Loading Page...

How long is the ferry ride around the Statue of Liberty?

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.



People Also Ask

Taking the ferry to the Statue of Liberty is an absolute must! Not only does it offer unparalleled views and incredible experiences - it's also a great opportunity for some iconic pictures with Lady Liberty herself! Don't forget your camera – this is an experience not soon forgotten!

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

How much time you will need will depend much on what time of the year you are there and what time of day you choose. It also depends on whether you have pedestal and crown tickets. The ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island depart every 15-20 minutes.

MORE DETAILS

Riding the Ferry Each ferry ride takes about 10-15 minutes. But you might be waiting on the ferry longer if you happen to be one of the first in line. By the time the ferry has stopped at Liberty Island, Ellis Island and ends back at Battery Park, it will be about an hour round trip.

MORE DETAILS

It's also worth noting that while the statue is visible from boats going in both directions, it is much closer to the route taken by ferries going to Staten Island. Riding the Staten Island Ferry is the best way to see the Statue of Liberty.

MORE DETAILS

If you miss the last boat you must swim back, and the water is really cold even in the summer. Once on the islands, the schedule is posted on a bulletin board at the ferry dock. Depending on which way you are going, if you just missed a boat, you have a 20 to 40 minute wait for the next one.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

BATTERY AND LOWER MANHATTAN: To see the Statue of Liberty without getting on a boat, just head to the southern tip of Lower Manhattan, an area known as the Battery (subway to South Ferry or Bowling Green).

MORE DETAILS

Pedestal Access Those with reservations to the pedestal, the stone base that the Statue of Liberty sits on top of, must secure the following items in a locker: ALL FOOD & DRINKS (except water in a clear plastic bottle) ALL BACKPACK-STYLE BAGS (including over-sized bags, drawstring bags, and backpack purses) Strollers.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

The Statue of Liberty is not open for nighttime visits, but the crown and pedestal are open until 6 PM during the summer season. How long does it take to climb to the crown of the Statue of Liberty? Climbing to the crown of the Statue of Liberty can take up to 45 minutes.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

The ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island depart every 15-20 minutes. The first ferry departs at 8:30 am in the high season and 9:00 am in the low season and the last ferry departs at 4:00 pm in the high season and 3:30 pm in the low season.

MORE DETAILS

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

MORE DETAILS

General Admission tickets do not get you access inside the statue or pedestal. Pedestal Ticket: Tickets are limited and reservations are required. Pedestal tickets allow visitors to access up to the top of the pedestal, which includes lower pedestal levels. These are purchased online only through Statue City Cruises.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen. Similarly, you might need to stand on the ferry, which requires shoes with grip. Even if you are not climbing the Statue of Liberty, you'll still want to walk all the way around Liberty Island. It's bigger than you might realize, so dress for comfort.

MORE DETAILS

Vehicles. For most routes, you should plan to be in line at the tollbooth at least 20 minutes in advance of the sailing.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Take the Staten Island Ferry If you want to see the Statue of Liberty for free, this is the best way to do it. This public ferry will take you to the borough of Staten Island, passing by the Statue of Liberty along the way. To get there, head to the Staten Island Ferry terminal next to Battery Park.

MORE DETAILS

That said, some ferries sell out, or require you to reserve a spot in advance (especially if you bring a vehicle). Tickets are often more expensive when purchased at the last minute, so by planning ahead and buying your tickets online you can likely save some money.

MORE DETAILS