How to Get to Montauk: Train, Car, Bus & more Options

Getting to Montauk sounds simple until you start factoring in traffic, train schedules, summer weekends, and whether you’ll actually need a car once you arrive. How you get here has a bigger impact on your trip than most people expect, especially if you’re visiting during peak summer season.

As someone who’s grown up in Montauk and helped plan trips here, I’ve seen how getting to Montauk can shape everything from where you stay, where you eat, what you do and how relaxed your days feel.

Most travelers choose between driving, taking the train, or taking the bus. The Long Island Rail Road is often the easiest option from New York City if you don’t plan on having a car, while driving offers the most flexibility to get around Montauk. The Hampton Jitney and Hampton Luxury Liner also run regularly from NYC with multiple pickup and drop-off points throughout The Hamptons.

During the summer months, driving times can easily double! Which is why thinking through how to get to Montauk can make a big difference in how your trip starts.

Getting to Montauk by Car

Driving to Montauk would be my first choice for how to get to Montauk. It will give you the most flexibility once you’re here but if you’re visiting in the summer it could take you 5 hours to get to Montauk from New York City! The last 30 miles alone could take 2 hours which is on small local roads through all of the towns of The Hamptons. Typically the drive takes about 2.5–3 hours without traffic in the off season.

When Driving Makes Sense:

• You’re planning a longer stay
• You’re traveling with kids or a group
• You’re staying outside of Montauk town
• You want flexibility in your schedule
• Easy access to multiple beaches, hiking areas and dining options

Parking in and Around Montauk:

• Most hotels offer free parking
• Street parking exists in town but fills up quickly on busy weekends
• Many beaches require a local beach permit during peak season but town beaches have paid parking

If you’re visiting in the summer, timing matters. Friday afternoon departures and Sunday returns are often the most congested, which is why some travelers opt for the train or bus instead.

Getting to Montauk by Train (LIRR)

Taking the train (Long Island Railroad) is one of the easiest ways to get to Montauk, especially if you’re coming from New York City and don’t want to deal with summer traffic.

The Long Island Rail Road runs the Montauk Branch with trains departing from Penn Station in Manhattan or Jamaica Station (a convenient option if you’re arriving via JFK). Montauk is always the final stop, which makes the ride super easy.

What the Train Ride Is Like:

• Travel time is about 3 hours NYC -> Montauk
• Some trains require a transfer (often at Jamaica)
• The train makes many stops on Long Island before reaching Montauk
• There is a Cannon Ball Train in the summer months which doesn’t make its first stop until Hampton Bays after picking up passengers at Jamaica Station in Queens. (these trains are VERY crowded)

The LIRR is a good, predictable option especially in the summer when road traffic can be awful.

When the Train Makes the Most Sense:

• You’re visiting for a weekend or day trip
• You don’t plan on having a car
• You want to avoid summer traffic entirely
• You’re staying near town or within walking distance of restaurants and beaches

Upon arrival to the Montauk train station there are always taxi’s waiting to pick you up!

Getting to Montauk by Bus

Taking the bus is a comfortable, no-driving option that works well for travelers coming from New York City who want a little more comfort than the train.

Hampton Jitney and Hampton Luxury Liner are two different coach bus companies that operate regular routes between NYC and The Hamptons all year long. Both offer multiple pickup locations in New York City and make several drop-offs throughout The Hamptons including Montauk.

What to Expect on the Bus:

• Typical travel time is about 3 hours from NYC to Montauk, depending on traffic
• Travel time during peak summer season can take 4-5 hours (same as driving your car!)
• Comfortable seating and onboard amenities like water, snacks and a bathroom
• Multiple daily departures, year round

Like driving, buses are affected by summer traffic, but you don’t have to be the one navigating it!

When the Bus Makes Sense:

• You want an easy departure from NYC without driving
• You don’t plan on having a car in Montauk
• You’re comfortable with a longer travel window
• You want flexible pickup and drop-off locations

For many travelers, the bus sits somewhere between the train and driving. It’s slower than the train on paper, but often feels easier than sitting in traffic yourself. The bus also has many more departure times to choose from (ESPECIALLY in the off season) than the Long Island Railroad so it can be a bit more convenient in that sense.

Getting to Montauk by Plane or Helicopter

Flying to Montauk is the fastest option but it’s also the most expensive, of course.

The most popular option for people to fly is taking a helicopter with Blade from New York City. Flight times are typically around 30 minutes, making it the quickest way to reach the East End. Small propeller planes can land directly at Montauk Airport, but if you’re taking a jet or helicopter, you’ll land at East Hampton Airport which is about a 30-minute drive from Montauk.

When Flying Makes Sense:

• You’re very short on time
• You’re planning a quick weekend or special-occasion trip
• Budget isn’t a concern

What to Keep in Mind:

• Flights and helicopters are weather-dependent
• Ground transportation is still needed after landing

Getting to Montauk by Ferry

The only reason to take a ferry to Montauk is if you are coming from New England. The most direct route (& only ferry right into Montauk) is the Viking Fleet Ferry, which runs from New London straight into Montauk Harbor. The crossing takes about an hour and a half and drops you right on the dock – but only in the summer.

An Off-Season Alternative:

An alternate option is to take the Cross Sound Ferry, which also departs from New London but arrives in Orient Point on the North Fork. From there you’ll still need to drive to Montauk which is roughly 1.5-2 hours. This can definitely be a better option than driving around the city.

When the Ferry Makes Sense:

• You’re coming from Connecticut or elsewhere in New England
• You want a scenic boat ride
• You’re comfortable planning around seasonal schedules

Getting Around Once You Arrive in Montauk

How you get to Montauk is only half the equation. What your days feel like once you’re here depends just as much on where you’re staying and whether you’ll have a car.

Montauk town is walkable but Montauk in general is a bit spread out. Beaches, hiking trails, the Montauk Lighthouse and restaurants aren’t all clustered together, which is why having a car is really convenient and the best way to get around.

If You Have a Car:

Having a car makes it easier to explore beyond town and visit places like Camp Hero, quieter beaches, or hiking trails. It also gives you more flexibility if you’re staying farther from Montauk village or visiting outside peak summer months.

If You Don’t Have a Car:

Many people visit Montauk without a car and it is definitely do-able!

• Choosing a hotel in town is key
• Walking, taxis, and bikes cover most needs in summer
• Hotel shuttles can make a big difference, depending on where you stay

Pro Tip: keep in mind that taxi’s and Uber’s in Montauk are extremely expensive so this will factor into the price of your trip if you don’t have a car and want to get anywhere that is not walking distance.