Group Travel Information

Taking the train can enhance your educational experience...and it's fun too!

Beat the Traffic
The Long Island Rail Road is the fastest and most convenient way for your group to travel. Let us whisk you to the heart of Manhattan in our comfortable, air-conditioned coaches. No traffic. No hassles. Just great service.

Save Money
Groups of 30 persons or more can save up to 60% off the regular rail fare, which is a substantial savings when compared to taking a bus. Smaller groups may still save over off peak rates by paying for 30 persons at the group rate; see Smaller Group Fare Options.

Return Any Time
With LIRR Individual Return Tickets, you can return at any time, including rush hour. Individual Return Tickets give your group members the option of returning together or at their leisure anytime, on the same day of your trip. To obtain this option, all group members must pay the LIRR adult group rate.

Professional Travel Planning
All of our LIRR Customer Sales Representatives are experienced travel professionals who can offer valuable assistance in planning your trip.

Subway Discount
There is no easier way of traveling within New York City than by subway. If your school group is using the LIRR and the subway, we can arrange for a 25% discount off the regular round-trip subway fare. The subway discount is valid for school groups of 30 persons or more. Reservations should be made at least two weeks prior to the trip.

Escorts on the Subway
For school groups of 60 or more people, we can also arrange for a New York City Transit Conductor or subway escort to accompany you through the subway system, free of charge. Hours and days are limited for subway escorts. Reservations should be made at least two weeks prior to the trip

Tickets
LIRR group tickets can be purchased at stations; cash, credit cards, checks, and money orders are accepted. Tickets can be mailed when payment is made at least ten business days in advance by major credit card, check or money order.

LIRR Rules of Conduct
Your safety is our #1 priority. Making a group reservation will help us to make your trip more enjoyable and safe. Please review the following tips to insure a safe and pleasant trip for all.

• Step Over the Gap between the train and the platform when boarding or getting off trains.
• On station platforms, please stand behind the yellow safety lines.
• Talk low to each other, and while using cell phones.
• Do not disturb our engineers - your safety is in their hands. In the head car, please make every effort to leave the seats closest to the engineer vacant, or sit chaperones or quieter group members there. The conductor is the "captain of our ship" and may at any time ask groups to refrain from loud behavior.
• Stay in your seats; do not play in the aisle or on stairs.
• Keep feet off the seats.
• Take trash with you and place in receptacles on station platforms.
• Respect train staff and other passengers. When traveling home during peak hours please understand that you are sharing the train with commuters who have had a long and possibly stressful day - they expect their train ride to be peaceful.

Smaller Group Fare Options
Customers must pay for a minimum of 30 people to use the group rate. However, groups of about 15 or more can usually save money by paying for 30 tickets (the balance of tickets can be paid at the cheaper youth rate). Other ways for smaller groups to save money include the following:

• Ages 5-11: Family Fare allows up to 4 children (ages 5-11) to travel with each fare paying adult for just 75 cents each way.
• Ages 12-64: Off-Peak Ten Trip tickets can be shared, and offer a 15% discount off individual tickets.
• Age 65+: Senior Fares (50% off Peak fares; not available for travel during AM peak).
• Ordering these ticket types using WebTicket offers an additional 5% discount, and postage is free.
• Check out our list of money-saving LIRR Deals & Getaways.

Group Travel Reservation Restrictions
The LIRR reserves the right to establish which trains have excess capacity to handle groups, and rules for safety. Groups will not be reserved:

• On peak trains that arrive before 9:30 AM on business days at LIRR NYC Terminal Stations.
• On trains for games/events at Mets-Willets Point & Belmont Park special event stations.
• On major holidays or holiday eves (afternoon/evening before major holidays)
• On major events dates such as large parades, major festivals, and regional bike tour dates.
• On Montauk Branch and Riverhead/Greenport trains on summer Fridays traveling east, or Sunday return trains.
• At any time when the safety of the group is a concern or when over-crowding is anticipated.
• On any train when groups have already been reserved and capacity has been maximized.
• If family fare or ticket types other than group tickets have been purchased (with the exception of large holiday school groups purchasing the free-rail packages).
• If the group is comprised predominently of children under the age of five and the child-to-chaperone ratio is greater than 2 to 1. This ratio is recommended to safely transport large groups of young children on train rides.

For more information or to make reservations call:
LIRR Sales & Promotions at (718) 558-7498
Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4PM (closed major holidays)

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