New York to the Hamptons

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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The Hamptons, the string of villages along Long Island's South Fork, is New York's classic summer escape — and also a lesson in how bad traffic can get on a two-lane highway on a Friday afternoon in July. The Long Island Rail Road, the Hampton Jitney bus and driving are the three realistic ways out, and which one wins depends heavily on the day and time you're travelling.

The reliable way: the Long Island Rail Road

The LIRR's Montauk Branch runs from Manhattan (Penn Station, and now also Grand Central Madison) out through the South Fork, with stops at the main Hamptons villages — Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and on to Montauk at the very tip. The full journey to East Hampton takes around 2.5–3 hours on the regular service, and the railroad adds extra "Cannonball" express and summer weekend services that trim this down and run with fewer stops during peak season.

The LIRR's great advantage is that it isn't affected by road traffic — while Route 27 backs up for miles on a Friday summer afternoon, the train keeps to its timetable. It also means no worrying about parking in villages where summer parking is notoriously tight and heavily enforced. Book ahead for the seasonal express services in peak summer weekends, since specific popular departures can sell out.

The direct-to-village way: the Hampton Jitney

The Hampton Jitney is a long-running private coach service running multiple daily departures from several Manhattan pickup points directly to Hamptons villages, without needing to change at a station. Journey time is similar to the train, roughly 2.5–3.5 hours depending on traffic and your specific stop, with comfortable coach seating and, on some services, refreshments. Its main appeal is convenience — direct pickup from the Upper East Side or other Manhattan stops without the trip to Penn Station — though it is just as exposed to road traffic delays as driving yourself.

Book Jitney tickets in advance for summer weekends; the most popular Friday afternoon and Sunday evening departures sell out regularly in peak season.

The flexible-but-risky way: driving

Driving to the Hamptons covers roughly 100–110 miles (160–175 km) from Manhattan, mostly via the Long Island Expressway and then Route 27 (Sunrise Highway/Montauk Highway) for the final stretch. In light traffic this takes about 2–2.5 hours. In the infamous Friday summer exodus, however, the same drive can take four, five or more hours, with Route 27's two-lane sections near Southampton acting as the classic bottleneck. Sunday return traffic heading back into the city is often just as bad.

Driving makes the most sense outside peak summer weekends, or if you're travelling with a car full of luggage, beach gear or family and want a vehicle once you arrive to move between villages and beaches. If you do drive in high season, leaving well before or well after the Friday afternoon rush — or taking back roads locals use to bypass Route 27's worst stretch — can save real time.

Getting around once you're there

The Hamptons villages are spread along roughly 20 miles of coastline, and having a car (your own, a rental, or a local taxi/rideshare) makes a real difference once you're there, since public transport between villages is limited. The LIRR does stop at each main village in turn, so if you're staying near a station and don't need to move around much, you can manage without a car — but beach access, restaurants and friends' houses are often a short drive rather than a walk.

Practical tips

• Reserve LIRR seats on the seasonal summer express services in advance during peak weekends.
• If driving, check real-time traffic apps before setting out on a Friday — leaving an hour earlier or later can save hours, not minutes.
• Parking in village centres like East Hampton and Southampton is metered and tightly enforced in summer; budget time to find a spot.

Which should you choose?

The LIRR is the most reliable choice, especially on the worst-traffic weekends of summer, since it sidesteps Route 27 entirely. The Hampton Jitney suits those who want direct Manhattan pickup and don't mind being exposed to the same traffic as drivers. Driving is best reserved for off-peak trips or when you genuinely need a car once you arrive.

Other trips out of New York

If you're weighing up other escapes from the city, see our guides to New York to Atlantic City for the boardwalk by bus or NJ Transit, New York to Niagara Falls for a longer upstate trip by Amtrak, or the USA by train for how Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and long-distance routes fit into wider US travel. If you're arriving from out of town, our New York airport to the city guide covers JFK, Newark and LaGuardia.

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way from New York to the Hamptons?

In light traffic, driving is fastest at around 2–2.5 hours. But in peak summer weekend traffic, the LIRR is usually faster and far more predictable, since it isn't affected by road congestion.

How long does the LIRR take to the Hamptons?

Around 2.5–3 hours to East Hampton on regular service, with faster seasonal "Cannonball" express trains available on summer weekends.

Is the Hampton Jitney better than the train?

It depends on your priorities. The Jitney offers direct Manhattan pickup without a station transfer, but is exposed to the same road traffic as driving, whereas the LIRR keeps to its timetable regardless of congestion.

Do I need a car in the Hamptons?

Not essential if you're staying near a village and a train station, but useful given the villages are spread along the coast and public transport between them is limited.