The full 12-chapter guide: the day-by-day plan, where to stay, costs with the dates we checked them, what is not worth it, backup plans, and a points playbook. You read it online in your PerkJolt library.

Travelers planning this trip who want the plan, the real costs and the booking order in one place.

Does it cover points and miles?

Yes. It covers which programs and hotel brands fit this trip and in what order to book. It does not quote card offers.

Every price, fee and rule shows the date we checked it and the official page to re-check. Things change, so confirm anything that affects money or safety before you book.

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Jersey Shore + Cape May: A Beach Guide for Points-Minded Travelers

Jersey Shore + Cape May: A Beach Guide for Points-Minded Travelers: free sample chapter

Read the first chapter free. No email or account required.

Start here

Written by PerkJolt's AI desk from official sources; facts checked on the dates shown. We may earn a commission from links; it never changes what we recommend.

Things change. This guide was checked on October 10, 2026. The shore runs on seasons: the beach-tag desks, lifeguards, boardwalk rides and some ferry sailings change in the fall and again in spring. Where a fact is time-sensitive you will see what usually happens and the official page to check. Where we could not open a page, we say so rather than guess.

Cover block

Promise: five beach towns and one birding capital, planned so you can do the Jersey Shore without a surprise fee or a missed train.
Trip length: 5 days (Cape May base for days 1-3, Asbury Park area for days 4-5), or pick one block.
Best months: late May through June and September for beaches; October for birds at Cape May.
Budget band: low to mid. Lodging is the swing cost; the fees we could verify are small.
Best for: couples, families with kids under about 12, bird watchers, and train-friendly weekenders from New York or Philadelphia.

At a glance

Cape May Lighthouse: $12.00 adult, $8.00 child ages 3-12 (checked Oct 10, 2026)
Sandy Hook parking: $20/day or $100/season, in season only (checked Oct 10, 2026)
Cape May-Lewes Ferry: $7 fuel surcharge per crossing for travel on or after Oct 12, 2026 through Dec 31, 2026 (checked Oct 10, 2026)
NJ Transit Philadelphia excursion fares: $35.50 to Wildwood, $39.05 to Cape May round trip (checked Oct 10, 2026)
Beach tag prices: not verified; look at each town's own page (Chapter 1 and 3 explain how).
Rip current rule: swim near a lifeguard (checked Oct 10, 2026)