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What is the best time to go on the Staten Island Ferry?

First off, avoid traveling at or around the commuter rush hours of 7:00 to 8:45 am and 5:00 to 6:45 pm! Even the boats right before and after these times are often very busy. Traveling in the late morning and early afternoon is your best chance to get a boat that isn't overly packed.



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The Ferry runs 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. More frequent service, (every 15 or 20 minutes,) is provided on the weekdays during the rush hours of 6:00AM – 9:30AM and 3:30PM – 8:00PM, with 30-minute service to follow.

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Generally, the ferry runs every 30 minutes during most times of the day, so the wait time can be anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour. During peak hours, such as rush hour on weekdays, the wait time may be longer due to increased demand.

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If you're getting on from the Manhattan side, go to the right (starboard) side of the boat for the best view of the Statue of Liberty. From the Staten Island side, go to the left (port). The ride is 25 minutes each way with boats departing every 30 minutes on either side on weekends.

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Staten Island Ferry Since the service is completely free, this is a great option for viewing the Statue of Liberty up close. The 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.

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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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The ferry operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with boats leaving every 15 to 20 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes at other times. Apart from NYC Ferry's St. George route, it is the only direct mass-transit connection between the two boroughs.

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The Staten Island Ferry boasts a 24-hour schedule. That's right: it never stops. It takes trips every half hour on the half hour, and every 20 minutes during rush hour. Each ferry has a capacity of around 5,000 people, and daily ridership frequently tops 70,000 passengers a day.

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STATEN ISLAND FERRY ferry Route Schedule and Stops (Updated) The STATEN ISLAND FERRY ferry (St. George Ferry Terminal) has 2 stations departing from Whitehall Ferry Terminal and ending at St. George Ferry Terminal. STATEN ISLAND FERRY ferry time schedule overview for the upcoming week: It departs once a day at 4:50 PM.

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Just try to avoid the rush hour and, yes, it's generally less crowded on weekends. I have taken it at various times of day -- morning, afternoon, sunset, late at night (when it's very romantic)-- and in various types of weather, and I don't know if I have a favorite time to take it, I always enjoy an excuse to ride it.

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Activities, Attractions, & What to Do
  1. Staten Island Ferry. ...
  2. Barrett Park Staten Island Zoo. ...
  3. Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. ...
  4. Garibaldi - Meucci Memorial Museum. ...
  5. Alice Austen House. ...
  6. The Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art. ...
  7. Oakwood Beach. ...
  8. Historic Richmond Town.


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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).

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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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It's FREE and you can either get off and spend some time on Staten Island, or simply disembark, walk around and get back on the ferry returning to Manhattan. It is about an hour round-trip.

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To get on the boat you'll first need to find your way to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. The official name is the Whitehall Terminal and it is located in the financial district of Lower Manhattan. The closest metro station is the Whitehall St stops right next to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.

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The Ferry runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In 2022, the Staten Island Ferry's annual on-time performance was 94%. On a typical weekday, five boats make 117 trips, carrying approximately 35,000 passengers. During rush hours, the ferry runs on a four-boat schedule, with 15 minutes between departures.

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Parking. In addition to privately operated lots, there is a NYC DOT Municipal parking lot at St. George Ferry Terminal. The hourly parking rate is $1.50. The daily parking rate is $12.00.

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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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There are many types of tickets available for the Statue of Liberty and every single one of them includes visiting Ellis Island. However, if you're not at all interested in visiting the Statue of Liberty and just want to visit Ellis Island, you'll want to purchase the “Reserve” ticket.

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