Ferry To Statue of Liberty

Arriving by ferry at the Statue of Liberty is quite a spectacle. I'll tell you all about the ferry timetables, prices and stops.

Isabel Catalán

Isabel Catalán

7 min read

Ferry To Statue of Liberty

On the way to the Statue by ferry | ©Jenny Marvin

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island, a small island south of Manhattan that can only be reached by ferry.

To take one of the ferries that will take you there, if you have not booked a guided tour but already have your tickets to the Statue of Liberty, here are the timetables, frequency and locations of the ferry piers.

The most convenient option

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour with Ferry

Discover all the magic surrounding the Statue of Liberty

Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and learn all about their history with a visit to the Liberty Islands Museum and the Immigration Museum. With a tour guide or audio guide, which option do you prefer?

With this ferry cruise to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, you have the option of taking a complete tour of Liberty Island, where the iconic monument is located, and Ellis Island. It also includes tickets to both the Liberty Island Museum and the Immigration Museum.

You can also choose to enjoy the most complete experience possible, lasting 4 hours, with an experienced tour guide who will accompany you throughout the tour. Or you can choose a simpler and more economical option, a guided tour of approximately 30 minutes through Battery Park, and once you board the ferry, you will continue with an audio guide.

Recommended if... you don't want to miss a single detail of New York's most iconic monument.

Where does the ferry from Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty depart from?

Sunset on the ferry to the Statue| ©Hellotickets
Sunset on the ferry to the Statue| ©Hellotickets

The pier where you can catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty from Manhattan is located in Battery Park, in Lower Manhattan.

If you decide to take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park, I recommend going there first thing in the morning, as there are very long queues to get through the first security check and it can take quite a while to board the boat.

Book a ferry cruise to the Statue of Liberty

How to get to Battery Park?

NYC underground station|©taigatrommelchen
NYC underground station|©taigatrommelchen

The fastest way to get to Battery Park is by underground. The nearest stations are South Ferry (line 1), Bowling Green (lines 4 and 5) and Whitehall St (R and W).

Sometimes the New York underground can seem like a city within a city, so to help you get there without any problems, here is a map of the underground and my New York Underground Guide to help you learn how to use it and get the most out of it.

Book a tour to the Statue of Liberty

Is there anywhere other than Battery Park where you can catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty?

Manhattan from the ferry| ©Hellotickets
Manhattan from the ferry| ©Hellotickets

Yes, another place to take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty besides Battery Park is Liberty State Park, outside Manhattan, in the neighbouring city of New Jersey.

Most tourists tend to opt for boarding in Manhattan, but if you are visiting New Jersey or staying there, it is also a good option for going to the Statue of Liberty, as the pier is less crowded and the queue for security checks is shorter.

How to get to Liberty State Park?

To get to Liberty State Park by public transport, take the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) to the Liberty State Park stop. Then walk to the ticket office area next to the CRRNJ terminal and continue a little further towards the pier area.

Book an express cruise to the Statue of Liberty

How long does it take to get to the Statue of Liberty by ferry?

The Statue from the ferry| ©Hellotickets
The Statue from the ferry| ©Hellotickets

The direct ferry to Liberty Island departs from Battery Park and takes about 15 minutes, while from Liberty State Park it takes about 30 minutes because the ferry first goes to Ellis Island and then to Liberty Island.

We compare the different cruises in the table

  • Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour with Ferry
  • From RM248
  • Up to 4 hours long
  • Round-trip cruise
  • Tickets to the Liberty Island Museum and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum
  • Option of audio guide or guide
  • Book now
  • NYC Statue of Liberty Express Cruise
  • From RM108
  • 45-50 minutes
  • Round-trip cruise with a guide
  • No tickets
  • With guide
  • Book
  • NYC Manhattan Circle Line Cruise around Statue of Liberty by day
  • From RM131
  • 1 hour
  • Round-trip cruise around Manhattan
  • No tickets
  • With guide
  • Book

Ferry cruise to the Statue of Liberty

The ferry to the Statue of Liberty| ©Hellotickets
The ferry to the Statue of Liberty| ©Hellotickets

The price of a ferry cruise to the Statue of Liberty starts at 248 and includes a return ticket to Liberty Island and Ellis Island and admission to the Liberty Island and Immigration museums. You can also take a self-guided tour with an audio guide, or if you're looking for a more complete experience, you can be accompanied by a tour guide.

I recommend purchasing your ticket in advance so you don't miss out on the experience and can choose the time that best suits your travel plans. The cruise departs at 8:45 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Book a ferry cruise to the Statue of Liberty

Express cruise to the Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty:|©apardavila
Statue of Liberty:|©apardavila

The express cruise to the Statue of Liberty is a more economical option that can be purchased for 108 Highly recommended if you have limited time, as it lasts approximately 50 minutes, but allows you to get close to Liberty Island to take the best photos of the iconic monument.

In addition, a tour guide will accompany you throughout the journey and bring you up to date on the history of the Statue of Liberty.

Book an express cruise to the Statue of Liberty

Circle Line Day Cruise around Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises & Manhattan Skyline|©Mario Sánchez
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises & Manhattan Skyline|©Mario Sánchez

Another option is the Circle Line daytime cruise around Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty for 131 This approximately 1-hour trip takes a strategic route through the waters of the Hudson River, allowing you to see some of the city's most interesting sights up close, such as Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx, as well as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, of course.

The cruise departs from Pier 83, located in Midtown, next to Times Square. An expert guide will explain everything you see along the route. Get a different perspective of the city and the New York skyline!

Book a cruise from Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty

What are the ferry schedules and frequency to the Statue of Liberty? Plan your visit!

Views of the Statue of Liberty from the water| ©Hellotickets
Views of the Statue of Liberty from the water| ©Hellotickets

From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., ferries depart daily from the piers at Battery Park in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey, with a frequency ranging from 25 minutes (weekends) to 30 minutes (weekdays).

Since schedules change seasonally and frequency may be altered during peak tourist season, I recommend checking the ferry schedules, which are constantly updated, before planning your visit to the Statue of Liberty.

Book an express cruise to the Statue of Liberty

Tips and frequently asked questions about taking the ferry to the Statue of Liberty

The Statue with Manhattan in the background| ©Hellotickets
The Statue with Manhattan in the background| ©Hellotickets

What does the time indicated on your ticket mean?

This is the time you should be in line at the first security checkpoint before boarding the ferry, not the time the boat leaves the pier. Once you pass through security, you can board the next available ferry at Battery Park or Liberty Park State, which depart every 30 minutes for the Statue of Liberty.

How early should I arrive at the pier to board?

It is best to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance, or even an hour before during peak season, to go through security.

Do tickets to the Statue of Liberty include round-trip ferry transportation?

Yes, with your tickets you can take the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island and, at the end of your visit, return to the pier from which you departed.

Are the ferries accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, the ferries to the Statue of Liberty are accessible to disabled people, but they do not have wheelchairs available for passengers. If you wish to use a wheelchair during your visit to the Statue of Liberty, you can rent one free of charge from the National Park Service by showing photo ID. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If I board at one pier at the start of the visit, do I have to return to the same place?

Not necessarily. For example, you can board in New Jersey and disembark in Manhattan, but be sure of the route you want to take before boarding the ferry because if you choose the wrong destination, you will not be able to use your ticket to board these ferries again and will have to find another means of transport.

Can I take photos from the ferry?

Yes, the ferry has a covered and an open area so you can take photos or videos during the trip of the sites you are seeing.

Can I use my MetroCard to take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty?

No, it is not possible. The MetroCard can only be used to ride the New York subway and bus, as well as the Roosevelt Island Tramway.

Do children and seniors have to pay for a ferry ticket to go to the Statue of Liberty?

Like other visitors, these groups must have their own ticket for the cruise, but the price is lower.

Do I have to buy a separate ferry ticket if I also want to visit Ellis Island?

No, it is not necessary. The ferry route includes both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, so you do not need to purchase any other tickets.

Book a ferry cruise to the Statue of Liberty