How crowded is Staten Island Ferry?

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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You 'queue' at the entrance and when the ferry docks it takes about 10 minutes to empty and another 10 to load. The crossing takes 20 minutes. At Staten island, if you can get off quick you may be able to rush round and get straight on the ferry back. We missed it so had about a 30 minute wait for the next one back.

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Just try to avoid the rush hour and, yes, it's generally less crowded on weekends. I have taken it at various times of day -- morning, afternoon, sunset, late at night (when it's very romantic)-- and in various types of weather, and I don't know if I have a favorite time to take it, I always enjoy an excuse to ride it.

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There is not much to do there but it's a nice boat trip and you can just join the queue, jump back on board and head straight back to Manhattan. The ferry runs frequently but it's suggested that you avoid rush hour as it does get very congested. Definitely worth a trip especially as it's free!

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Due to the smaller size of the boat, the trip was a bit less smooth than what riders of the Staten Island Ferry have come to expect, with choppy water resulting in a bumpy ride at one point.

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If you're getting on from the Manhattan side, go to the right (starboard) side of the boat for the best view of the Statue of Liberty. From the Staten Island side, go to the left (port). The ride is 25 minutes each way with boats departing every 30 minutes on either side on weekends.

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First off, avoid traveling at or around the commuter rush hours of 7:00 to 8:45 am and 5:00 to 6:45 pm! Even the boats right before and after these times are often very busy. Traveling in the late morning and early afternoon is your best chance to get a boat that isn't overly packed.

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On a typical weekday, five boats make 117 trips, carrying approximately 35,000 passengers. During rush hours, the ferry runs on a four-boat schedule, with 15 minutes between departures.

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Staten Island Ferry 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. Pros: Of all the free options, the ferry has the best and closest view of the statue.

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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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During rush hour, you could be out here for at least an hour, said Elroy Wallace, deckhand. Inland you may get a temperature of 20 degrees, but on the water it could feel like minus 10. Deckhands say they dress in layers, some with as many as three layers of trousers and six layers on their upper bodies.

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Once arriving in St. George terminal, the ferry docks and all passengers have to exit the ferry. So you can't stay on it. If you want to take a full round-trip, walk through the terminal to the departure gates on the Staten Island side, and you can board the next ferry back to Manhattan.

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Food and drinks are available at both the St. George and Whitehall terminals, but the boats have not had a vendor in recent years.

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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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Fast RoPax ferries are conventional ferries with a large garage intake and a relatively large passenger capacity, with conventional diesel propulsion and propellers that sail over 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph).

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Parking. In addition to privately operated lots, there is a NYC DOT Municipal parking lot at St. George Ferry Terminal. The hourly parking rate is $1.50. The daily parking rate is $12.00.

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Activities, Attractions, & What to Do
  1. Staten Island Ferry. ...
  2. Barrett Park Staten Island Zoo. ...
  3. Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. ...
  4. Garibaldi - Meucci Memorial Museum. ...
  5. Alice Austen House. ...
  6. The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art. ...
  7. Oakwood Beach. ...
  8. Historic Richmond Town.


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The ferry rides each way are approximately 25-30 minutes. You must get off at the Staten Island side and you can join the queue to take the same ferry back to Manhattan, so it is possible to spend an hour on the ride back and forth.

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Effective Sept 8, 2022, masks are now optional for riders throughout the NYC Ferry system. We strongly encourage riders to continue to wear masks while inside the main cabin.

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If you want to take photos of the Statue of Liberty, go up the flights of stairs until you reach the top deck, and go to the right side of the ferry. There is an outdoor deck on each side of the upper deck that you can stand on to get good photos. Coming back, you'll need to be on the left side of the ferry.

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Staten Island Ferry The Staten Island Ferry is a free transportation service provided between Manhattan and Staten Island. Each boat is quite large, carrying over 4,000 people. But the route across New York harbor takes you directly in front of the statue.

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The ferry is also popular among tourists and visitors due to the free-of-charge views of the New York Harbor a trip provides.

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Find a seat in the middle of the ferry; the lower you are, the better. So stay low (not the upper deck) and sit in the middle.

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