Yeah, it’s early. But it’s warm and people are getting antsy.

Some of you don’t know about or care about the Hamptons. However, regardless of whether you go, summer means incessant talk of the Hamptons in NYC. So for the new to the city, new to the Hamptons, or perhaps the simply curious, here are some ways to get out to the Eastern end of Long Island.

1. Long Island Rail Road from Penn Station. 2.5 - 3 hours depending on destination. Goes to both the North Fork (Greenport) and the South Fork (to Montauk). Prepare to throw ‘bows during the high season to secure a seat. Try to get there in advance, get your tickets worked out and stare at that screen so that you can join crush of people that rush to the right track — a quintessential NYC experience. Oh yeah, and then repeat the process when you transfer at the Jamaica station. Check schedules as frequency changes once the season starts. Cannonball goes direct from the city to the Hamptons. There are typically cabs waiting at the train stations in the Hamptons to take you the last leg; otherwise, it’s good to have a few cab companies already added in your contacts if you’re arriving at odd times.
2. By bus, approximately 2 - 4 hours, pickup throughout midtown-uptown, drop offs along the way to most frequented towns. Your choices are pretty much the Hamptons Jitney or the Hamptons Luxury Liner. Make reservations or else. The benefit of bus service is that it’s more door to door than the LIRR, however traffic can be brutal.
3. Rent a car. Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Alamo & Enterprise all have locations in the city. There’s also Zipcar, with cars in parking lots throughout the city as well. Best to make a reservation even if you think you might need a car as they get booked far in advance during the summer. Oh, and I would recommend an East side location. It’s much easier to get yourself crosstown in the Friday exodus than you + your car. Best to leave very early on Friday (morning, early afternoon), late on Friday or very early Sat. morning. If you’re renting a car to have a car out in the Hamptons, I would think twice — there are also car rental agencies (again, check Avis, Enterprise) in several towns.
4. Black car/limo. Let’s say you get a sudden urge to pretend it’s your senior prom. Well, there’s your firm’s black car service … very tempting. But if you don’t want to get fired, how’s about getting your own? Probably set you back in the neighborhood of $200 for a black car, 4-6x for a more asshicular experience. Check Moon Star as a starting point.
5. By air. Helicopter or sea plane, take your pick, but be willing to shell out. Prices range from $500+ to several thousand. Check out Sound Aircraft Services, US Helicopter, Shoreline Aviation or Liberty Helicopter for more info.

Check out our Hamptons transportation directory for more info.