Headed to Bethpage for The Ryder Cup? Try These Pro Tips.

We're heading into crunch time. With only a couple of weeks to go until the start of the 2025 Ryder Cup, now's the time to finalize those travel plans and figure out the very best way to make the most out of your stay.

Having lived in New York for the past three years and going out to Bethpage a few times, I feel confident enough in sharing a few tips and tricks on how to get there, because it ain't the easiest place to reach. Each time I've gone has been by car and normally have no issues outside of traffic, but that's to be expected. On a good day, New York traffic is bad, but this? This will be a whole new level of mayhem.

For context, especially for our friends who are traveling to NY for the occasion, let's break it down.

The most important thing to understand about Ryder Cup week, and being in New York, is that it will take you a long time to get anywhere. Bethpage sits approximately 30 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and sadly you'll be coughing up at least an hour of your life to get to and from.

But staying in Manhattan is part of the appeal in visiting the Big Apple, and I highly recommend going this route if you're coming. The lights, the horns, the hustle and the bustle—there's no place in the world like it, and you get that euphoric rush of energy that can't be replicated anywhere else.

You'll want to find a hotel in or walking distance from Midtown, because there are two large train stations, that have direct lines to Bethpage, Penn Station and Grand Central. Ditch the cars and the Ubers, embrace public transportation. Let it be your friend.

These stations are both hubs for the Long Island Railroad (the LIRR for short) and the most convenient method when you head out to the Black Course—a commute that Championship Director of the Ryder Cup Bryan Karns knows like the back of his hand. Though I know a thing or two, he's an expert and I got to pick his brain a little about how people can best prepare for this wild week.

Karns is a Manhattan resident but over the last few years, in preparation for the championship, he's split a lot of his time between the two islands, and has made a habit of hitting a few key places to make the hour long trip go by a little faster.

Take notes!

Morning Commute

The Championship Director is partial to Penn Station, where he catches the LIRR on the Ronkonkoma Branch to Farmingdale Station—no transfers needed, stay on the same train all the way—but take a page out his book, because he's not walking on to the train empty handed.

"I love swinging by the Bagel Pub on 6th avenue on my way to Penn Station," shared Karns. "Occasionally, I will hit the Apollo Bagel that's just down the street, but for the past 3 years the Bagel Pub has been my spot and I love going there for an everything bagel with cream cheese."

For coffee, he's hitting up Blank Slate, a petite coffee counter that does coffee, small breakfast bites—a fast-paced convenient spot to grab and go. But there's plenty of Starbucks and Dunkin's on the way to Penn, too.

There's no shortage of cafes. As a matcha girl myself some of my favorite universally and consistently good spots for matcha is Blank Street (not to be confused with Blank Slate). But if you're staying more downtown near the West Village and SoHo, there are so many great matcha spots—jump around if you have time!

Karns also recommends that if you're not in walking distance to either train stations, hop on the subway or the Citi bike for a little cardio. "Usually I'll take the 2 or the 3 train directly to Penn Station, but as the weather has gotten cooler and to avoid any potential delays, I'll jump on a city bike for a little morning calorie burn."

Once you reach the Farmingdale Station, a dedicated shuttle will pick you up and take you to the course.

During Ryder Cup week, the LIRR offers a Ryder Cup Special Event Ticket for those attending the entire week. Valid from September 22 - 29, this ticket provides unlimited access across the entire LIRR system, allowing travel to any part of Long Island with one ticket. The Event Ticket costs $175 and is available at full-service ticket machines (Gray, Green, or Blue) as well as ticket windows at all LIRR stations.

The Return Home

And when the day is all said and done, he just hits an Uno reverse card for the commute back to the city!

"With the late nights these days, I'll often times grab dinner at Penn Station on my way home", explained Karns, and I don't blame him. Penn got a face lift when Moynihan Train Hall opened and there are quite a few options for some killer eats. "I am an absolute Dos Toros stan and if I'm hungry when I get back to the city, I am stopping there." (I second this.)

From your nationwide chains like Chick-Fil-A, to a city fave in Jacob's Pickles, there's no shortage of options inside and around Penn if you're looking for something quick to satiate you. But of course, when you're in a food capital like New York, it's always better to venture out and find the gems. (Here's a list.)

The ultimate hack is to have your travel plan and stick to it—know how you're getting to and from and the rest is where you can have your fun. Get lost, try new foods, meet new people, and embrace everything this amazing city has to offer!

Meet you on the first tee.