How often does the Roosevelt Island tramway run?

The Roosevelt Island Tramway provides the most modern aerial tramway in the world, running every 7-15 minutes from 59th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan to Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island.



The Roosevelt Island Tramway in New York City runs incredibly frequently, typically departing every 7 to 15 minutes depending on the time of day. During peak rush hours (weekdays 7:00 AM–10:00 AM and 3:00 PM–8:00 PM), the tram runs every 7.5 minutes to accommodate the high volume of commuters traveling between Roosevelt Island and Manhattan's Upper East Side (59th Street and 2nd Avenue). During off-peak hours and late at night, the frequency slows to every 15 minutes. The tram operates from 6:00 AM until 2:00 AM Sunday through Thursday, and stays open until 3:30 AM on Friday and Saturday nights to cater to the city's nightlife. The journey across the East River takes about 4 to 5 minutes and offers spectacular views of the Queensboro Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. Since 2026, you can pay for the tram using the OMNY "tap-and-go" system, making it just as easy to access as the NYC Subway, and it provides a vital, scenic link for both residents and tourists visiting the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park.

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Top ways to experience The Roosevelt Island Tramway and nearby attractions. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 92% of travelers recommend this experience.

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Roosevelt Island Tram Tickets For adults, the ride costs just $2.90 each way. Those with an unlimited MetroCard won't have to pay anything. For a round-trip cost of just $5.80 for an adult, this is an awesome deal for an incredible view!

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Last September, about 100 passengers were trapped when a power failure halted the two cars for about an hour. No one was injured. The tram opened in 1976. It travels 3,100 feet at 16 mph, making the trip in five minutes.

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During weekdays, commuters use the tram to get to and from work in the mornings and evenings. As a result, you can expect these hours to be especially busy from Monday to Friday. Note that most New Yorkers are commuting from Roosevelt Island to Manhattan in the morning rush hour.

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It travels a distance of 3,140 feet at a speed of up to 17 miles per hour in less than three (3) minutes. It rises to a maximum height of 230 feet and can carry a maximum of 109 passengers plus an attendant per cabin. The system annually transports more than two million passengers.

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The Tramway is located on 2nd Avenue, between 59th Street and 60th Street.

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The Roosevelt Island Tramway provides the most modern aerial tramway in the world, running every 7-15 minutes from 59th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan to Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island.

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On Roosevelt Island, which was developed as a middle-class neighborhood from the ruins of prisons and hospitals, affordable housing was plentiful, thanks to state programs that awarded public subsidies to apartment buildings in exchange for keeping rents low.

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  1. Bus.
  2. Tram.
  3. Subway.
  4. Ferry.
  5. Driving.
  6. MTA 63rd Street Track Replacement Project.


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The island is only 2 miles (3.2 km) long and very walkable. From the south to the north, it's the equivalent of 35 city blocks. Touring the Island will take about 3 hours. It's best to go when the weather is pleasant as all the sights are outdoors.

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A single ticket to ride the Roosevelt Island Cable Car is $2.75, the same as a ticket to ride the New York subway. If you plan to use public transportation regularly to get around the city, I recommend that you purchase the MetroCard, a rechargeable card valid for the subway, bus and Roosevelt Cable Car.

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Roosevelt Island's biggest transportation attraction is the Roosevelt Island Tram. For the price of a MetroCard swipe, you can rise 250 feet above the East River and be transported between Roosevelt Island and Manhattan in just four minutes!

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The western leg of the Queensboro Bridge is flanked on its northern side by the Roosevelt Island Tramway.

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Theodore Roosevelt Island is open year-round from 6 am to 10 pm.

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Blackwell's Island, now known as Roosevelt Island, has a deep connection to disability and incarceration. For much of the early 1900s, New Yorkers nicknamed the island Welfare Island after the asylums, prisons, and almshouses that were built there.

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Roosevelt Island Bridge The bridge is the only means of vehicular access to Roosevelt Island. Prior to construction, the bridge carried two 17-foot lanes of vehicular traffic and a 6-foot sidewalk. The bridge is used by both pedestrians and vehicles with increased volume during rush hours.

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Another cool N.Y. sunset view is from the Roosevelt Island Tramway, which floats next to the Queensboro Bridge and goes over the East River. Whether you're going to Roosevelt Island or to the Upper East Side, we recommend trying to get a spot where you're facing Manhattan.

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