Leisure Travel Guide

Have Fun & Save Money Too!

MTA Long Island Rail Road is the best way to see the exciting sights in New York City and on Long Island. The LIRR offers a host of ideas to save money and have fun too.

There are many exciting, fun things to do in New York City and on Long Island and the MTA Long Island Rail Road can take you to them. The LIRR is the fast, convenient and relaxing way to travel and our special fares save you money as well.

Buying Tickets
The best way to buy tickets is to purchase them before boarding the train. Purchasing tickets on the train is a cash-only transaction and the most expensive option. The LIRR makes buying tickets easy. Tickets are sold at ticket offices, ticket machines, or can be ordered through WebTicket.

Ticket Offices
Ticket offices sell all ticket types and offer certain values of MetroCard when purchased with LIRR tickets. Ticket offices accept cash, checks, ATM/debit and major credit cards. Ticket office hours are posted at stations or on the web.

Ticket Machines
The Long Island Rail Road has three (3) types of ticket machines:

Gray, full-service ticket machines, which sell most ticket types and pre-valued MetroCards, accept cash, ATM/debit cards and credit cards.
Blue ticket machines also sell most ticket types and pre-valued MetroCards, but accept ATM/debit or credit cards only.
Red, daily ticket machines sell one way and round trip tickets as well as some types of pre-valued Metrocards. These machines accept cash, ATM/debit or credit cards.

WebTicket
Tickets can be ordered online at WebTicket. You can save 5% on one way, round trip, weekly and ten trip tickets, and 2% on monthly tickets, using a major credit card. Tickets are delivered within 3-5 business days and postage is FREE. And once you've placed an order, re-orders are a breeze!

Travel "Off-Peak" to Save
Save about 27% when you travel on off-peak trains. Off-peak fares are in effect all day on weekends and major holidays and on all trains EXCEPT weekday trains arriving western terminals before 10:00 AM and departing western terminals between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM weekdays.

Ticket Types

Best Deal - Off-Peak Ten-Trip
Good on off-peak trains to/from City Zone 1 only. Offers a discount of up to 15% off the price of 10 regular off-peak fares. This is a great deal for small groups since people traveling together can share this ticket. The ticket is good for one year from date of sale.

Family Fare
Good on off-peak trains only. Up to four children ages 5-11 travel for just 75 cents when purchased in advance, $1.00 onboard trains when accompanied by an adult. Children under 5 ride free.

Senior Fare
Individuals 65 years of age and older can save 50% off the peak fare, as can people with disabilities and Medicare cardholders. Fares are available for one-way or round-trip travel and are good for six months from date of sale.

Senior Ten-Trip
This convenient ticket is sold at the price of 10 senior/people with disabilities one-way fares. Ticket can be shared and is good for one year. Valid ID is required.

Group Fare
Save up to 60% with LIRR Group Rates. Though the minimum is 30 members, groups half that size may still save. We also offer an option for members to come home at different times. We recommend that you call our Group Travel Department (718-558-7498) at least two weeks before your trip to make a reservation so that space can be held for you to sit together.

Travel Planning Made Easy

Train Schedules & More
Just about everything you need to plan a fun trip on the rails is available on our website.

Click on "Schedules" to get personalized train and fare information, or select the "All Train Schedules" button on this page to see it all. Get "Stations" information for directions, parking and other services. Check out our "Getaways & Packages" section monthly to get information about our special discount offers. LIRR Schedules are printed in a large version for each branch and in pocketsize for stations, and can be found in timetable racks at stations. If your printed schedule is out of date, please check Schedules & Fares or call to confirm times.

Broadway "Free Rail" and Other Discount Packages
Throughout the year special packages are offered that include either free rail or discount packages to top Broadway shows, NY Mets, NY Liberty, LI Beaches, Splish Splash and many more. Check Getaways & Packages monthly for new offers.

Manhattan Getaways
Save up to 43% on discount packages to many New York City attractions, such as Madame Tussauds NY, Top of the Rock, and more. Packages are sold at ticket offices and gray or blue, full-service ticket machines (press Getaways & Packages button). They include discounted round-trip rail and venue admission for one low price. Some offer child fares too.

Long Island One-Day Getaways
Discover some of the most beautiful and interesting spots on Long Island with an enjoyable One-Day Escorted Tour or Package. Our One-Day Getaways are offered from May through November and include discounted round-trip rail fare, sightseeing and admission to attractions. Some Getaways even include tastings or meals.

Restrooms
Restrooms are usually available in open station waiting rooms; hours of availability are posted. On trains, cars with odd numbers are restroom-equipped. Restrooms on our newer trains are handicap-accessible.

Travel Information
You can also get details on all of the information above by calling our Travel Information Center. Our Travel Information Center is open 24 hours. We have a voice-activated system that's easy to use. Call in Suffolk County 631-231-LIRR, Nassau County 516-822-LIRR or in New York City at 718-217-LIRR. The Travel Information Center's TDD telephone number for the hearing impaired is 718-558-3022.