Ferries and harbor cruises
The best Statue of Liberty tours
The official ferry lands; every other boat sails past. Here is how to choose.
See our 8 picks
To set foot on the Statue of Liberty's island, book the official ferry. It is run by Statue City Cruises and costs from €29 on GetYourGuide. Every other boat tour here sails past the statue without landing.
The ferry also stops at Ellis Island. Plan about 5 hours for both islands. All eight tours below have free cancellation, and GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.
Our 8 picks for the Statue of Liberty
One ferry lands on the islands. The other seven are cruises that sail past the statue and turn back.
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from €29 per person Our top pick 5 hours 4.6 (21,216) reviews on GetYourGuide
Official ferry to Liberty and Ellis Islands
The round-trip ferry to both islands, with audio tours and entry to the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island museum. Crown and pedestal access are not included.
Best for Anyone who wants to walk on Liberty Island
Check availability: Official ferry to Liberty and Ellis Islands on GetYourGuide -
from €26 per person 50 minutes 4.6 (5,875) reviews on GetYourGuide
50-minute express statue cruise
A quick cruise from Pier 16 at South Street Seaport, with a live guide in English. It sails close to the statue and back. It does not stop at the islands.
Best for Visitors short on time
Check availability: 50-minute express statue cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €22 per person 1 hour 4.5 (3,490) reviews on GetYourGuide
60-minute statue and skyline cruise
One hour from Pier 83 in Midtown, with a live guide. You pass the statue, Ellis Island and the skyline. It has indoor cabins and an outdoor deck.
Best for Families with kids
Check availability: 60-minute statue and skyline cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €30 per person 1 h 30 min 4.6 (4,944) reviews on GetYourGuide
90-minute statue and skyline cruise
A longer cruise from Pier 83. It passes the statue and Ellis Island, then sails under the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges.
Best for First-time visitors
Check availability: 90-minute statue and skyline cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €35 per person 2 h 30 min 4.6 (7,947) reviews on GetYourGuide
2.5-hour cruise around Manhattan
The full loop around Manhattan from Pier 83. It passes the statue and goes on up the rivers, under many bridges.
Best for Visitors who want to see the most
Check availability: 2.5-hour cruise around Manhattan on GetYourGuide -
from €40 per person 2 hours 4.6 (9,034) reviews on GetYourGuide
Sunset and harbor lights cruise
A 2-hour evening cruise from Pier 83. You see the city change from golden light to night lights. Drinks and snacks are for sale on board.
Best for Couples and evening plans
Check availability: Sunset and harbor lights cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €24 per person 1 h 30 min 4.6 (2,894) reviews on GetYourGuide
90-minute sunset statue cruise
A sunset cruise from Pier 16 with pop music and a full bar. An audio guide is on your own phone, so bring headphones.
Best for Friends who want a relaxed evening
Check availability: 90-minute sunset statue cruise on GetYourGuide -
from €54 per person 1 h 45 min 4.9 (209) reviews on GetYourGuide
Statue of Liberty day sail on a schooner
A sail of just under 2 hours on the schooner Adirondack from Chelsea Piers. One drink is included. It is a real sailboat, not a motor cruise.
Best for Sailing fans and small celebrations
Check availability: Statue of Liberty day sail on a schooner on GetYourGuide
Statue of Liberty tours compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official ferry to Liberty and Ellis Islands | €29 per person | 5 hours | Anyone who wants to walk on Liberty Island | The only tour here that lands, sold by the official ferry company itself. |
| 50-minute express statue cruise | €26 per person | 50 minutes | Visitors short on time | The shortest way to see the statue up close from the water. |
| 60-minute statue and skyline cruise | €22 per person | 1 hour | Families with kids | The lowest price here, and short enough for young kids. |
| 90-minute statue and skyline cruise | €30 per person | 1 h 30 min | First-time visitors | More of the harbor and the bridges for a few euros more. |
| 2.5-hour cruise around Manhattan | €35 per person | 2 h 30 min | Visitors who want to see the most | The only cruise here that circles the whole island. |
| Sunset and harbor lights cruise | €40 per person | 2 hours | Couples and evening plans | The longest evening trip, with a live guide. |
| 90-minute sunset statue cruise | €24 per person | 1 h 30 min | Friends who want a relaxed evening | A cheaper sunset trip than the 2-hour one. |
| Statue of Liberty day sail on a schooner | €54 per person | 1 h 45 min | Sailing fans and small celebrations | The highest rating here: 4.9 from 209 reviews. |
Official ferry to Liberty and Ellis Islands
€29 per person5 hours 4.6 (21,216)
Details
- Who it suits
- Anyone who wants to walk on Liberty Island
- Why we picked it
- The only tour here that lands, sold by the official ferry company itself.
50-minute express statue cruise
€26 per person50 minutes 4.6 (5,875)
Details
- Who it suits
- Visitors short on time
- Why we picked it
- The shortest way to see the statue up close from the water.
60-minute statue and skyline cruise
€22 per person1 hour 4.5 (3,490)
Details
- Who it suits
- Families with kids
- Why we picked it
- The lowest price here, and short enough for young kids.
90-minute statue and skyline cruise
€30 per person1 h 30 min 4.6 (4,944)
Details
- Who it suits
- First-time visitors
- Why we picked it
- More of the harbor and the bridges for a few euros more.
2.5-hour cruise around Manhattan
€35 per person2 h 30 min 4.6 (7,947)
Details
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want to see the most
- Why we picked it
- The only cruise here that circles the whole island.
Sunset and harbor lights cruise
€40 per person2 hours 4.6 (9,034)
Details
- Who it suits
- Couples and evening plans
- Why we picked it
- The longest evening trip, with a live guide.
90-minute sunset statue cruise
€24 per person1 h 30 min 4.6 (2,894)
Details
- Who it suits
- Friends who want a relaxed evening
- Why we picked it
- A cheaper sunset trip than the 2-hour one.
Statue of Liberty day sail on a schooner
€54 per person1 h 45 min 4.9 (209)
Details
- Who it suits
- Sailing fans and small celebrations
- Why we picked it
- The highest rating here: 4.9 from 209 reviews.
- Group size is not stated on the booking pages.
- None of the 8 includes hotel pickup: you meet on site.
- All 8 offer free cancellation.
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Which Statue of Liberty tour to book
Book the official ferry if you want to land on Liberty Island. Book a cruise if you only want to see the statue from the water.
| Tour | Length | What is included | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official ferry (lands) | 5 hours | Ferry, both islands, two museums, audio tours | Anyone who wants to land |
| Express cruise | 50 minutes | Live guide in English | Short on time |
| 60-minute cruise | 1 hour | Live guide, indoor cabins | Families |
| 90-minute cruise | 1 h 30 min | Live guide, three bridges | First visit |
| Manhattan loop | 2 h 30 min | Live guide, the full island | See the most |
| Sunset and harbor lights | 2 hours | Live guide, bar on board | Evening |
| Sunset cruise | 1 h 30 min | Music, audio guide | A relaxed evening |
| Schooner day sail | 1 h 45 min | One drink | Sailing fans |
Landing tour or cruise: how to choose
Only the official ferry lands. Statue City Cruises is the only authorized seller and the only ferry to Liberty and Ellis Islands, says the National Park Service. The tour on GetYourGuide is Statue City Cruises' own ticket.
Circle Line runs most of the cruises on this page. Circle Line says its cruises do not dock at the statue. They sail close for photos, then turn back.
Want a free look from the water? The Staten Island Ferry passes the statue but does not stop there. It is free and the crossing takes about 25 minutes.
Choose the ferry to walk around the statue. Choose a cruise for a shorter trip with a guide and skyline views.
More guides on New York by water
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tours with a ferry landing
The official ferry is the one tour here that lands on both islands. Every ticket includes the round trip, both islands, the two museums, audio tours and free ranger programs.
Liberty Island and Ellis Island: what you see
On Liberty Island you walk around the statue and visit the Statue of Liberty Museum. The museum holds Lady Liberty's original torch, says the tour listing.
Ellis Island has the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Both islands have self-guided audio tours in 12 languages.
Harbor cruises that sail past the statue
Harbor cruises give you the statue and the skyline without the security line or the island stop. They range from 50 minutes to 2 h 30 min.
Most cruises leave from Pier 83 on West 42nd Street in Midtown. The express and the 90-minute sunset cruise leave from Pier 16 at South Street Seaport, Downtown.
Check that your date has departures. Harbor cruises can run fewer trips in winter.
- Day: the 60- and 90-minute cruises, and the 2.5-hour loop around Manhattan.
- Express: 50 minutes from Pier 16.
- Sunset: 1 h 30 min from Pier 16, or 2 hours from Pier 83 with the harbor lights.
- Sail: 1 h 45 min on a schooner from Chelsea Piers.
Official ferry ticket vs a guided tour
The ferry ticket is the same trip wherever you buy it. On the official site, the round-trip fare covers both islands.
The National Park Service charges no fee for the museums. The ticket price is the ferry fare. A guided tour adds a live guide, not more access.
Official fares in US dollars, round trip, from the official site:
- Adults 13+
- $26
- Seniors 62+
- $23
- Children 4–12
- $17
- Under 4
- Free
The official site gives a refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. The GetYourGuide ticket also has free cancellation.
How to get to the ferry
Ferries leave from Battery Park in Manhattan and from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The security building in Battery Park is behind Castle Clinton, on the water side.
From Battery Park, the boat stops at Liberty Island first. From Liberty State Park, it stops at Ellis Island first. The visit is the same either way.
The ride from Battery Park to Liberty Island takes about 25 to 30 minutes. For the subway and buses, see our guide to getting around New York. To sleep close by, see where to stay in NYC.
- Battery Park: Castle Clinton, New York, NY 10004.
- Liberty State Park: 1 Audrey Zapp Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07305.
Pedestal and crown: what they need
Pedestal and crown tickets are limited and sell out. They are sold online only, by Statue City Cruises. The GetYourGuide ticket does not include them.
On the official site, pedestal or crown access adds $0.30 to the ferry fare. General admission is the only choice once they are sold out.
The pedestal
The pedestal has 215 steps, about 10 stories, to the top. An elevator is there for people who cannot use the stairs.
The crown
The crown is 162 steps up a tight spiral. There is no elevator. Visits in the crown last 10 minutes at most.
Children must be at least 42 inches (1.1 m) tall and come with an adult. You can buy up to 4 crown tickets per order. Adults need a photo ID to pick them up.
The park service advises against the climb if you have heart, breathing or mobility problems. The same goes for a fear of heights or tight spaces.
How long to plan and the best time of day
Plan about 5 hours to see both islands. Take an early ferry: the park service says entry after 2 pm leaves no time for both.
Boats start at 9:00 AM. The last one leaves Battery Park in mid-afternoon, and times change by season. There are no ferries on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
The ferry brings you back to Lower Manhattan. From there it is a walk to the 9/11 Memorial.
What to bring and how security works
Everyone goes through airport-style security before the ferry. The time on your ticket is when to join the security line, not when the boat leaves. Waits can be an hour or more at busy times.
Backpacks, strollers and umbrellas are allowed on the ferry and the islands. Inside the pedestal, they are not.
Leave these at home
These are banned at ferry security:
- Knives, sharp tools, pepper spray and weapons
- Drones, scooters, skateboards and hoverboards
- Glass containers and alcohol
- Commercial tripods
For the pedestal and crown
No food, backpacks, strollers, laptops, long umbrellas or tripods inside the pedestal. Crown climbers may carry only a phone, a camera, the ticket, medicine and water in a clear plastic bottle.
Lockers are on Liberty Island only. They take a 25¢ deposit, in quarters.
Combine it with other harbor trips
More of the harbor is easy to add on your own. The Governors Island ferry is one more short trip by water.
An evening cruise pairs well with a morning on the islands. Book the ferry early and the sunset cruise for the same day.
Want to go on your own? Our guide to the Governors Island New York ferry shows how to get to the island.
For a free view of the statue, read about the Staten Island ferry.
Booking tips for the Statue of Liberty
Book the first ferries
Entry after 2 pm leaves no time for both islands. A morning ticket gives you the whole day.
Arrive before your ticket time
Your ticket time is when to join the security line. Waits can be an hour or more at busy times.
Buy crown tickets early
Crown and pedestal tickets are limited and sell out. They are sold online only, by Statue City Cruises.
Check your cruise date
Harbor cruises can run fewer trips in winter. Check that your date has departures before you plan around it.
Statue of Liberty: questions and answers
How do I get to the Statue of Liberty?
How long does the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour take?
How long does the Statue of Liberty crown tour take?
Do harbor cruises stop at Liberty Island?
Can I buy crown tickets on the day?
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Written by the Things to Do in NYC editorial team.