53 Hill St, Southampton, NY 11968
(631) 600-7700
Helpful Tips for Using an Airport Car Service to/from the Hamptons & Long Island
If you’re flying into or out of the Greater NYC metro area, one of the easiest ways to travel is to use a local airport car service. This will ensure you arrive at your destination on time, whether you’re catching an outbound flight or traveling from the airport to the Hamptons or other parts of Long Island.
But before you reserve a vehicle, there are a few things to know to make your travel comfortable and hassle-free.
What’s the easiest way to get an airport car service?
Simply call (631) 600-7700 to reserve your vehicle and get all the guidance you need (so you don’t even need to think about the tips below). At Jackrabbit Limo, we can make your booking process fast and easy, while also providing all the information you need to make your travel stress-free.
If your flights are not yet booked, we can help you determine the best time to travel and avoid traffic. If you’re exploring the area, we can also recommend destinations to check out, based on our extensive knowledge of the area. Or, if you just need a reliable, no-fuss airport pickup or drop-off, that’s what we’re here for.
Which airport should you fly to?
The airport you choose will have a big impact on your overall travel time, so if you haven’t booked your flights yet, it’s a good idea to compare your options carefully.
Here are some of the key differences between the various NYC-area airports:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Queens, NY: JFK is the busiest airport in New York – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It offers more flight times and airline options, allowing you to schedule your travel according to your needs. Even if you plan to use a car service from the airport to the Hamptons, for example, it’s generally faster overall to choose JFK or LaGuardia. Even though MacArthur Airport is closer to the Hamptons, the limited flight options may mean a longer overall travel time (more on that below).
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Queens NY: LGA used to have a bad rap for its traffic congestion, limited runways and aging infrastructure. But a lot of this was dramatically improved after the recent $8 billion renovation. The overall layout, both inside the airport and on the surrounding roads and terminals, are now vastly improved. LGA offers a wide array of flight options, and it’s closer to Manhattan if you need to travel into the city. Also, like JFK, getting a car service from LGA to eastern Long Island is still usually a safer bet than using MacArthur in terms of overall travel time, depending on the airline you choose.
- Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), Islip / Ronkonkoma, NY: MacArthur is often referred to by its former name of Islip Airport. This airport is conveniently located on Long Island, but direct flights are mostly limited to Southwest and Frontier. If you’re flying direct via those airlines, that’s a fine option. But if you need to use a connecting flight to get here, then your total travel time will usually be extended by several hours. In that case, it usually makes more sense to fly into JFK or LaGuardia. Even when you include the ground transportation time using a car service from the airport to the Hamptons or elsewhere on LI, your total travel time will be shorter.
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark, NJ: Newark is another large airport offering many airlines and flight options. However, it’s the furthest from Long Island. If you’re traveling to Manhattan or even some of the other boroughs, Newark may be a good option. But if you’re heading out to Long Island (especially the Hamptons), then you can expect an additional 90 minutes to 4 hours travel time on the road.
- Local Hamptons Airports for Private Flights: If you have access to a private flight, there are a few small airports in the Hamptons that you may be able to fly into, including East Hampton Airport (HTO), Francis S. Gabreski Airport / Westhampton (FOK) and Montauk Airport (MTP).
What time should you arrive or depart?
When you use a car service to/from the Hamptons has a huge impact on your travel time. Traffic on Long Island can get intense at certain times, so it’s best to choose flights that avoid the peak congestion.
Here are some tips:
- Arrivals: If you’re flying into JFK or LGA during the week (Monday through Friday), choose a flight that lands no later than noon. For flights into MacArthur/Islip, aim to land no later than 3pm. On Saturday and Sunday, try to arrive as early as possible, as Eastbound traffic is heaviest in the afternoon.
- Departures: In general, during the week, it’s best to choose a mid-day departure flight. If you’re in the Hamptons, book your car service to pick you up no later than 3pm. If you must depart in the morning, try to avoid flights that depart between 7am and 9:30am, when morning traffic is the worst. Saturday is a good departure day as Westbound traffic is usually minimal. On Sundays, traffic picks up between 2pm to 9pm, so plan an early flight if possible.
Which airport car service should you choose?
At Jackrabbit Limo, we’re happy to accommodate all your travel needs throughout the Greater NYC region. But if you’re comparing your options, here are some things to keep in mind.
Always use a car service that is locally operated in the Hamptons (or wherever you’re traveling on Long Island). This will ensure that drivers are familiar with the area and know how to avoid routes that become most congested.
Additionally, if you’re staying in the Hamptons, don’t make the mistake of trying to get an on-demand ride-hail to the airport via Uber or Lyft. There are virtually no such drivers in the Hamptons. If you try booking one, the closest drivers would be coming from the Riverhead area or even further. And because of the traffic, they will not reach you on time for you to catch your flight. (For example, consider that it takes an hour to drive from Riverhead to Montauk if there’s no traffic. During rush hour, this can easily turn into 3 hours.) This is why it’s best to book your airport car service in advance, from an established local limo service.
Are vehicles available for your whole family?
Absolutely. If you’re traveling as a group, consider booking an SUV or Sprinter van. This will give you ample room for your family and luggage. If your group is even larger, you also have the option of choosing shuttle vans and buses.
Need help? Contact us at Jackrabbit Limo
Make your travel so much easier by booking your car service with Jackrabbit Limo. We operate in the Hamptons, Long Island and NYC and can accommodate all your transportation needs to/from all the local airports and beyond. Call (631) 600-7700 to speak with one of our friendly dispatch specialists.