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Taking public transit to New York-area beaches

You can take subways, buses, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad to New York's beaches. Here are some options for how to get there.

New York City beaches open for the summer on Memorial Day weekend. Lifeguards are on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

New York City's Parks Department maintains city beaches. The National Park Service maintains beaches that are part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, such as Jacob Riis Park and Fort Tilden. 

On Long Island, beaches are maintained by different agencies. Get more information.

General tips

  • Check for service changes before you go. We do critical repair work on weekends and you may need to take a different route.

  • Check beach status for New York City beaches before you go to find out about water quality advisories or closures.

  • Add value to your MetroCard or set up OMNY contactless fare payment before you go.

  • Be mindful of your beach gear while you travel. Don't block seats or aisles, and keep doorways and walkways clear.

  • Bikes are allowed at many New York beaches. Here's how to bring your bike on subways, buses, and trains.

Helpful apps and websites 

  • MTA app, for transit directions, maps, real-time service updates, and more
  • TrainTime, for schedules, real-time train tracking, and buying tickets for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad
  • NYC Parks beach information
  • National Park Service beach information
Step-by-step instructions and fare information
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rockaway 116 st station

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rockaway 116 st station
The A train on the Manhattan-bound track at Beach 67 Street, blue skies of the beach visible in the background
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Q Cyclone Daylight

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Q Cyclone Daylight
The Q train passes by the Cyclone roller coaster
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Long Beach Boardwalk and Bikes

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Long Beach Boardwalk and Bikes
People riding bikes, jogging and walking along the damp, shiny wooden boardwalk at dusk
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Orchard Beach Bronx

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Orchard Beach Bronx
Vintage ad "The Subway Sun" from the New York Transit Museum. The ad reads Cool Off At Orchard Beach - Bathing - Boating - Picknicking
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More area beaches

Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
  •  to Brighton Beach
  • Bus: B1, B68
Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn
  • Bus: B1, B49
South Beach, Staten Island
  • Bus: S51, S52, S81
Midland Beach, Staten Island
  • Bus: S51, S81
Cedar Grove Beach, Staten Island
  • Bus: S76, S86
Great Kills Park, Staten Island
  •  to Bay Terrace
  • Bus: S78, S79
Wolfe's Pond Beach, Staten Island
  •  to Prince's Bay
  • Bus: S55, S56
Fire Island, Long Island
  • LIRR Montauk Branch to Bay Shore, Sayville, or Patchogue, connect to ferry by taxi or walk
Robert Moses State Park, Long Island
  • LIRR Babylon Branch to Babylon, connect to Suffolk County Transit bus 15
Shelter Island, Long Island
  • LIRR Ronkonkoma Branch to Greenport, connect to ferry