Yes, it's a bit of a trek, but never fear...it's actually easier than it sounds. I'm sure you know by now that you must take a ferry (from Bay Shore, NY) to get to Fire Island. I will try as best I can to explain below!By Plane: The easiest airport to fly into is JFK, because of the frequency / options of flights. You can take the airtran from JFK to the Jamaica stop on the Long Island Railroad (LIRR - click here for schedules). From Jamaica, you will take the LIRR to Bay Shore. You more than likely will have to transfer trains at Babylon, but it's literally right across the platform. Once in Bay Shore, there will be shuttle vans to take you to the ferry terminal. The fee for the van is $4. You can also walk to the ferry terminal from the train station, it's about 3/4 of a mile right down 4th Ave. Look for the 7-11, head towards it & keep going. 4th Ave turns into Maple. **If you take the train, try to buy your ticket from one of the kiosks, as there is a fee for buying in on the train with cash.
You can also fly into Islip. It's about 10 miles from Bay Shore, reachable by cab.
Laguardia is of course an option as well...you would just somehow need to get to the LIRR (Jamaica station), most likely by cab. It will probably run around $40. There is also a shuttle bus that runs between LGA & JFK ($15.)
By Car: There are a number of different parkways, expressways, etc...that will get you to Bay Shore, here is a pretty direct one - take I-495 to Exit 31S for Cross Island Parkway. Take Exit 25A on the left for Southern State Parkway East toward Eastern Long Island. Take the Exit onto Robert Moses State Parkway. Take Exit RM2E for New York 27A East towards Bay Shore. Turn Right at NY 27A East. Turn Right at Bay Shore Avenue. Continue onto Shore Lane and Turn Right onto Maple Avenue. The Ocean Beach ferry terminal will be on your left. The Ocean Bay Park ferry terminal will be on your right. Parking is available M-T $8/day; Sat-Sun $16day.
By Train: The LIRR runs from Penn Station to Bay Shore. Click here for schedule. Depending on the train you take, you will need to transfer at Jamaica or Bay Shore (the schedule will tell you where you need to transfer). Train fare is $15 peak; $12 off peak. Once you get to Bay Shore, there are shuttle vans ($4) that will take you to the ferry terminal. You can also walk, it's about 3/4 mile right down 4th Ave. Look for the 7-11, head towards it & keep going. 4th Ave turns into Maple.
By Shuttle Bus: If you are coming from Manhattan, there is a Shuttle Bus that runs from the Upper East Side. The rate is $22/person. Click here for schedule. Please note - you DO need to make a reservation for this shuttle, so please call ahead to do so.
ONCE YOU GET TO THE FERRY TERMINAL:
You will need either the Ocean Beach or Ocean Bay Park Ferry, depending on where you need to go once you get to Fire Island. The terminals are very near each other, so if you accidently go to wrong one...no worries you can walk to the other.
A round trip ferry ticket is $17. Unfortunately the ferry schedule isn't available yet for late summer / fall, however click here for a sample of the current ferry schedule. This site also gives all kinds of helpful information which I am probably failing to mention!
If you arrive early, there is a great spot next to the Ocean Beach terminal, Nicky's. Perfect for a drink / cup of clam chowder before you get on the ferry. At the Ocean Bay Park Terminal, there is a concession stand, as well as Molly Malones - much bigger place than Nicky's, but again...great for a drink if you have time before your ferry leaves.
Once you get to Fire Island...coming next!
And as always, please let us know if you have any questions!
