In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · United States
East Haven
Day‑trip from New Haven or a single overnight stay: 1 day to see the beach, trolley museum and historic center.
East Haven is a small Connecticut town just 3 min by car from New Haven. Its shoreline, trolley museum and Italian‑heritage eateries fit a half‑day or an overnight stay; public buses and I‑95 give easy access.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- May–Oct (warm beach, outdoor events)
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (cold, limited beach use)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $60–$80 excl. bed · Mid $80–$120 excl. bed · High $120+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Pizza slice | $3–$5 |
| Beach parking (non‑resident) | $5–$7 |
| Trolley Museum admission | $8 adult, $6 senior, $4 child |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HVN · Tweed New Haven Regional Airport
- Border of New Haven/East Haven, limited commercial service
Typical fares
- CT Transit bus (single ride)
- about $2 (check)
- I‑95 toll (southbound)
- about $0.25 per mile (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
CT Transit bus routes (including Route 100) serve the town; I‑95 provides fast car access. Walkable downtown, but parking at the beach costs for non‑residents.
See and do
Known for
- Shoreline Trolley Museum
- East Haven Town Beach
- Italian‑style pizza
- Tweed New Haven Regional Airport
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| New Haven | CT Transit Route 100 or I‑95, about 10 min drive | ≈30 min |
| Hamden | CT Transit bus or 15 min drive via I‑91 | ≈35 min |
| Branford | CT Transit Route 100 north or 10 min drive | ≈25 min |
| Madison | CT Transit or 20 min drive via I‑95 | ≈45 min |
Sleep
- Home2 Suites by Hilton East Haven New Haven
- Near I‑95, pool and breakfast; good for one night
- Baymont Inn & Suites
- Branford side, free parking, rooms from $79
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excuse me / SorryExcuse me |
| Thank you | Thank youThank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it?How much is it? |
| Where is the beach? | Where is the beach?Where is the beach? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Train stations are in New Haven and Branford, not in East Haven.
- Beach parking fee for non‑residents (check current rate).
- Summer events can draw crowds; arrive early for parking.
East Haven is generally safe; typical U.S. city precautions apply (stay aware of traffic, keep valuables secure).
One and two days
No timed day plan for East Haven yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Shoreline Trolley Museum
- East Haven Town Beach
- Italian‑style pizza
- Tweed New Haven Regional Airport
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Shoreline Trolley Museum: shorelinetrolley.org/
- Wikivoyage: East Haven, revision 5061801 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5061801
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
East Haven
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
US consulate in New Haven (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/east-haven). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.