Everything you need to know about Staten Island Ferry

One of the “tourist” things that I love to do here in New York City is to get a ride on Staten Island Ferry. There is no subway that connects Staten Island to Manhattan, so, people use the ferry or a car and cross the Verrazano Bridge, which connects Staten Island with Brooklyn.  Best of all: the ferry is free and everyone is welcome. Because of the path, with a privileged view, Ferry is in the route of the tourists who visit the city. Today I bring some pictures and some info about it!

Do you wanna visit the Liberty Island? Buy your ticket online.

Staten Island Ferry capacity is 1415 passengers. Today the Staten Island Ferry provides 22 million people a year (70,000 passengers a day not including weekend days). Ferry has restrooms, seats, and external areas. Along the path to and from Staten Island, Ferry passes in front of the Statue of Liberty – which makes us understand why so many tourists ride it. Obviously, the distance is not the same as paid boats, but I would say it is a very satisfactory view, as you can see from the pictures. You may not get that classic photo with the Statue close to you, but I guarantee it is worth. Moreover, we can not forget the incredible views of the Manhattan skyline. From Ferry, you still can catch sight of the Brooklyn Bridge, New Jersey, and Governors Island.

The trip from Manhattan to Staten Island takes about 30 minutes. You don’t need to present anything to enter the station or Ferry. What I recommend is that, as soon as the gate opens, you head to the outside area, on the right, to be able to enjoy the view. Do not get frustrated if you can not get a good spot – remember that there is also the return trip. It is good to remember that when the boat arrives in Staten Island, all passengers must disembark. You can proceed to the gate immediately to get the next ferry back to Manhattan. Both stations – Manhattan and Staten Island – have restrooms and several places to eat, plus free Wi-Fi.

If you have time, be sure to get a ride during the evening too: the view of  Manhattan can be more surprising than during the day – not to mention that it is also magical to see Lady Liberty. The Staten Island ferry operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From 6 am to 9:30 am and from 3h30 to 8 pm, there are boats every 15 or 20 minutes. At other times, the frequency is 30 minutes. To see the complete schedule, just click here. The terminal of the Staten Island Ferry in Manhattan is at 4 Whitehall St, access by lines 1, 4, 5, J, Z and R. It is located right next to Battery Park.

Laura Peruchi

Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!