Visit guide
Getting Around Without Driving
Limos, shuttle tours, the LIRR Greenport line and bike tour options.
Getting to Long Island Wine Country Without Driving
Long Island's North Fork and North Fork wine regions, centered around vineyards from Riverhead to Greenport, are accessible via public transit, shuttles, limos, rideshares, and bikes. The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) provides the backbone, with stations at Riverhead and Greenport serving over 40 wineries within a 10-mile radius. Fares start at $21.25 one-way on weekends from Penn Station when bought in advance; the trip takes about 2 hours to Riverhead and 2.5 hours to Greenport . Trains offer bathrooms and seating for a relaxed ride.
Train and Rideshare Combinations
From LIRR stops, use Uber or Lyft for short hops to tastings. Mattituck station is a 5-minute ride to Rose Hill Vineyard & Farmhouse Inn; Ronkonkoma connects via 5-minute rides to Southold spots . Group rideshares average $10-20 per winery leg, making them affordable for 2-4 people. Taxis or Lyfts from Greenport to central wineries (e.g., 10 miles) cost similarly and beat walking distances .
Shuttle Services
Free shuttles operate seasonally: Saturdays in July-August from Riverhead to Greenport, hitting 30 stops including wineries, farms, and stations. Download the North Fork Now app for schedules . North Fork Trolley offers private charters for wine tours, weddings, and groups, focusing on customized routes .
Limo and Guided Tour Companies
Dedicated limo and party bus services handle all-inclusive wine tours with tastings and transport:
- North Fork Wine Tours: Packages for 2-50 people start at $140 per person (Suffolk County rates), including 4-5 hours at vineyards via limo or party bus .
- Metro Limousine (LI Vineyard Tours): Pioneered North Fork limo tours since 2004; options include stretch SUVs, party buses, or coaches. Stops like Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard; pricing varies by group size .
- Rideline Limo: Winery-specific tours, pricier than Uber but with dedicated service .
- North Country Limousine: Premium vineyard limo with priority reservations .
- Tapped Enterprises: Bus tours to wineries like Orchard Vineyards and Sherwood House, plus breweries; praised for knowledgeable drivers .
Book ahead for weekends; group limos run $350+ including snacks .
Bicycle Rentals and Hire-a-Driver
North Fork Bike Rental offers $25/day regular bikes or $50 tandems with drop-off/pick-up, but police enforce open-container laws on bikes—stick to designated paths . Hire-a-driver options like private tours from Manhattan include transport and tastings.
Tasting Room Safety and DUI Laws
New York zero-tolerance DUI laws apply: BAC 0.08% limit, with penalties including license suspension and fines up to $10,000 for repeat offenses (Vehicle & Traffic Law §1192). Wineries enforce responsible service; many cut off after 2-3 tastings. Use designated drivers, tours, or public transit—never bike impaired. Apps like North Fork Now track sober transport . Plan returns to LIRR stations via rideshare for safety.
| Option | Cost Estimate | Best For | |--------|---------------|----------| | LIRR + Rideshare | $21/train + $10-20/ride | Solo/small groups | | Free Shuttle (summer weekends) | $0 | Budget explorers | | Limo Tours (e.g., North Fork Wine Tours) | $140+/pp | Groups, all-inclusive | | Bike Rental | $25-50/day | Fit adventurers (sober only) |
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