A citywide commuter ferry network connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and the Rockaways. $4.50 a ride, water views included.
NYC Ferry is the city-operated commuter ferry network — six year-round routes plus a summer Coney Island route, connecting waterfront neighborhoods across all five boroughs. Operated by Hornblower on behalf of the NYC Economic Development Corporation. Launched in 2017.
Ferries are a fast, scenic alternative to the subway for waterfront commutes — and one of the only ways to reach places like Red Hook, Roosevelt Island, the Rockaways, and parts of the South Bronx without a long bus ride.
Two main Manhattan hubs. Pier 11 / Wall Street in Lower Manhattan serves most routes. East 34th Street serves the East River, Astoria, and Soundview routes — useful from Midtown East.
The original NYC Ferry route — connects Manhattan to the Brooklyn and Queens waterfront. Year-round, frequent service. Heavy commuter and tourist use.
Manhattan to northwest Queens via Roosevelt Island and Long Island City. Great for getting to Astoria's Greek restaurants and Socrates Sculpture Park.
Manhattan to the South Bronx — the only direct mass-transit option from Midtown to Soundview, much faster than the 6 train + bus combo.
Manhattan along the Brooklyn waterfront south to Bay Ridge. Best way to reach Red Hook, which has no subway. Connects to Industry City in Sunset Park.
Manhattan to the Rockaway peninsula — a 1-hour scenic ride to the beach. Year-round weekday service plus expanded summer weekend service. Way faster than the A train.
Lower Manhattan to St. George Terminal on Staten Island. A faster, paid alternative to the free Staten Island Ferry — more frequent off-peak service.
Seasonal summer-only service from Manhattan and Brooklyn to Coney Island. Weekend service Memorial Day through Labor Day. Check ferry.nyc for exact dates.
Reduced fare ($1.35) for seniors 65+ and people with disabilities. 30-day unlimited pass: $122. Source: ferry.nyc/fares.
Free transfers. Within 90 minutes of boarding your first ferry, you can transfer to another NYC Ferry route at no charge. Useful for trips that require a connection at Pier 11 or Sunset Park.
Not part of OMNY/MetroCard. NYC Ferry uses its own ticketing system — buy in the NYC Ferry app or at the ticket kiosks on the dock. There is no free transfer to/from the subway or bus.
Three different ferry systems serve New York Harbor. They're not interchangeable — each has its own routes and ticketing.
$4.50. 6+ commuter routes citywide. Operated by Hornblower for NYC EDC. Use ferry.nyc for tickets.
FREE. One route — Whitehall (Manhattan) to St. George (Staten Island). Operated by NYC DOT. 24/7. No tickets needed.
Variable fare. Private NJ-NY commuter routes — Hoboken, Weehawken, Edgewater, Belford to Manhattan. Use nywaterway.com.
Use the NYC Ferry app. Buy tickets, see live boat positions, and check schedules. iOS and Android. Faster than the dock kiosks during peak hours.
Top deck or lower deck. Top deck has open-air seating with the best views. Lower deck is enclosed with heat/AC and bathrooms. In bad weather or winter, the lower deck is much more pleasant.
Beer and snacks onboard. Most NYC Ferry boats have a concession stand selling beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and snacks. Cash and card accepted. The Astoria route doubles as a happy-hour cruise on Friday evenings.
Bikes welcome but limited. Bikes ride free, but only ~5–10 spots per boat. First-come, first-served. Peak hours and summer weekends fill up — arrive early.
The Rockaway route is the secret. 1-hour ride from Wall Street to Rockaway Beach, with great ocean views. On a sunny summer Saturday, much more pleasant than the A train.
Pier 11 has multiple slips. Pier 11 / Wall Street is a major hub serving most routes — but each route boards at a different slip. Check the digital signs at the dock or the app for your specific slip number.
Schedule changes seasonally. Service is more frequent in summer and on commuter routes. Check ferry.nyc for the current schedule, especially for Rockaway and Coney Island.
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