Frequently Asked Questions

Fire Island Ferries depart from Bay Shore, NY — about an hour from NYC by LIRR. For April through October, departures are split between our Bay Shore terminals:

• West Terminal (104 Maple Ave): Seaview and Ocean Bay Park
• Saltaire Terminal (123 Maple Ave): Boats for Kismet and Saltaire
• Main Terminal (99 Maple Ave): Ocean Beach, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, and Atlantique
• Bay Shore Marina (S Clinton Ave): Specific Atlantique runs during the peak Summer Schedule

Always check your specific trip details and changeover dates before you head to the dock. See schedules.

David Bros. taxis meet every arriving train at Bay Shore station. If you'd rather walk, it's about a mile south — Fourth Ave turns into Maple Ave. Uber and Lyft also run reliably to both terminals.

On-site lots offer daily, overnight, and long-term parking when capacity allows.

• Heading to Atlantique? Use the Bay Shore Marina dock lot — typically more space and lower rates.
• Bay Shore Marina (a few blocks away) is a solid overflow option.
• Summer weekends and holidays fill fast. Build in extra time.

For current rates and capacity, call 631.665.3600. Full parking guide →

About 30 minutes one-way to most communities.

No, Fire Island Ferries tickets do not require advance booking or reservations.

Three ways:

• mTickets or Uber app (iPhone + Android) — easiest, accepts credit card
• Ticket window at the terminal — cash, credit, or Apple Pay

Download the mTickets app, buy your ticket in-app, and activate it only when you're at the dock about to board. Activated tickets expire on a timer — don't activate at home, on the train, or in the parking lot, or you'll have to buy another.

Yes. Round-trip tickets are valid any day, from any community, however if you purchased on the mTickets app, the ticket is only valid for 180 days from purchase.

Yes — present a valid Suffolk County Senior Citizen ID at the ticket window for a discounted one-way fare.

No bathrooms on the ferry. Restrooms are available at the Bay Shore terminal — go before you board.

Yes — leashed dogs are welcome and ride at the child rate.

A few things to know before you bring your pup:

• The Fire Island National Seashore restricts pets on ocean beaches at Lighthouse, Sailors Haven, Watch Hill, Talisman, and the Wilderness from March 15 through Labor Day.
• Some communities have additional beach restrictions for dogs.
• Call 631.665.3600 if you want to confirm the rules for a specific community.

Yes — and here's the breakdown:

• Strollers: welcome, no charge.
• Folding wagons / Radio Flyer-style wagons: permitted for $14.
• Coolers: allowed; oversize coolers or large luggage hauls will be charged.
• Bulk groceries, furniture, or building supplies: send those over on the freight boat.

Bikes are not permitted on the passenger ferry. No exceptions. Bikes must go over on the freight boat. For drop-off and schedule information, go to fifreight.com.

• Passenger ferry — runs all day, every day during the season, to every community. For people, beach bags, and reasonable luggage.
• Freight boat — runs once-daily, Monday–Saturday from the end of Maple Ave. For bikes, furniture, bulk groceries, building supplies, and oversize cargo. Same-day cutoff is 9:45am. See fifreight.com for more information.

Yes. Ramps are available on every vessel and our crews are trained to assist with embarkation and debarkation. If you'd like a crew member to meet you at boarding, call 631.665.3600 ahead and we'll have someone ready.

Each Fire Island community has its own personality. Take our quick Plan Your Trip Quiz to find the one that fits your day — or give us a call and we'll help you pick.

Fire Island is a barrier beach with two coastlines:

• Bay-side faces the Great South Bay — calmer water, sunset views, dock-side dining.
• Ocean-side faces the Atlantic — waves, surf, the classic beach experience.

A central path called the Burma Road runs the length of the island and connects all the communities, so you can walk between towns through the middle or along the ocean.

Yes. The Burma Road runs along the center of the island and connects every community. Walking along the ocean is also an option.

Yes — call Fire Island Water Taxi at 631.665.8885 to book a cross-bay charter or private ride.

Yes — Fire Island Water Taxi runs beach-to-beach service parallel to the island, connecting communities by water. Call 631.665.8885 for rates and current schedule.