When planning a trip to NYC, you may want to include a ferry ride in your itinerary.
Not only is a ferry ride a fantastic way to see the city from the water, but they are also a convenient means of transportation.
In this post, I go over New York City’s ferry services, including routes, ticket prices (and tips to save you money), what is included with each service and other helpful information.
My fellow local tour guides and I have used all the ferry services covered, sometimes to sightsee with out-of-town friends, but mostly as a means of transport.
Several NYC ferries are for sightseeing and take you to some of the most popular sites in the city.
I'll refer to these as 'boats' or 'cruises'.
These vary in price and what is offered, but generally start at about $20.
There are ways to save on tickets and I'll explain how in this post.
When I say 'ferry', I generally mean commuter ferries with several routes.
They are an excellent and affordable way to get around the city. Think 'subway on the water'.
Ferry prices start at $4.50 and go up depending on your destination.
Many of these commuter ferries offer outstanding views of the skyline and of course, you don't need to be a commuter to ride them.
One commuter ferry is free -- the Staten Island Ferry, which just happens to have amazing views.
Lastly, there are ferries that go to one specific destination (like the Statue of Liberty ferry).
Below is information to help you decide which cruise or ferry, if any, is right for you.
Speaking of transportation, our popular evening Across the Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO tour includes a ride on the East River Ferry back to Manhattan from the tour's last stop in Brooklyn.
Your tour guide handles the logistics and gives you advice on where to stand for incredible views of both the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Skyline.
Best NYC Ferry For Tourists Vs. Best NYC Ferry For Views
As mentioned already, there are ferries and cruises in New York City that pass some of the most popular and beautiful sites and give you gorgeous skyline views.
When deciding if you should take a cruise or a ferry, consider these aspects of each.
For visitors to NYC seeking an excursion that focuses only on seeing NYC’s highlights, while providing commentary, then the best NYC ferry for tourists is a sightseeing cruise.
If you can do without the commentary, then the best NYC ferry route for views is one of the routes on the NYC Ferry service.
While it's a bargain at just $4.50, it’s a commuter ferry.
This means that it does not aim to show you the sites but to get riders from one place to another quickly.
If you are exploring the city and need to get from one place to another, then the ferry offers the best of both worlds!
Fast transport with skyline views.
If you aren’t looking for a long ferry ride and are on a budget, then the best NYC ferry route for views is the free Staten Island Ferry.
You’ll pass right by the Statue of Liberty and get unbelievable views of Lower Manhattan.
Subway MetroCards are not accepted on the ferries. But I'll explain how to pay for these services.
You don't need anything but your legs for the Staten Island Ferry -- just walk on and enjoy the ride!
See our post on which MetroCard to buy to find out what forms of transportation do accept MetroCards.
This commuter ferry (previously called the East River Ferry) travels along the East River between Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
This is a popular option for New Yorkers, as it’s a quick and efficient way to get to and from work.
I love this ferry service.
Ferries began crossing the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn around 1836 run by private companies.
Eventually, the city began operating its own ferry service in place of the private ferries.
The service continued until 1967 when ridership sunk to an all-time low.
Well, the East River Ferry started up again in 2018 much to my (and tens of thousands of other New Yorkers’ delight).
It’s the most pleasant commute to work that one could have. Fresh air and beautiful views all for $4.50.
I ride it from Brooklyn to Manhattan when my destination is along one of the ferry routes.
I encourage you to consider this means of transport as well.
While the route stops may not match exactly with where you want to go, it's worth looking at the route map before descending into the subway.
I also ride this ferry for recreational purposes.
One route goes to the beach while another route is practically a sightseeing cruise!
If you want to use the ferry as a substitute for a sightseeing cruise, check out our Self-Guided NYC Ferry Tour.
Keep in mind though that these ferries can be packed with commuters.
You may not find a seat or have unobstructed photo-ops.
The NYC Ferry service has some nice amenities - you can recharge your smartphone, use the free Wi-Fi, and buy snacks and beverages onboard.
Ticket Prices
- $4.50/One-way ticket
- $29.00/10-Trip Pass
- $1.35/Seniors, People with disabilities
- Kids under 44 inches ride free
This includes one free transfer between routes within 120 minutes of activating your ticket.
What I do when I want to take a nice, long ferry ride in the warm weather is hop on in Brooklyn where I live, ride north to E. 90th Street on the Upper East Side then transfer to a southbound ferry to Wall Street.
Again, see our post, Self-Guided NYC Ferry Tour, to see how to turn the Astoria route into a fun excursion!
How to Purchase Tickets
It's easy to buy tickets. You have two options: via the NYC Ferry app or at the ferry landings.
To use the app, download it here and purchase your tickets.
You can buy more than one ticket on the app which is super convenient if you are traveling with a bunch of people.
When boarding, show your phone to the deckhand who will scan your ticket (image below).
Your app ticket shows you how much time you have left to transfer so you don't have to keep track yourself!
If you prefer to buy hard tickets and not use the app, ticket vending machines are located at each ferry stop.
If you don't mind using the app, I suggest you do so, since you can buy them in advance and avoid any lines at the vending machines.
TIP: With the app, you can check real-time service and use the trip planner. Take advantage of these awesome features.
NYC Ferry Routes and Maps
As of Jan 2025, six ferry routes operate daily, 365 days a year.
In summer, a route to Governor’s Island from Wall Street and Brooklyn is added.
It's a favorite destination of mine in the summer. Read about Governor's Island.
Click on the map to go to the ferry website and see the routes.
You can read about the routes, where they stop and things you can do at the stops from our in-depth Guide to the (East River) NYC Ferry.
- East River Route
- Midtown East
- Brooklyn Navy Yard
- DUMBO
- Wall Street
- Astoria (Queens) Route
- Roosevelt Island
- Long Island City
- Midtown East
- Brooklyn Navy Yard
- Wall Street
- South Brooklyn Route
- Wall Street
- DUMBO
- Atlantic Avenue
- Sunset Park
- Bay Ridge
- Rockaway (Brooklyn) Route
- Wall Street
- Sunset Park
- Rockaway
- Soundview (the Bronx) Route
- Wall Street
- Uptown Manhattan
- Soundview
- St. George Route
- St. George Staten Island
- Battery Park City
- Midtown West
- Shuttle Bus Service
- East 34th street
- Rockaway
More information on routes and maps can be found here.
Also known as the Hudson River Ferry, this commuter ferry travels between Manhattan and the state of New Jersey.
I've taken the ferry several times over the years to visit friends who live in Jersey City.
For those who stay at a New Jersey hotel to save some money on accommodations, this ferry is a good way to go back and forth to Manhattan.
You can read about some good hotel options in Jersey City from our post, Where to Stay in New York City.
One thing about this ferry service is that tickets are a bit expensive at $11.25 for adults one-way, fortunately with lower prices for children.
In the end, the money you spend on round-trip ferries each day from your NJ hotel and back may be more than you save.
Still, I think it’s worth looking into.
Ticket Prices
- One Way: $11.25/Adults | $7.50/Kids (6-11) | $10.50/Seniors, Disabled
- One Way tickets are free for kids 5 and under.
- Bike Surcharge: $1.25
- 7-Day Pass: $94.25
- 10-Trip Pass: $103.25
- 30-Day Pass: $345.25
- Monthly Pass: $336.25
- Student Pass: $274
How to Purchase Tickets
There are three ways to buy NY Waterway tickets.
There are ticket kiosks at each dock where you can purchase tickets in person.
Also, you can buy tickets online from their website or their app. In both cases, you must use your smartphone as your ticket.
NY Waterway Routes and Maps
There are five NY Waterway routes. Beneath the map, you'll see each route and its stops.
Click on the map for route schedules.
- Midtown/West 39th Street
- Edgewater Landing
- Port Imperial
- Lincoln Harbor
- Hoboken
- Harborside
- Paulus Hook
- Belford
- Brookfield Place/Battery Park
- Port Imperial
- Hoboken
- Harborside
- Paulus Hook
- Belford
- Pier 11/Wall Street
- Port Imperial
- Hoboken
- Paulus Hook
- Liberty Harbor
- Belford
- NY Haverstraw
- Ossining
- NY Newburg
- Beacon
Here's a summary of our in-depth post on this free commuter ferry which offers one of the best views of the New York skyline that won't cost you a thing.
When I have friends coming to NYC for the first time, I love bringing them on this ferry to hear their oohs and aahs when they see the Lower Manhattan view.
It gets even better when we pass right by the Statue of Liberty!
The ferry departs from Whitehall Terminal at the end of Broadway, on the tip of Lower Manhattan.
The ride to Staten Island is approximately 25 minutes.
Staten Island Ferry Schedule
The Staten Island ferry runs 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
The schedule is easy to understand. The ferries run every 30 minutes, on the hour and half-hour (so, 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30).
There is one exception. During weekday rush hours, the ferries run every 15 minutes.
Rush hours are 6:00 am until 9:30 am and 3:30 pm until 8:00 pm.
It's best to double-check the schedule on the website for any changes or service updates.
Free Audio Tour
While the views are awesome, you might like to have some free commentary on what you see on your ride along with some historical information.
That's why we created a free audio tour of the Staten Island Ferry.
Here's a sample of what you will hear.
Once at Staten Island, you can get off the ferry and explore the island, or get back on the ferry and head back to Manhattan.
Riding the ferry before or after our Lower Manhattan Tour is a great way to spend half a day without spending half your budget!
We also have a GPS-enabled audio tour of Lower Manhattan which can be used day or night.
Read our post on how to take the Staten Island Ferry for details.
TIP: Since the ferry runs 24 hours, I recommend that you take it in the evening. A night ride is one of the very best things to do at night in NYC as the city lights are dazzling.
New York Water Taxi
Note: this service now operates only private charters
The New York Water Taxi has four stops in NYC: Midtown Manhattan, Battery Park (in Lower Manhattan), South Street Seaport (near Wall Street), and DUMBO (in Brooklyn).
While this is a quick way to travel between the above locations, it is quite expensive, relative to the NYC Ferry described above.
However, you are paying for a one-day pass ($40) for unlimited Water Taxi rides between 10 am and 5 pm, as opposed to just a one-way ticket on the NYC Ferry.
This means that you can use the Water Taxi as a “hop-on-hop-off” service, making it somewhat more worth the price.
If you are only taking one ride, this is not the best option.
This ferry travels from two locations in Manhattan to New York City’s only IKEA store in Brooklyn
The great news is that it is free on weekends. Learn more about the ferry from the website.
Now, I am not saying you should spend your valuable time in NYC shopping for goods you can get just about anywhere in the world!
What you can’t get anywhere else is a free ride to the cool, off-the-beaten-track Red Hook neighborhood with waterfront views. There's a great art scene there too.
Read more about Red Hook and other Brooklyn neighborhoods.
If you depart from/return to the Midtown/W. 39th Street location, you’ll get even better views of the Statue of Liberty.
You’ll also pass by the west side of Manhattan, and get close-up views of the One World Trade Center and the One World Observatory on the left in the picture below.
If you depart from/return to the Wall Street location, you’ll see the Lower Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Brooklyn shoreline.
You can also catch Lady Liberty in the distance.
TIP: The IKEA cafeteria also has an awesome view of the Statue of Liberty, free wi-fi, outlets to charge your phones and cheap food!
This ferry company provides commuter service between New York City and New Jersey, and as such, the Seastreak is an alternative to NY Waterway, though the Seastreak goes to many more stops.
The Seastreak also offers ferry service from both NYC and New Jersey to popular beach destinations like nearby Sandy Hook Beach in New Jersey and Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.
New York-New Jersey Service
- Highlands, NJ
- Atlantic Highlands, NJ
- Wall St., NY
- East 35th St., NY
Ticket Prices
- One Way: $28/Adults | $11/Children (Sat & Sun only)
- Round Trip: $49/Adults | $22/Children (Sat & Sun only)
- Ride from East 35th St. to Wall St. for only $5
- 10 Trip Book: $230
- 40 Trip Book: $720
- Kids (5-12) ride free Mon - Fri.
- Kids under 5 are always free.
Beach Routes and Prices
- NYC to Sandy Hook Beach
- One Way: $28/Adults | $11/Children (Sat & Sun only)
- Round Trip: $49/Adults | $22/Children (Sat & Sun only)
- First Departure Round Trip: $30
- Kids (5-12) ride free Mon - Fri.
- Kids under 5 are always free.
- New York/New Jersey to Martha’s Vineyard
- One-Way: $165/Adults | $75/Children
- One-Way Holiday: $200 per person
- Round Trip: $240/Adults | $135/Children
- Round Trip Holiday: $310 per person
- New York/New Jersey to Nantucket
- One-Way: $175/Adults | $85/Children
- One-Way Holiday: $210 per person
- Round Trip: $260/Adults | $155/Children
- Round Trip Holiday: $330 per person
These aren’t the only services provided by this company.
See the Seastreak website to find out what other ferries they run.
This ferry’s sole purpose is to transport people to and from the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
This is the only way to get to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island so tickets cost more than other ferries discussed in this post.
Still, the ferry is reasonably priced considering it takes you to one of the most famous sights in the world.
Also, this ferry ticket is included in several NY tourist passes, which save you money on multiple attractions.
All tickets include a round-trip ride to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. But you must purchase special tickets if you want more than just a trip to the island.
The ticket options are:
Ferry
- No access to enter the Statue of Liberty.
Ferry with Pedestal Access
- Enter the pedestal of the statue.
- Gain admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum.
- See the views from the pedestal level.
Ferry with Crown Access
- Enjoy all the benefits of a pedestal ticket.
- See the views from the crown of Lady Liberty.
For more information about ticket prices, availability, and how to save money on this ferry, read our full post on Statue of Liberty tickets.
HOP-ON-HOP-OFF TOURIST FERRIES
If you are in NYC as a tourist, you may want to consider a sightseeing cruise instead of a traditional ferry.
Several ferries and cruises focus more on sightseeing rather than mere transport.
Most offer some form of commentary on the sights you will see as you pass them.
Some of these ferries have few, if any, stops.
Others allow you to hop off and hop back on as you like, so you can explore different parts of the city
Tickets for these cruises range from $30-$40 per person, and if you choose a hop-on-hop-off cruise your ticket will be valid for at least an entire day.
Both hop-on and hop-off ferries and sightseeing cruises are included with various tourist passes, so even if you find the prices a bit higher than you would like, you can save up to 50% off prices if you have a tourist pass.
See the section below on money-saving deals.
Read our post about NYC boat tours and cruises to learn about the many options to see the city from the water.
Tips from Locals and Travelers
The comments below about the various ferries are from locals and tourists who are members of our popular New York City Travel Tips Facebook group.
Taking the NYC Ferry
Many people want to know how to combine a ferry ride between Manhattan and DUMBO in Brooklyn combined with a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.
Many people chimed in with helpful suggestions.
Here, Michelle asks about getting tickets for the ferry.
Group members were happy to share this information.
Which is the best ferry to take at night to see the Manhattan skyline?
This question comes up quite frequently. Here are recommendations from both New Yorkers and visitors.
The most popular answer is the free Staten Island Ferry.
Part of the appeal is that it is free, but it does truly offer amazing views at night.
Many people gave thumbs up to the Harbor Lights sightseeing cruise.
While not as frequently recommended, some people liked the NYC Ferry rides.
The Staten Island Ferry
The number one question people have about taking the free Staten Island Ferry is how it works, and in particular, if you have to get off and back on again.
In addition to answering the question, Betty recommends where to sit on the ferry for the best views.
So many people ask if the ride on the Staten Island ferry is choppy.
If you are concerned about getting seasick, here is what some of the group members had to say about the ride.
As for the best time to take it? Here is some local advice.
