Can I ride Staten Island Ferry round trip?

Can I stay on the Ferry for round-trip? No. All passengers must debark from the Ferry after every trip and can re-board the boat through the waiting room.



Yes, you can ride the Staten Island Ferry for a round trip, but you are legally required to disembark at the end of each leg. In 2026, the policy remains strict: when the ferry arrives at the St. George Terminal (Staten Island) or the Whitehall Terminal (Manhattan), all passengers must exit the vessel. This is a safety and security regulation enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard. Once you disembark, you can simply walk through the terminal and follow the signs for the "Manhattan Bound" or "Staten Island Bound" boarding areas to catch the next departing boat. Since the ferry is 100% free and runs 24/7 (typically every 15–30 minutes), this "commuter loop" is one of the most popular free activities in New York City, providing a perfect view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline twice. Just be prepared to wait in the terminal for about 10–20 minutes between rides, as the boat must be cleared of all passengers before the next group can board.

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The Ferry ride is free. All passengers are required to comply with applicable U.S. Coast Guard Security Regulations regardless of which level they board from. The Staten Island Ferry does not carry cars.

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It's FREE and you can either get off and spend some time on Staten Island, or simply disembark, walk around and get back on the ferry returning to Manhattan. It is about an hour round-trip.

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Eliminating the ferry fare was seen as an action to standardize Staten Islanders' MetroCard fares with those of commuters in other boroughs. Despite the fact that the ferry fare had netted $6 million in annual revenue for the city, its abolition only cost the city about $1 million.

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Staten Island Ferry The ferry route brings you directly across New York Harbor and right by the statue and Ellis Island. Pros: Of all the free options, the ferry has the best and closest view of the statue.

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Subways, local buses, and Staten Island Railway: $2.90 (Reduced Fare: $1.45) Single ride (only sold at subway vending machines): $3.25. Unlimited 7-day MetroCard: $34 (Reduced Fare: $17)

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The Staten Island Ferry boasts a 24-hour schedule. That's right: it never stops. It takes trips every half hour on the half hour, and every 20 minutes during rush hour. Each ferry has a capacity of around 5,000 people, and daily ridership frequently tops 70,000 passengers a day.

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Operated by MTA, the Times Square to Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal subway service departs from Times Sq-42 St and arrives in South Ferry. Typically 1470 subways run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance.

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If you want to see the Statue of Liberty without a visit to the monument itself, but also make some amazing photos, not only those of Statue of Liberty, but also of the Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Verrazano Bridge, take a trip on the Staten Island Ferry.

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We ask that you finish your beverage prior to leaving. Alcoholic beverages can only be sold (1) per I.D. at a time with a limit of (2) drinks per passenger. No outside food or beverages shall be consumed on board NYC Ferry vessels at any time.

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How long is the entire trip? Sailing time to each island is approximately 15 minutes. If you remain on boat for ride only without visiting either monument, it will be one hour and fifteen minutes. If you visit both islands the time depends on the time you spend on both islands.

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BUDGET FRIENDLY: For an ease on the wallet water view of the Statue of Liberty, hop on the Staten Island Ferry. You won't get as close as you would with a paid cruise, but this FREE ride across New York Harbor runs 24 hours a day.

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NYC DOT operates the Staten Island Ferry, providing free service between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan every day of the week, year-round.

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As a tour guide, a question I hear a lot is: “Is it worth it to see Ellis Island?” For those who have no familial connection or relation to the people who passed through, its importance and influence can often be overlooked. Which is why I am here to tell you that it is absolutely, 100% worth it.

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Visitors arrive and depart Liberty Island and Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor, via ferries operated by Statue City Cruises. These ferries leave from two locations: The Battery, at the southern tip of Manhattan in New York City, and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey.

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