The Staten Island Ferry is one of New York City's best-kept open secrets among visitors: a free, 24-hour public ferry across New York Harbor that delivers sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Lower Manhattan skyline — a sightseeing cruise that happens to also be ordinary public transport, running whether or not a single tourist is on board.
The route
The ferry crosses New York Harbor between Whitehall Terminal at the southern tip of Manhattan and St. George Terminal on Staten Island, a crossing of around 25 minutes each way. It's operated by the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), not the MTA, and runs as genuine commuter transport for Staten Island residents working in Manhattan — visitors are simply welcome to ride it too.
It's free
Unlike almost every other transit option in New York, the Staten Island Ferry charges no fare in either direction — there's no OMNY tap, no ticket booth, no turnstile fee. You simply walk into the terminal and board the next boat. This makes it one of the very few free things to do in the entire city, and a large part of why it's popular with visitors purely for the view rather than as a way to actually reach Staten Island.
If you're comparing this to the cost of the city's other transport, see our guide to the NYC subway for visitors, which explains OMNY tap payment and the daily fare cap that applies to everything else you'll ride in the city. If you're continuing along the Northeast Corridor afterwards, see our guides to New York to Boston and New York to Washington by Amtrak.
Runs 24 hours a day
The ferry operates around the clock, every day of the year, though frequency varies — boats run every 15–30 minutes during the day and early evening, dropping to roughly hourly overnight. There's no need to check a timetable for a daytime ride; simply arrive at either terminal and board the next departure. Late-night or very early riders should check current overnight frequency, since the gap between boats is considerably longer outside peak hours.
Best views and where to sit
The Statue of Liberty sits to the west of the ferry's route, so standing on the boat's right-hand (starboard) side heading toward Staten Island — or the left side on the return trip to Manhattan — gives the clearest view as you pass. The outdoor deck areas at the front and sides of the boat offer the best unobstructed photos, weather permitting; the enclosed lower decks are more sheltered but the views are far more limited through the windows.
Boarding and what to expect
You cannot stay on board for a round trip without disembarking — since security changes after 2001, all passengers must get off at each terminal and re-enter through the terminal building to board the next departure, even if you only want to ride there and straight back. Budget a few extra minutes for this at each end rather than expecting to simply stay in your seat. There's no reservation, no ticket to buy, and no security screening beyond a walk-through, making the whole process considerably faster than boarding most other transport in the city.
Bicycles are allowed on board in a designated area, and the ferry is a genuinely useful (and free) way to combine a Manhattan visit with cycling around Staten Island's quieter waterfront, if that's part of your plan.
What's actually on Staten Island
Most visitors ride the ferry purely for the crossing and views, then simply reboard and head back to Manhattan without leaving St. George Terminal. If you do want to spend time on Staten Island, the terminal area has a small waterfront esplanade with harbor views back toward Manhattan, and the borough itself — while the least visited of New York's five — has its own neighbourhoods and museums a short bus or taxi ride from St. George. It's a legitimately different, quieter side of the city from the Manhattan visitors typically see.
Getting to Whitehall Terminal
Whitehall Terminal sits at the southern tip of Manhattan, a short walk from the Bowling Green and South Ferry subway stations, both served by multiple lines, and close to Battery Park. If you're arriving in New York by air, see our guide to New York airport to the city for how JFK, Newark and LaGuardia each connect into Manhattan, and our guide to the NYC subway for visitors for getting from wherever you're staying down to the tip of the island.
For other free or low-cost harbor crossings elsewhere, see our wider guide to ferries in North America, covering Washington State Ferries, BC Ferries and the East Coast's other notable routes.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Staten Island Ferry cost anything?
No. It's completely free in both directions, with no ticket, tap card or fare gate — simply walk into the terminal and board the next boat.
How long does the Staten Island Ferry take?
Around 25 minutes each way between Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan and St. George Terminal on Staten Island.
Does the ferry run at night?
Yes, 24 hours a day, every day. Daytime and evening boats run every 15–30 minutes; overnight service is less frequent, roughly hourly, so check current timetables if you're riding very late or early.
Can I ride the ferry there and back without getting off?
No. All passengers must disembark at each terminal and re-enter through the building to board the next departure — you can't stay on board for a continuous round trip.
Sources and further reading:
- Routes, schedules and fares: New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), Staten Island Ferry.
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island access: Statue Cruises.