Shelter Island is a tranquil retreat tucked between the North and South Forks of Long Island, NY offering a sophisticated yet laid-back escape from the everyday. Accessible only by ferry, the island feels like a world apart, with its picturesque beaches, lush nature reserves, and charming village atmosphere. Perfect for relaxation or adventure, Shelter Island offers boutique inns and plenty of outdoor activities, from kayaking and sailing to hiking along scenic trails. With its serene ambiance, stunning waterfront views, and historic charm, it’s the ideal destination for a rejuvenating getaway where you can unwind in style.

Please note, Shelter Island is only accessible by ferry which only accepts cash. Links to ferry schedules can be found at the bottom of this page.

A one-way car and driver fare is $15, each passenger is an additional $3. Fares are payable by cash only.

If traveling to Shelter Island by train, you may walk onto the ferry. Walk-on passengers must purchase a one-way token from the passenger terminal for $3. Token machines take cash only. There are ATM’s in the passenger terminal as well.

Once on the island, most hotels offer bicycles or golf carts for exploring. Taxi and rideshare services are also available. There will be shuttle services provided to and from the weekend’s festivities.

GETTING TO SHELTER ISLAND

I’M FLYING INTO…

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) or John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)

Flying into either LaGuardia or JFK airports, guests can easily rent a car at the airport and drive to Shelter Island (see Automobile directions). Alternatively, for those adventurous types, LaGuardia offers a shuttle bus to the Long Island Railroad Jamaica station and JFK’s AirTrain travels directly from the terminals to the same Long Island Railroad Jamaica station, where connection is available to a train to Greenport (see Train info).


I want a car for the weekend.

PLANE
Fly to LGA/JFK

AUTOMOBILE
Rent a car at LGA/JFK

FERRY
Greenport to Shelter Island



I’m adventurous.

PLANE
Fly to LGA/JFK

SHUTTLE (LGA)/AIR TRAIN (JFK)
To LIRR Jamaica Station

TRAIN
LIRR to Greenport

TRAIN
Transfer at Ronkonkoma

FERRY
Greenport to Shelter Island




I’M FLYING INTO…

MacArthur Airport is a small airport in the town of Central Islip on Long Island. It is a one-hour drive from ISP to the Ferry in Greenport, or a short Uber ride to the LIRR Ronkonkoma station with train service to Greenport.

MacArthur Airport (ISP)


I want a car for the weekend.

PLANE
Fly to ISP

AUTOMOBILE
Rent a car at ISP

FERRY
Greenport to Shelter Island



I’m adventurous.

PLANE
Fly to ISP

AUTOMOBILE
Rideshare to LIRR Ronkonkoma Station

TRAIN
LIRR Ronkonkoma to Greenport

FERRY
Greenport to Shelter Island



I’M TAKING THE TRAIN…

From Manhattan or Picking up on Long Island

The Long Island Railroad offers train service from both Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, as well as various stations on Long Island (including Jamaica station with connection to La Guardia and JFK airports), to Greenport station on the North Fork of Long Island. Travelers will need to transfer at the Ronkonkoma station (near MacArthur airport) to a double-decker train that services the North Fork of Long Island. Travel to the end of the line, Greenport station, which terminates at the loading site for the Ferry to Shelter Island.


Long Island Railroad (LIRR)

TRAIN
Penn Station/Grand Central Terminal

TRAIN
Transfer at Ronkonkoma

FERRY
Greenport to Shelter Island


LIRR
LIRR APP

I’M TAKING THE HAMPTON JITNEY…

Coach Bus from Manhattan to Greenport

For a convenient and comfortable ride, guests can take the Hampton Jitney from Manhattan to Greenport. The Jitney offers multiple pickup locations throughout the city and drops off directly at the Shelter Island ferry terminal in Greenport. From there, it’s a quick ferry ride across to the island. We recommend booking tickets in advance at hamptonjitney.com as seats fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

Make a Reservation

I’M DRIVING…

From Manhattan, Upstate NY, or anywhere west of the Hudson

Driving directions will ultimately take you to the Long Island Expressway (Hwy 495). Most maps will offer two different routes, one finishing on the North Fork of Long Island and taking the north ferry from Greenport to Shelter Island, and an alternate route taking the South Fork of Long Island and connecting to the south ferry from North Haven. While either route will get you there, we recommend taking the North Fork as the traffic is lighter, the scenery is beautiful, and the journey on the north ferry is magical.

From Connecticut or anywhere east of NY

As an alternate to driving all the way to Manhattan to reach the Long Island Expressway, there are two ferries that can carry you across the Long Island Sound. The Cross Sound Ferry from New London, CT arrives at Orient Point, the end tip of the North Fork of Long Island, which is just a short drive to Greenport and the North Ferry to Shelter Island. The Port Jefferson Ferry travels from Bridgeport, CT to Port Jefferson, NY, where you can take a beautiful drive (about 1 hour) along the North Fork to Greenport and the North Ferry to Shelter Island.

Reservations are strongly encouraged for both the Cross Sound Ferry and Port Jefferson Ferry. Please see the links below for scheduling information and to make your reservation. The Shelter Island ferry does not require a reservation.

Port Jefferson Ferry
Cross Sound Ferry

THE SHELTER ISLAND FERRY…

Setting Shelter Island Apart

We believe one of the most charming things about Shelter Island is that everyone must take a ferry to get there. Whether you drive onto the ferry or walk on, the short journey across the water allows you to detach from the world and look forward to an island lost in time. Both ferries take cash for car fares and tokens for walk-on passengers. Tokens can be purchased by cash at token machines at both ferry docks. There are no reservations for either ferry. Traffic is boarded on a first come first served basis.

In the summer, ferries run regularly about every ten-twenty minutes starting at 5:00am, with ferry service ending at 12:45am. Please, always check the ferry schedules at the links below for the most accurate information.

North Ferry
South Ferry