The only way to reach the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island is by taking a ferry.
This ferry service is the exclusive means of transportation for walking on Liberty Island and visiting the iconic statue.
After visiting Liberty Island and Ellis Island, the ferry will return to its original departure point, whether Battery Park in New York or Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
Visitors can choose not to exit at any of the stops, but it is essential to ensure boarding the correct boat for the return journey.
The New York and New Jersey boats follow different routes and do not stop at each other’s departure points.
Additionally, the ferry service provides amenities such as snack bars on board, wheelchair accessibility, and safety protocols to ensure a comfortable and secure journey for all passengers
A one-way ride on the ferry takes 20-25 minutes. Tickets start at $27 for adults and are discounted for children, families, and groups.
Want to know more about the ferry ride? This handy guide will tell you everything about the ferry, including its location, accessibility, prices, schedules, tickets and free rides.
Where can you catch the Statue of Liberty ferry?
Depending on your location, you can easily take it from different places, such as Manhattan, New York and New Jersey.
Battery Park
Address: State Street and Battery Place, New York City, NY 10004
Who Should Take: Visitors who are in Manhattan/ New York City
How to Reach:
By Bus: M5, M15, and M20 stop at South Ferry
Subway: Lines 1, 4, 5 and R.
Route: Battery Park → Liberty Island → Ellis Island→ Back to Battery Park
If you are already in New York City and want to visit the Statue of Liberty, you can start your ferry ride from Battery Park.
Battery Park is a 25-acre public park facing New York Harbor at the southern tip of Manhattan.
It is easily accessible by public transportation such as buses, subway and taxis.
Once you reach the park, you can take a ferry along the waterfront, departing every 25 minutes for Liberty and Ellis Island.
You can book the tickets at the ticket counter in the park.
If you already have pre-booked Statue of Liberty ferry tickets in hand, you can directly secure a seat by showing the tickets without waiting in long lines.
From the park, it will take 10 minutes to reach Ellis Island and 25 minutes to reach Liberty Island.
Liberty State Park
Address: 1 Audrey Zapp Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07305, USA
Who Should Take: Visitors who are in New Jersey
How to Reach:
Train: PATH, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail or NJ Transit.
Route: Liberty State Park Jersey City → Ellis Island → Liberty Island → Back to New Jersey
You can take a ferry from Liberty State Park if you are in New Jersey.
Liberty State Park is a 1,212-acre park located on Upper New York Bay, where you can purchase your ferry tickets.
You can reach the park by taking the subway, taxi or car.
If you’re driving yourself to the ferry terminal, you can simply input its address into your GPS for smooth navigation.
Unlike in New York, you’ll also have easy access to parking at the terminal at a nominal fee.
Ferry tickets are available at the ticket counter in the park.
However, to avoid crowds and long ticket lines, you must book your ferry tickets online in advance.
These New Jersey to Statue of Liberty Ferry tickets include round-trip transportation and access to all the attractions on both Liberty and Ellis Island except the Statue’s interior.
Know all the best ways to reach the Statue of Liberty, Battery and Liberty State Park here.
How long does the ferry take to reach the Statue of Liberty?
If you are taking a direct ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island, it will take 20-25 minutes.
However, taking a ferry from Liberty State Park takes about 30 minutes, as the ferry goes first to Ellis Island and then to Liberty Island.
Read more about how long it takes to reach in detail to plan your visit to the Statue of Liberty more smoothly.
Statue of Liberty Ferry Schedule:
Here’s a departure and arrival list of the ferries from the Battery and Liberty State Park:
From Battery Park, New York:
FROM THEBATTERY PARK | FROM THE LIBERTY ISLAND | FROM THE ELLIS ISLAND | TO THE BATTERY PARK |
---|---|---|---|
9 am | 9.25 am | 9.45 am | 9.55 am |
9.25 am | 9.50 am | 10.10 am | 10.20 am |
9.50 am | 10.15 am | 10.35 am | 10.45 am |
10.15 am | 10.40 am | 11 am | 11.10 am |
10.40 am | 11.05 am | 11.25 am | 11.35 am |
11.05 am | 11.30 am | 11.50 am | 12 pm |
11.30 am | 11.55 am | 12.15 pm | 12.25 pm |
11.55 am | 12.20 pm | 12.40 pm | 12.50 pm |
12.20 pm | 12.45 pm | 1.05 pm | 1.15 pm |
12.45 pm | 1.10 pm | 1.30 pm | 1.40 pm |
1.10 pm | 1.35 pm | 1.55 pm | 2.05 pm |
1.35 pm | 2 pm | 2.20 pm | 2.30 pm |
2 pm | 2.25 pm | 2.45 pm | 2.55 pm |
2.25 pm | 2.50 pm | 3.10 pm | 3.20 pm |
2.50 pm | 3.15 pm | 3.35 pm | 3.45 pm |
3.15 pm | 3.40 pm | 4 pm | 4.10 pm |
3.30 pm | 4 pm | – | 4.20 pm |
RETURN TRIPS | |||
3.55 pm | 4.30 pm | – | 4.45 pm |
4.20 pm | – | 4.40 pm | 4.50 pm |
4.30 pm | 5 pm | – | 5.15 pm |
4.55 pm | – | 5.15 pm | 5.25 pm |
From Liberty State Park, New Jersey:
FROM LIBERTY STATE PARK | FROM ELLIS ISLAND | FROM LIBERTY ISLAND | TO LIBERTY STATE PARK |
---|---|---|---|
9 am | 9.20 am | 9.40 am | 9.55 am |
9.30 am | 9.50 am | 10.10 am | 10.25 am |
10.10 am | 10.30 am | 10.50 am | 11.05 am |
10.50 am | 11.10 am | 11.30 am | 11.45 am |
11.30 am | 11.50 am | 12.10 pm | 12.25 pm |
12.10 pm | 12.30 pm | 12.50 pm | 1.05 pm |
12.50 pm | 1.10 pm | 1.30 pm | 1.45 pm |
1.30 pm | 1.50 pm | 2.10 pm | 2.25 pm |
2.10 pm | 2.30 pm | 2.50 pm | 3.05 pm |
2.50 pm | 3.10 pm | 3.30 pm | 3.45 pm |
3.30 pm | 3.50 pm | 4.10 pm | 4.25 pm |
RETURN TRIPS | |||
4 pm | 4.20 pm | 4.40 pm | 4.55 pm |
4.35 pm | – | 5 pm | – |
– | 5.15 pm | – | 5.25 pm |
Last Ferry Timings of Statue of Liberty
The last ferry timings for the Statue of Liberty are as follows:
- From the mainland, departs at 3.30 pm.
- From Liberty Island, departs at 5 pm.
- From Ellis Island, departs at 5.15 pm.
Visitors on the last mainland ferry will only be able to visit one island, either Liberty Island or Ellis Island, depending on the departure point.
It is essential to plan your visit accordingly to ensure you have ample time to explore the islands before the last ferry departure.
Statue of Liberty Ferry Wait Time: Battery Park or Liberty State Park?
The wait time for the Statue of Liberty ferry can vary significantly depending on the departure location and the time of day.
Here are some key points to consider:
Battery Park:
- During peak visitation periods, flex ticket holders at Battery Park could be waiting one to three hours.
- The wait can be from 1/2 to 1.5 hours, and ferry tickets are not timed, so it’s first come, first served.
Liberty State Park:
- It is recommended to drive to Liberty State Park (LSP), as the light rail will leave you with a mile walk from the station to the ferry dock.
- The wait time at LSP is generally shorter compared to Battery Park, especially during peak seasons.
Tips to Minimize Wait Time:
- Purchase tickets online in advance to get a reserve ticket with a stated departure date and time, which allows you to use the much shorter reserve-ticket security line.
- Consider visiting early in the morning to avoid longer wait times that develop as the day progresses.
- If possible, take the New Jersey ferry from Liberty State Park, as it tends to have shorter wait times than the New York ferry from Battery Park.
Views from the Lady Liberty Ferry
As you board the ferry, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge and NYC’s skyscrapers.
For better and more clear views, try sitting on the top floor of the ferry, especially on the right side or at the back.
By doing this, you’ll be able to capture stunning photos without anyone blocking your view.
For more such tips and tricks to get the best views of the Statue of Liberty, read our article here.
Statue of Liberty Ferry Tips
Tips for taking a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty:
1. Check the Ferry Schedule: Check it beforehand to find out when the next ferry will depart. Departure times may vary depending on the season.
2. Dress comfortably: It can be breezy in the water during the ferry ride, so it’s advisable to dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes.
3. Explore both islands: Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, which is absolutely free.
Visitors just need to pay for the ferry ride tickets, and they can access all the museums and monuments on both islands for free, including the statue’s interior.
4. Bring snacks and water: While there are restaurants on Liberty and Ellis Island and nearby places, still make sure to bring your snacks and water to stay hydrated, especially if you have kids with you.
5. Choose the right place to sit: For enjoying the best views on your ferry ride, you can sit on the top floor, on the right side, at the rear or on the last bench, especially to avoid obstructions in your camera lens.
6. Pack lightly: Visitors boarding the Statue of Liberty ferry have to undergo an airport-style security screening.
So, make sure to pack properly and leave large bags, sharp objects, etc., at home.
Read more such tips in our article and make your trip memorable and hassle-free.
Accessibility on the Statue of Liberty Ferry:
The ferry to the Statue of Liberty is easily accessible for all visitors, including wheelchair users.
There are ramps to get on and off the ferry and spots to park the wheelchair safely during the ride. There are also easy-to-use bathrooms.
Contents
FAQs
1. Which ferry goes to the Statue of Liberty?
Various state cruise ferries from Battery Park in New York and Liberty State Park in New Jersey go to the Statue of Liberty.
2. How long is the ferry ride from New Jersey to the Statue of Liberty?
The ferry ride from New Jersey’s Liberty State Park takes about 30 minutes.
3. How can you avoid a line for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty?
To avoid long lines at the ferry, make sure to book your ferry tickets online in advance and arrive early for your scheduled departure.
4. How long is the wait for the Statue of Liberty ferry?
If you have booked in advance, it will take a maximum of 25- 30 minutes to pass through security checking and boarding.
However, depending on the crowd and the length of the lines, securing the tickets on the site may take longer.
5. What are the ferry times for the Statue of Liberty?
Departure times typically start around 9:00 am and continue until late afternoon. The last ferry departs at 3.30 pm from both parks.
6. How much is the ferry from Manhattan to Liberty Island?
The round-trip ferry ride from Manhattan to Liberty Island costs $27 for adults, but children can enjoy discounted prices.
7. Where do I sit on the Statue of Liberty ferry?
For the best views, sit on the top floor, on the right side, at the rear, or on the last bench to avoid obstructions in your camera lens.
8. When is the Statue of Liberty ferry service closed?
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are closed on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving Day, and closed on December 25, Christmas Day.
Featured Image: Xavier Arnau / Getty