How do I get to Hamptons, Long Island from JFK Airport? Are cabs expensive?

I'll third the Airtrain/LIRR recommendation. It's $5.00 from the airport to Jamaica station and then walk out the door to the left and find yourself at the LIRR platforms to take you to the Hamptons. The train will be about $13 ($17 if you take it during rush hour).

http://www.panynj.gov/airtrain/

http://lirr42.mta.info/index.asp

If you're going to the Hamptons, I might suggest you take a look at Montauk. It's at the very tip of the Island and still retains some of it's small fishing village roots. One reason is that the town itself is right on the beach and it still has a town center with good restaurant/bar choices all within walking distance. Also it has myriad hotel choices in town which makes it easy to go to the beach, get food, have a drink all very easily without a car. And plentiful, moderately priced taxis can take you further afield in need be. For example go to the Montauket bar to watch the sunset.

You can rent bikes and ride out to the tip of Montauk where there is a national park. Rent surf boards and go surfing at Ditch Plains (and get delicious sandwiches from the Ditch Witch). I'm sure you can find other things to do by searching on the internet.

While Montauk doesn't have the posh reputation like South Hampton or East Hampton, it's a good place to spend a few days and wont break the bank.

Hamptons Airport

Taking cab from JFK to Hamptons, NY (Long Island) is expensive (can run you more than $100-$200). You can take the air-tram in the airport to Jamaica station in Queens and hop onto the LIRR (Long Island Railroad) which can take you to the Hamptons in around $20-$30.

People don't realize Long Island is over 100 miles long. I think the first response may have enderestimated the cab fare, perhaps by as much as 50%. The train option described - AirTrain to Jamaica Station and Long Island RR to Southampton - is definitely the least expensive. Between the train and taxi options there are probably shared van services like SuperShuttle, but I doubt the price would be competitive with the train.

Train To The Hamptons

walk