New Private Driver, Ferry Service for the Hamptons

The Hamptons // Photo by Michael McDonough via flickr
Photo by Michael McDonough via flickr

Everyone seems to be getting ready for summer, and what better way to celebrate than a quick jaunt to the Hamptons? This year, a new private driver service and a new weekend ferry promise to make the trip even easier. 

Black car service GroundLink has launched Hamptons Private Driver, a new, scheduled car service that will operate fixed-priced transportation between New York City and The Hamptons, offering pre-booked door-to-door transportation. One-way, per-person rates start from $58 (based on six passengers riding in an SUV). The service will be available throughout the summer via the company’s mobile app, at www.groundlink.com/hamptons, or by calling the company’s 24/7 reservations line at 1 -855-231-9684.

Pricing is according to the vehicle category selected and the destination. Transport from New York City in a three-person luxury sedan to/from Southampton will be priced at $249 (each way) and at $275  (each way) to/from Montauk and East Hampton. The six-person, SUV-class vehicle is priced at $349 (each way) to/from Southampton and $375 (each way) to/from Montauk and East Hampton. Tips, tolls, taxes and gratuity are additional, but are shown in the final price prior to booking. The company has also promised never to charge surge prices or increase pricing during peak periods.

In addition to the luxury sedan and SUV-class vehicles,  Hamptons Private Driver also offers the option of travel in a VIP Sedan, Mercedes, or Van. Pricing of these class vehicles will vary according to availability. 

For transport by sea, a new weekend ferry service is set to launch May 22 to connect travelers with the Hampton Jitney bus, according to the New York Post. 

The new high-speed ferry, dubbed the Sea Jitney, claims to be able to shave an hour off the trip to the East End if there is heavy traffic on the Long Island Expressway. The trip to Southampton via the ferry and bus is estimated to last three and a half hours. Another ferry route will connect Bridgeport, CT, to Port Jefferson, taking one hour. 

The Hampton Jitney will pick up travelers in Port Jefferson and make stops in Calverton, Southampton, Sag Harbor and East Hampton. 

The ferries will have Wi-Fi service and a full bar, and will run through September 9. Friday departures leave New York at 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. There is a Saturday departure at 9 a.m., and Sunday / holiday departures at 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.