Staten Island Ferry Guide and Free Harbor Views

In a city where a cocktail can cost as much as a museum ticket, one of the very best experiences in New York is completely free. The Staten Island Ferry carries commuters and sightseers across New York Harbor around the clock, gliding past the Statue of Liberty with the Manhattan skyline shrinking behind you, and it doesn't cost a cent.

Here's everything you need to know to ride it like a local, from which side of the boat to stand on to what to do when you reach Staten Island, plus our favorite free spots for harbor views on dry land.

Staten Island ferry at Whitehall Terminal — An orange Staten Island Ferry at Whitehall Terminal (Credit: Arun Kristian Das)

The basics

The Staten Island Ferry runs between Whitehall Terminal at the southern tip of Manhattan and St. George Terminal on Staten Island. The crossing is about five miles and takes roughly 25 minutes each way. Boats run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, departing frequently at rush hour and less often late at night and on weekends. Check the NYC Department of Transportation's schedule before you go.

It's genuinely free. The fare was abolished in 1997, and you don't need a ticket, a transit card or a reservation. Just walk into the terminal, wait for the doors to open and board.

The ferry is first and foremost a commuter service, carrying tens of thousands of Staten Islanders to and from Manhattan every day. The city has operated it since the early 20th century, and the bright orange boats have become one of New York's most recognizable sights.

Entrance of Whitehall Terminal for Staten Island — The entrance to Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan

Getting to Whitehall Terminal

Whitehall Terminal sits beside the Battery at the foot of Whitehall Street. Several subway lines stop close by: the 1 train to South Ferry, the R and W to Whitehall Street and the 4 and 5 to Bowling Green. New to the system? Our guide on how to ride the NYC subway like a local will get you there.

Arrive a few minutes before departure and head toward the boarding doors, since the best spots by the windows and on the outdoor decks fill up fast.

Which side to stand on

This is the single most useful tip for the ferry. On the way to Staten Island, head for the right-hand (starboard) side of the boat, facing forward. That's the side that passes closest to the Statue of Liberty, which appears off to the west a few minutes after departure. You'll also glimpse Ellis Island and the Jersey City waterfront.

On the return trip, the statue is on your left, but the real star is straight ahead: the towers of Lower Manhattan rising out of the water as you approach, with One World Trade Center at their center. Grab a spot at the front of the boat, or on an outdoor deck if one is open, for the best views.

Along the way, look out for Governors Island, the Brooklyn waterfront, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge stretching between Brooklyn and Staten Island to the south, and the steady traffic of tugboats, container ships and sightseeing cruises.

View of the Statue of Liberty from New York Harbor with the historic Lower Manhattan skyline visible in the background. — The Statue of Liberty from the harbor, with Lower Manhattan behind

Good to know: the ferry doesn't stop at Liberty Island or Ellis Island. It's a fantastic way to see the Statue of Liberty from the water, but if you want to stand at her feet, climb the pedestal or visit the Ellis Island museum, you'll need a ticket on the official Statue of Liberty ferry from Battery Park. That ferry is included on our Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, or on the shorter Statue of Liberty Express Tour if you're pressed for time.

When to go

Sunset is magic. The statue glows, the skyline turns gold and the lights of Lower Manhattan flicker on as you head back.
Night rides are wonderful too, with the skyline lit up and far fewer people on board.
Avoid rush hour if you can. Weekday mornings are busiest heading into Manhattan and early evenings heading to Staten Island, and the boats are packed with commuters who'd rather not share their seats with tripods.
Bring a layer. Even on a warm day, the harbor breeze can be surprisingly cool.

A Staten Island Ferry docking at Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan

What to do in St. George

When the ferry reaches Staten Island, everyone has to get off and walk through the terminal. If you simply want the round trip, follow the signs and board the next boat back to Manhattan.

But St. George rewards a little exploring:

Postcards, Staten Island's moving September 11 memorial, stands on the waterfront just steps from the terminal, its two white wings framing the view toward Lower Manhattan.
The National Lighthouse Museum sits along the waterfront near the terminal.
The ballpark next door has some of the best views of any stadium in the country, looking straight across the harbor to Manhattan. Check the schedule for games.
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, a short bus ride away, is a campus of 19th-century buildings and gardens, including a Chinese scholar's garden.

More free harbor views

The ferry isn't the only way to enjoy New York's waterfront without spending a dime. Some of our favorites:

Sunset at Battery Park with view of the Statue of Liberty — Sunset at the Battery, looking toward the Statue of Liberty

The Battery

Right next to Whitehall Terminal, this waterfront park looks out over the harbor to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Its promenade is one of the best places in Manhattan to watch the sunset, and Castle Clinton, a fort built before the War of 1812, sits in the middle of it all.

Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is free and spectacular, especially early in the morning before the crowds. On the Brooklyn side, the lawns and piers of Brooklyn Bridge Park offer head-on views of the Lower Manhattan skyline. A short climb away, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade is a local favorite for its sweeping panorama.

Governors Island

A former military base turned car-free park, Governors Island sits in the middle of the harbor just minutes by ferry from the Battery Maritime Building, next door to Whitehall Terminal. The ferry fare is low, with free rides at certain times, and once there you can climb the island's artificial hills for superb views of the Statue of Liberty and the skyline. Check the island's website for ferry schedules and seasonal hours.

NYC Ferry

The city's commuter ferry network isn't free, but a single ride costs just a few dollars and offers some of the best-value harbor sightseeing in town, particularly the routes along the East River.

Staten Island Ferry checklist

Check the ferry schedule, especially late at night and on weekends
Take the subway to South Ferry, Whitehall Street or Bowling Green
Stand on the right-hand side heading to Staten Island
Find a spot at the front of the boat for the return
Time your ride for sunset if you can
Bring a light jacket for the breeze
Pause at the Postcards memorial in St. George
Finish with a stroll through the Battery

Ready to meet Lady Liberty up close?

The ferry gives you the view; our tours give you the story. On our Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, a guide takes you onto both islands and brings the history of the statue and America's immigrants to life. Short on time? The Statue of Liberty Express Tour focuses on Liberty Island. And while you're in Lower Manhattan, our Wall Street Insider Tour uncovers the stories of the Financial District.

New York Experience is run by ExperienceFirst, a New York tour company founded in 2009.

Staten Island Ferry FAQs

Yes. The Staten Island Ferry has been free to ride since 1997. There are no tickets or reservations; you simply walk on.

The crossing takes about 25 minutes each way, so a round trip, including the walk through St. George Terminal, takes around an hour.

On the way from Manhattan to Staten Island, stand on the right-hand side of the boat as it faces forward. On the return, the statue is on the left.

No. It passes the statue but doesn't stop. To visit Liberty Island or Ellis Island, you need a ticket on the official Statue of Liberty ferry from Battery Park, which is included on our Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour.

No. All passengers must get off at St. George Terminal, but you can walk straight back through the terminal and board the next boat to Manhattan.

The Staten Island Ferry and the Best Free Harbor Views in New York