Staten Island Ferry

Name: Staten Island Ferry
Uploaded: 2021-06-01T06:00:02Z
Duration: 3 min 59 s
Description: The Staten Island ferry is a free ferry that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week between Manhattan and Staten Island.

The Staten Island ferry is a free ferry that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week between Manhattan and Staten Island. From the boat, you will have a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty is clearly visible. To get to the ferry, take subway line 1 or R to South Ferry station, the terminal itself is officially called the Whitehall Ferry Terminal.

The Ferry Facilities

The terminal is equipped with a waiting area with good facilities. There are toilets and free Wi-Fi is available, so waiting is very comfortable. But the ferry goes regularly, so you usually do not need to spend a lot of time waiting. There are no security checks before boarding but do expect some security guards at the terminal and around the boat. The ferry itself is very large and can carry many people, even if it may seem like not everyone will fit, most likely everyone will.

The Staten Island Ferry shuttles a whopping 117 times a day and carries more than 70.000 passengers. During rush hour it can sometimes be very busy, but in those moments the boat runs more frequently. It is not possible to stay on the boat after arriving at Staten Island. You have to get off and back on again through the waiting room, but this is very easy.

Eric’s Tip: “When boarding, do NOT walk to the front of the boat but stay at the back. You can take the first stairs you see. When at the top walk to the back of the boat (the side facing the terminal). If the doors of the back deck look closed, try and open them. You will have a wonderful view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. In Winter, those doors (at the front deck then) are closed on the way back, because it is often too cold. So you only have one shot: on the way there!”

Staten Island Ferry schedule

The Staten Island Ferry operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Departures are very frequent. During peak hours (on weekdays between 6:00 and 9:30 and between 15:30 and 20:00) a boat departs every 15 to 20 minutes. The rest of the time on weekdays, the boat runs every 30 minutes. This also applies to the weekend. On the public holidays New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, the boat departs from both terminals on the same schedule, every 30 minutes on the half and full hour.

Empire Outlets

There is a good reason to stay on the island after the crossing from Manhattan to Staten Island: Empire Outlets. In this shopping paradise, located next to the ferry terminal, you will find outlet stores of various well-known brands. There is also a supermarket and several eateries to recover from shopping while enjoying a snack and a drink.

Is the Staten Island ferry free?

Yes, it’s free to take the Staten Island Ferry.

Can you see the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry?

Yes, the Staten Island Ferry sails past Lady Liberty, offering a glimpse from a distance. However, you need to buy tickets for the Statue of Liberty to visit Liberty Island and see her up close.

How long does the Staten Island Ferry take?

The crossing takes around 25 minutes in either direction. Read more about the Staten Island Ferry here.