Where does the tram to Roosevelt Island go?

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 is an iconic aerial cable car that provides a vital transit link between Roosevelt Island and Manhattan. The Manhattan terminal is located at 59th Street and Second Avenue, while the Roosevelt Island station is situated at the southern end of the island, near the tram plaza. The journey takes approximately 3 to 4 minutes, soaring 250 feet above the East River and providing stunning views of the Queensboro Bridge and the Midtown skyline. In 2026, the tram remains part of the New York City transit system, accepting the OMNY tap-to-pay system and standard MetroCards. It operates at high frequency, usually every 7 to 15 minutes, serving both as a necessary commuter tool for island residents and a popular "bucket list" experience for tourists who want a unique, high-altitude perspective of New York City for the price of a standard subway fare.

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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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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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There are several ways to get to Roosevelt Island. From Manhattan, you can take the Roosevelt Island Tramway, located at East 59th Street and Second Avenue, for $2.75 one way. If you're coming from Queens, you can drive or walk onto the island via the Roosevelt Island Bridge, or take the Q102 bus line.

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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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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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Entrance Passes There is no fee to enter Theodore Roosevelt Island. Enjoy your visit! If you plan to visit other parks with an entrance fee, learn more about the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass series and fee-free days in the national parks.

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The Tram takes the MetroCard, which can be purchased from machines located at either Tram Station. 2. Do you have to pay for the Tram each way? Yes, you must pay each way (two MetroCard fares).

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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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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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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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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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