Major city · United States
New London, ConnecticutNew London
Give New London one full day plus a night: waterfront and Custom House in the morning, Ocean Beach in the afternoon, Mystic or the casinos as a second day.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some sights closed or weekend-only)
- Airports
- PVD · BDL · GON
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
New London is a small maritime city on the Thames River, halfway between New Haven and Providence on the Northeast Corridor. Amtrak and Shore Line East stop at Union Station, so it works as a car-free overnight between New York and Boston. Two nights covers the city and one day trip; one night is enough if you only want the waterfront.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about New London, Connecticut, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyNew London is a small city with a normal US downtown risk profile: fine on Bank Street and State Street in daylight…
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control (US)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPVD T.F.
- Getting aroundDowntown is walkable; everything else needs a car or taxi.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealCasual dinner, per person$20–35
- Street or quick mealBreakfast sandwich or diner plate$10–18
- Beerdraught in a bar$7–9
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi or rideshare, downtown to Ocean Beach$12–18
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entrySeveral are donation-based.$5–12
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$180
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PVD T.F. Green, Warwick, Rhode Island (About 1 h by car via I-95) · BDL Bradley International, Windsor Locks (About 1.5 h by car) · GON Groton-New London Airport (No scheduled airline service; charter and private only)
Weather and climate
New London, Connecticut: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C37°F
−6°C21°F
10 rd
Feb
4°C39°F
−5°C23°F
9 rd
Mar
8°C46°F
−1°C30°F
10 rd
Apr
14°C57°F
4°C39°F
10 rd
May
19°C66°F
9°C48°F
10 rd
Jun
24°C75°F
14°C57°F
9 rd
Jul
27°C81°F
18°C64°F
8 rd
Aug
27°C81°F
18°C64°F
8 rd
Sep
23°C73°F
14°C57°F
8 rd
Oct
17°C63°F
8°C46°F
8 rd
Nov
12°C54°F
3°C37°F
9 rd
Dec
6°C43°F
−3°C27°F
10 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Downtown is walkable; everything else needs a car or taxi. SEAT buses cover the region but run thinly. Amtrak Northeast Regional and Shore Line East serve Union Station at 27 Water St, with buses and ferries at the same stop.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45 min
Amtrak or Shore Line East to Mystic, about 15 min; or 15 min by car on I-95
Seaport and aquarium; a half day is enough for one of them.
Groton
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car over the Gold Star Bridge, about 10 min
Submarine museum and fort; cheaper beds than downtown New London.
Ledyard (Foxwoods)
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Car on Route 2, about 25 min; no useful bus
Casino resort; only worth it if you gamble or catch a show.
Old Lyme
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Shore Line East to Old Saybrook, then taxi; or 25 min by car
Art colony and river views; pairs well with a beach afternoon.
Preston
skipDoor to door: About 35 min
Car on Route 12/2A, about 20 min
Rural; nothing here justifies the trip unless you have a specific reason.
Storrs
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car on I-395 and Route 32, about 50 min
University campus; only for a campus visit or a specific event.
Woodstock
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Car on I-395 and Route 171, about 1 h
Too far for a day unless you are already driving that way.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Bank Street
Walk to Union Station, ferries, the Custom House and restaurants; the priciest and the only car-free option.
North Frontage Road (I-95 exits)
Chain motels with parking; 5–10 min drive from downtown, cheapest rates.
Groton, across the Gold Star Bridge
Often cheaper than downtown and 5–10 min by car from Bank Street; no walkable link.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–130 excl. bed
- Mid
- $130–220 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$180 | US$360 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170 | US$680 |
| Amtrak Northeast Regional, New Haven to New London, one way2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Cross Sound Ferry, New London to Orient Point, one way2 × US$25 · check; car rates are much higher | US$50 |
| Ocean Beach Park, summer parking and entry1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$119 |
| Trip total≈ US$327 per person per day, bed included | US$1,309 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Breakfast sandwich or diner plate | $10–18 |
| Lobster rollSeasonal; waterfront shacks charge the most. | $22–32 |
| Casual dinner, per person | $20–35 |
| Beer, draught in a bar | $7–9 |
| Taxi or rideshare, downtown to Ocean Beach | $12–18 |
| Museum entrySeveral are donation-based. | $5–12 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ocean Beach Park charges per car in summer and fills by mid-morning on hot weekends.
- Some small museums open only May–October or only Thursday–Sunday: check before you go.
- Cross Sound Ferry and Port Jefferson ferry crossings sell out on summer weekends: book ahead.
- Downtown is quiet after about 21:00; plan dinner before then.Downtown is quiet after about 9:00 PM; plan dinner before then.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison control (US)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
New London, ConnecticutNew London
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No embassies in New London; consulates-general are in New York and Boston.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Amtrak New Haven → New London: about $20 one way, 1 h (check)
- Shore Line East New Haven → New London: cheaper than Amtrak, similar time (check)
- Cross Sound Ferry New London → Orient Point: about $25 per person one way, 1 h 20 min (check)
- Taxi downtown → Ocean Beach Park: $12–18
Say or show
- Where is Union Station? — Where is the train station?
- Table for two, please — A table for two, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there parking here? — Is there parking here?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for New London, Connecticut. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some sights closed or weekend-only) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for PVD and BDL: last train and bus options, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Bank Street and the waterfront, State Street, Ocean Beach, Connecticut College.
- Place pages with verified seasonal cutoffs (Custom House, Monte Cristo Cottage, Hempstead Houses, Lyman Allyn) and eat pages with last orders.
- Ferry and rail arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.