Connecticut is New England's southernmost state — a compact, densely layered destination where Ivy League prestige meets colonial seafaring heritage, world-class pizza, casinos, and Long Island Sound beaches. From Yale's Gothic spires in New Haven to Mystic's tall ships, from Hartford's Mark Twain house to the gilded estates of Greenwich, Connecticut packs an extraordinary range of experiences into 5,543 square miles.
Connecticut is served by an excellent coastal rail corridor (Metro-North and Amtrak) connecting New Haven, Stamford, Greenwich, and New York City, plus Amtrak service to Hartford and New London. A rental car is essential for visiting inland attractions, the Litchfield Hills, the Connecticut River Valley, and rural southeastern Connecticut. CTfastrak provides rapid bus transit in the Hartford metropolitan area. Uber and Lyft operate throughout the state.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
The Metro-North New Haven Line is the most reliable and comfortable way to arrive from New York City — trains run to Grand Central Terminal and are more comfortable than I-95 traffic
Rental cars are essential for visiting Mystic, the Litchfield Hills, the Connecticut River Valley, and any shoreline town beyond New Haven
E-ZPass speeds up toll collection on I-95, I-91, and the Merritt Parkway — rental cars with plates typically have toll billing passed to the renter
The Merritt Parkway (Route 15) is a scenic alternative to I-95 between Greenwich and New Haven — no trucks allowed, beautifully landscaped
Parking in New Haven near Yale is metered or garage-based; the Temple Street Garage at 1 York St ($2/hour) is most convenient to campus