Now in the summer the ferries are packed with so many people that the boats have to double routs to handle the crowds. The ferries are clean and modern.
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The Ferry carries over 12 million passengers annually on a 5.2-mile run between the St. George Terminal in Staten Island and the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan. The Ferry runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In 2022, the Staten Island Ferry's annual on-time performance was 94%.
All transfers within the NYC Ferry system are free and valid for 120 minutes once you start your one-way trip. Round-trip journeys do not qualify for free transfers.
Staten Island FerryThe 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.
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!
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.
The size is also a difference: Cruise ships are typically much larger than ferries, with more cabins and facilities to accommodate a larger number of passengers. Ferries are generally smaller and more compact, designed for shorter journeys with fewer passengers.
The NYC Ferry has Ferry routes operating across New York - New Jersey including: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island. The longest line from the NYC Ferry is: RW. This Ferry route starts from Rockaway (Queens) and ends at Wall St/Pier 11 (Manhattan). It covers over 25 km and has 3 stops.
Once you've taken 12 paid rides in a seven-day period, you can ride free for the rest of the week. Here's an example: A rider uses the subway to get to and from work, and takes it on weekends to go into Manhattan to meet friends. They also use the local buses in their neighborhood to run errands.
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.
We recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes (1 hour during peak travel season) prior to your scheduled tour time to allow ample time to pick up your tickets and go through the security screening process (airport-style security).
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.