Plan Your VisitFirst ferry from mainland – 8:30 A.M. Last ferry from mainland – 3:30 P.M. Last Ferry from Liberty Island 5:00 P.M. Last Ferry from Ellis Island 5:15 P.M.
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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).
Staten Island FerryThe 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.
When you get on, it's best to go upstairs and out the back, this way you get a great view of the skyline and bridges. We chose to stay here and were able to get great pics of the Statue of Liberty. You can also chose to go out along the right side-but some of the boats don't give you that option.
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!
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.
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.
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).
Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are only accessible by ferry. The vessels depart at set times from locations in lower Manhattan and New Jersey and are easily accessible through a variety of travel options. Identify which ferry you'll take and plan how best to get there.
Pedestal AccessThose with reservations to the pedestal, the stone base that the Statue of Liberty sits on top of, must secure the following items in a locker: ALL FOOD & DRINKS (except water in a clear plastic bottle) ALL BACKPACK-STYLE BAGS (including over-sized bags, drawstring bags, and backpack purses)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How do I get from Times Square to Statue of Liberty the fastest? The fastest way to get from Times Square to Statue of Liberty is to line 1 subway and ferry. Taking this option will cost $19 - $27 and takes 52 min.
Once arriving in St. George terminal, the ferry docks and all passengers have to exit the ferry. So you can't stay on it. If you want to take a full round-trip, walk through the terminal to the departure gates on the Staten Island side, and you can board the next ferry back to Manhattan.