To witness the majestic Statue of Liberty, tourists have only two options—taking the Staten Island Ferry or the Statue City Cruise.
Around 70 thousand people take the Staten Island ferry to view the Lady Liberty. One of the main reasons to take this ferry is that it’s free of cost!
Nevertheless, the Statue of Liberty Cruise is the only way to reach the Liberty and Ellis Islands, and it is equally in demand among tourists.
So, wondering which one to pick?
Here, we bring you all the details you need to know before you plan to visit America’s Great Lady!
Staten Island Ferry vs Statue City Cruise
This in-depth comparison will help you understand the pros and cons of taking the Staten Island Ferry and the Statue Cruise.
| Feature | Staten Island Ferry | Statue City Cruises |
| Cost | Free of cost | Starts at $30 per person |
| Departure Points | Whitehall Terminal (Manhattan) | Battery Park (Manhattan) or Liberty State Park (NJ) |
| Destination | St. George Terminal (Staten Island) | Liberty and Ellis Islands |
| Views | Statue of Liberty, Manhattan Skyline, Ellis Island | Close-up views and access to the Statue of Liberty |
| Access to Statue | No access to Liberty or Ellis Islands | Access to Liberty Island, Statue Museum, and Ellis Island Museum |
| Tour Length | 25 minutes each way | 3-5 hours for a full visit |
| Operating Hours | 24/7 | Usually, 8.30 AM – 4 PM |
| Frequency | Every 30 minutes during peak hours | Every 20-30 minutes |
| Reservations | Not required | Tickets must be booked in advance |
| Additional Features | Free Wi-Fi, restrooms, snacks, and drinks on board | Audio tours, guided tours, museum access |
| Crowd Levels | High | Moderate to high |
| Best for | Budget travelers, quick views of the Statue | Tourists wanting to visit islands |
Recommended Reading: Statue of Liberty from New Jersey or Manhattan
What to expect from Staten Island and Statue Cruise
Route
Staten Island commutes from Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan to St. George Terminal in Staten Island, and vice versa. It is primarily commuter transportation.
Statue Cruise is the only tourist ferry that takes you to the Liberty and Ellis Islands. You can take the ferries either from Liberty Park in New Jersey or Battery Park in Manhattan.
Attractions and experience
While taking the Staten Island ferry, you will get scenic views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Manhattan skylines, including the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.
But you won’t be able to land on the Liberty and Ellis Island.
If you take the Statue Cruise, you get to land on the island and see all the attractions—the Statue of Liberty Museum, Sculpture Garden, and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.
You can spend as much time as you like on both islands with your family or friends, as they also have restaurants and parks.
The difference between the two ferries is that you can have a spectacular view of Lady Liberty from Staten Island, whereas you can visit Liberty Island if you take the Statue City Cruise.
Know more about Statue of Liberty
Tickets
If you have a tight budget and schedule, you can use the free Staten Island ferry to get a clear view of the gigantic Statue of Liberty and other attractions in New York.
This free ferry also comes with a local guide, in which case you just have to pay for the guide. Find out more
If visiting the Statue of Liberty is on your agenda, it is better to take the Statue City Cruise.
The cost of the Statue City Cruise varies from $30 to $100, depending on the tour you book.
Table:
| Tickets | Prices |
| Statue of Liberty Self-Guided Tour | $32 |
| Guided Tour of Statue of Liberty | $55 |
| Guided Tour of Liberty and Ellis with Museum Access | $65 |
| Private Guided Tour for Families | $519 |
Staten Island vs Circle Line Cruise
Besides the Statue Cruises and the Staten Island Ferry, tourists also have the option of Circle Line Cruises.
These two-and-a-half-hour cruises don’t go to Liberty or Ellis Island but sail past many NYC landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Randall’s Island, High Bridge, Yankee Stadium, Columbia University, The Cloisters, Harlem, Gracie Mansion, South Street Seaport, Grant’s Tomb, etc.
In short, you will sail through three rivers and seven bridges, including the famous Brooklyn, and around 100 sights in New York.
The ticket costs $52. A local guide will offer live narration in English, and audio guides are available in Spanish, French, and Portuguese.
One can argue that it is an upgraded tourist version of the Staten Island Ferry with added benefits such as a live tour guide, food, and more.
Insider Tip! When you board, head to the back of the boat for the best view. The front side tends to be more crowded.
Buy This TicketTry Statue and Skyline Cruise Aboard a Luxury Yacht, which allows you to enjoy a front seat in a classic 1920s-style yacht sailing through New York sights.
If you prefer to see the New York skyline all lit up, check out the Circle Line Harbor Lights Cruise.
Recommended Reading
# Statue of Liberty ferry from New Jersey
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# Best cruises from New York City
# 6 reasons why Reserve tickets are better
