Planes, Trains, and Automobiles…. how to get to Montauk.

If you are flying into New York, we recommend JFK as it connects to the AirTrain which directly connects to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). When you land, follow the connecting signs in the airport to the AirTrain, which will drop you at the LIRR Jamaica station. The AirTrain is accessible from all terminals at JFK and runs frequently. When you arrive at Jamaica station, purchase a ticket for a train out to Montauk at one of the vending machines or ticket windows. Next, follow signs to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) platforms, and board the train to Montauk. Remember, Montauk will be the last stop… don’t get off the train until then! (this mistake has been made before).

If you are taking the train out to Montauk, you will take the LIRR from Penn Station or Grand Central Station. It is important to know that almost no train that leaves these stations is direct to Montauk. When the train leaves Penn or Grand Central, you will need to transfer in Jamaica. The connecting train will usually be across the platform. The Montauk-bound train will be a double-decker train. Remember to take your ticket with you when transferring. If you do not transfer, the train that originated in Penn or Grand Central will terminate in Speonk and you will have to wait hours for the next train out to Montauk. This happened to Will on his first-ever visit to Montauk, so please do ask him about it.

The Hampton Jitney provides convenient frequent bus transportation from NYC to the Hamptons. Reservations are required two weeks in advance and tickets can be purchased here. The Jitney offers several different departure locations on the East Side along Lexington Ave at 85th, 79th, 69th, 59th and at 40th and 3rd.

The drive out to Montauk from NYC takes 2.5 hours with no traffic (hahaha, there is ALWAYS traffic). The best way to reach Montauk from the west or north is by taking the Long Island Expressway (LIE). Follow signs for the LIE or I-495 Eastbound. Stay on the LIE as it takes you eastward through Queens and into Nassau County. After entering Suffolk County, take exit 70 south on Route 111 to the Sunrise Highway (NY-27) eastbound, and stay on this until you reach Montauk. If you are coming from the south.. good luck with that.  With the NJ Turnpike, Goethals Bridge, getting through Staten Island to the Verrazano Bridge, and then the Belt Parkway and Southern State Parkway to the Sunrise Highway – you should have left in the spring of 2024.