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How long is the wait for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty?

When visiting the Statue of Liberty be prepared for a long day. Queues to the ferry can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. The Statue of Liberty and museum take approximately 90 minutes to see and Ellis Island is another one hour to 90 minutes.



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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!

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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.

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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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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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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).

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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.

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ARE BATHROOMS LOCATED ON THE FERRIES, ELLIS ISLAND, AND LIBERTY ISLAND? Yes, bathrooms are located on our ferries, Ellis Island and Liberty Island bathrooms are wheelchair accessible.

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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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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. The New York ferry runs from Battery Park to Liberty Island to Ellis Island and back to Battery Park.

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During peak seasons, you'll want to consider purchasing tickets even earlier than usual. There's only one way to see Lady Liberty's crown, so tickets tend to sell out very quickly, as there are only approximately 500 per day.

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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.

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HOW DO I GET TICKETS FOR THE CROWN OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY? Crown reservations must be purchased in advance through the 'Book Now' link. Same-day crown tickets are not available, and we do not keep a waitlist.

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Visiting Liberty Island is one of the most rewarding experiences of any trip to New York City. However, visitors who wish to enter the pedestal and visit the crown must secure reservations through Statue City Cruises, the ONLY AUTHORIZED ticket seller for Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island.

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Visitors may bring their own food and beverage to Liberty and Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation provides free WiFi to visitors within the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

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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. Strollers, backpacks, and large umbrellas are not allowed in the Monument.

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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.

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BEST VIEW: Hands down, the best view on land is from atop One World Observatory. Located in the southern most part of Manhattan, it's the closest observation deck to the Statue of Liberty, giving you the most intimate view possible from land.

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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.

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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.

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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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