Things to do / Travel Guide
Generally speaking, public transportation is affordable and convenient within and between Jersey Shore towns, and driving in and around the Jersey Shore is convenient and enjoyable. Whether you are driving your own vehicle or relying on public transportation, getting around the Jersey Shore is a cinch.
By Car
Whether you are renting a car or driving your own, you'll find that Jersey Shore roads are quite easy to manage and that getting from one Jersey Shore attraction to another is quite simple by car. The Atlantic City Expressway runs 44 miles east-west from Camden towards Atlantic City and the Garden State Parkway runs the length of the state north-south and links many points in the Jersey Shore. Route 35 runs from Point Pleasant Beach all the way along Island Beach State Park, and Route 9 snakes along the coast connecting the towns between and including Bayville and Tuckerton, in Little Egg Harbor. Route 9 then continues down the coast, veering west just before reaching Cape May. It is worth having a detailed road map of New Jersey while driving through the Jersey Shore.
The following represent approximate distances and driving times from cities within the region to Atlantic City:
- Long Branch: 80 miles, 1.5 hours
- Asbury Park: 80 miles, 1 hour 20 minutes
- Belmar: 75 miles, 1 hour 20 minutes
- Point Pleasant Beach: 70 miles, 1 hour 20 minutes
- Bayville: 50 miles, 1 hour
- Tuckerton: 30 miles, 40 minutes
- Ocean City: 20 miles, 30 minutes
- Wildwood: 45 miles, 55 minutes
- Cape May: 50 miles, 1 hour
By Train
The New Jersey Transit Passenger Rail System offers two lines that serve Jersey Shore communities. The North Jersey Coastal Line connects to New York City's Penn Station and stops at Red Bank, Monmouth Park, Long Branch, Elberon, Allenhurst, Asbury Park, Bradley Beach, Belmar, Spring Lake, Manasquan, Point Pleasant, and Bay Head. The Atlantic City Line runs between Atlantic City and Philadelphia, but also includes stops at Absecon, Egg Harbor, and Hammonton. A free shuttle is available between the Atlantic City Rail Terminal and all of the casinos.
Take a quaint and comfortable ride around Cape May on a historic train - Cape May Seashore Lines offers rides on a restored Reading Company steel speedway, a nice, easy and carefree way to get around the city. The 22-mile trip makes a roundtrip loop between three stops: Cape May Court House, Historic Cold Spring Village, and Cape May City. Trains leave from stations at all three of these locations, three times a day from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., seven days a week. Train service is limited to two departures on Sundays from the end of November-December.
By Bus
New Jersey Transit also has a number of bus routes that service Jersey Shore towns. There's a route within Atlantic City as well as other routes connecting the city to Wildwood, Ocean City, Toms River, and Cape May. In addition, there are routes that connect Asbury Park to Point Pleasant Beach, Freehold, Neptune, Wall, Howell, and Long Branch.
By Jitney
If you're interested in easy transport within Atlantic City to the tourist hot spots, take the Atlantic City Jitney. The stops include Atlantic City landmarks such as the Absecon Lighthouse, Gardner's Basin, and the Atlantic City Convention Center, among others. A ride on this 13-seater minibus cost $2 or less, making it a convenient and inexpensive way to get around Atlantic City. If the Jitney doesn't work out, an abundance of taxi cabs will be anxious to assist you, but be ready to pay the difference.
By Rolling Chair
Tour the Atlantic City Boardwalk at a brisk pace from inside a rolling chair. Around since 1884, the awning-covered Atlantic City rickshaw equivalent, rolling chairs are comfortable carts pulled (or pushed) by a guide. You can usually hail one outside of the casinos - they generally seat up to three adults and cost around $15 per half hour.
By Trolley
A convenient way to get around Spring Lake, Cape May, Ocean City, Wildwood Crest, Rio Grande, Wildwood, and North Wildwood in the summer is via trolley. Trolleys generally run a continuous, non-stop loop between area malls, beaches, boardwalks, and promenades, as well as principle local attractions; drivers stop at just about any corner. Trolleys generally run from late June-September. Their frequency depends on the length of route, which varies between communities.
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