Ferry to Liberty Island's crown, circle Manhattan at sunset
Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 5 experiences from 47 reviewed.
Verified partners for every tour, free cancellation where available, and instant confirmation on every booking.
5 hr
Board the authorized ferry service to explore America's most iconic symbols of freedom and immigration
Reserve
50 min
Skip the ticket line and sail past Lady Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Ellis Island on this 50-minute harbor tour
Reserve
2 hr
Sail past Lady Liberty as twilight turns Manhattan's skyline into a glittering wonderland
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on this tour remember — all visible on a single visit.
Features the original torch and historical exhibits about the monument construction.
The island offers panoramic views of the New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline.
This site documents the experience of millions who entered the country through New York.
The original 1886 torch is displayed here following extensive restoration efforts.
Provides a direct perspective of the internal steel framework and the harbor.
They complement each other; most visitors who do both call the official ferry the more immersive journey. Choosing between these new york boat tours statue of liberty tours requires balancing island exploration against a cruise-focused perspective.
| Feature | Top pick Official Statue City Cruises | Private Sightseeing Cruises |
|---|---|---|
Island Access |
Includes access to both islands | View from water only |
Tour Duration |
3–5 hours typically | 60–90 minutes |
Boarding Location |
Various piers in Manhattan | |
Flexibility |
Fixed departure scheduling | Frequent scheduled departures |
Up-close Experience |
Direct access to pedestal and statue | External perimeter views only |
Landmark Context |
Museum and national monument access | Panoramic harbor and skyline views |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Select the official route for ground-level access to the pedestal and museum, or opt for private new york boat tours statue of liberty tickets for a faster experience centered on harbor views.
Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.
Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.
Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Tickets are non-refundable once purchased. The 26 USD entrance fee is processed upon booking.
The Statue of Liberty has welcomed vessels into New York Harbor since 1886, when Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi's 151-foot copper figure was assembled on Liberty Island after crossing the Atlantic in 350 individual pieces. The pedestal designed by Richard Morris Hunt rises another 154 feet, bringing Lady Liberty's torch to 305 feet above mean high water. New York boat tours Statue of Liberty operations depart every 20 to 30 minutes during peak season, with the official Statue Cruises ferry holding the exclusive concession for Liberty and Ellis Island landings. The 15-minute crossing passes Governors Island—a former Coast Guard base now open as parkland—and offers unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, and Verrazano Narrows. On Liberty Island, the pedestal museum houses the original torch, replaced in 1986 during the statue's centennial restoration when the flame's copper skin was regilded with 24-karat gold leaf. Crown access requires advance reservation and a climb of 162 steps up a double-helix staircase installed inside Gustave Eiffel's iron pylon framework. Ellis Island's Great Hall processed twelve million arrivals between 1892 and 1954, and its restoration in 1990 preserved the white-tile Registry Room where inspectors conducted six-second medical examinations. The American Immigrant Wall of Honor inscribes over 775,000 names on steel panels facing the harbor. Evening departures capture the statue illuminated by 368 metal-halide floodlights, a lighting design installed in 1986 to mark the centennial. Circumnavigation cruises follow the full 32-mile Manhattan shoreline, passing beneath the George Washington Bridge and along the Palisades before rounding the Battery. These routes reveal cargo infrastructure still active at Red Hook and the decommissioned Brooklyn Navy Yard, now a 300-acre industrial park. Liberty Island ferry tickets include Ellis Island access and both museums, with no additional charge for the grounds or exhibits.
"The pedestal museum houses the original torch, replaced in 1986 when the flame's copper skin was regilded with 24-karat gold leaf."
Yes, the ferries and main island areas are wheelchair accessible.
Yes, food is available on the vessels and the islands.