TLDR: Charter buses and party buses enter UBS Arena through Gate 5 Road off Hempstead Turnpike and drop passengers in the Silver C lot, while everyone else funnels through one of five separate parking areas off the Cross Island Parkway that each require their own exit. A quick form or a call to 516-920-3440 gets you pricing on the right vehicle for an Islanders game or a UBS Arena concert in about a minute.
UBS Arena doesn't sit off one simple highway exit. It sits at 2400 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont, wedged between the Cross Island Parkway and the old Belmont Park racing grounds, and the arena splits its parking into five separate lots — Emerald, Silver, Diamond, Ruby, and the Belmont Park Garage — each tied to its own Cross Island Parkway exit. Pull into the wrong one with a full car, or worse, a bus, and you're rerouting through Elmont traffic on Islanders game night instead of walking into the arena.
The question that actually matters for a group: where does a bus drop off, and does that answer change if you're going to a hockey game versus a concert? It doesn't — but the lot you'd have to pay for if you drove yourself does, and that's exactly the gap a party bus or charter bus rental closes. Below is exactly how the arrival works, what parking costs compared to one bus, and how the Elmont-UBS Arena LIRR station changes the picture for groups heading out after the final horn or the last encore.
Why Rent a Bus to UBS Arena?
A UBS Arena party bus rental solves the one problem every group runs into at this venue: five different lots, five different Cross Island Parkway exits, and a real chance of splitting up before you even park. Put your whole group on one vehicle and that problem is gone before you leave the driveway.
Instead of a caravan of cars each buying its own parking pass and hunting down the right exit off the Cross Island Parkway, a charter bus, party bus, or minibus rental gets your whole group to Elmont together, drops everyone close to the gates, and is waiting again when the game or show lets out. Whether it's an Islanders game, a UBS Arena concert, or a night out that starts and ends in Elmont, comparing vehicles and pricing through this site takes about a minute, and there's no obligation to book anything until you're ready.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at UBS Arena — Gate 5 Road and the Silver C Lot
Oversized vehicles at UBS Arena use a dedicated entrance separate from regular car traffic. Motorcoaches and charter buses enter through Gate 5 Road off Hempstead Turnpike, drop passengers in the Silver C lot, and then move on to a designated oversized-vehicle parking area rather than sitting in a standard car space, according to the official UBS Arena parking page. That's a real advantage over a standard car: your group gets a dedicated drop point instead of hunting a parking space in a general lot.
Worth flagging before you request pricing: UBS Arena asks that oversized vehicles — charter buses, motorcoaches, limousines — be coordinated at least 72 hours before an event by contacting events@ubsarena.com, and oversized-vehicle parking has to be purchased in advance rather than bought at the gate. Building that lead time into your plans means the Gate 5 Road drop and the Silver C lot are confirmed before your group ever leaves home.
Rideshare and Regular Drop-Off Use a Different Spot
Rideshare and general drop-off at UBS Arena is on the north side of the building, reached only through Cross Island Parkway Exit 26D and Green Road — a different approach than the Gate 5 Road bus entrance. UBS Arena even built a dedicated Rideshare Waiting Area on the main concourse near Section 118 for guests to charge their phones while they wait for a car to show up, which says a lot about how long that wait can stretch after a sellout crowd lets out. A group splitting up into individual rideshares on a sold-out Islanders night is exactly the surge-pricing, multiple-ETA headache one bus rental sidesteps, since a party bus or minibus keeps the whole group on a single arrival plan instead of a handful of separate pickups converging on the same narrow entrance at once.
UBS Arena Parking Costs — What Every Car Pays vs. One Bus
UBS Arena splits general parking across five lots: Emerald (Exit 26D), Silver, Diamond, and Ruby (all Exit 26B), and the Belmont Park Garage (Exit 26A). Buying a car space and driving means picking the correct exit before you're anywhere near the arena, and getting it wrong turns a five-minute approach into a loop back around Elmont in game-day traffic.
Parking is strongly encouraged to be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster, and buying at the gate on the day of a concert runs an extra $5 to $10 per car compared to booking ahead, per the official parking page. Multiply that gap across a group of six or eight cars trying to sit together for an Islanders game, and it adds up fast — before anyone accounts for the time spent circling for the last few spaces in a packed lot.
Every car in your group needs its own pre-purchased pass, tied to the correct exit for that specific lot. One party bus or charter bus needs exactly one drop at Gate 5 Road and one oversized-vehicle space — no splitting the group across five different lots to find each other before puck drop.
Parking opens two hours before doors and closes 90 minutes after the event lets out, so a late-arriving group risks losing its preferred lot entirely on a big night. A bus rental removes that clock — your group's arrival and departure ride on one reservation instead of everyone racing the same lot closure.
The Elmont-UBS Arena LIRR Station and Group Egress Timing
The Elmont-UBS Arena LIRR station sits a short walk from the arena, with direct service running roughly 30 minutes from both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison at the Zone 4 fare, per the MTA's official UBS Arena transit guide. On event days, a free shuttle also covers the roughly five-minute hop between the station and the arena's Shuttle/Bus Loop on the northwest corner of the building, according to UBS Arena's own know-before-you-go page.
Here's the timing problem the LIRR creates for a group: after a sellout Islanders game or a UBS Arena concert, thousands of people converge on that same platform at once, and a train that only leaves every so often means your group is standing in a crowd, not moving. A charter bus or party bus rental skips the platform entirely — your group boards on your own schedule at the Gate 5 Road drop point instead of waiting out a packed post-event platform with everyone else who took the train in.
The NICE Bus N6 line and MTA's Q2 and Q82 routes also serve UBS Arena along Hempstead Turnpike, which works fine for one or two riders but leaves a group of ten or more split across whichever bus has room. For groups coming from elsewhere in the Town of Hempstead or points further out on Long Island, a private minibus or party bus rental means nobody is standing on a public bus stop hoping the next one has enough open seats.
New York Islanders Party Bus & Charter Bus Rentals to UBS Arena
New York Islanders home games are the single biggest reason groups look for a UBS Arena party bus rental, and the 2026-27 season gives fans plenty to plan around. The Islanders open their home slate on Saturday, October 3, 2026 against the New Jersey Devils, and UBS Arena hosts the NHL All-Star Weekend on February 5 and 6, 2027, according to the Islanders' official 2026-27 schedule announcement. Preseason kicks off even earlier, with the Islanders hosting the Rangers at UBS Arena on September 25, 2026.
Big Islanders dates fill both the Silver C oversized-vehicle drop and the general lots fast, and All-Star Weekend in particular is going to pull fans from well outside Long Island. Locking in a sporting event bus rental early for a marquee date means the Gate 5 Road coordination and oversized-vehicle parking are settled well before the 72-hour cutoff turns into a scramble. Get pricing for game night now with a quick form or a call to 516-920-3440.
UBS Arena's 2026 Concert Slate — Party Bus Rental for Concerts
UBS Arena's concert calendar runs deep into the fall, and the same Gate 5 Road drop-off and Silver C staging that works for Islanders games covers concert nights too. Confirmed 2026 dates include J. Cole on August 5, Avenged Sevenfold and Good Charlotte on August 10, Mamamoo on August 12, Bryson Tiller on September 12, Chayanne on September 13, and aespa on September 18, according to the official UBS Arena events calendar, which is worth checking for the current lineup before you lock in a date.
A UBS Arena concert bus rental matters most on nights like these because concert parking runs the same $5-to-$10 day-of premium as an Islanders game, and a sold-out show means the LIRR platform gets just as packed as it does after a hockey game. A party bus with color-changing LED lighting and a premium sound system for the ride over turns the drive into part of the night instead of a logistics problem to solve first.
What Size Bus Fits Your Group for a UBS Arena Party Bus Rental?
The right vehicle for a UBS Arena trip comes down to headcount and how much you want the ride itself to be part of the night. Here's how the vehicle lineup breaks down for Elmont.
- 14-passenger Sprinter limo or Sprinter van rental with driver — a tight fit for suite holders or a small group who wants a private, comfortable ride with premium seating and tinted windows.
- 15-35 passenger minibus — a strong option for a mid-size group, with plenty of A/C and reclining seats for the Cross Island Parkway drive in.
- 25-passenger party bus — built for a group night out, with color-changing LED lighting, a premium sound system, and flat-panel TVs to build the energy before doors.
- 50-passenger party bus — the pick for a large group of friends, coworkers, or family heading to the same game or show together.
- 40-56 passenger charter bus — the right call for a large corporate outing, a school or league group, or any crowd where undercarriage storage and onboard restrooms matter for a longer haul out to Elmont.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through this site's network — just note it in your quote request so it's confirmed ahead of time.
UBS Arena Party Bus & Charter Bus Rental Prices
Pricing for a UBS Arena run depends on a handful of clear factors: vehicle size, total hours (including the wait during the game or show), the date and how in-demand it is, and how far the pickup is from Elmont. To give you an idea, 14-passenger Sprinter limos run roughly $180-$400/hour; 15-20 passenger party buses run $150-$300/hour; 20-30 passenger party buses run $200-$400/hour; 35-50 passenger party buses and minibuses run $300-$550/hour; and 40-56 passenger charter buses run $160-$320/hour or $1,300-$2,700/day.
The real number moves with your date, vehicle, and hours — an Islanders playoff date or All-Star Weekend prices differently than a regular-season Tuesday. Fill out a quick form or call 516-920-3440 and you could have pricing for your specific trip to UBS Arena in about a minute, no account required. Check the Long Island party bus prices page for a broader look at how vehicle size and trip length affect the number.
Getting to UBS Arena from JFK Airport and Around Long Island
UBS Arena sits about 8 miles from John F. Kennedy International Airport — close enough that a group flying in for an Islanders game or a concert can go straight from baggage claim to the arena in one vehicle instead of splitting into rideshares at the terminal curb. The official JFK Airport site covers current terminal pickup information, and a single bus gathering your whole group at one curb beats coordinating multiple rideshare pickups across JFK's terminals on arrival day.
For groups starting further out, the drive to Elmont depends heavily on which stretch of Long Island you're leaving from and how the Cross Island Parkway and Hempstead Turnpike are running that day. A pickup from New York City runs through Queens before picking up the Cross Island Parkway; a pickup further east on Long Island rides the Southern State or the LIE most of the way before cutting north. Either way, one bus means the group leaves together and nobody's stuck finding the arena on their own once traffic backs up near the Cross Island exits.
Leaving UBS Arena After the Game or Show
Getting out is where a UBS Arena trip either stays smooth or falls apart. When a sellout crowd lets out of the arena at once, the LIRR platform fills fast, the general lots empty slowly through Exits 26A, 26B, and 26D, and rideshare pickup on the north side gets backed up right along with the parking exits.
A bus rental sidesteps all of it. Your vehicle is already staged near the Silver C lot, everyone boards together instead of scattering toward a packed platform or a rideshare queue, and the approach out of Elmont starts moving the moment your group is on board — no standing on a crowded platform, no surge pricing, no separate cars trying to find each other in the dark.
Who Rents a Bus to UBS Arena
The same door-to-door setup works for UBS Arena no matter who's on board. These are the groups that request it most for Elmont trips:
- Islanders fan groups. Friend groups, family, and season-ticket crews who'd rather ride to a home game together than caravan and split up in the lots.
- Corporate and suite groups. Moving clients or staff to a suite or club level without anyone worrying about which Cross Island Parkway exit their lot is behind. See the corporate event transportation page.
- Birthday and milestone celebrations. A concert or game night that doubles as the main event — see birthday party bus rentals for how that's arranged.
- Concert groups. Friends catching a UBS Arena show together, riding over as one group instead of meeting up in the parking lot.
Also headed to a game at Citi Field or a summer show at Jones Beach Theater on the same trip? Those guides cover their own drop-offs. And since UBS Arena rises right off the Belmont Park backstretch, groups mixing a race day with an arena visit can check the Belmont Park bus rental guide for how that side of the property works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do charter buses and party buses drop off at UBS Arena?
Oversized vehicles use a dedicated entrance at Gate 5 Road off Hempstead Turnpike and drop passengers in the Silver C lot before moving to a designated parking area, per the official UBS Arena parking page. That's separate from the general car lots and from the rideshare/drop-off zone on the arena's north side, which is reached only through Cross Island Parkway Exit 26D.
Do I need to notify UBS Arena in advance if I'm arriving by bus?
Yes. UBS Arena asks that motorcoach, charter bus, and limousine arrivals be coordinated at least 72 hours before an event by emailing events@ubsarena.com, and oversized-vehicle parking must be purchased in advance rather than at the gate. Flag your event date when you request pricing so there's plenty of time to get that confirmed.
How much does parking cost at UBS Arena?
UBS Arena spreads general parking across five lots — Emerald, Silver, Diamond, Ruby, and the Belmont Park Garage — each tied to its own Cross Island Parkway exit. Advance purchase through Ticketmaster is recommended, and buying at the gate on the day of a concert runs $5 to $10 more per car than booking ahead, according to the official parking page.
What Cross Island Parkway exit do I take to UBS Arena?
It depends on the lot: Exit 26A for the Belmont Park Garage, Exit 26B for Diamond, Ruby, and Silver parking, and Exit 26D for Emerald parking and the general rideshare/drop-off zone. Oversized vehicles use a separate Gate 5 Road entrance off Hempstead Turnpike rather than any of the car-lot exits.
How does the Elmont-UBS Arena LIRR station work for groups?
The Elmont-UBS Arena station runs direct LIRR service in roughly 30 minutes from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison at the Zone 4 fare, with a free shuttle covering the roughly five-minute ride between the station and the arena's Shuttle/Bus Loop on the northwest corner. It's a solid option for one or two riders, but a packed post-event platform after a sellout is exactly the crowd a private bus rental lets a larger group skip.
How far is UBS Arena from JFK Airport?
UBS Arena is about 8 miles from JFK, a short run up the Van Wyck and Belt Parkway to the Cross Island Parkway. A bus rental means a group flying in can go from baggage claim straight to the arena or a hotel in one vehicle instead of splitting into separate rideshares.
What size bus do I need for a UBS Arena trip?
It depends on your group. A 14-passenger Sprinter limo or Sprinter van fits a small crew comfortably, a 15-35 passenger minibus covers a mid-size group, 25- and 50-passenger party buses fit larger friend or family groups who want the ride to be part of the night, and a 40-56 passenger charter bus is the call for a large corporate, school, or league group.
How much does a UBS Arena bus rental cost?
To give you an idea, 14-passenger Sprinter limos run roughly $180-$400/hour, 15-20 passenger party buses run $150-$300/hour, 20-30 passenger party buses run $200-$400/hour, 35-50 passenger party buses and minibuses run $300-$550/hour, and 40-56 passenger charter buses run $160-$320/hour or $1,300-$2,700/day. Pricing shifts with your date, hours, and vehicle — a quick form or a call to 516-920-3440 gets you real pricing for your trip in about a minute.
When do the Islanders play their 2026-27 home opener at UBS Arena?
The Islanders open the 2026-27 home schedule on Saturday, October 3, 2026, against the New Jersey Devils, and UBS Arena hosts the NHL All-Star Weekend on February 5-6, 2027, per the Islanders' official schedule announcement.
Book Your UBS Arena Bus Rental Today
Whether it's an Islanders game at UBS Arena, one of the fall 2026 concert dates, or a corporate outing to a suite, getting your group to Elmont together beats sorting out five different parking lots and a packed LIRR platform on your own. Compare party buses, charter buses, minibuses, and Sprinter vans for your UBS Arena trip, and get pricing with a quick form or a call to 516-920-3440 — no account required, no obligation, and you never pay for seats you don't need.
