A free, 25-minute ride from Lower Manhattan to Staten Island that passes the Statue of Liberty — running every day, around the clock. Here's how to get there, when boats leave, and where to stand.
Source: siferry.com (NYC DOT) — checked Sep 2026.
The Staten Island Ferry is a free commuter ferry run by the NYC Department of Transportation, crossing New York Harbor between Whitehall Terminal (4 South Street, at the southern tip of Manhattan — also called South Ferry) and St. George Terminal (1 Bay Street, Staten Island). It's a real commuter service first, but its route passes the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Lower Manhattan skyline — which is why so many visitors ride it just for the views.
There are no tickets. The ferry is free, full stop. People near the terminals sometimes try to sell "ferry tickets" — that's a scam. Walk into the terminal and board.
Not the same as NYC Ferry. The paid NYC Ferry network also runs a St. George route (from Pier 11 / Wall St and Battery Park City), but it's a separate system with its own tickets. The free boat is this one, from Whitehall.
Whitehall Terminal sits at the foot of Manhattan, next to Battery Park. Four subway lines stop within a short walk:
The closest stop — it lets you out right at the terminal. If you're riding the 1, stay in the first five cars to exit at South Ferry.
A short walk from the terminal.
A short walk south to the terminal.
A slightly longer walk south through the Financial District.
Buses: the M5, M15 / M15 SBS, and M20 all serve Whitehall Terminal. See the NYC Subway guide for fares and OMNY. Source: siferry.com/getting-there.
Arriving at St. George. The Staten Island Railway runs 24 hours from St. George down the island to Tottenville, and more than a dozen MTA bus routes leave from the terminal's bus ramps.
Boats leave from both terminals around the clock. The ride takes about 25 minutes.
Every 15–20 minutes, 6:00–9:30 AM and 3:30–8:00 PM.
Every 30 minutes — weekday off-peak, overnight, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Every 30 minutes, on the hour and half hour from each terminal.
Schedules change without notice — check the official timetable before a tight connection. Source: siferry.com/schedules — checked Sep 2026.
Right side going out, left side coming back. Liberty Island lies west of the route, so the Statue is on the right (starboard) side on the way to Staten Island and on the left on the way back. Head for the outdoor decks for unobstructed photos.
Save the skyline for the return trip. On the ride back to Manhattan, the whole Lower Manhattan skyline is in front of you — the best part of the trip at sunset.
You have to get off at St. George. Everyone disembarks after every trip — no staying aboard for a round trip. Walk through the terminal waiting room and board the next boat back. Allow roughly 1 to 1.5 hours for the round trip, depending on how long you wait for the return boat.
The Staten Island Ferry sails past the Statue of Liberty but never stops there. To set foot on Liberty Island or Ellis Island, you need a separate ticket from Statue City Cruises — the National Park Service's only authorized ticket seller. Its ferries leave from Battery Park in Manhattan (tickets at Castle Clinton in Battery Park, a short walk from Whitehall) and from Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
| Ticket | Adults 13+ | Seniors 62+ | Ages 4–12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General admission (ferry + both islands) | $26.00 | $23.00 | $17.00 |
| Pedestal or crown access | Add $0.30 per ticket — reserve ahead | ||
Under 4 ride free. The crown is a climb of 162 steps with no elevator. Source: nps.gov — checked Sep 2026.
Buy only from the official seller. The Park Service warns about aggressive, unauthorized ticket sellers around The Battery who misrepresent and overcharge. Book in advance on the official site — at peak times the line to board can take an hour or more.
The Viator link is an affiliate link — see our disclosure. Statue City Cruises is not an affiliate.
Beer is back, liquor isn't. The onboard concessions sell beer (reintroduced in March 2026), but not hard liquor. Food concessions operate whenever the boats run.
Bikes ride free. Walk your bike to the loading area and board from the lower level; bikes go in the designated storage area. No cars — the ferry is passengers only.
Keep your bags with you. Luggage is fine, but you can't leave anything unattended in the terminals or on board — everything you bring has to come off with you at each end.
Fully accessible. Both terminals have escalators and elevators, and the boats and terminals meet ADA requirements. See the NYC accessibility guide for accessible subway stations nearby.
Avoid the commuter crush. Weekday rush hours bring the most frequent boats but also the biggest crowds heading to and from Staten Island. For a relaxed sightseeing trip, go midday or on a weekend.
Something outdated or incorrect? Report an error →