Staten Island Ferry
If you wish to see the Statue of Liberty without burning a hole in your pocket, the Staten Island Ferry is your savior!
The Staten Island Ferry was established in 1817 and is the fastest and free ferry to the Statue of Liberty.
The biggest USP of the Statue Island ferry is that it is free of cost. You don’t need to Pay anything to ride this ferry.
Locals of Staten Island use this ferry for their daily public transportation.
Departing from Manhattan, this 5.2 miles sail takes 25 minutes to reach the St. George terminal in Staten Island.
Wonder at Lady Liberty from a distance as this ferry doesn’t let you access the grounds of Liberty Island, at the site of the Statue of Liberty.
The Staten Island ferry offers an opportunity for visitors to witness the scenic view of the New York Harbor and a no-hassle way to view the City for free.
The ferry ride is approximately 25 minutes long, and from the deck of the boat, you can see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
You will also get free WiFi in each terminal as well as on all ferries.
Pets and other service animals are not allowed onboard if they are not caged or muzzled.
Apart from this, the ferry also offers food onboard for you to purchase. And if you are up for it, you can also buy beer onboard.
To avoid the rush, you can make the most of this free ride by hopping on the ferry between 10 am and 11.30 am.
Even better, seize the sunset moment by catching a ferry between 6 pm and 7 pm.
Staten Island Ferry directions: The Staten Island Ferry leaves from Whitehall Terminal, Manhattan, and stops at the St. George Terminal.
How to reach Whitehall Terminal, Manhattan
To reach the Staten Island ferry terminal at Whitehall, take subway lines 1, R, or W, with routes passing near the Whitehall Terminal.
Get down at Whitehall St-South Ferry or Bowling Green, 4 and 6 minutes away.
Buses BXM18, M15, M15-SBS, M20, M55 and QM11 pass near Whitehall Terminal.
The closest bus stops are South Ferry/Terminal and State St & Whitehall St, two minutes from the Whitehall Terminal.
How to reach the St George Terminal
To reach the Staten Island ferry terminal at St George, hop on buses S74, S76, or S78 that bypass the terminal.
Get down at St George Ferry/ Ramp B or St George Ferry/S46 & S96, the closest bus stations, two minutes away from the St George Terminal.
Staten Island Ferry Schedule
The Staten Island free ferry schedule is also convenient. The ferry runs 24 hours, 7 days a week.
You might be surprised to know that 70,000 commuters use the Staten Island Ferry daily.
Staten Island Ferry times: A boat departs every 15 to 20 minutes during the peak travel times of 6 am to 9 am and 3.30 pm to 8 pm.
On weekends, the frequency of people boarding the ferry is low. The boat sails within a 30 to 60-minute gap due to no rush hours.
The Staten Island Ferry follows the weekend schedule on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
During the peak hours, the ferry crowds with commuters returning to home from work.
Thus, it is recommended to refrain from taking leisure rides during these hours. To help you identify such rides, it will be highlighted yellow on the Staten Island ferry schedule.
Night closure
Whitehall Terminal’s waiting areas are available for visitors at all times.
However, to adhere to federally mandated security protocols, St. George Ferry Terminal waiting rooms occasionally close between 1 am and 4.30 am.
In such situations, travelers can wait in a specific area of the Terminal.
Staten Island free ferry parking
As you know, cars are not allowed on the Staten Island free ferry. Thus, you must know about the convenient Staten Island free ferry parking options.
The Staten Island Ferry has two terminals: the Whitehall Terminal and the St. George Terminal.
Visitors have plenty of options to park near both of these, such as the One New York Plaza Garage on 85 Whitehall St. is one of the closest to the terminal.
Other options for private parking include Valet Garage on 51 Beaver St., 95 MP parking on 106 Front St., and Battery Parking Garage.
The parking prices in these private spaces vary a lot; they can be anywhere from $22 to $65.
In addition to the plenty of private parking, there is an NYC DOT municipal parking lot at the St. George Ferry terminal.
The hourly rate is $1.50, and the daily rate is $12 for up to 18 hours. This is certainly way cheaper than private parking.
If you must take the Staten Island free ferry daily, you can park at the nearby St. George Courthouse Garage. It will cost $70 per month.
Things to know before taking Staten Island Ferry
- Both terminals have escalators and elevators.
- Passengers who use wheelchairs must use lower-level boarding.
- Staten Island Ferry doesn’t carry vehicles.
- Pets are not allowed on the ferry except for service animals.
- Whitehall Terminal and St. George Terminal offer free Wi-Fi.
- Even though they don’t allow vehicles onboard, you can carry your bicycle.
- Smoking is prohibited from the ferry and most areas in the terminals.
Avail the free ferry at Staten Island after you have purchased your Statue of Liberty tours and tickets
FAQ
Is the Staten Island Ferry free to ride?
Yes, Staten Island Ferry is free to ride, and it is one of the most recommended Statue of Liberty ferry rides to get a close look at Lady Liberty without spending anything.
New York City DOT operates the State Island ferry, which provides free ferry service between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan year-round throughout the week.
Know about the ferry from NYC and the ferry from New Jersey schedules.
How long is the Staten Island Ferry ride round trip?
The Staten Island Ferry ride is a free service, and it will take approximately 25-30 minutes each way.
Depending on the rush hour, the ferry can be packed to the brim, so it is advised not to take it during the peak hours.
If you want to take a full round trip, you can walk to the St. George Terminal to catch a ferry back to Manhattan.
Where does the Staten Island Ferry travel to?
The free Staten Island ferry operates between St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island and the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan.
The Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan is also known as the South Ferry, and it takes approximately 25-30 minutes to travel one way.
The Staten Island Ferry is the most convenient and one of the two ways to reach the island.
Where is the Staten Island ferry parking?
There are multiple options available for parking on Staten Island if you want to take a ferry ride from here.
There are two municipal parking lots at the St. George Ferry Terminal accessible off Richmond Terrace.
Free parking is available at the Prince’s Bay, Huguenot, Annadale, and Dongan hills stations.
Near the Whitehall terminal, you have the option of Icon Parking.
Staten Island ferry cost?
The Staten Island ferry provided by the City of New York is a free service. You do not require any sort of ferry price to pay.
New York City DOT operates the State Island Ferry, which provides free ferry service between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan year-round throughout the week.
You can ride the Staten Island ferry to get a free glimpse of the Lady Liberty from the water.
Do you need Staten Island ferry tickets?
The Staten Island ferry service is provided by the City of New York and is absolutely free of cost.
Thus, visitors don’t need to buy or have any ferry ticket to get on the Staten Island ferry.
The Staten Island ferry gives you a close look at Lady Liberty without spending anything.
The free ferry service between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan operates year-round throughout the week.
Is there any free service available to Staten Island?
Yes, those who want to access and explore Staten Island are in luck, as the ferry service to Staten Island is free.
The City of New York operates the Staten Island ferry, which departs from Whitehall Terminal.
This is also a good alternative to the Statue of Liberty cruise if you want to glimpse Lady Liberty from the water without paying any money.
Where to get the free ferry to the Statue of Liberty?
The Staten Island free ferry is a great way to witness the beautiful Lady Liberty closely from the water.
The ferry operates between the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and the St. George Terminal on Staten Island.
The ferry trip is about 25 minutes long. The St. George Terminal is located at 1 Bay Street, Staten Island. The Whitehall Terminal is located at 4 South Street, Manhattan.
How much does the Staten Island Ferry cost?
The Staten Island Ferry is free. The New York City Department of Transportation operates it.
The Staten Island free ferry runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will easily catch one ferry every 20 minutes.
Beware of scammers at the terminals on both sides trying to sell you tickets for the ferry.
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