Which Jersey Shore Towns Have a Train Station?

NJ TRANSIT's Jersey Shore page lists sixteen North Jersey Coast Line stations at the Shore, from Aberdeen-Matawan in Monmouth County to Bay Head in Ocean County. Fourteen are in Monmouth County and two, Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head, are in Ocean County. The seven northern stops, from Aberdeen-Matawan through Long Branch, have direct trains to New York on most trips; south of Long Branch, most trips change at Long Branch.

I'm Dennis Mark Interdonato with The Dennis Mark Group. "Can I walk to the train?" is one of the first questions I hear from buyers moving here from New York, North Jersey or farther away. Here's every station, which town it's in, and what to check before you buy near one.

Which Jersey Shore stations have direct trains to New York?

NJ TRANSIT lists these stations as served by direct electric trains from New York Penn Station and Newark Penn Station, with no transfer needed on most trips (NJ TRANSIT, Jersey Shore):

• Aberdeen-Matawan, serving Aberdeen and Matawan
• Hazlet, in Hazlet
• Middletown, in Middletown
• Red Bank, in Red Bank
• Little Silver, in Little Silver
• Monmouth Park, open on race days only
• Long Branch, in Long Branch

All of these are in Monmouth County. NJ TRANSIT also says the line provides direct service from Long Branch to Penn Station New York at all times (NJ TRANSIT, Getting to New York by Train).

Which stations change trains at Long Branch?

South of Long Branch, the line changes. NJ TRANSIT says most services to these stations require a transfer at Long Branch, where you connect to a diesel train, and that some weekday express trains run direct to New York:

• Elberon
• Allenhurst, in Allenhurst
• Asbury Park, in Asbury Park
• Bradley Beach, in Bradley Beach
• Belmar, in Belmar
• Spring Lake, in Spring Lake
• Manasquan, in Manasquan
• Point Pleasant Beach, in Point Pleasant Beach (Ocean County)
• Bay Head, in Bay Head (Ocean County), the last stop on the line

On NJ TRANSIT's other New York page, the rule is spelled out: direct service to and from stations between Bay Head and Long Branch runs during weekday peak periods only. At other times, a connecting train runs between Bay Head and Long Branch.

Which Ocean County towns have a train station?

Two: Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head. Every other Coast Line station at the Shore is in Monmouth County, according to the station list above and the county lists in the NJ Department of Community Affairs' property tax data.

If you're looking farther south or inland in Ocean County, the bus is the transit option to know. NJ TRANSIT says Bus Route 137 serves Toms River year-round and, in summer, runs from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York to Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. More on the bus and the ferry is in commuting to NYC from the Jersey Shore.

What should you check before buying near a station?

1. Which side of Long Branch it's on. North of it, most trips are direct. South of it, plan on the connection except at weekday peak times.
2. The schedule you'd actually ride. Look up the first and last trains that fit your day, in both directions, on NJ TRANSIT's trip planner.
3. How you'll get to the platform. Walk the route from the house, or drive it at the hour you'd leave. Then find out who runs the parking at that station and whether you need a permit.
4. Race days only means race days only. Monmouth Park isn't a daily commuter stop.
5. The house itself. Being close to the tracks is a plus for a commuter. Visit at different times of day so you know what living there feels like.

What are the station towns like?

Each station town has its own feel. A few public places worth knowing near the line:

• Long Branch has Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, according to NJ TRANSIT, one of the park areas in the Monmouth County Park System.
• Spring Lake is described by NJ TRANSIT as having a non-commercial boardwalk, Victorian architecture and a freshwater lake.
• Bay Head, the end of the line, has direct beach access, in NJ TRANSIT's words.

Every one of these towns has its own page on this site, and many have a free town guide with the parks, dining and events in one place. Start on the Where We Work page. For prices and how fast homes are selling, use the Market Snapshot on each town page and the monthly market report.

If you're buying from out of state, my relocation page explains how my team previews homes for you, and the relocation guide covers the move from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Toms River have a train station?

Toms River isn't on the North Jersey Coast Line. NJ TRANSIT's Bus Route 137 serves Toms River year-round. The closest Coast Line stations in Ocean County are Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head.

Is Bay Head the last stop on the North Jersey Coast Line?

Yes. NJ TRANSIT calls Bay Head the last stop on the line.

Does Point Pleasant have a train station?

The station is in Point Pleasant Beach, the borough on the ocean side. Point Pleasant Borough doesn't have its own Coast Line station on NJ TRANSIT's list.

Which Shore stations have direct trains to New York?

Aberdeen-Matawan, Hazlet, Middletown, Red Bank, Little Silver, Monmouth Park (race days only) and Long Branch, on most trips, according to NJ TRANSIT. Stations south of Long Branch get direct trains during weekday peak periods.

This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Station lists and service patterns come from NJ TRANSIT, checked October 9, 2026, and can change. Check the current schedule before you plan around a train.

About the author

Dennis Mark Interdonato is a REALTOR® and Master CDRE® who leads The Dennis Mark Group at Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living in Point Pleasant, NJ, helping buyers and sellers throughout New Jersey make their next move, with Monmouth and Ocean County as home base. Read more about Dennis Mark.

Keep reading

• Monmouth County vs. Ocean County: how to choose where to look
• Moving to Brielle, New Jersey
• Own a home near the line and thinking of selling? Get a free home value.
• Have a question this didn't answer? Send it to Dennis Mark and it may become the next article.