Can you see the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry?

Without a doubt, the highlights of riding the Staten Island Ferry is the chance to get a quite close view of the Statue of Liberty and the excellent views of the skyline of Lower Manhattan. When traveling to Staten Island, the Statue of Liberty will be on the right side of the boat.



Yes, the Staten Island Ferry provides one of the best "free" views of the Statue of Liberty in New York City. Operating 24/7 between the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and the St. George Terminal on Staten Island, the 25-minute journey takes passengers directly across the New York Harbor. While the ferry does not stop at Liberty Island (you would need a paid Statue City Cruises ticket for that), it passes close enough for excellent photography. In 2026, it remains a favorite "budget hack" for tourists. For the best view when departing Manhattan, travelers are advised to stand on the starboard (right) side of the boat. Upon arriving at Staten Island, you must disembark and re-board for the return trip, where the statue will then be on the port (left) side. It is a scenic, cost-effective way to see the skyline and Lady Liberty without the long lines of the official tour boats.

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The trip is about 25 minutes. 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.

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These passes do not apply at the Statue of Liberty National Monument, which does not charge an entrance fee. The cost of the ferry ticket is not an entrance fee but a transportation fee. There is no additional charge to visit the museum on Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

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A well known “secret” is that you can see the Statue of Liberty from the water by riding the Staten Island Ferry. This ferry is always free! The ferry departs fairly often from the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan. To get there take the subway lines N/R/W to Whitehall St.

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STATEN ISLAND FERRY This free commuter ferry travels very close to the Statue of Liberty. You will want to have your camera out and ready to go, as the ferry passes Lady Liberty at a fairly fast speed. Still, without a doubt, this is the best view of the Statue of Liberty you can get for free.

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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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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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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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Yes! All visitors must purchase a ticket to board the ferry to Liberty and Ellis Islands. All tickets are available to purchase up to six months in advance. Grounds Tickets are available daily and can be purchased via the Statue Cruises website or in-person at the Statue Cruises ticket booths.

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Book your tickets for Lady Liberty's crown well in advance. For those who want to view Manhattan from the inside of the iconic crown, I can tell you it's a fantastic way to experience the statue and see New York Harbor.

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The interior of the head and crown of the Statue of Liberty. Visiting the crown of the Statue of Liberty is one of the most rewarding experiences of any trip to New York City. Visitors get to enjoy views from the small platform in the statue's head which is roughly 20 stories high.

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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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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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Without a doubt, the highlights of riding the Staten Island Ferry is the chance to get a quite close view of the Statue of Liberty and the excellent views of the skyline of Lower Manhattan. When traveling to Staten Island, the Statue of Liberty will be on the right side of the boat.

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The Staten Island Ferry ride takes approximately 25 minutes, offering stunning views of New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island during the journey.

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Staten Island is most well-known for its green park spaces, museums and historical buildings. It is often considered the “borough of parks” because of its numerous natural spaces. Notable parks include Clove Lakes, High Rock Park, Greenbelt and Lemon Creek Park.

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The color choice helped allow the boats to be easily seen in fog and snow, increasing the overall safety of the crew and passengers. Vanderbilt Family Money Started the Fleet: In 1810, 16-year-old Cornelius Vanderbilt received $100 for his birthday.

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Visiting the crown of the Statue of Liberty is a rewarding activity. Due to its extreme popularity, tickets to the crown must be reserved prior to visiting. There are a limited number of crown tickets per day.

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