LIRR --> Port Jefferson Ferry --> Bridgeport --> Amtrak --

[me_little_me]

The title says it all. We're visiting relatives in Freeport. They can take us to Hicksville station then LIRR to Port Jefferson. Then ferry to Bridgeport to catch Amtrak to Boston then on to Portland, ME. Anyone done a crazy thing like this? Seems an alternative to Freeport to NYP then Boston then Portland.

 

[Frugal Traveler]

I have taken Concord Bus from Portland to Boston, then the NE Regional from Boston to New London, then the ferry to Orient Point LI, then another ferry to Shelter Island - a couple of times. A great "multi-modal" trip -

 

[PRR 60]

The title says it all. We're visiting relatives in Freeport. They can take us to Hicksville station then LIRR to Port Jefferson. Then ferry to Bridgeport to catch Amtrak to Boston then on to Portland, ME. Anyone done a crazy thing like this? Seems an alternative to Freeport to NYP then Boston then Portland.

Recognize that the LIRR Port Jefferson station is not anywhere near the Port Jefferson ferry terminal. The ferry dock is about 1.2 miles away from the train station. It's a doable walk, and it is downhill, but it's not exactly around the corner. If you have any luggage, mobility issues, or the weather is not ideal, you might need a Plan B to get to the ferry from the train.

 

[TransitGeek]

The title says it all. We're visiting relatives in Freeport. They can take us to Hicksville station then LIRR to Port Jefferson. Then ferry to Bridgeport to catch Amtrak to Boston then on to Portland, ME. Anyone done a crazy thing like this? Seems an alternative to Freeport to NYP then Boston then Portland.

Recognize that the LIRR Port Jefferson station is not anywhere near the Port Jefferson ferry terminal. The ferry dock is about 1.2 miles away from the train station. It's a doable walk, and it is downhill, but it's not exactly around the corner. If you have any luggage, mobility issues, or the weather is not ideal, you might need a Plan B to get to the ferry from the train.

Suffolk County Transit buses 60, 61, 69, and 76 all serve the stretch of Main St. between the train station and ferry terminal. Fare is $1.50. More info at their website.

 

[Shawn Ryu]

How long does the ferry take?

 

[jis]

Recognize that the LIRR Port Jefferson station is not anywhere near the Port Jefferson ferry terminal. The ferry dock is about 1.2 miles away from the train station. It's a doable walk, and it is downhill, but it's not exactly around the corner. If you have any luggage, mobility issues, or the weather is not ideal, you might need a Plan B to get to the ferry from the train.

Suffolk County Transit buses 60, 61, 69, and 76 all serve the stretch of Main St. between the train station and ferry terminal. Fare is $1.50. More info at their website.

Or you can always take a short taxi ride. Taxis are usually available at Port Jeff Station, and if not they are easy to call on phone. Probably the best Plan B if you have significant luggage.

 

[dlagrua]

The good news is that the New London Connecticut train station is very close to the ferry terminal. If you have to wait a while for a train, there are stores, coffee shops and resturants in the town which can be anywhere from one to four blocks away.

 

[tp49]

The title says it all. We're visiting relatives in Freeport. They can take us to Hicksville station then LIRR to Port Jefferson. Then ferry to Bridgeport to catch Amtrak to Boston then on to Portland, ME. Anyone done a crazy thing like this? Seems an alternative to Freeport to NYP then Boston then Portland.

Staying in Freeport just proves the craziness of the whole situation.

*I say this having grown up there, graduated high school there and my parents still living there.

 

[tp49]

The good news is that the New London Connecticut train station is very close to the ferry terminal. If you have to wait a while for a train, there are stores, coffee shops and resturants in the town which can be anywhere from one to four blocks away.

That would be great if the ferry from Port Jeff went to New London. It doesn't. It goes to Bridgeport.

 

[railiner]

I've enjoyed both the Port Jefferson to Bridgeport, and the Orient Point to New London ferries.

In both cases the Connecticut terminals are near the railroad stations, especially New London. The Orient Point terminal is a greater distance from the nearest railroad station located in Greenport. You do have county bus service as well as taxis to bridge the gap. Both carferries take about 75 minutes to cross. There is a high speed passenger only ferry at Orient Point (with a bus connection to Connecticut casinos) that takes about half that time. Check the websites for more info.

 

[me_little_me]

Thanks for the positive replies and the helpful info on Orient Point. I had looked at that but wasn't sure about travel from LIRR station to that port.

I did know about the Port Jefferson buses and taxis.

 

[railiner]

Unfortunately, the LIRR service to Greenport is very seldom, with frequent weekend 'bustitutions' for maintenance. And the Suffolk County bus service is not necessarily coordinated to take you from the station to the Orient Point ferry terminal. I have always done the trip in my own auto.

All things considered, if you are using public transportation, the Bridgeport and Port Jefferson is probably the easier choice.

 

[transit54]

While I never have made a train to ferry connection at Bridgeport, I used to live a few towns over and I still regularly travel into and out of the Bridgeport Amtrak. The connection between the Port Jeff ferry and the train station is a very easy walk - its flat and doesn't take more than a few minutes. Just walk out of entrance of the ferry station, under the railroad tracks, and swing an immediate right. You can then go up the stairs that are right there to the platform, or continue past the taxi parking to the main station entrance where there are elevators.

You'll need to go up to the main station on the New York side to get your tickets from the Quiktrak, then descend and use the tunnel between the two sides to go over to the Boston side. There are no Quiktrak machines on the Boston side.

As far as getting to the ferry in Port Jeff, it's exactly as others described. All and all I'd say a very doable trip, unless you're loaded down with tremendous amounts of baggage (since there's a fair amount of walking involved).

 

[Train2104]

Unfortunately, the LIRR service to Greenport is very seldom, with frequent weekend 'bustitutions' for maintenance. And the Suffolk County bus service is not necessarily coordinated to take you from the station to the Orient Point ferry terminal. I have always done the trip in my own auto.

All things considered, if you are using public transportation, the Bridgeport and Port Jefferson is probably the easier choice.

As of last year, there is no more weekend service to Greenport between Columbus and Memorial days. The bus is often late during the seasons the train does run, and the schedule isn't coordinated.

Watch out, not all trains stop at BRP. You might want to take MNR to NHV for Amtrak.