NYC Commuter Towns: Ocean & Monmouth County
Local Knowledge. Shore Results. Updated October 2026You can live at the Jersey Shore and work in New York. How that commute actually goes depends a lot on the town. From some, it's under an hour door to door. From others, it's too much to do every day.
This guide rounds up the towns with verified commuter options: train, ferry and express bus. Compare the actual logistics before you assume a specific address works for your schedule.
On This Page
- Train vs. Ferry vs. Bus
- Strongest Train Commutes
- Little Silver
- Red Bank
- Matawan / Aberdeen
- Manasquan
- Long Branch
- Spring Lake / Sea Girt
- Strongest Ferry Commutes
- Atlantic Highlands
- Highlands
- Rumson
- What to Know Before Choosing a Commuter Town
- Thinking About a Commute-First Move?
- Compare Related Guides
By the Numbers: Train vs. Ferry vs. Bus
Train (NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line). This is usually the most predictable option, on a set schedule. The line runs through Monmouth County and into northern Ocean County. Door to door, the trip to Penn Station typically takes 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the station and the type of service.
Ferry (SeaStreak). From the Bayshore towns, the ferry is a fast, scenic alternative, often 40 to 50 minutes to Manhattan by water. It's concentrated in just a couple of towns.
Express bus. Several towns have express buses using the Garden State Parkway. Highway traffic makes the bus the least predictable of the three, but for towns without a station it's often the most direct way in.
Strongest Train Commutes
Little Silver
The Little Silver station is a landmark of its own. It was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson, one of the most significant American architects of the 19th century. You get direct North Jersey Coast Line service to Hoboken, Newark and New York Penn Station. See the full Little Silver guide
Red Bank
NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line runs right through downtown Red Bank. You get a commuter rail option and still live in the area's most walkable, culturally active downtown. See the full Red Bank guide
Matawan / Aberdeen
Aberdeen-Matawan is the busiest station on the North Jersey Coast Line between Bay Head and Rahway, averaging roughly 1,227 weekday boardings as of 2024. Scheduled service to Penn Station runs about 60 to 75 minutes.
See the full Matawan guide
See the full Aberdeen Township guide
Manasquan
The downtown Manasquan station has direct North Jersey Coast Line service, and it sits near one of the shore's most walkable Main Streets. Commuter access plus small-town character is a rare combination. See the full Manasquan guide
Long Branch
Long Branch is where the electrified track on the North Jersey Coast Line ends. Electrification was extended to Long Branch in 1988, and diesel shuttle service continues south to Bay Head from here. The ride is slower than from some stations, and it's still a workable commute straight from an oceanfront city. See the full Long Branch guide
Spring Lake / Sea Girt
The Spring Lake train station serves both towns. That gives two of the shore's most preserved, upscale small towns rail access to go with their historic character.
See the full Spring Lake guide
See the full Sea Girt guide
Strongest Ferry Commutes
Atlantic Highlands
The SeaStreak ferry here is one of the fastest, most scenic commutes in this guide. It takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes to reach Manhattan by water, which is often faster than driving or taking the train from towns much closer to the city. See the full Atlantic Highlands guide
Highlands
Highlands has its own SeaStreak terminal and sits right next to Atlantic Highlands, so you get the same fast commute by water. The town itself has dramatic elevation and a long maritime history. See the full Highlands guide
Rumson
Rumson has two practical routes into Manhattan: the high-speed ferry from nearby Atlantic Highlands, and direct train service through Red Bank. That comes along with the town's well-known riverfront estates. See the full Rumson guide
What to Know Before Choosing a Commuter Town
Check current schedules and door-to-door times yourself. The advertised train time to Penn Station is only part of it. Getting to the station, parking and the walk on the New York side all add time.
SeaStreak terminal parking is free during the day. At Highlands, SeaStreak lists commuter parking hours of 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Overnight parking costs extra in the designated lots (SeaStreak lists $20 a night as of October 2026). For a daily commuter, parking is a point in the ferry's favor. Confirm current hours and lot rules before you count on them, since they can change.
Station distance cuts both ways. As a certified zoning officer, I'd add that being close to a station or ferry terminal can affect a property's noise level and value. For a specific address, confirm the exact distance and any grade-crossing or terminal issues.
Thinking About a Commute-First Move?
The right commuter town depends on which NYC neighborhood or building you're headed to, and on how much you value predictability over speed. Tell me where you work and what your schedule looks like, and I'll compare the current logistics for the towns that make sense for you.
Matt Quinn, United Real Estate Associates
(609) 709-2742
matt@mattquinnsellshomes.com