Can we visit Statue of Liberty for free?

TICKETS FOR THE STATUE OF LIBERTY Technically, there is no cost to visit Liberty Island. What you have to pay for is the ticket for ferry passage and whether or not you would like access to the statue's pedestal or her crown. (Crown tickets have an additional fee).



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STATEN ISLAND FERRY Still, without a doubt, this is the best view of the Statue of Liberty you can get for free. In fact, riding the Staten Island Ferry is one of the very best things you can do for free in NYC.

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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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A trip up to the crown includes walking up a double-helix spiral staircase. The Statue's Crown can only be accessed by climbing 162 stairs. There is no elevator service to the Crown. The climb is strenuous.

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Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are only accessible by ferry. The vessels depart at set times from locations in lower Manhattan and New Jersey and are easily accessible through a variety of travel options. Identify which ferry you'll take and plan how best to get there.

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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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It's worth the visit but you have to be fit to climb up those 315 steps, in a tiny staircase at the end. Just be aware of the security: they do not allow you to take anything with you except your tickets and your camera, if you go to the crown.

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Public access has been restricted since 1916, when a munitions explosion on what was then Black Tom Island, believed to have been triggered by German agents, caused $100,000 in damage to the monument.

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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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The Ferry operates between the St. George Terminal on Staten Island and the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan. The trip is about 25 minutes. The Ferry ride is free.

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The Staten Island Ferry provides service every day, year-round. It is free to ride the ferry. Travel time in either direction between St. George and Whitehall is approximately 25 minutes.

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There are many types of tickets available for the Statue of Liberty and every single one of them includes visiting Ellis Island. However, if you're not at all interested in visiting the Statue of Liberty and just want to visit Ellis Island, you'll want to purchase the “Reserve” ticket.

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Statue of Liberty Tips
  1. Stand on the port side (right side) at the back of the ferry going out to the Statue of Liberty. ...
  2. Book ahead of time on the Government Website, for reserved tickets and skip the security lines.
  3. If you want to go up to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, book your tour at least a week in advance a.


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Other highlights include seeing the tablet from above, an up-close view of the torch, and being able to feel the thickness of the copper statue. Anyone visiting the crown must be able to walk up at least 162 steps on a confined spiral staircase.

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July 30, 1916 Dynamite and explosives set for the British and French war effort were detonated. That statue suffered some minor damage (mostly to the right arm and torch) and closed for ten days. For public safety reasons, the torch balcony has been closed ever since.

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Visiting the pedestal is a great addition to your trip to Liberty Island. There are 215 steps or approximately 10 stories to climb to the top of the pedestal. There is an elevator for those who cannot use the stairs. Tickets to the pedestal are limited and can sell out in advance.

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Inevitably weekends are busier than mid-week, but it really is all relative and there is truly no quiet time to visit the statue. Our recommendation is to catch the first ferry departures Tuesday–Thursday if you really want to beat the crowds and get inside the museums ahead of anybody else.

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Without proper planning, many people end their visit much later than expected, so make sure to leave plenty of time to see everything without feeling rushed. At a minimum, you should budget two hours for the Statue of Liberty and an additional hour if you plan to visit Ellis Island as well.

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The absolute best time of day to see the statue is first thing in the morning. In the summer, the first ferry leaves at 8:30 and you should definitely try and be on it. Security will usually open around 8:15 so it's best to be in line before then.

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TIP: The Staten Island Ferry cruises past the Statue of Liberty for free. You can also reach the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from the New Jersey side of the Hudson River at Liberty State Park in Jersey City (map).

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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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The tour is self-guided and self-paced. The time spent on each Island is entirely up to the visitor and what they wish to view while visiting. Generally, one hour to two hours are enough time to visit Ellis Island. Ferries depart from Ellis Island approximately every 20 minutes.

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