Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry: A Family Adventure to America’s Iconic Landmarks
Stepping onto the ferry in 2026 holds a special kind of magic. As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the Statue of Liberty still lifts her lamp beside the golden door. Whether you are tracing your own family’s history or simply soaking in the iconic skyline, a trip to Liberty and Ellis Island is a profound, deeply emotional journey into the heart of the American story.
The official ferry, operated exclusively by Statue City Cruises, is the only service authorized by the National Park Service to actually land on the islands. Ferries depart from two locations: Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan, and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Understanding the ferry loop is critical so you don’t accidentally end your day in the wrong state. Both ferries stop at both islands, but they run in opposite directions:
- New York Departures: Ferries leaving Battery Park visit Liberty Island first, and then continue to Ellis Island before returning to Manhattan.
- New Jersey Departures: Ferries leaving Liberty State Park visit Ellis Island first, and then head to Liberty Island before returning to New Jersey.
Because the islands act as transfer hubs, boats from both states are often docked there simultaneously. When it is time to leave either island, pay strict attention to the signs and get in the correct queue. The ferries are clearly labeled. However, if you zone out and just follow the nearest crowd, you might accidentally board a New Jersey-bound boat when your hotel is in Manhattan.
Don’t Fall For Scams!
Statue City Cruises is the ONLY AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL PROVIDER of tickets to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. Street Vendors do NOT sell genuine Statue of Liberty tickets.
DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PURCHASE TICKETS FROM ANYONE AROUND BATTERY PARK.
SCAMMERS POSING AS OFFICIAL VENDORS MAY ATTEMPT TO SELL YOU TICKETS FOR A FERRY. THESE DO NOT GO TO LIBERTY/ELLIS ISLAND.
The only legitimate place to buy in-person tickets is inside the historic Castle Clinton monument in Battery Park, or at the old Central Railroad terminal in Liberty State Park.
Choosing Your Experience
Your ferry ticket covers your transportation, but you must choose your level of monument access when booking:
- General Admission: This standard ticket grants you access to the sprawling grounds and the world-class museums on both islands.
- Pedestal Reserve: This ticket provides access to the monument’s pedestal. Because capacity is strictly limited, make sure to book these weeks in advance.
- Crown Reserve: This ticket allows you to climb all the way up into the statue’s crown, but you must book months in advance. When you arrive at the park, you will need to stop at the ticket office to pick up a required Crown wristband before going through security.
- Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour: If you have older kids (ages 13 and up), this guided tour offers a fascinating, eerie glimpse into the unrestored, abandoned hospital complex on the south side of Ellis Island.
Stories Carved in Stone and Steel
As you explore the islands at your own pace, take advantage of the brilliant, complimentary audio guides included with every ticket. To make the most of it, remember to pack a pair of wired earphones so you can plug in, keep your hands free for taking photos, and fully immerse yourself in the narrations.
On Liberty Island, do not miss the fantastic Statue of Liberty Museum, which beautifully captures the sheer scale and ambition of the monument’s creation. Afterward, your ferry ride takes you to the moving exhibits of the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Walking through the echoing Great Hall, standing exactly where millions of hopeful arrivals once stood, brings the history of the nation’s 250 years to life in a way no textbook ever could.
