There are lots of places across the Northeast that are worth exploring while you’re living in New Haven! If you don’t own a car, here are some options for traveling outside of the city.
By Car
Zipcar
Zipcar is a short-term car rental service enabling students to rent a car by the hour or by the day for moving, grocery shopping, or day trip events. Zipcars are parked in Yale parking lots around campus. Gas is free under a certain mileage limit, and liability and physical damage insurance are provided. There is a discount for Yale Students!
Rental Cars
Renting a car works well for one-way or long-distance trips. Yale rental car discounts are available for Hertz (Yale’s preferred company) as well as Budget, Avis, and Enterprise. Make sure to use the correct code for leisure or business travel as appropriate.
By Bus
NB: bus routes may be suspended or altered because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CTtransit
CTtransit buses are a great alternative to a car. Destinations include Hamden, Milford, or Boston Post Road for shopping, as well as Branford, Guilford, and Madison townships. A full view of local New Haven area bus service can be found here.
The Graduate Student Assembly is currently advocating for Yale graduate students to obtain access to Connecticut’s student public transportation program, U-PASS. This would grant students unlimited rides on CTtransit buses and trains year-round for $40. Stay tuned for more information!
Other Bus Options
Peter Pan Bus Lines: for New England stops
BoltBus: combine with an MTA ticket to get to Philadelphia and Washington DC.
Megabus: New Haven to Boston via Hartford
By Train
MTA Metro-North Railroad
The Metro-North Railroad connects New Haven to New York City and other great places along the CT shoreline. Try curling in Bridgeport, sailing in Greenwich, or the Stamford Escape Room. You can buy a ticket at the machine at Union Station, on your phone using the MTA eTix app, or on the train (with a surcharge). Schedules can be viewed on the MTA website or in the Metro-North Train Time app.
Peak Times are on weekdays for trains arriving in New York between 5:00 AM and 10:00 AM and leaving New York between 5:30 AM and 9:00 AM or 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. During these times, trains will be busier and ticket fares will be slightly higher.
Amtrak
New Haven is in a prime location for using Amtrak, on the Northeast Regional or Acela line connecting Boston, New York, Newark (Airport), and Washington, D.C. The Vermonter line also runs through New Haven into Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont for a fun weekend trip into upper New England. Book early for discounted rates!
CTrail
The Hartford Line runs from New Haven through Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, and Windsor Locks (near Bradley International Airport) to Springfield, MA on weekdays and weekends. One-way fares are $8 to Hartford and $12.75 to Springfield. Tickets can be purchased at ticket machines, using the CTrail eTix app, or onboard for an additional surcharge.
Passengers may also use the Shore Line East rail to travel from New Haven to Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, and New London. Fares are typically $5 to $10 one-way and can be purchased in cash on the train [NB: cash ticket purchases are suspended during COVID-19].
By Plane
Bradley International Airport (BDL)
Windsor Locks, CT (Hartford Area). BDL offers many domestic flights and select flights to Canada, Ireland, and Mexico. It is smaller and closer than NYC area airports, and can be reached in 1-2 hours from New Haven by car, bus, or CTtransit and connections. Affordable parking is available at the airport or from third-party parking companies like LAZ Fly.
A Cheap Way to BDL
Take the CTrail Hartford Line to Hartford (~45 minutes, $8), and then the Bradley Flyer from Union Station in Hartford to your terminal at BDL (~30 minutes, $1.75). Plan for 2 hours of travel because of the time delays between the train stop and the bus starting.
Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN)
New Haven, CT. Tweed is the most accessible airport to students in New Haven, although it currently only offers service via American Airlines through Philadelphia (PHL), plus Charlotte (CLT) on weekends. Starting September 9, 2020, all American Airlines flights will connect through Charlotte. The security line is very short, and parking is available for $15/day or $60/week. There are plans to lengthen the runway, which may increase service into the region.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Queens, New York, NY. LaGuardia mostly offers domestic flights with international service to Canada. As of 2020, the terminals are under construction, which may impact accessibility.
A Cheap Way to LGA
Take the Metro North Train to Harlem/125th Street, and then board the M60 bus south-bound direct to all terminals at LGA ($2.75). You’ll need exact change or a reloadable MTA MetroCard and can buy the ticket on the sidewalk near the M60 stop or at the airport. Plan to travel for 3 hours each way.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Queens, New York, NY. JFK is the largest NYC area airport, with the most international flight traffic in the United States. It offers the widest selection of domestic and international connections to choose from. The airport is not accessible by mass transit, so you will need to book road transportation from New Haven or NYC after taking the Metro-North.
A Cheap Way to JFK
Take the Metro North Train to Grand Central Station ($17.75, off-peak). Outside Grand Central, buy tickets from NYC Airport agents who run shuttle buses to JFK ($18, www.nycairporter.com). Shuttles run every 30-45 minutes and take you directly to your terminal.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark, NJ. Newark also offers a large number of both domestic and international flights. The airport is accessible by train via Amtrak/AirTrain.
Direct Rail to Newark
Ride the Amtrak Northeast Regional line to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station. The Newark Airport Station is connected to the airport terminal via the AirTrain. AirTrain fare is included when you purchase an Amtrak ticket to or from the Newark Airport Station; just show your Amtrak ticket again in Newark. Amtrak can experience delays, so you should plan your travel accordingly.
Westchester County Airport (HPN)
White Plains, NY. Airlines fly from HPN to a few major domestic hubs including Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, and Washington, D.C. The airport is about 1 hour away from New Haven without traffic.
T.F. Green Airport (PVD)
Warwick, RI. Flights are available to Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Orlando, and Washington, D.C. The airport is about 2 hours away from New Haven.
Other Ways to Get to the Airport
Connecticut Limo is convenient way to travel to and from Bradley Airport, JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. $30-$70 for a one-way ticket. Yale discount applies.
GO Airport Shuttle offers shuttles to and from JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and White Plains-Westchester. The fare is about $50 one-way with the student discount.