Why Taking Ferries in New York City is the Most Underrated Way to Get Around

Ferries in New York City are one of the most underrated ways to get around the city. They’re part public transportation, part sightseeing experience, and for many routes, they’re actually faster and more relaxing than the subway.

New York City ferries are truly one of the city’s best kept secrets, connecting Manhattan with Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and even New Jersey. Whether you’re commuting, sightseeing, or just want skyline views without the crowds, the ferry system is surprisingly easy to use once you understand how it works.

This guide is going to share all of the reasons you should add the ferries in New York to your schedule, and give you practical tips for taking the right ones and the right times.

The Scoop

Ferry Routes

Ticket Prices

Tips & What’s Next

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Understanding Ferries in New York City: the Basics

Before diving into all of the details, let’s talk a bit about what make ferries in New York so special, and what kinds of routes you can expect.

⭐️ Why Take the Ferries in New York?

There are a lot of reasons locals and travelers alike love ferries in New York City. First of all, the views are unbeatable. You’re getting fresh air, wide-open water, and iconic landmarks all in one ride, for a fraction of the price that you’d spend on a boat tour in NYC.

Ferries are also far less chaotic than the subway. There’s more space, better visibility, no underground tunnels, or people coming out of the woodwork. For neighborhoods near the water, ferries can even be the most efficient way to get around NYC.

The ferries in New York are safe, clean, and despite being a tad pricier, they’re still comparable in price to other public transportation options in NYC.

☕️ Amenities on the Ferries in New York City

Another reason we love the ferries in New York City is because they have all the amenities you can’t find on other public transportation in NYC.

Ferries are spacious, and most have both indoor and outdoor seating. They’re well taken care of, and have toilets. Our favorite part? Many have bars onboard! Whether you want to grab a cup of coffee for your commute or sip a beer at sunset, this feature alone makes riding the ferry in NYC unmatched.

🤩 What is the Best Ferry Ride in NYC?

We’ve experienced every line of ferries in New York City, as well as the ones that connect to other areas like Hoboken and the Jersey Shore.

Every single ferry offers its own incredible views and reasons for taking it. The best one for you will certainly depend on which area of the city your exploring, what time you want to take one, and what your overall itinerary looks like.

We’re going to be sharing all of the routes you can take, so that you can choose which route you plan on taking.

Ferries in New York City: The Different Companies & Routes

Now that you know why ferries in New York are one of the best forms of transportation in the city, let’s go over the exact routes you can take, and the different companies that offer them.

⛴ Different Ferry Companies in NYC

Several ferry companies operate in New York City, each serving different purposes. Some are public transit options, while others focus on sightseeing or special destinations.

Understanding which company runs which routes makes navigating the ferries in New York City much easier, especially if you’re trying to see specific landmarks or neighborhoods.

Here is a list of the different ferry companies in NYC:

NYC Ferry: the main public ferry system of NYC connecting most boroughs
Staten Island Ferry: the free ferry between Battery Park and Staten Island
NY Waterway: the ferries that connect Hoboken and NYC
Statue City Cruises: the ferry that operates to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Seastreak Ferries: ferries that connect the Jersey Shore with NYC

🔢 How Many Ferry Routes are There in NYC?

There are over a dozen ferry routes operating across New York City, with more added as the system continues to expand. These routes cover the East River, Upper East Side, Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn waterfront neighborhoods, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, with connections to New Jersey as well.

NYC ferry routes are designed to connect areas that are otherwise inconvenient by subway, making ferries in New York City a genuinely useful transportation option, not just a novelty.

NYC Ferry Routes

The NYC Ferry connects Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx with multiple routes along the East River and surrounding waterways. There are 6 lines connecting 24 different ferry piers.

Ferry Stations in Manhattan

East 90th Street: connection for the Upper East Side
East 34th Street: connection from Midtown East
Stuyvesant Cove: connection from the East Village
Corlears Hook: connection from the Lower East Side
Wall Street: the biggest ferry hub connection – from the Financial District
Battery Park City: connection from Lower Manhattan on the West Hudson
Midtown West: W 39th St/ Pier 79

Ferry Stations in Queens:

Astoria: connections to Manhattan, Roosevelt Island, and Brooklyn
Long Island City: connections to Manhattan, Roosevelt Island, and Brooklyn
Hunters Point South: connections to Manhattan and Brooklyn

Ferry Stations in Brooklyn:

Greenpoint: connections to Manhattan and other parts of Brooklyn
North Williamsburg: connections to Manhattan and other parts of Brooklyn
South Williamsburg: connections to Manhattan and other parts of Brooklyn
Brooklyn Navy Yard: connections to Manhattan and Queens
DUMBO: connections to Manhattan and other parts of Brooklyn
Atlantic Avenue: connections to Governor’s Island, Manhattan, and Staten Island
Red Hook: connections to Governor’s Island and Manhattan
Sunset Park: connections to Rockaway, Manhattan, and the Bronx
Bay Ridge: connections to Rockaway, Manhattan, and the Bronx
Rockaway: connections to Rockaway, Manhattan, and the Bronx

Ferry Stations in Remaining Areas of NYC:

Roosevelt Island: connections to Manhattan, Queens & Brooklyn
Governor’s Island: connections to Manhattan and Brooklyn
St. George, Staten Island: connections to Manhattan and Brooklyn
Throg’s Neck, Bronx: connections to Western Manhattan, Sunset Park, & Rockaway

NYC Ferry Routes:

ER (East River): connects neighborhoods of Brooklyn with Midtown and Wall Street on a 47-minute route.
SBK (South Brooklyn): connects South Brooklyn’s residential communities, waterfront parks, & innovative industries to Midtown and the Financial District. The route is 40 minutes.
AST (Astoria): connects Western Astoria with Roosevelt Island, Brooklyn, & Lower Manhattan on a 49 minute ride.
RWS (Rockaway-Soundview): connects the Rockaways, Sunset Park, the Bronx, and Lower Manhattan. The whole route takes 120 minutes.
STG (St. George): connects Staten Island with Wall Street, Brooklyn, and the West Side of Manhattan. The whole route takes 68 minutes.
GOV (Governor’s Island Shuttle): scheduled in summer and during festivals connecting Wall Street and Governor’s Island in just 8 minutes

Staten Island Ferry

Operated by the city, this ferry runs between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan and is completely free. Staten Island’s station is St George, and the Manhattan one is WhiteHall Terminal in Battery Park.

NY Waterway

NY Waterway is one of the top ferries connecting New York and New Jersey. From various piers along the Hudson in NJ you can sail to either Midtown/W. 39th St, Pier 11/Wall Street, or Brookfield Place/Battery Park City.

Ferry Stations in New Jersey:

Edgewater Ferry Landing
Hoboken/ NJ Transit Terminal
Hoboken 14th Street
Liberty Harbor/ Marin Blvd
Lincoln Harbor (only connect to Midtown)
Paulus Hook
Port Imperial/ Wehawkin
Port Liberte (onyl connects to Pier 11)
South Amboy

Ferry Stations in New York City:

Midtown/ W 39th St
Brookfield Place Terminal
Wall St/ Pier 11

All NJ ferry stations connect to each of the three ferry stations in NYC, with the exception of Lincoln Harbor only going to Midtown, and Port Liberte only going to Wall Street.

Other Ferry Stations with NY Waterway:

Ossining (a village in Westchester County, part of the Hudson Valley)
Haverstraw (a town just across the Hudson that is part of Rockland County)

These two ferry stations connect to each other only, and can combine to other ferry stations via other public transportation in NYC.

Seastreak Ferry

Seastreak is one of our favorite ferries in New York City, as it connects to New Jersey’s Monmouth County (where I am from). It’s made for commuters, but is a really fun option if you’re looking to experience the Jersey Shore and NYC on your trip.

Ferry Stations in New Jersey:

Belford
Highlands
Atlantic Highlands
Paulus Hook (Jersey City)

Ferry Stations in New York City:

Battery Park
E. 35th in Midtown
W. 39th Street
Brookfield Place

Seastreak ferry routes - ferries in New York City

Statue City Cruises

This is the official ferry operator for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It’s not part of the public ferry system and requires a separate ticket. Routes go from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, as well as Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

Liberty State Park, things to do in NYC for free — **Don’t miss a stop at Liberty State Park’s 911 memorial!**

🗽 Which Ferry Allows You to See the Statue of Liberty?

If you want to actually visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the only authorized operator is Statue City Cruises. This ferry departs from Battery Park in Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

However, if you just want to see the Statue of Liberty for free, the Staten Island Ferry passes right by it and offers fantastic views without requiring a ticket.

This is one of the most popular reasons people look into ferries in New York City.

Statue of Liberty - ferries in New York City

Ferries in New York City: Prices & Timetables

Ferry prices in NYC are generally affordable, especially compared to taxis or rideshares. Timetables vary by route, time of day, and season, but most ferries run every 20 to 60 minutes.

Schedules are reliable, though weather and holidays can occasionally cause delays.

💵 How Much Do Ferries in New York Cost?

Most NYC Ferry routes cost $4.50 per ride, regardless of distance. This makes ferries in New York City a great value, especially for longer trips across boroughs.

The Staten Island Ferry is completely free, and other ferries in New York that connect to New Jersey have their own pricing structures depending on the route and experience.

Here is a basic breakdown of prices for ferries in New York City:

NYC Ferry: rides are $4.50 and discounted rates are $1.45 (people with disabilities, seniors 65+, and participants in the Fair Fares NYC program or OMNY Card holders).
Staten Island Ferry: rides are completely free, and passengers just need to wait in line to board on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Seastreak Ferries: one-way tickets are $29, and there are packages for 10 or 40 tickets that give a slight discount for commuters.
NY Waterway: rides are from $8-18, with South Amboy being the most expensive and Hoboken/ NJ Transit station being the cheapest. There are also packages for 7 days, 1 month, and a 10-trip pass for slightly discounted rates. The Ossining – Haverstraw route is $4.75
Statue City Cruises: tickets are $26 for round-trip tickets, and $26.30 if you want to visit the pedestal or the crown (yes – it’s a 30 cent difference). Tickets go fast though for the pedestal and crown visits, so you’ll have to book well in advance to score those!

Jersey shore, where to travel to in May — **Seastreak connects the Jersey Shore to NYC.**

💳 How Do I Pay for the NYC Ferry?

You can pay for NYC Ferry rides using the NYC Ferry app, which allows you to buy and store tickets on your phone. Some terminals also offer ticket vending machines. Payment is separate from the subway system, so MetroCards and OMNY are not accepted on NYC Ferry routes.

NY Waterway also has their own app for being able to purchase tickets, or you can buy them from the kiosks or customer service desks in the different stations.

Seastreak tickets can be purchased on their website, or you can buy them from the ferry terminal you are sailing from.

🤑 Is the Ferry Free to the Statue of Liberty?

The ferry to the Statue of Liberty is NOT free. However, you can see the Statue of Liberty from a short distance on the Staten Island ferry for free!

🕑 Ferry Timetables

Each company of ferries in New York City has a different timetable, but most start early in the morning and go throughout the evening. Many schedules are designed for commuters, making it an excellent way for people to get into NYC in the earlier hours of the day.

Here are the general hours of each of the ferry companies in New York and New Jersey:

NYC Ferry: most lines start their ride at 6 AM and go until 9/9:30 pm on weekdays. On weekends they start at 9 am and go until 9 pm. The St George route is only during summer and holiday weekends, and will be updated closer to the season.
Staten Island Ferry: the ferry runs 24/7 with sailings every 30 minutes, and every 15-20 minutes during rush hour.
Statue City Cruises: cruises start at 9 am and the last one goes at 3:15 pm, sailing every 15 minutes.
Seastreak Ferries: Weekdays ferries start from Belford at 5:40 am, the Highlands at 5:50 am, and from Atlantic Highlands at 7 AM. The last ones go out of Belford at 6:20 pm, the Highlands at 6:30 pm, and the Atlantic Highlands at 5:40 pm. On weekends ferries go only from the Highlands starting at 9:30 am and the last one going at 7:30 pm. Coming back from NYC, the first ferry leaves at 6:20 am, and the last one leaves at 10:45 pm during the week, and on weekends the first one starts at 10:25 am and the last one comes back 8:30 pm.
NY Waterway: on weekdays ferries start at 6 am, and go until 9:30 pm, while on the weekends the first ferries begin at 10 am, and finish at 9:30 pm. (Keep in mind that some ferries only run during the week, while others offer both weekday and weekends service). There is one ferry that has sailings between Midtown & Weehawkin that run Tuesday to Friday for extended hours (until 12:50 am). South Amboy only has two ferries going out (7:45 & 8:45 am) and 2 coming back (3:10 & 4:10 pm). The Ossining – Haverstraw route only runs weekdays, starting at 5:45 am and finishing at 9:42 pm.

Sunset is the perfect time to take ferries in New York, especially the Staten Island one and East River routes.

Ferries in New York City: Final Thoughts & What’s Next

Ferries in New York City are more than just a scenic extra. They’re a practical, affordable, and enjoyable way to move around the city while seeing it from a completely different perspective.

Whether you’re commuting, sightseeing, or just looking for a calmer way to travel, NYC ferries offer an experience that the subway simply can’t match. Once you ride one, you’ll start looking for excuses to take the ferry again.

Grab a drink at the bar, head outside, and enjoy your ride on the ferries of New York!

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👀 What’s Next?

Now that you know all about getting around with ferries in New York, you’re probably ready to learn all about visiting NYC!

Here are the other New York travel guides we have:

✈️ How to Get from EWR to NYC
🛫 How to Get from LGA to NYC
🛬 How to Get from JFK to NYC
🍸 22 Christmas Bars in NYC
🍴 17 Christmas Restaurants in NYC
🏨 Top 10 Hotels in NYC for Christmas
🎅🏻 29 Christmas Activities in NYC
⛸ 13 Ice Rinks to Check Out This Season
🎄 The Top Christmas Trees in NYC
✨ The 8 Best Locations for Christmas Lights in NYC
🪟 The Best Window Displays in NYC
🎁 Where to Find the Best Christmas Decorations in NYC
📆 52 Fun Things to Do This December in New York
🎅🏻 The Ultimate Guide to Experiencing Christmas in NYC
🍝 30 Cool Restaurants in New York City You Need to Try
🌸 The Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in NYC
💧 The 19 Best Waterfalls in New York
❄️ Visiting NYC in Winter
📸 Our 16 Favorite Instagrammable Places in NYC
💝 The Best Valentine’s Day Date Ideas in NYC
🤑 10 Things to Do in NYC for Free
📖 The Ultimate New York City Travel Guide

Statue of Liberty- ferries to New York City

So are you ready to enjoy riding around the ferries in New York? We hope you enjoy the scenic rides and this alternative option for getting around NYC.

Looking for more info about visiting New York City? Don’t miss out on our other New York travel guides! Also, don’t forget to join to our newsletter – this way you can get updates on our most recent articles each week, and get exclusive discounts on our shop.

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