‘Summer House:’ What Does It Really Cost to Spend the Weekend in the Hamptons?
Snowbound viewers got a small taste of summer with the return of Bravo’s Summer House. Sunny days, tans and flowing cocktails probably sound pretty good for most viewers stuck inside due to more snow.
For the past two seasons, fans have watched a cast of millennials journey from their apartments in Manhattan to the Hamptons area. The Friday to Sunday trip is not easy. Travelers typically spend hours just getting there and have to decide how to travel.
Beyond travel choices, weekend warriors have to consider the cost of lodging food, booze, restaurants, beach passes and more. According to Value Penguin, the average weekend in the Hamptons is about 1,040.50 per person. And that cost can vary based on how high-end you want to go.
This is how to travel on a budget
If you have your own car, driving seems to be the cheapest. Add some passenger friends and you can split tolls and gas. But then again, you end up having to deal with the super annoying traffic.
During the first episode of season 3, cast member Carl Radke said he’d brave taking the train out to the Summer House. Even though the cast seemed to low key groan at the thought of the train, this route may be the cost effective.
Value Penguin estimates taking the train can cost you anywhere from $46.75 directly to the Hamptons to $90.75 if you want reserved seats and a seat at the bar (nice). Other options include bus services, renting a car or you can go big and rent a helicopter for as much as $1,150.00. But you’ll get there in 35 minutes.
Aibnb may be your best bet
If you are doing a single weekend in the Hamptons you may want to check out Airbnb first, Value Penguin advises. A private room is estimated to be about $302.33 for one person for the weekend.
Or you can rent a house for the weekend. The cost should set you back between about 460.13 to 490.71, depending upon the number of people renting the house. A hotel room might set you back 466.70 and the average spent is usually around 429.97 for lodging alone.
The fun stuff
One reason to head to the Hamptons is for some good food, great cocktails and a lot of fun. For the person who wants to try a little of everything (upscale, mid priced and cheap), the average amount you’ll spend on food is about $230, according to Value Penguin. Of course some people can spend that amount on dinner alone, so it all depends on your personal taste.
Prepare to spend more money if you only plan to sip cocktails instead of beer and wine. But you knew that anyway, didn’t you? Plan to spend about $130 on cocktails for the weekend (based on four drinks per night).
Finally, you’ll definitely want to hit the beach or check out a wine tasting. Beach passes and wine tasting events can set you back a few hundred bucks depending on the wine tasting. According to Value Penguin the average beach pass runs about $46 for a weekend.
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