There are four ways to get from New York City to the Hamptons: fly, take the train, take a coach or drive. Each one trades time against cost in a different way.
The fastest is a flight. BLADE helicopter and seaplane flights between Manhattan and the Hamptons take about 35 to 45 minutes. BLADE puts the same trip at 3+ hours by car. The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and the Hampton Jitney cost far less, and their timing depends on the schedule and, for the coach, the traffic.
Below is what each option looks like, so you can match it to your trip.
Key Takeaways
- Fastest: a BLADE helicopter or seaplane, about 35 to 45 minutes from Manhattan, from $795 per seat in season.
- Rail: the LIRR's Montauk Branch stops in Westhampton, Hampton Bays, Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett and Montauk.
- Coach: the Hampton Jitney and BLADE's Hamptons Streamliner pick up in Manhattan and drop off in the villages.
- Driving: the most flexible option, and the one most exposed to summer traffic.
What is the fastest way to travel from New York City to the Hamptons?
Flying. BLADE offers scheduled by-the-seat flights, shared charters and private helicopter, seaplane and turboprop charters between Manhattan and the Hamptons. Flights take about 35 to 45 minutes and leave from BLADE's private Manhattan lounges.
BLADE's Hamptons page lists six destinations: Westhampton, Southampton, Sag Harbor, Shelter Island, East Hampton and Montauk. Seats start from $795 in season.
Getting From NYC to Hamptons
Start with three questions.
- How much time do you have? If the weekend is short, flying gives you back most of the day.
- How much are you carrying? Rail and coach suit a weekend bag. A car or a private charter suits beach gear, pets and a family's luggage.
- Where exactly are you going? The Hamptons are a string of villages. The best option is the one that drops you closest to your address.
For a step-by-step planning guide, see how to get to the Hamptons from NYC.
Travel by Train Out East
The LIRR runs to the Hamptons on the Montauk Branch. East of Babylon, diesel trains serve the South Fork stations: Westhampton, Hampton Bays, Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett and Montauk.
Long Island Rail Road
LIRR trains from Penn Station, Grand Central and Atlantic Terminal all run through Jamaica. Many Hamptons trips involve a change there. In summer the LIRR adds service to Montauk for beachgoers, including the Cannonball, a Friday afternoon train from Penn Station that runs nonstop to Westhampton.
Buy your ticket before you board. Tickets bought from the conductor usually carry a surcharge.
Montauk Branch
The Montauk Branch is the line for the South Fork. Its stations sit in or near the village centers of Southampton, Bridgehampton and East Hampton, so a short taxi or a walk often finishes the trip. Montauk is the end of the line.
Ronkonkoma Branch
The Ronkonkoma Branch and its extension to Greenport serve the North Fork, not the South Fork. Take it for Riverhead, the North Fork wineries or Greenport. For Southampton, East Hampton or Montauk, use the Montauk Branch.
Bus Services to Hamptons
A coach gives you a single-seat ride from Manhattan to the village. You sit in the same traffic as a car, but someone else drives.
BLADE's Hamptons Streamliner
The Hamptons Streamliner is a premium coach service run in partnership with THE JET. It runs express from the West Side of Manhattan to Southampton, Bridgehampton and East Hampton, with a Midtown East drop-off on return trips. You can also book seats to and from Hoboken.
On board:
- First-class-sized Hoverseats with a 45-degree recline and power foot rests
- HiFi Wi-Fi
- In-seat service with light food and drinks, pillows, blankets and hot towels
- A cocktail menu for passengers over 21, plus non-alcoholic drinks
- A spacious lavatory
Hampton Jitney
The Hampton Jitney picks up along Lexington Avenue on Manhattan's East Side and runs several lines out east, including the Montauk Line. A one-way Montauk Line fare is $43 prepaid or $51 on board (fares effective June 25, 2026). Its Ambassador service has reserved 2+1 seating.
You can reserve up to three weeks ahead. Two bags travel free. For a side-by-side look at the two coaches, see Hampton Jitney vs BLADE Streamliner.
Driving to the Hamptons
Driving lets you leave when you want and carry what you want. The cost is the traffic. BLADE puts the trip at 3+ hours by car, and summer Fridays can be longer.
Long Island Expressway
The Long Island Expressway (I-495) carries most traffic east. It is busiest on summer Friday afternoons heading out and Sunday afternoons heading back. Check a live traffic app before you leave and as you drive.
Montauk Highway
NY-27, also called Sunrise Highway and Montauk Highway, runs through the South Fork villages from Southampton to Montauk. Expect slow sections through the village centers on summer weekends.
Car Service Options
A car service gives you door-to-door travel without the driving. It costs more than rail or coach and moves at the speed of the traffic.
Helicopter and Seaplane Services
BLADE offers three aircraft types to the Hamptons. The right choice depends on your destination, your luggage and your timing.
Helicopter Services
Helicopters are the fastest way to the heliports. They suit East Hampton, Montauk, Southampton and Shelter Island, where the ground transfer at the other end is short. Flights take about 35 to 45 minutes from Manhattan.
Seaplane Charters
BLADE's seaplanes land on the water near bays and harbors. They suit Sag Harbor Bay and Shelter Island when you want to arrive close to the marina. BLADE recommends light luggage.
For groups and extra bags, a turboprop flies into Westhampton (Francis S. Gabreski Airport), with a short car transfer east.
Seasonal Considerations
BLADE's Hamptons service is seasonal and busiest in summer. Rail, coach and road traffic peak at the same times as the flights.
Summer Travel Tips
Demand spikes on Friday late afternoon and evening heading out, and Sunday afternoon and evening heading back. To avoid the rush:
- Leave Friday morning or early afternoon.
- Come back Sunday night or early Monday.
- If you are flexible, fly into Westhampton or Sag Harbor Bay and transfer to your final address.
Holiday Weekends
Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day fill early. Book flights, train seats and coach seats for those dates well in advance.
Inclement Weather
Weather affects every option. Helicopters and seaplanes fly only when conditions allow, so build some slack into a tight schedule and keep an eye on the forecast.
Bottom Line: Best Ways to Travel from NYC to Hamptons This Summer
- Short on time: fly. BLADE helicopter and seaplane flights take about 35 to 45 minutes.
- On a budget: take the LIRR's Montauk Branch or the Hampton Jitney.
- Want comfort on the road: book the Hamptons Streamliner.
- Carrying a lot, or need a car out east: drive, and leave outside the Friday and Sunday peaks.
FAQs about Best Ways to Travel from NYC to Hamptons This Summer
What's the fastest way to get from NYC to the Hamptons?
By helicopter. BLADE flights between Manhattan and the Hamptons take about 35 to 45 minutes.
How long does it take to drive from NYC to the Hamptons?
BLADE puts the drive at 3+ hours. Summer Fridays and holiday weekends can take longer.
Are there budget-friendly ways to travel to the Hamptons?
Yes. The LIRR and the Hampton Jitney cost far less than flying. A one-way Hampton Jitney Montauk Line ticket is $43 prepaid or $51 on board.
Do I need a car once I'm in the Hamptons?
Not always. Several LIRR and coach stops are in or near village centers, and local taxis and rideshares cover the rest. Plan for waits at peak times.
What's the best way to avoid traffic on holiday weekends?
Leave Friday morning or early afternoon, return Sunday night or early Monday, and book well in advance. Flying skips the road entirely.
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