Staten Island Ferry — Attraction in New York

The Staten Island Ferry offers one of the most iconic and cost-effective ways to experience New York City, with stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, the city’s coastline, and the connecting boroughs—all for free.

Pros: One of the main highlights of the Staten Island Ferry is the incredible views it provides. As you glide across New York Harbor, you'll be treated to breathtaking sights of the Statue of Liberty up close, the expansive skyline of Lower Manhattan, and sweeping vistas of Brooklyn and Jersey City. The ferry offers a unique perspective on the city’s iconic landmarks, making it a favorite for both locals and tourists.

The ferry itself is spacious and well-maintained, with plenty of seating and open areas where you can enjoy the views. The ride is smooth and lasts about 25 minutes, making it a quick and scenic way to travel between Staten Island and Manhattan. The service is reliable and frequent, running 24 hours a day, which adds to its convenience.

Cons: The ferry can get crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons and rush hours, which might make it difficult to find a prime spot by the windows or on the open decks. Additionally, while the ferry ride is picturesque, the terminals at both ends can be busy and lack some of the charm of the ferry experience itself. The views can also be weather-dependent, so on foggy or rainy days, the visibility might not be as impressive.

Overall: The Staten Island Ferry provides a four-star experience that’s hard to beat when it comes to seeing New York City from the water. Whether you're a visitor looking to capture the perfect photo of the Statue of Liberty or a local enjoying a peaceful commute, the ferry delivers a scenic, efficient, and completely free way to connect between Staten Island and Manhattan. Just be prepared for crowds and check the weather to make the most of the...

I honestly have nothing but good things to say about the Staten Island Ferry, it's so user friendly! We were visiting from CA, but staying in Staten Island so we took the ferry every day into the city. The ferry runs 24 hours and they run about every 30 minutes although I think during the week during commuter hours they were running every 15-20 minutes. It can get a little crazy when you're boarding and exiting. There is no line so everyone is just kind of pushing through, but it's honestly not that bad. The ferry goes right by the Statue of Liberty, not close, but close enough to get a good view if you don't want to pay for the actual tour. Best view of the Statue of Liberty when you're leaving Staten Island is to get on the left side of the boat. There are outdoor areas on the upper levels where you can sit outside or stand against the railing. Leaving NYC, stand on the right side of the boat. Once we there a few days we would sit down in the lower levels of the ferry, plenty of open seating and never seemed to be crowded. Plus there are windows, that still offer views of the Statue of Liberty if you don't want to fight the crowds on the upper level outdoor...

I haven't been to the ferry ⛴️ since 2019 it was around this time before COVID-19 🤒🤢. But now in 2024 I've returned with a group from Community hab and picked up a new hobby so it's been almost 5 years. I know what it looks like but there's some parts of it I haven't been to. I know I've been to the bus stop area to get there but I haven't been under the cab service area. There is a long hallway where there is a lot of store and fast food places you can go and eat. 😋👍 In the ferry station there's like a guard dog 🐕 and police like service.👮They have to search your suitcases and other items to make sure you're not carrying weapons and bombs. 😉You have to wait for the ferry to dock so everyone can board the upstairs and downstairs to be seated. I went from Staten Island to Manhattan. Being in the ferry boat 🚢⚓ is really stable, but be careful of where you step. You can stand outside The front deck and enjoy the breeze and also take pictures. I like going to the ferry terminal and being on the boats back and forth from city to borough. 🌁🏙️ I have been here multiple times but I might come back here to...