A free commuter ferry that glides right past the Statue of Liberty and the harbour skyline.
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The verdict
Who it's worth it for
Great for
Travellers on a budget
Families with kids
Couples
Solo travellers
Photographers
Depends
If you've only got a day
Local-life seekers
Nature lovers
Romantics
Not for
—
Worth it for travellers on a budget, families with kids and couples.
Why we say this
Insider secrets & local vibes
It's a free, 24/7 commuter ferry that glides within camera range of the Statue of Liberty and the Lower Manhattan skyline — one of the city's greatest no-cost experiences.
The 25-minute, 5.2-mile crossing between Whitehall and St. George doubles as a slow-motion postcard of the harbor most tourists pay a cruise company to see.
The ferry never docks at Liberty Island, so Lady Liberty stays a distant speck — fine for a photo, frustrating if you wanted to actually feel her scale.
You can't ride round-trip without getting off and re-boarding at the Staten Island terminal, adding a pointless terminal walk to what you assumed was a there-and-back loop.
A painless first taste of the harbor: no ticket, no booking, just show up at Whitehall and board. Manage expectations on how close you'll get to the Statue.
For photos
Board in Manhattan and head to the right (starboard) side and up to the outdoor deck for the cleanest Statue-and-skyline line; move fast, the rail fills.
“When you board in Manhattan, head to the right side (starboard side) of the ferry and make your way upstairs to the outdoor deck.”