Blade vs Jitney vs train
A flight saves road time and costs far more than the bus or train; the question is how much of the road trip it actually removes once you count getting to the heliport and from the airport.
Fares and schedules checked October 2026.
Blade's seat prices are published only inside its booking flow, and its site blocks automated readers, so this page does not quote a fare. The Jitney and LIRR fares come from their own tables. Start with the mode guide for Blade and then use the framework below.
| Step | Blade | Jitney | LIRR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting to the departure point | Manhattan heliport or seaplane base named by Blade at booking | East Side, West Side or Brooklyn stop | Penn Station for two trains; Jamaica for the rest |
| In the vehicle | As published by Blade for the flight | About 2 h 00 min to Southampton, 3 h or more to Montauk | 1 h 52 min to Southampton on the Friday express; 2 h 31 min to Montauk |
| At the other end | Airport to house: a ride is needed | Bus stop to house: a ride is needed | Station to house: a ride is needed |
| Seat | Assigned at booking | Reserved | Unreserved |
| Disruption risk | Weather and visibility | Road traffic | Train delays and track work |
| Published fare | On Blade's site only | $43 prepaid to Montauk Line stops | $33.00 peak from Penn Station |
Cost per minute saved
To price your own trip, take the Blade fare you are quoted, subtract the Jitney's $43, and divide by the minutes the flight removes from the Jitney's scheduled time. If that number is above what an hour of your time is worth, the bus or train wins; if it is below, the flight does. Do not forget that the Jitney's published two-to-three-hour times include conditions the flight avoids.
When each makes sense
- Flight: a hard deadline on either end, a group splitting the cost, or a route where the road is the worst part of the trip.
- Jitney: a single traveler with bags, a Manhattan or Brooklyn start, and a destination with a stop. See Hampton Jitney.
- Train: Friday afternoons into a town with a station, on a flexible schedule. See LIRR Montauk Branch.
Common questions
Is Blade worth it to the Hamptons?
It depends on your quote and your time. Divide the extra cost over the Jitney's $43 by the minutes saved, and include the ground transfers at both ends.
Do any scheduled seaplanes still fly to the Hamptons?
Tailwind Air ceased operations in January 2026. Check Blade for current seaplane service.
Sources
Checked October 2026. Operators revise schedules and fares; use the official pages below for the final word.