Everything You Need to Know When Visiting Port Jefferson for the Weekend

If you’re visiting Port Jefferson for a wedding, family reunion, vacation, or business trip, you might be wondering where to stay, how to get here, and what to do in town when you arrive. We’re here to answer all your questions - and for more to do in the area, check out our local guides to Long Island!

How long is the ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson?

The Port Jefferson Ferry ride from Bridgeport takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. You’ll want to make sure to buy a ticket ahead of time - you can no longer purchase a ticket on board the ferry, you’ll need to buy it online or in the ticket building next to the ferry before you board. Pro tip: buy it online, and make sure to have your ticket on your phone and to get to the ferry terminal with enough time before the ferry leaves.

If you’re coming from New England, you can also take the New London/Orient Ferry. However, if you’re coming to Port Jefferson, the Bridgeport/Port Jeff ferry is way more convenient, as it drops you off right in Port Jeff Harbor. Orient is about an hour and a half drive from Port Jefferson, depending on traffic.

What’s the closest airport to Port Jefferson?

Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip is the closest airport to Port Jefferson, located about 30 minutes away. JFK and LaGuardia are the larger metropolitan airports closer to New York City and are about 1.5 - 2+ hours away, depending on traffic. If you’re coming from JFK Airport, you can get on the AirTrain and transfer at Jamaica Station to take the LIRR straight to the Port Jefferson Station LIRR stop, then grab a cab into downtown Port Jefferson.

There are usually cabs waiting at the train station when trains arrive, but a pro tip would be to start looking for an Uber when the train gets close to Stony Brook Station.

How far is Port Jefferson from New York City, and how do you get there?

Port Jefferson is about 1.5 hours from NYC by train or by car (depending on traffic or by which LIRR schedule you’re looking at - peak or off-peak). The best ways to get to Port Jefferson from NYC are:

• by car, if you have one

• by LIRR - you can take a train right into the Port Jefferson stop on the LIRR and get an Uber or cab into downtown Port Jefferson.

Do you need a car when visiting Port Jefferson?

It depends what you’re here for and where you’re going. If you’re in town for a wedding and have a preplanned schedule, you might not need one if you’re staying locally. There’s a ton of stuff to do in downtown Port, and Ubers and cabs are pretty plentiful on the weekends.

If you’re coming on the ferry from New England, you can take the Amtrak to the Bridgeport station, which is right next to the ferry terminal. Just walk right over and walk on the ferry (make sure to buy your ticket ahead of time). When you walk off the ferry in Port Jeff, you’ll be right in the middle of downtown and close to local hotels like Danfords.

If you’re coming by train from NYC or JFK Airport and staying in downtown Port Jefferson, you’ll definitely want to get a cab/Uber from the train station (it’s about 1.5 miles from the station to the bustling downtown area). If you’re coming from Long Island MacArthur Airport or LaGuardia, there’s no public transportation to Port Jefferson, so you’ll definitely need a cab or Uber to Port Jefferson, or will need a local friend to give you a ride.

If you’re coming to Port Jefferson for a longer stay or a business trip, or aren’t staying right in downtown Port, you’ll want to bring your car. Downtown Port Jeff is very walkable and great for restaurants and shopping, but the surrounding areas are suburban and there’s not a lot of public transportation. If you have plans to visit the North Fork Wine Country, local beaches, go to the local grocery stores, or have to go to business meetings, you’ll need a car to get around.

What is there to do in Port Jefferson?

You could spend a month in Port Jefferson and never get bored. Besides all the great restaurants and shopping in town, there are endless things to do in the other local towns that surround it, plus the North Fork is only about 45 minutes east.

A quick Port Jefferson weekend itinerary?

• For breakfast, grab something at Toast Cafe or Local’s Cafe.

• For lunch, there’s so many options we can’t even list them all, but Prohibition Kitchen, Tiger Lily Cafe, or the Steam Room are good places to start.

• For shopping, don’t miss Lavender Fields on Wynn Lane, then grab a drink and appetizer next door at Ruvos.

• You could spend all day strolling the cute shops on East Main Street!

• For dinner, try Pasta Pasta or Fifth Season if you want to go a little fancy.

• Don’t forget the Farmer’s Market on Sundays!

Where to stay in Port Jefferson?

Danfords is a beautiful hotel right on the water in Port Jefferson - it’s the most convenient spot if you want to stay right in the middle of the action.

There are also a few Bed and Breakfasts in the Village if you like a more homey vibe, including The Fox and the Owl and Ransome Bed and Breakfast. About ten minutes from Port Jefferson in Stony Brook Village is The Three Village Inn, which has charming, historic rooms. There’s also a Holiday Inn Express and Hilton Garden Inn, both about 10 minutes from downtown Port Jefferson.

How much is the Port Jefferson ferry?

Port Jeff Ferry fares can be found on their website. There are different rates for walk-ons, cars with drivers, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and family rates.

Where to park in Port Jefferson?

Port Jefferson does have a lot of municipal and street parking, and as of 2021 the town has opened up a brand new parking lot on Barnum Avenue. Parking can be hard to find during peak season, so be prepared and try to carpool if you have a big group and are heading in on a summer Saturday. There is paid parking during peak days and peak seasons, so definitely bring quarters and dollar bills; you can also use the town’s parking app to pay. For up-to-date parking information, check out the Village’s website.

Moving to Port Jefferson?

If you’ve fallen in love with Port Jefferson, we don’t blame you - it’s an amazing place to live. If you’re interested in buying or selling in this charming seaside village, get in touch with Jessica Sullivan Real Estate today.