Jersey Shore on a Budget
Towns with no beach badge, the lowest badge prices on file, and where to find free parking.
Free Beaches (No Badge Required)
Elsewhere, daily badges on file run $5–$15.
Atlantic 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 no beach badge. Its record lists a $20 daily parking fee from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
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Lowest Badge Prices
If free beaches don't work for your plans, these towns have the lowest daily rates:
| Town | Daily | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| Longport | $5 | $15 |
| Elberon | $6 | - |
| Long Branch | $6 | - |
| Cape May Point | $6 | $15 |
| Asbury Park | $7 | - |
Parking Strategies
Check for free lots
15 of the 45 towns in our parking records list free parking somewhere.
Compare lot rates
Flat daily rates on file run $5–$25.
Consider NJ Transit
Trains serve Long Branch, Asbury Park and Point Pleasant Beach, so you can skip parking.
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Eating on a Budget
Pack a cooler
Bring your own food and drinks, and check the beach rules first.
BYOB restaurants
Bring your own wine or beer where the restaurant allows it. See our BYOB guide.
Accommodation Savings
Compare your exact dates
Search the same nights and party size in each town, then compare complete prices.
Rent a house with friends
Compare one shared rental against separate hotel rooms using complete quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Jersey Shore towns have free beaches?
These towns require no beach badge: Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, Atlantic City, North Wildwood, Strathmere, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest.
How much are daily beach badges?
Across the towns that sell a daily badge, our records list $5–$15. Compare every town on the beach badge page.
How much does parking cost?
Flat daily rates in our parking records run $5–$25, and 15 of the 45 towns on file list free parking somewhere. Check the town parking page for the lot you plan to use.
Where can I find BYOB restaurants at the shore?
Our BYOB guide lists the restaurants our town guides mark as BYOB, by county. The Ocean City municipal code prohibits alcohol in restaurants.
Skip the Car: Take NJ Transit
NJ Transit trains run to several shore towns, so you can skip parking.
Find Budget-Friendly Stays
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Find Your Budget Beach
Use our Town Picker to filter by free beaches and transit access.
Find Your Perfect Beach Town