $33.00 total  

Bus-to-Hamptons:  More Expensive 

• Hampton Luxury Liner is a bus service that serves Manhattan and the Hamptons.  Buses are equipped with leather seats, movies, snacks and water, as well as other amenities.  There are at least 12 daily departures from five pick-up locations in Manhattan.  Hamptons drop locations are at Southampton, Water Mill, Bridgehampton, Wainscott, East Hampton, and Amagansett.  There are two types of buses which offer two classes of service: First Class and Comfort Class.  Expect the trip to take from 2-3 hours depending on traffic.  Comfort Class $33 one-way, First Class $44 one-way
• Hamptons Jitney offers the same basic service as the Hampton Luxury Liner but has more daily Manhattan departures.  $29 one-way

Car-to-Hamptons:  Expensive

• There are several car services that serve the Hamptons and Manhattan, Long Island Moon Star Airport & Car Service is one such company.  Prices vary, you can look for a Manhattan to Southampton car to cost about $185.00. 
• Rent a car and practice your driving skills!  But be aware that it will be a costly, time consuming endeavor.  Average cost of an economy car rental at LaGuardia Airport is $60 per day and gas is averaging $4/gallon in Manhattan.  Here is a price breakdown for weekend drive (leaving Friday, returning Sunday) to the Hamptons:  Car $108 + Gas $30 = $138 total        

Helicopter-to-Hamptons:  Most Expensive

New York Helicopter offers the Hamptons-Share-A-Ride service where clients can share the cost of a helicopter charter to the Hamptons.  The first individual to make a reservation for a ride-share is considered the lead passenger and dictates the time and place of departure from the city. A minimum of 3 passengers is required for the trip to be conducted, if that number is not met, the flight is canceled.  Helicopters depart from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and arrive at either Westhampton, Southampton, or East Hampton heliports.  It may be pricey, but you’ll travel from Downtown Manhattan to the Hamptons in 45 minutes.  $550-$715 per person one-way

My recommendation:  The LIRR– and the Canonball if you are departing on Friday.  The train sails past any freeway traffic, allowing you to relax and know that you’ll arrive in the Hamptons before happy hour ends. 

__________________________________________________________________

Comments Off