How long does it take to ride the Staten Island Railway end to end?

The full ride from St. George to Tottenville takes approximately 55–60 minutes. Most riders travel only part of the route — travel time from St. George to Great Kills (a common midpoint) is about 30 minutes.

MTA · Staten Island

Staten Island Railway

Q: How much does the Staten Island Railway cost?

The Staten Island Railway fare is $3.00 — the same as the NYC Subway. Fares are collected only at St. George and Tompkinsville stations. Rides not originating or ending at those stations are free. Pay with a contactless card, OMNY, or MetroCard.

Q: How many stations does the Staten Island Railway have?

The Staten Island Railway has 21 stations along a single 14-mile route running from St. George Terminal in the north to Tottenville in the south.

Q: Can I use MetroCard on the Staten Island Railway?

Yes — MetroCard is accepted on the Staten Island Railway, as well as contactless credit/debit cards and OMNY. The SIR is part of the MTA system and uses the same fare payment infrastructure as the NYC Subway.

The only rapid transit line on Staten Island — 21 stations, 14 miles, running 24/7 from the ferry terminal to Tottenville.

About

What Is the Staten Island Railway?

The Staten Island Railway (SIR) is an MTA-operated rapid transit line running the length of Staten Island — from St. George Terminal in the north (where the Staten Island Ferry docks) to Tottenville at the island's southern tip. It's the only subway-equivalent line on Staten Island and is not physically connected to the NYC Subway system.

The SIR runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on a single route. In 2024–2026, new R211S rail cars replaced the aging fleet, making it one of the most recently upgraded lines in the MTA system.

Free rides between most stations. Fares are only collected at St. George and Tompkinsville stations. If your trip doesn't start or end at one of those stations, you ride for free. Most visitors will pay at St. George (the ferry terminal).

All 21 Stations · North to South

Stations

St. George

Ferry Terminal · Fare gate

Tompkinsville

Fare gate

Stapleton

Clifton

Grasmere

Old Town

Dongan Hills

Jefferson Avenue

Grant City

New Dorp

Oakwood Heights

Bay Terrace

Great Kills

Eltingville

Annadale

Huguenot

Prince's Bay

Norwood Avenue

Nassau

Richmond Valley

Tottenville

Southern terminus

Pricing · 2026

Fares

$3.00

Same as NYC Subway fare

Fares collected only at St. George and Tompkinsville. Trips not originating or ending at those stations are free. Source: MTA fare page.

Pay with a contactless credit or debit card, OMNY (phone or watch), or MetroCard at the fare gates at St. George and Tompkinsville. Reduced fares (half price) are available for seniors 65+ and riders with qualifying disabilities.

Children ride free. Children under 44 inches tall ride free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. No ticket needed.

Getting There from Manhattan

Staten Island Ferry + SIR

The Staten Island Ferry is the primary connection between Manhattan and the SIR. The ferry is free and runs 24/7 from Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan.

Manhattan → Staten Island by Train

1Take the subway to Whitehall St (R/W) or South Ferry (1 train) in Lower Manhattan
2Walk to Whitehall Terminal — Staten Island Ferry (free, runs every 15–30 min)
3Ferry to St. George Terminal — 25 minutes, free
4Walk off the ferry directly into St. George Terminal — SIR platform is connected
5Tap your card at the fare gate and board the SIR south

Total cost from Manhattan: $3.00 subway + $0 ferry + $3.00 SIR = $6.00 each way. The ferry itself is always free.

Staten Island Ferry Schedule

Official NYC DOT ferry timetables → nyc.gov

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Insider Tips

What to Know

The ferry views are worth it alone. The Staten Island Ferry passes directly by the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan skyline. It's one of the best free views in the city — popular with tourists and commuters alike.

Not connected to the subway. The SIR is operated by MTA but uses separate tracks that don't connect to the NYC Subway. You can't ride from a subway station directly onto the SIR — you must take the ferry to St. George first.

New trains in 2026. The SIR received new R211S cars to replace the aging R44 fleet — the same car family used on the NYC Subway A/C/J/Z lines. Fully air-conditioned with new interiors.

Schedules vary. Peak service runs more frequently than overnight. Check the MTA app or website for exact departure times, especially late at night or on holidays.

FAQ

Common Questions

How much does the Staten Island Railway cost?

The SIR fare is $3.00 — the same as the NYC Subway. Fares are only collected at St. George and Tompkinsville stations. Rides between other stations are free. Pay with contactless card, OMNY, or MetroCard.

How do I get to Staten Island by train?

Take the Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan (near South Ferry/Whitehall St subway). The ferry is free and takes 25 minutes. At St. George Terminal, the SIR platform is directly connected — tap your card and board south.

How many stations does the Staten Island Railway have?

The SIR has 21 stations along a single 14-mile route from St. George (north) to Tottenville (south).

Can I use MetroCard on the Staten Island Railway?

Yes — MetroCard is accepted on the SIR, as well as contactless credit/debit cards and OMNY. Unlike PATH, the SIR is part of the MTA system and uses the same payment options as the subway.

How long does it take to ride end to end?

The full ride from St. George to Tottenville takes approximately 55–60 minutes. St. George to Great Kills (a common midpoint) is about 30 minutes.

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