The commute between Brooklyn and Long Island is easy as pie. Not only is it a fairly simple drive, the public transportation options are numerous — hello, Long Island Railroad! Here are the best ways to get between Brooklyn and “The Island,” whether you are driving, hopping on a train, or using car sharing services.
Public transportation
The Long Island Railroad will solve all your transportation woes if you’re going from one place to the other. The service is fast, generally punctual, and it runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. (There’s also significant off-peak, weekend, and holiday service.) There are three different branches of the LIRR that comprehensively cover most of Long Island, from the suburbs of Nassau County to the Hamptons. And a comprehensive connecting hub in Jamaica, Queens, makes for an easy transfer when you’re traveling from Brooklyn.
There are three LIRR stops in Brooklyn. If you’re coming from Long Island, the first is East New York (at Atlantic Avenue and Havens Place), the second at Nostrand Avenue (Atlantic and Nostrand) and the final stop is at Atlantic Terminal (Atlantic and Flatbush). From Nostrand Avenue, you can connect to the A/C subway lines. From Atlantic Terminal, you can connect to the 2/3, 4/5, B/D, and N/Q/R lines, which will take you to most places in the city. The Atlantic Terminal station has an exit for Barclays Center and is walking distance from the Brooklyn Academy of Music. For schedules and fares, check the LIRR website, or to search for train schedules on your phone, check out this free TrainTime app.