Is it better to visit Statue of Liberty from NJ or NY?

I generally recommend not driving in Manhattan unless you have to, so if you're only visiting the Statue of Liberty for the day from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or another state south of New York, I recommend coming from Liberty State Park (the New Jersey side.)



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With convenient highway access and ample parking, the New Jersey departure point at Liberty State Park is the optimum choice to visit the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island via auto, bus or light rail.

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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.

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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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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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Getting to the Statue of Liberty Aim to arrive approximately 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time as there's a required security screening of all passengers before boarding.

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Inevitably weekends are busier than mid-week, but it really is all relative and there is truly no quiet time to visit the statue. Our recommendation is to catch the first ferry departures Tuesday–Thursday if you really want to beat the crowds and get inside the museums ahead of anybody else.

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The ferry ride from Battery Park to Liberty Island takes just 15 minutes. The ferry docks for about 10 minutes at each island before departing. There are only two places to catch the Statue of Liberty ferry: Battery Park in New York or Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

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For an unforgettable view of the statue and Ellis Island, head to The Battery (formerly known as Battery Park). Located on the southern tip of Lower Manhattan, it's a great vantage point for taking in fabulous views of the New York Harbor, Governor's Island, Brooklyn, the New Jersey Shore, and the Verrazano Bridge.

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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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To get to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty you'll need to purchase a ferry ticket through our partners at Statue Cruises. The only merchant authorized to bring passengers to the islands, Statue Cruises' tickets give you access to ferries, the grounds, the museums, and audio guides.

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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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It's worth the visit but you have to be fit to climb up those 315 steps, in a tiny staircase at the end. Just be aware of the security: they do not allow you to take anything with you except your tickets and your camera, if you go to the crown.

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You don't need a ticket to enter the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, but you do need a ticket to ride the ferry to get there. Here's a very important part: the vendor authorized to sell tickets to Liberty and Ellis Islands is City Experiences.

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It's up to you where you want to stand/sit, but if you want a prime viewing spot for a picture of the statue, head to the side of the boat that's facing Manhattan. Once it turns to head to Liberty Island, you'll have the perfect view.

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It takes around 20 minutes to walk to the top of the Statue of Liberty. You can take an elevator to the pedestal level of the Statue but the walk up to the crown itself will take you at least 15 minutes.

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Route Information The trip is about 25 minutes. The Ferry ride is free. All passengers are required to comply with applicable U.S. Coast Guard Security Regulations regardless of which level they board from. The Staten Island Ferry does not carry cars.

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