53 Hill St, Southampton, NY 11968
(631) 600-7700
Hamptons Holiday Travel Guide: New Tips for 2023
Thinking about a Hamptons holiday getaway? You’re not alone. Not long ago, the months of November through April were considered the “sleepy months” in the Hamptons, when seasonal businesses closed and summer dwellers returned home to the city.
But over the last few years, the Hamptons has become a year-round destination with shops staying open during the “off-season,” the holidays and beyond. Even among the so-called Hamptons/NYC “elite,” it is now considered fashionable to travel to the Hamptons for the holidays. But you don’t have to be part of the upper crust to experience all the fun, festive things that the Hamptons offers between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.
Like anywhere else, holiday traffic in Long Island will be a nightmare if you don’t plan appropriately. Here are some tips to make your travel easier.
2023 peak holiday travel dates
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 23 – Busy travel days include the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and especially the Sunday after.
- Christmas: Monday, December 25 – Busiest days tend to be Dec. 23, 24 and 26.
- New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1 – New Year’s Eve is usually the busiest travel day.
Consider a car service first
One of the easiest and most comfortable ways to travel to the Hamptons is to use a professional car service, such as Jackrabbit Limo. This removes the stress of driving and getting stuck in traffic. Plus, you can use the same car service to get around the Hamptons when you’re here.
Be sure to use a local car service based in the Hamptons. At Jackrabbit Limo, our drivers are deeply familiar with all the driving routes throughout the Hamptons and Long Island, including back roads, so we can help you avoid traffic.
Driving? Avoid peak congestion
The main highway into the Hamptons is Route 27 (Sunrise Highway). This can become congested in either direction, especially on workdays when workers are commuting in and out of the Hamptons. So the most important travel tip is to avoid rush-hour traffic times.
For example, if you’re driving to the Hamptons on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, hit the road before 1pm. On weekends, the heaviest eastbound traffic is in the afternoon, so try to leave even earlier.
The same goes for your return drive to the city. If it’s a workday, leave the Hamptons before 3pm to avoid the evening rush hour. Saturday westbound traffic is usually light, but if you’re returning on a Sunday, consider waiting until as late as 9pm to avoid the gridlock.
Flying? Choose your airport wisely
When comparing flights, you have several airports to choose from. But there are pros and cons to each one. For example, Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) is technically the closest major airport to the Hamptons. But the flights are pretty limited (mostly Frontier and Southwest). So unless you’re using those airlines, your total travel time may actually be shorter if you fly into JFK Airport and LaGuardia, even though they’re closer to the city. If you plan to fly private, look into East Hampton Airport or Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton.
Taking the train?
Call us for all your Hamptons
Jackrabbit Limo is a local car service in the Hamptons. providing reliable, luxury transportation throughout North and South Forks, as well as to/from NYC and all local airports. Reserve your car 24 hours a day by calling (631) 600-7700 or reserve your vehicle online.