Staten Island Ferry
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.
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?
Can you see the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry?
How long does the Staten Island Ferry take?
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