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Staten Island Ferry, New York, NY

Photo: InSapphoWeTrust, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

ToursIconicFreeFamily Favorite

Staten Island Ferry

Whitehall Terminal, 4 South St · New York, NY

Why you should go…

The Staten Island Ferry is run by the New York City Department of Transportation and carries passengers free of charge between Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and St. George Terminal on Staten Island. The single route covers 5.2 miles of Upper New York Bay and takes about 25 minutes each way. From the deck you see the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Governors Island and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Boats run every day, year-round.

  • #ferry ride
  • #statue of liberty views
  • #new york harbor
  • #skyline views
  • #free things to do

Good to know

General tours guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Confirm the meeting point

    It is often a corner, a lobby, or a dock rather than the address you searched for. Check it the night before.

  • Small groups fill first

    In high season the intimate departures sell out well before the big-bus options do.

  • Ask how much is on foot

    Knowing how much of the route is walking, standing, or outdoors tells you what to wear and carry.

  • Read the weather policy

    Cancellation windows and rain rules vary by operator, and they are easier to find before you pay than after.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Staten Island Ferry, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

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