Worth it, says Antonina. There’s something undeniably magical about seeing the Statue of Liberty from the water, and the Staten Island Ferry is one of the best—and free—ways to do it.
Everything I’ve written about Staten Island Ferry on New York Dearest, in one place. It’s on three of my lists, from Best views in New York that don’t cost $40 to Best free things to do in New York. I also wrote a whole guide to it, Is the Staten Island ferry worth it? yes, here’s how to do it. First what I’d skip and when I go, in my own words from those lists. Then every list it’s on with what I wrote there. At the end, where it is on the map.
From Is the Staten Island ferry worth it? yes, here’s how to do itAvoid weekday rush hours, roughly 6 to 9:30am and 3:30 to 8pm, when the boats run frequently but fill up with Staten Island commuters who are not there for the view and would like you to stop standing in the doorway.
From Is the Staten Island ferry worth it? yes, here’s how to do itAim for mid-morning, around 10 to 11:30am, or the evening after 7pm, when the boats are calmer than during weekday rush hours.
Take it at sunset. Stand on the right side of the boat heading toward Staten Island for the best view of the Statue of Liberty, and on the right side heading back for the skyline. When you get to Staten Island, just stay on the boat. Or get off, walk around the terminal for five minutes, and get on the next one back. Nobody will judge you. Half the people on that ferry are doing the exact same thing.
The ride takes about 25 minutes each way and offers front-row views of Lady Liberty that feel straight out of a movie.
There’s something undeniably magical about seeing the Statue of Liberty from the water, and the Staten Island Ferry is one of the best—and free—ways to do it. The ride takes about 25 minutes each way and offers front-row views of Lady Liberty that feel straight out of a movie.
It’s one of the most popular free things to do in NYC, so expect crowds.
The Staten Island Ferry departs from lower Manhattan and offers striking views of New York and the Statue of Liberty! It’s one of the most popular free things to do in NYC, so expect crowds. The ferry takes approximately 22 million people a year (about 70,000 passengers a day) between Manhattan and Staten Island. Just know that you must disembark the ferry when it reaches Staten Island, and line back up to board toward Manhattan. Be quick, otherwise you’ll have to wait for the next ferry to arrive.
Tell me and the desk checks it before anything changes here. When I answer, it lands on this page and in your inbox.