Jersey Shore on a Budget
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy the Jersey Shore. With free beaches, smart parking strategies, and insider tips, a family of four can enjoy a beach day for under $50.
Potential Savings: Family of 4
$40+
Saved on beach badges
by visiting free beaches
$25+
Saved on parking
by walking a few blocks
$60+
Saved on food
by packing a cooler
Total potential savings: $125+ per beach day
Free Beaches (No Badge Required)
Skip the $10-15/person daily badge fee entirely
Wildwood
Cape May County
Widest free beaches in NJ. Huge boardwalk with rides and entertainment. Great for families.
View Wildwood GuideAtlantic City
Atlantic County
Free beach access plus casinos, shows, and the famous boardwalk. Validate parking at casinos.
View Atlantic City GuideSandy Hook
Monmouth County
National park with free beach access. $20/car parking fee, but splits well for groups.
View Sandy Hook GuideLowest Badge Prices
If free beaches don't work for your plans, these towns have the lowest daily rates:
| Town | Daily | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| Longport | $5 | $15 |
| Long Branch | $6 | - |
| Cape May Point | $6 | $15 |
| Asbury Park | $7 | - |
| Loch Arbour | $8 | $20 |
When Badges Aren't Required
Before 9am
Most beaches don't check badges until 9am. Early birds get free beach time.
After 5pm
Badge checkers typically leave by 5pm. Evening beach visits are usually free.
Off-season
September through May, most beaches are completely free. September is the best-kept secret.
Wednesdays in Sea Isle
Sea Isle City offers FREE badges every Wednesday all summer (except July 4th).
Parking Strategies
Arrive before 9am
Many towns have free street parking in residential areas that fills up by mid-morning.
Walk a few blocks
Paid lots near the beach can cost $20-40. Free parking is often just 3-4 blocks away.
Use ParkMobile app
Many towns use ParkMobile for meters. Load up credits to avoid overpaying.
Consider NJ Transit
Train to Long Branch, Asbury Park, or Point Pleasant avoids parking entirely.
Buy seasonal parking
If you visit often, a $100-200 season parking pass pays for itself in 4-5 visits.
Eating on a Budget
Pack a cooler
Bring sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. Boardwalk food is expensive ($15+ for basic items).
BYOB restaurants
Many shore towns have BYOB restaurants. Bring your own wine and save $30-50 on drinks.
Happy hour specials
Hit restaurants between 4-6pm for discounted apps and drinks before the dinner rush.
Pizza by the slice
Boardwalk pizza is filling and cheap ($3-5/slice). Look for local spots, not chains.
Grocery stores
Acme and ShopRite have locations in most shore towns. Stock up for the week.
Day Trip vs Overnight: The Math
Day Trip (Family of 4)
- Gas (from NYC/Philly)$30-50
- Tolls (round trip)$15-30
- Parking$0-25
- Beach badges (free beach)$0
- Food (packed lunch)$20
- Total$65-125
Weekend Stay (Family of 4)
- Motel (2 nights)$300-500
- Gas + Tolls$50-80
- Beach badges (2 days)$0-80
- Food (3 days)$150-300
- Total$500-960
Pro tip: Book midweek stays (Sun-Thu) for 30-50% savings on accommodations.
Skip the Car: Take NJ Transit
No car? No problem. NJ Transit trains run directly to several shore towns, eliminating parking headaches and costs. A round-trip from NYC to Long Branch is about $30/person.
Find Your Budget Beach
Use our Town Picker to filter by free beaches and transit access.
Find Your Perfect Beach Town