Tickets are non-transferable.The names of those in your party must be provided at the time of purchase. Each ticket holder will be required to show photo ID (except minors without ID) matching the name printed on the ticket prior to entering the Statue of Liberty.
If you want to go inside the Statue of Liberty, you must buy a Pedestal Access or Crown Access ticket. General Admission tickets do not get you access inside the statue. If you are interested in tours of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, read more below.
To get to the Statue of Liberty you must book a ticket. There are several tour options available that will grant you access to Liberty Island and Ellis Island as well, and all of the tickets include the round trip ferry ride. You can choose to go either from New York or New Jersey to explore both of the islands.
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.
And the Statue of Liberty stands as an enduring symbol of freedom and hope for all who have gazed upon her since she debuted in 1886. Without a doubt, they are two of the most important sights in the city, helping make New York one of the best places in the world to see and explore.
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.
You can take an elevator to the pedestal level of the Statue, but beyond that, there are just steps. Depending on your pace, it will take about 15-20 minutes to climb to the top of the crown and back, but you might want to spend some time on the pedestal level before or after your ascent.
How long is the tour? The guided portion of the tour is about 2 hours. You can stay as long as you want after the tour ends at Liberty Island and return to Battery Park when ready. Total time should be about 3 hours, but allow an extra hour if you plan to visit Ellis Island on your own.
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.
Statue of Liberty TicketsThere are no lockers at either departure points. Lockers are located on Liberty Island for those entering the Monument however large bags are not permitted. All weapons are prohibited. Food and drink are not allowed inside the Monument.
Being on the 9:00 am slot means there will be less crowds on the grounds of the Statue of Liberty, the Pedestal and even Ellis Island, and your visit will be much smoother. Alternatively, opt for an early afternoon visit – though at that time of day there will definitely be more people than in the early morning.
Backpacks, strollers and large bags are permitted inside the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. On Liberty Island, lockers are located adjacent to the secondary security screening building for a small fee. Ellis Island does not provide guest lockers.
3. Lady Liberty is struck by lightning 600 times every year. Standing proud, exposed to the elements, the statue has to withstand around 600 lightning bolts every year and, in high winds, the torch can sway by about 5 inches side-to-side!
While Egypt rejected the idea as too costly, Bartholdi's initial vision of an “Arab peasant” evolved into one of a “colossal goddess” that he'd later apply to his Statue of Liberty design ( here ).
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.
Staten Island FerryIt makes dozens of trips a day, leaving every 20-30 minutes. Since the service is completely free, this is a great option for viewing the Statue of Liberty up close. The ferry route brings you directly across New York Harbor and right by the statue and Ellis Island.