Map of Ferries to Long Island
To reach the north side of this region in the Northeast, you should take the Cross Sound Ferry or the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry from Connecticut. These year-round vehicle links are the fastest way to reach the Long Island wineries and beaches without navigating the gridlock of New York City. The navigation map shows these as critical maritime shortcuts that connect the New England coast directly to the island’s suburban and rural stretches.
From New England to Long Island by ferry
Showing all 18 services
Long Island Sound: The ferry gateways
For most travelers, “taking a ferry to Long Island” means bypassing the gridlock of New York City by crossing the Long Island Sound from Connecticut. These two routes handle over 2.5 million passengers and 1 million vehicles annually, functioning as critical floating bridges that save an average of 3 hours of driving time compared to the Throgs Neck Bridge route.
| Route | Operator | Logistics Score |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport, CT ↔ Port Jefferson | Port Jefferson Ferry | Central Access: Drops you in the middle of Long Island (Suffolk County). Best for accessing the Hamptons from the west or Stony Brook. 1h 15m crossing. |
| New London, CT ↔ Orient Point | Cross Sound Ferry | North Fork Access: Drops you at the very tip of the North Fork. Best for wine country and accessing Shelter Island. 1h 20m crossing. |
Unlike a casual dinner reservation, ferry vehicle slots are strictly regulated. You must be in the staging lane 20 minutes before departure. If you arrive 15 minutes prior, they may have already given your slot to a standby driver. Traffic on I-95 in Connecticut is unpredictable; buffer an extra hour.
Onward Connections
- The Shelter Island Link: If you take the ferry to Orient Point but your destination is the Hamptons (South Fork), you must take two more short ferries: North Ferry (Greenport to Shelter Island) and South Ferry (Shelter Island to Sag Harbor). This “ferry hopping” route is scenic but pricey.
- Train Integration: The Port Jefferson ferry terminal is a short walk from the LIRR station, allowing for a car-free trip from Connecticut to NYC via Long Island. Conversely, the New London terminal connects directly to Amtrak, linking you to Block Island and Boston.
Visitor Volume & Mode Comparison
- Annual Traffic: ~2.5 million passengers (Combined routes)
- Vs. Driving: Driving from New London to Orient Point via the bridges is 150 miles (3.5+ hours without traffic). The ferry is 16 miles (1 hr 20 min).
- Vs. Train: Taking Amtrak to Penn Station and then LIRR out to the island takes 4+ hours and requires a transfer in Manhattan.
