The easiest Long Beach Island bus is seasonal; off-season, NJ Transit 319 plus a local ride is the reliable fallback.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
For a bus from New York City to Long Beach Island, the right answer depends on the calendar. In summer and early fall, TransportAzumah Route TAZ10 is the simplest ride because it runs from Midtown Manhattan straight to Surf City, Long Beach Township, Beach Haven, and some Holgate trips. Outside those dates, plan on NJ Transit Route 319 to a mainland Shore stop, then a taxi, rideshare, or prearranged pickup onto the island.
The big mistake is assuming every bus labeled for the Jersey Shore actually crosses the Route 72 bridge onto Long Beach Island. Most public transit options get you close, not all the way to your rental house, so the last mile matters as much as the main bus.
Once your date is set, compare bus and transfer options for the route here:
How Do You Get From New York City To Long Beach Island By Bus?
The New York City to Long Beach Island bus plan is easiest when you start with the seasonal direct bus, then fall back to NJ Transit when that schedule does not match your trip. The direct bus is the only option here that regularly drops riders on the island itself.
TransportAzumah Route TAZ10 leaves from 411 West 42nd Street in Manhattan on scheduled operating dates. The published summer schedule lists Surf City at about 2 hours from New York, Beach Haven at about 2 hours 25 minutes, and Holgate on selected evening trips at about 2 hours 30 minutes.
NJ Transit Route 319 is the public-transit fallback. It runs between New York City and South Jersey shore points, with mainland stops such as Toms River Park & Ride and Southern Ocean County Park & Ride. From there, Long Beach Island still requires a local ride.
NYC To Long Beach Island Routes Compared
The NYC to Long Beach Island route comparison comes down to one question: do you need a bus onto the island, or is a mainland drop-off good enough? A mainland stop can work well for a group with a prebooked pickup, but solo travelers usually do better with the direct seasonal bus when it runs.
| Route | Typical Time | Rough Cost |
|---|---|---|
| TransportAzumah TAZ10 direct to Surf City | About 2 hours from Midtown | Dynamic fare, about $40–$65 |
| TransportAzumah TAZ10 direct to Beach Haven | About 2 hours 25 minutes | Dynamic fare, about $40–$65 |
| TransportAzumah evening trip to Holgate | About 2 hours 30 minutes | Dynamic fare, about $40–$65 |
| NJ Transit 319 to Southern Ocean County Park & Ride, then local ride | About 2 hours by bus, plus 25–40 minutes local | Bus fare varies by zone, plus taxi or rideshare |
| NJ Transit 319 to Toms River Park & Ride, then local ride | About 2 hours to Toms River, plus 35–55 minutes local | Bus fare varies by zone, plus a longer local ride |
| NJ Transit 67 to Toms River, then local ride | Often slower than Route 319 from Manhattan | Bus fare varies by zone, plus taxi or rideshare |
| Train to Bay Head, then local ride to LBI | Usually longer than the bus route | Train fare plus a costly ride south |
When The Direct LBI Bus Makes The Most Sense
TransportAzumah Route TAZ10 is the right pick when your travel date appears on the seasonal schedule and your destination is Surf City, Long Beach Township, Beach Haven, or Holgate. The route removes the hardest part of the trip: finding a ride from a mainland bus stop to the island.
The operator’s current TransportAzumah Route TAZ10 schedule lists service from May through November, with dynamic fares and island stops at Surf City Hotel, Long Beach Boulevard at 75th Street, Beach Haven Town Hall, and Beach Haven Inlet on selected trips.
Use the direct bus for weekend rentals, beach-house visits, and car-free trips where you are carrying bags. The higher fare can still beat paying for a public bus plus a long rideshare from the mainland, especially on Friday evenings and Sunday returns.
Using NJ Transit When The Direct Bus Does Not Fit
NJ Transit Route 319 is the practical fallback when the direct Long Beach Island bus is not running or sells out. Route 319 is useful because it connects Port Authority Bus Terminal with South Jersey, but it should be treated as a mainland transfer route for LBI.
The cleanest version is usually Route 319 to Southern Ocean County Park & Ride, followed by a prearranged pickup toward Beach Haven, Ship Bottom, Surf City, or another island town. Toms River Park & Ride can also work, but the final ride is longer for most LBI addresses.
- Check the exact stop before buying. Some 319 trips serve different shore points and express patterns.
- Do not rely on a late-night rideshare. LBI and mainland pickup supply can thin out after evening arrivals.
- Buy or confirm the bus ticket before reaching Port Authority. Gates and boarding rules can change, and beach-weekend departures can fill.
Tickets, Stops, And Last-Mile Details
New York departures are easiest when you treat the bus ticket and the island transfer as one plan. The direct bus solves both pieces, while NJ Transit requires a second confirmed ride from the mainland.
For TransportAzumah, match your ticket to the island town closest to your stay. Surf City works for the north and middle of the island, the 75th Street stop is useful for Long Beach Township, Beach Haven Town Hall fits the south end, and Holgate works only when that stop appears on the trip you choose.
For NJ Transit, use the NJ Transit app or trip planner on the day you travel. Pick the exact bus stop, confirm whether the trip goes to Toms River or Southern Ocean County Park & Ride, and arrange the pickup before leaving Manhattan.
Accessibility gate: Travelers using mobility devices should contact the bus operator before travel, since boarding locations, luggage handling, and island drop-off points can differ by carrier and date.
Where To Stay After You Reach The Island
Long Beach Island lodging is highly town-specific, so your bus stop should match the part of the island where you sleep. Beach Haven is the easiest car-free base for restaurants and evening plans, Surf City is useful for north-island stays, and Ship Bottom is practical if someone is picking you up near the Route 72 bridge.
Hotel and rental inventory on LBI is seasonal, and summer weekends can book out early. Compare lodging by town before locking in a bus stop:
Beach Haven is the safest default for a car-free weekend because more dining and nightlife sit within walking distance. Surf City and Long Beach Township can be better for quieter beach-house stays, but you may want bikes, the LBI Shuttle, or a local pickup plan for short hops.
Which Bus Route Should You Pick?
The direct seasonal bus is the pick for most travelers going from New York City to Long Beach Island without a car. Choose NJ Transit only when the direct bus does not run on your date, the fare is too high, or you already have someone meeting you on the mainland.
- Pick TransportAzumah TAZ10 if you want the least complicated ride to Surf City, Long Beach Township, Beach Haven, or Holgate.
- Pick NJ Transit 319 plus a local ride if you need more schedule coverage and can confirm the pickup before you leave New York.
- Skip the train route unless your plans already put you near the North Jersey Coast Line; the southbound ride from Bay Head to LBI is too long for most visitors.
- Prebook the last mile if you arrive after dinner, travel with beach gear, or stay outside Beach Haven.
For a summer weekend, the smoothest plan is simple: book the direct bus first, choose the island stop closest to your stay, and use the LBI Shuttle or a short local ride only after you are already on the island.
References & Sources
- TransportAzumah.“New York City – Long Beach Island NJ Route TAZ10.”Lists the seasonal stops, sample running times, and dynamic fare range for the direct NYC-LBI bus.