This post is about how to take the ferry to Governors Island including where to catch the ferry from both Manhattan and Brooklyn, ferry ticket costs, and schedules.
- How to Take the Ferry
- Things to Do on Governors Island
- Summer Guide to NYC
- Things to Do in New York City
HOW TO TAKE THE FERRY TO GOVERNORS ISLAND
Governors Island is open year-round from Sunday to Thursday 7 am-10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 7 am-11 pm. The South Island Park is open until 6 pm daily.
It is accessible only by ferry. Two ferry systems go there: the Governors Island Ferry and the NYC Ferry.
Both ferries run from Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Governors Island Ferry
The fares are the same whether you depart from Manhattan or Brooklyn.
$4 round-trip for adults (13-65). Free on Saturdays/Sundays before noon.
Free all the time for:
- Adults 65 and over
- Children 12 and under
- Residents of NYCHA housing
- IDNYC holders
- Military service members (former and active)
- Friends of Governors Island members
Bikes are free all the time, but space is limited.
Space for strollers is also limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
All ferries are wheelchair accessible.
Manhattan Ferries
These ferries run daily all year.
Ferries depart from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan and arrive at Soissons Landing on Governors Island.
The Battery Maritime Building is at 10 South Street (circled in yellow on the map).
The closest subways to the Battery Maritime Building/Ferry Terminal are:
- 1 train to South Ferry
- R train to Whitehall Street
- 4 and 5 trains to Bowling Green
Use this Google Maps link to get exact directions from your departure point.
TIP: If you are new to using the subway system, read the section below for some tips.
Ferry Schedule
- First ferry from Battery Maritime Building to Governors Island Soissons Landing: 7 am
- Runs every 30 minutes
- Last ferry from Governors Island to Manhattan: 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11 pm Friday and Saturday
- See the full schedule here.
Brooklyn Ferries
These ferries operate only on weekends and Mondays that fall on a holiday. Ferries operate less frequently than the Manhattan ferries.
There are two departure points: Pier 6 and Atlantic Basin.
Pier 6
Pier 6 is in Brooklyn Bridge Park at Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street in Brooklyn Heights.
Use this Google Maps link to get exact directions from your departure point.
Schedule
The ferry runs Monday to Thursday.
It runs from Pier 6 to Governors Island Soissons Landing starting at 10:15 am and then every hour until 4:15 pm.
The last ferry from Governors Island back to Pier 6 is 6 pm.
See the full ferry schedule here.
Atlantic Basin
Atlantic Basin is at the intersection of Pioneer Street and Conover Street in Red Hook.
Use this Google Maps link to get exact directions from your departure point.
Schedule
The ferry runs Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays.
It runs from Atlantic Basin to Governors Island Soissons Landing every hour between 10:15 am and 4:15 pm.
The last ferry from Governors Island back to Atlantic Basin is 5:30 pm.
See the full ferry schedule here.
NYC Ferry to Governors Island
The NYC Ferry connects all five boroughs of New York City.
Two routes go to Governors Island: the Wall Street Shuttle and the South Brooklyn route.
Wall Street Shuttle
It operates only on summer weekends and holiday Mondays. See the full schedule here.
The shuttle departs from Wall Street Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan.
Use this Google Maps link to get exact directions from your departure point.
It makes two stops in Brooklyn, then arrives at Yankee’s Landing on Governors Island.
Fares are $4 one way and must be purchased in advance of boarding.
South Brooklyn route
The route operates daily all year but does not stop at Governors Island on weekends during the summer months.
The route begins at Wall Street Pier 11 in Manhattan.
It makes two stops in Brooklyn, then stops at arrives at Governors Island's Yankee’s Landing. The ride is about 20 minutes.
Fares are $4 one way and must be purchased in advance of boarding.
Check out our post on the NYC Ferry for more information.
Riding the Subway
Check out our post on navigating the subway and also our post on which MetroCard is best for you.
