This realistic Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise Guide helps you plan your next adventure in this national monument.

The Statue of Liberty is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It is one of the most recognized monuments in the United States and abroad.

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The Statue of Liberty dates back to 1886. This 305-ft (93-m) copper statue was a gift to the United States from France.

The Statue is on Liberty Island. A ferry is the only way to the island from the mainland. That is why over 3 million people a year board a ferry to see the Statue of Liberty in person.

Sights & Places of Interest

Any trip to the Statue of Liberty National Park starts from either New York or New Jersey. Battery Park in Lower Manhattan is a starting point in New York. Liberty State Park is a departure point in New Jersey.

Most visitors depart from and return to the same point. This Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise Guide follows a different route. It starts in Liberty State Park and then goes to Battery Park before a return trip.

1. Liberty State Park

Liberty State Park is the main gateway to Statue of Liberty National Monument from New Jersey. But this park is more than just a departure point for a Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise.

Liberty State Park is a great place to visit even if you only stay onshore. There are are a handful of landmarks in the park.

1.1. “Empty Sky” 9/11 Memorial

The “Empty Sky” 9/11 Memorial is an incredibly powerful monument. It honors the victims of the September 11 attacks. Its two stainless steel walls remind visitors of the World Trade Center towers.

There is a viewpoint next to the Memorial and the Hudson River. The New York Skyline Observation Deck is a perfect place to see the buildings of Lower Manhattan.

One World Trade Center dominates the view. It is the tallest building in the United States. One World Trade Center is 326 ft (99 m) taller than the Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois.

1.2. Liberty Walk

Liberty Walk is a great way to explore other areas of the park. This nearly 2-mi (3-km) promenade brings you from the Memorial to Liberation Monument.

This path brings you behind Elis Island and Liberty Island. This is as close as you could get to the Statue of Liberty without boarding a ferry. There is just one downside. You will see the Statue from behind.

1.3. Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal

The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal is another landmark in Liberty State Park. CRRNJ Terminal is a beautiful building that served as both railroad and ferry terminal. It dates back to 1889.

The terminal building has been in active use until 1967. With the change in routes, it became part of Liberty State Park. The terminal suffered damage during 2012 Hurricane Sandy.

While the exterior is still breathtaking, the interior could benefit from more maintenance. It seems to be a common theme in New Jersey, judging from the state of Hoboken Lackawanna Terminal.

The Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruises depart just south of the Terminal Building. The current ferry terminal looks like a temporary shed. It has none of the beauty of the 1889 building.

2. Ellis Island

Each Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise makes two stops between its departure points. Liberty Island and Ellis Island are these stops. Ellis Island is the first stop if you visit the Statue from Liberty State Park.

Ellis Island is in the State of New Jersey. In fact, there is even a bridge that connects this island with Liberty State Park. Unfortunately, the bridge is for official vehicles only.

You would need to take a ferry to visit Ellis Island from either New Jersey or New York. The island often dominates the view on the Statue of Liberty pictures from Liberty State Park.

2.1. National Museum of Immigration

You will arrive at Ellis Island less than 10 minutes after starting your trip. You could choose to visit Ellis Island right away or see it after a stop at Liberty Island.

The latter option is better for early morning departures. This is the only way to beat the crowd and see the Statue with a few less visitors.

This island played an important role in the history of American immigration. It was the first stop for about 12 million immigrants to the United States.

Ellis Island was the first experience of America for those who arrived on transatlantic ships between 1892 and 1954. Countless lives were changed after setting foot on this island.

The island is now home to the National Museum of Immigration. You could see items and stories from the immigrants of that era. Their journey was far being easy.

The museum is free to visit with your ferry ticket. You could choose between a self guided visit and a ranger led tour. The later is also free and takes about 40 minutes.

2.2. Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital

There is a way to extend your visit to Ellis Island. You just need to book a tour to visit the Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital. This tour costs $50 extra. It is not part of your Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise ticket.

The 750-bed hospital treated the newly arrived immigrants before they could be admitted to the United States. Following the closure of the immigration station, the hospital was abandoned.

You are taking some risk going into this unrestored building. This is why you need to wear closed-toe shoes and a hard hat during the tour.

You would see the Laundry Building, Kitchen, Hospital Ward, and Morgue during your visit. The hospital tour continues for 90 minutes.

3. Statue of Liberty

Once you complete your visit to Ellis Island, you would need to queue again. This time, you would be waiting to board the next ferry to Liberty Island.

It is likely that this Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise will be even more crowded than your original ferry. More people come to see this iconic monument every hour. There are usually more visitors in the afternoon.

The next 10 minutes of your ferry ride will bring the best views of the Statue of Liberty. You will be close enough to the Statue to get a picture without the crowds.

Take spot on the right side of the boat when boarding the ferry from Ellis Island. This is a prime location for getting the best pictures of the Statue.

3.1. General Admission

Your Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise will bring you to Liberty Island soon. This ferry ride will fly by. You will likely be busy taking pictures.

But once you are on the Liberty Island, you need to check your ferry ticket. It determines what you could do on the island.

The cheapest ticket only gives you access to the exterior of the Statue of Liberty. You can make a loop around Liberty Island from the Ferry Terminal to the Statue of Liberty Museum.

It could easily take you 30 minutes to finish this 0.6-mi (1-km) path. The majority of the Statue visitors end up on this loop walk. You will be constantly walking in a crowd of people or geese.

A General Admission ticket gives you access to the Statue of Liberty Museum. There is an Immersive Theater, Engagement Gallery, Inspiration Gallery, and Roof Deck.

You could see the back of the Statue from a closer distance than in Liberty State Park. But unless you enjoy art, you might be better off starting to queue for a return ferry.

3.2. Pedestal Access

Your visit could be different if you purchased a Pedestal ticket. In this case, you could go to the top of the Pedestal.

The Pedestal Observation deck is about 10 stories high. While there is an elevator, it is reserved for people with accessibility issues. Most visitors would have to climb 215 stairs on foot.

The Pedestal ticket also provides you with access to the observation decks on the lower levels. This ticket requires an advance reservation.

3.3. Crown Access

The third option is to climb all the way to the Crown inside the Statue of Liberty. There are another 162 stairs for you to climb. And there is no elevator inside the Statue.

You would have to climb these stairs on your own. To make things worse, you will be climbing on a metal spiral staircase in an enclosed space. It is best to know your limits before you purchase this ticket.

Once you get to the top, you could see New York Harbor from 25 windows of the crown. You would then need to take the same stairs back to the Pedestal and the ground level.

The Crown ticket also requires an advance reservation. There are additional restrictions on the frequency of visits, height, and photo identification. Nevertheless, these tickets often sell out.

There is one major downside of the Crown and Pedestal tickets. You would need to go through another security check before entering the Statue. This creates a bottleneck and yet another line.

The Pedestal and Crown tickets cost exactly the same amount. If you are able to climb the stairs and get a reservation, a Crown ticket is a no brainer decision.

4. Battery Park

You could choose your return ferry after you visiting Liberty Island. It is very convenient that you are not bound to the same ferry departure point.

You could start your Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise from Liberty State Park and return to Battery Park. The reverse order works just as well.

If you have not visited Ellis Island yet, this is your last chance. Once you board the ferry to either departure point, you could not return to the islands. You would need to buy another ticket.

A direct ferry to Battery Park takes about 20 minutes. A ferry ride is a great way to see Governors Island and Lower Manhattan from the Hudson River.

5. Lower Manhattan

You could use the flexibility of the ferry provider to explore the sights in Lower Manhattan. The ferry saves you from having to deal with traffic and parking in this densely populated area.

Lower Manhattan is a bit less popular with tourists than Midtown. Still, this area is home to a few great sights. You could choose to visit attractions in the Financial District, Tribeca, and Chinatown.

5.1. One World Trade Center

One World Trade Center is a 15 minute walk from Battery Park. You could choose a slightly longer route and visit Charging Bull sculpture and Wall Street.

One World Observatory is a great way to get a bird’s-eye view of New York City. The cheapest ticket costs $44 plus taxes and a processing fee of $5.

You should decide for yourself if One World Observatory is worth the price. The Skydeck at Chicago is some 26 ft (8 m) higher. Yet, its general admission is about $10 lower if you visit during the low season.

5.2. 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Regardless of your decision about One World Observatory, you should visit 9/11 Memorial. This is an extremely sad place but a very powerful monument.

If you need to return to Liberty State Park afterwards, go to Battery Park City/Vesey St. ferry terminal. You could catch a ferry back to New Jersey from this terminal.

A one way adult ticket costs $10. This amount is not part of the Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise price. Unless you travel in a large group, it is the cheapest way to see sights in Manhattan.

Keep in mind that the ferry timetable could be quite inconsistent. Like any transport mode, ferries could be running late. Therefore, it is best to budget more time for a ride back.

Continue with this Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. You need to take a ferry to reach the Monument and nearby Ellis Island.

There are two departure points, Liberty State Park in New Jersey and Battery Park in New York. The ferry ticket allows you to start in one departure point and finish your trip in another.

You could take a one way ferry between Liberty State Park to Manhattan for $10 per adult. Discounts apply to seniors, children, and frequent passengers.

If you drive to your departure point, you need to budget for parking. Parking at Liberty State Park is $7 per day. There is no parking in Battery Park. Nearby garages cost much more than $7 per day.

You could get to your departure points via public transport. But there is no train or light rail station close to Liberty State Park. You would need to walk for 45 minutes to reach the park from the PATH station.

Battery Park has far superior public transport connections. You could take the subway to Bowling Green or South Ferry stations. The park is right outside of both stations.

Out-of-state visitors could choose between Newark Liberty (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA), and JFK airports. Newark airport is better if you take the ferry from Liberty State Park.

The airports in Queens works better for Manhattan departures. Still, you would spend over an hour in public transport from any of these airports.

Where to Stay near Statue of Liberty

There is an incredible number of places to stay next to the departure points of Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise. You could choose between staying in New York City and in New Jersey.

You could walk to Battery Park if you stay in Manhattan. Check out Hotel Mulberry and Hotel Mimosa. Both are in Chinatown neighborhood. They are more affordable than most hotels in Manhattan.

You could save a bit if you look for a place to stay in Brooklyn. Pod Brooklyn and 42 Hotel are a 30-minute subway ride from Battery Park.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jersey City – Holland Tunnel, an IHG Hotel is a good choice near Liberty State Park. You could reach the park from this hotel in about an hour via public transport.

Other places to stay are further north from the park. Check out Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott North Bergen if you do not mind a 1.5-hour public transport ride. Or get to the park in just 25 minutes by car.

You could greatly open up your selection of places to stay if you have a car in New Jersey. In this case, consider Hampton Inn Carlstadt At The Meadowlands or Hilton Garden Inn Springfield.

Both hotels are amazing places to stay. They are less than 30 minutes from Liberty State Park. You could be at the departure point well before most travelers arrive.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

Statue of Liberty is open every day of the year from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m from November to May. The schedule from June to October is a couple of hours longer. Still, last ferry departs around 7 p.m.

If you board a ferry after 2 p.m., you could only visit one island but not both. You would have to choose between the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island National Immigration Museum.

Ticket Types & Prices

You could choose from 4 different ticket types. All tickets give you access to Liberty Island, Ellis Island, ranger tours, and a return ferry ride. But they differ in the level of access you get and the ticket cost.

• General Admission: $24.5 per adult, $18 per senior, $12 per child between 4 and 12.
• Pedestal Access: $24.8 per adult, $18.3 per senior, $12.3 per child between 4 and 12.
• Crown Access: $24.8 per adult, $18.3 per senior, $12.3 per child between 4 and 12.
• Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour: $74.5 per adult, $68 per senior, not open to children under 13.

There is only one ferry provider that brings visitors to Liberty and Ellis Islands. But this monopoly does not lead to higher prices thanks to an agreement with the Government.

Additional Requirements

The General Admission tickets are most widely available. You could get this ticket just a few days before your trip. It is still a good idea to plan in advance and get a ticket early.

Crown, Pedestal, and Ellis Island Hard Hat Tours are more sparse. You need to book them well in advance of your trip. There might be last minute cancelations but you should not bank on it.

If you book a Crown ticket, you need to adhere to additional regulations. You could get no more than 4 tickets. Every ticket holder needs a photo ID. You could only spend up to 10 minutes in the Crown.

You could cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before your departure. Make sure to initiate the cancelation in time to get a full refund.

Once you arrive at the ferry terminal, get ready for a TSA like airport screening. You could not bring strollers, backpacks, large bags, food and drinks on the ferry ride.

Takeaways: Statue of Liberty Ferry Cruise

The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of the United States. Every visitor to New York and New Jersey should see the Statue at least once.

But unless you enjoy crowds, you might be better off seeing the Statue of Liberty from a distance. Plan well in advance if you decide to visit Liberty Island.

This way, you could get your desired ticket type on your trip date. Decide if you are fit enough to climb to the Crown. The Pedestal only access might not be worth it. Stick with General Admission in this case.

Arrive at the ferry departure points well in advance. You would need to go through an airport like screening before boarding the ferry. It could take up to 30 minutes since there is no TSA PreCheck.

Book the earliest available ferry. And enjoy the Statue views during the ferry ride between Ellis Island and Liberty Island. Go to the Statue first before the main crowds arrive.

You should still expect crowds even if you arrive early. Get ready to queue to get inside the Statue and for your return ferry. Having realistic expectations will help you get through this trip without extra stress.

Budget enough time to explore other sights in the area. Study the exhibits at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Or spend the afternoon walking the streets of Lower Manhattan.

Take a look at this Video List of Best Places to Visit in New York. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!