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How Long is the Statue of Liberty Tour?

Millions of people visit the Statue of Liberty each year, making it one of the most popular attractions across the USA. 

When you get down to the particulars of your visit, one of the questions on your list would be, “How long is the Statue of Liberty Tour.” 

For curious people, the Statue of Liberty tour lasts three to six hours. However, this is a generic estimate of the island tour.

You must also account for how long the Statue of Liberty ferry tour will take, followed by the actual tour duration at the monument or the type of ticket you purchased.

Pedestal or crown access greatly impacts your overall Statue of Liberty tour duration. 

Let’s jump into a detailed discussion of all facts related to Statue of Liberty tour duration.

How Long is the Statue of Liberty Ferry Tour? 

Your Statue of Liberty tour will start by taking a ferry from the mainland(NYC or NJ) to reach Liberty Island, as the National Monument of Lady Liberty is located on this island. 

Thus, a sizable portion of your Statue of Liberty tour goes into commuting to and from Liberty Island. 

Visitors can take a ferry from Lower Manhattan at Battery Park or New Jersey Liberty State Park. 

Learn more in detail about how to reach the Statue of Liberty. The ferry duration to Liberty Island will vary slightly depending on where you take your Statue of Liberty ferry from.

For instance, guests will reach Liberty Island in approximately 25 minutes by boarding a ferry from Battery Park. 

The same ferry also goes to Ellis Island, an unmissable part of the Statue of Liberty Tour

The ferry takes approximately 20 minutes to reach Ellis Island from Liberty Island. 

From Ellis Island, it takes no more than 10 minutes for a ferry to reach the mainland at Battery Park’s departure point. 

How Long is the Statue of Liberty Ferry Tour
Image: Nps.gov

However, things are slightly different if you come from the New Jersey side as the ferry first docks at Ellis Island.

From Liberty State Park, it takes a ferry approximately 15 minutes to first reach Ellis Island. 

The same ferry continues to Liberty Island but takes approximately 30 minutes to reach it. Visitors can first come to Liberty Island and then get a ferry to go to Ellis Island. 

FromLiberty Island Ellis Island
Battery Park (NYC)20-25 minutes 40-45 minutes
Liberty State Park (NJ)35-40 minutes15-20 minutes

However, this way, your Statue of Liberty tour will last approximately one and a half hours, including ferry rides and time on Liberty Island. 

How Long Does the Statue of Liberty Tour Take? 

Visitors mostly spend one to two hours at Liberty Island to explore the gorgeous Lady Liberty and the island. 

But your Statue of Liberty tour duration will vary depending on the type of tickets you have purchased. 

Three types of Statue of Liberty tickets can access the monument at various levels. 

The first and the most popular one is the grounds-only ticket, which is sufficient for most visitors to witness Lady Liberty from up close. 

The other two include the Pedestal access tickets and Crown Tickets

On average, people spend approximately one to two hours exploring the grounds of Liberty Island, including the state-of-the-art Liberty Museum

However, if your tickets aren’t timed, you can spend much longer soaking in the gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline, among other things. 

How Long is the Statue of Liberty Pedestal Tour? 

Statue of Liberty pedestal tour may take longer as guests get access to the inside of the Statue of Liberty.

The pedestal is the square structure right below Lady Liberty, providing a base for the Statue of Liberty. 

The top of the pedestal is approximately 10 storeys high and includes 215 steps. 

Visitors must go through an airport-style security check to visit the pedestal portion of the Statue of Liberty. 

The top of the pedestal features a balcony that runs across the four sides. It is a narrow balcony and access to it is only through stairs. 

It takes somewhere around 30 minutes to an hour to explore the pedestal portion of the Statue of Liberty. 

This is on top of the time you spend exploring the grounds of Liberty Island and the Liberty Museum. Buy Statue of Liberty Pedestal tour tickets.

Learn about various tips for visiting the Statue of Liberty to plan your visit as plenty of things are prohibited inside the statue. 

Note: If you are on a multi-day visit to New York, we highly recommend getting a New York City Pass. 
It allows travelers access to numerous attractions throughout the city at a fraction of the cost. 

How Long is the Statue of Liberty Crown Tour? 

The crown access tickets are the most exclusive Statue of Liberty tickets and are fairly limited in number. 

The crown portion of Statue of Liberty is the top spot where visitors can go within the monument. 

Even though visitors get to spend no more than 10 minutes inside the crown of the Statue of Liberty, it makes your Statue of Liberty tour longer compared to a pedestal tour. 

To reach the Statue of Liberty crown, visitors must climb 162 stairs. 

There are no elevators at this level and the climb is pretty strenuous. Thus, people with mobility issues and other prescribed limitations are not fit to go to the crown. 

In the entirety, visitors take approximately an hour or so to complete their crown tour from the Pedestal level. 

Thus, visitors will spend almost three to four hours for their complete Statue of Liberty tour that includes ferry tour duration, ground, pedestal and crown level of the attraction.

How Long Does it Take at Ellis Island? 

Ellis Island is an inseparable part of the Statue of Liberty tour, offering multiple exciting attractions for visitors.

There are three main things to check out: Wall of Honor, Family History Center, and National Immigration Museum.

Visitors generally spend around two to four hours exploring all these attractions at Ellis Island. 

Note: Taking the last ferry from the mainland to the Statue of Island doesn’t spare guests time to explore Ellis Island.

Many people try to visit Liberty Island early in the morning right after the Statue of Liberty Opening Hours to save time and avoid crowds. 

Learn in detail about the ferry schedule to plan your itinerary and find the best time to visit as per your schedule. 

Statue of Liberty Tickets

Beyond the three types of Status of Liberty Tickets mentioned above, visitors can find many other amazing Statue of Liberty tickets online. 

For instance, getting a Statue of Liberty Guided tour offers the company of a guide who explains the rich history of Lady Liberty in depth. 

Beyond this, plenty of Statue of Liberty Boat tours can also make your visit exciting.  

New York features some of the most iconic attractions in the world. Make your Statue of Liberty visit even more memorable by opting for one of the many Statue of Liberty Combo Tickets

These combo tickets allow visitors access to two or more attractions with one pass at a discounted price. You explore more and save more, too!

Check out the highly recommended list of the top five Statue of Liberty combo tours to make your visit even more rewarding, fun, and memorable. 

Statue of Liberty TicketsFeatures Price
#Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building Combo Tickets – Round-trip Ferry service to Liberty Island Ellis Island. 
– Access to the grounds of Liberty Island & Ellis Island. 
– Audio tours of Liberty Island & Ellis Island.
– Admission to the Empire State Building. 
– Access to the 86th-floor observation deck. 
– Access to the Second-floor immersive exhibit.
US $78/Adult tickets (13 years and above) 
#Statue of Liberty and Edge Hudson Yards Combo Tickets– Round-trip Ferry service to Liberty Island Ellis Island. 
– Access to the grounds of Liberty Island & Ellis Island. 
– Audio tours of Liberty Island & Ellis Island.
– Admission to Edge at Hudson Yards (indoor deck, outdoor Skydeck, glass floor, skyline steps and eastern point). 
– Free digital Souvenir photo. 
US $61/Adult tickets (12 years and above) 
#Statue of Liberty and One World Observatory Skip the lines Combo – Round-trip Ferry service to Liberty Island Ellis Island. 
– Access to the grounds of Liberty Island & Ellis Island. 
– Audio tours of Liberty Island & Ellis Island.
– Access to the Observatory. 
– Access to all 3 floors of One World Observatory (Levels 100, 101, 102). 
– Access to curated eateries from casual cafe fare to seated fine dining at ONE! 
– Special features include City Pulse and Sky Portal.
US $70/Adult tickets (13 years and above) 
#Museum of Modern Art and Statue of Liberty Combo tickets – Admission to the Museum of Modern Art. 
– Special Exhibition and audio program. 
– Free audio guide on your own device. 
– Access to MoMA PS1. 
– Round-trip Ferry service to Liberty Island Ellis Island. 
– Access to the grounds of Liberty Island & Ellis Island. 
– Audio tours of Liberty Island & Ellis Island.
US $57/Adult tickets (13 years and above) 
#Statue of Liberty and Top of Rock Combo tickets – Round-trip Ferry service to Liberty Island Ellis Island. 
– Access to the grounds of Liberty Island & Ellis Island. 
– Audio tours of Liberty Island & Ellis Island.
– Top of Rock tickets and access to both the indoor and outdoor observation decks. 
– Complimentary Downtown Manhattan City guide. 
– Sky shuttle elevator and interactive beam walk.
US $86/ Adult tickets (13 years and above) 

How long does it take for a ferry to reach Liberty Island?

Visitors can take a ferry from New York’s  Battery Park to reach Liberty Island in approximately 20  minutes. 

However, when travelers take a ferry from New Jersey’s Liberty State Park, it takes slightly more, approximately 30 minutes, as the boat reaches Ellis Island first. 

Know the detailed Ferry Schedule along with a detailed guide on how to reach the Statue of Liberty to make your visit hassle-free. 

How long will I spend at the Statue of Liberty?

It takes around three to five hours to explore the Statue of Liberty as most of the Statue of Liberty tours also include access to Ellis Island and all its attractions.

If you have tickets to Pedestal or the Crown the Statue of Liberty tour duration can increase by upto six hours.

How long does it take to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island?

The time it takes to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island depends primarily on your interest and zeal to explore. 

But even if you are short on time, you must spend at least three hours exploring these fascinating places. 

Most of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island combo tickets will have a tour time between 2 to 4 hours.

How early should I arrive for the Statue of Liberty tour?

Given how crowded the Statue of Liberty can become, we’d advise reaching half an hour before the Statue of Liberty tour

Always factor in the ferry schedule whether you are taking the ferry from NYC or a ferry from NJ

Also, check other details like how to get to the Statue of Liberty and the best time to visit.

How long is the Statue of Liberty tour and ferry?

The Statue of Liberty ferry ride from New York and New Jersey takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reach Liberty Island where the Statue of Liberty is.

You’ll need an additional hour or two to explore both Liberty Island as well as Ellis Island which is included in your Statue of Liberty tour.

Featured Image: Statueoflibertytour.com

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