How to get to the Hamptons and Montauk on public transit

The Hamptons is an iconic escape that's as stylish as it is serene. Located on the East End of Long Island, the Hamptons is officially made up of two towns: Southampton and East Hampton. Within those, you'll find smaller hamlets, such as Montauk (the easternmost point of New York State), Amagansett, and Bridgehampton, that have their own particular charms. 

Beach towns in the Hamptons include East Hampton, Southampton, and Montauk. Some of these beaches are accessible to the public, and many require parking permits; check the town websites for more information.

To reach the Hamptons and Montauk, take a Montauk Branch train to one of the following stops: 

• Speonk
• Westhampton
• Hampton Bays
• Southampton
• Bridgehampton
• East Hampton
• Amagansett
  • If you are going to Amagansett, only the first two cars of the train will open. If you aren’t sure if you’re in the right place, ask a crew member. 
• Montauk

To avoid crowds, try the following: 

• Avoid the busiest trains by leaving on Thursdays, or after 4 p.m. on Fridays. 
• When you're returning from the Hamptons, try taking a train after 3:30 p.m. on Sundays. 
• At Penn Station, wait in the West End Concourse on the 8th Avenue side of the station. 
• Unless you are going to Amagansett, there is usually more room at the back of the train.

Use the TrainTime app to plan your trip and buy tickets. 

• The Montauk Point Lighthouse was commissioned by George Washington as the first public works project in American history. The 110-foot-tall structure began operation in 1797 and has been in service ever since. Visitors can climb the tower to enjoy the view, or they can tour the adjacent museum to learn all about its construction and operation, as well as some local maritime history. (Note: The only way to get there is by bike or using a for-hire vehicle service.) 
• Southampton’s Coopers Beach is one of the most popular spots in the Hamptons in the summer. On one side, you have stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean; on the other, stunning views of the town’s glitzy mansions. The main beach near Meadow Lane is publicly accessible, but you’ll need a parking permit.
• Long Island’s waves get bigger as you go further east, meaning that Montauk is home to the best surfing in the area, and the beach at Ditch Plains is the town’s go-to spot. The best time to hit the water is after Labor Day, but waves are consistent at Ditch Plains no matter what time of year. 
• If you prefer sculpture to surfing, head to the LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton. The 16-acre sculpture garden, located about a mile and a half from the East Hampton LIRR station, features works by Buckminster Fuller, Yoko Ono, and Sol LeWitt, along with seasonal exhibits and well-manicured gardens.