Free commuter ferry between Manhattan and Staten Island. 25 minutes each way. Statue of Liberty views. Lower Manhattan skyline. Governors Island. Free.
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Insider Intel
Board at Whitehall Terminal in lower Manhattan. Stand on the right side (starboard) going to Staten Island for Statue of Liberty views. The return trip offers Manhattan skyline views. You can simply ride round-trip without disembarking in Staten Island — this is common and no one will care.
Late afternoon for light on the Statue of Liberty. Sunset for dramatic skyline views on the return. Avoid rush hour (7–9am, 5–7pm) when the ferry is full of commuters. The ferry runs 24 hours, year-round.
The ferry has operated since 1905 and carries 22 million passengers annually. Completely free — this is a commuter service, not a tourist attraction, though tourists are welcome. Each boat holds up to 4,400 passengers. The ferry passes within 600 meters of the Statue of Liberty — closer than most paid harbor cruises get. If you want a free harbor tour with exceptional skyline views, this is it. Bring layers — it is windy on deck.