Staten Island Ferry Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Staten Island Ferry. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• NYC in a Day Tour: Lady Liberty, Times Square, Freedom Tower

• NYC in a Day Tour: Statue of Liberty, Times Square and More

• Public Super Tour of NYC: Heroes, Comics and More!

• Statue of Liberty Sightseeing Cruise From Midtown NYC

• Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and Manhattan Tour

It’s free to ride the Staten Island Ferry, and you don’t need a ticket to take the 25-minute journey. There are also plenty of affordable sightseeing tours that pair a ferry ride with seeing New York City’s top sights, with prices starting around US$30.

Yes, the Staten Island Ferry is worth visiting. Long considered an in-the-know hack among New Yorkers, the ferry service runs free, regular services between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island. For visitors who want to take in the sights of the New York Harbor, but don't want to worry about booking tickets for a dedicated cruise, it's a fantastic way to experience the Big Apple. For a broader sightseeing experience, it can be worth traveling with a guide.

Per one customer who booked the NYC in a Day Tour: Lady Liberty, Times Square, Freedom Tower, "This was a great way to know the city. Daniel was amazing, his knowledge was truly enjoyable, and he was so nice. It met all my expectations."

The Staten Island Ferry operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During weekday rush hour 6–9:30am and 3:30–8pm), the ferry departs every 15 minutes. At all other times of the day and on weekends, the Staten Island Ferry departs every half hour. You don't need Staten Island Ferry tickets to board because it's a free service.

Yes, parking is available near the Staten Island Ferry's St. George Terminal on Staten Island. Several lots are available for ferry riders, including two NYC Dot Municipal parking lots, and parking tends to range between $12-15 per day. However, parking is very limited near Manhattan's Whitehall Ferry Terminal.

Yes, bikes are permitted on the Staten Island Ferry, and there is no additional charge for bringing them on board. However, cyclists must board on the lower level at both ferry terminals, dismount, walk their bikes to the waiting area, and store them in designated areas.

The Staten Island Ferry travels between two main points: the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Lower Manhattan and the St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island. The journey takes around 25 minutes each way and is free for all riders. While useful for commuters, the ferry also offers prime sightseeing opportunities. More than 22 million passengers ride the ferry each year, according to the New York City Department of Transportation.

Because the Staten Island Ferry is primarily designed as a commuter vessel, it can be pretty busy during morning and evening rush hours. To enjoy a less crowded experience, set out during the afternoon (or later in the evening, when you can admire the skyline all lit up after dark).

Yes, the Staten Island Ferry is accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. The Whitehall and St. George Terminals have elevators and escalators; wheelchair users are recommended to board the ferries via the lower levels. Service animals are also welcome on board all vessels.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Staten Island Ferry. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in New York City:

• Statue of Liberty

• Empire State Building

• Ellis Island

• Central Park

• National September 11 Memorial & Museum

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in New York City.