Statue of Liberty from New Jersey or Manhattan – which is better?

The Statue of Liberty ferry departs from two docks—Liberty State Park in New Jersey and Battery Park in Manhattan. 

There are multiple reasons why tourists wonder if they must board the ferry at New Jersey or Manhattan to see Lady Liberty. Here are some of the reasons – 

• Availability of Statue of Liberty tickets
• Parking facilities
• Avoiding the crowd
• Additional Attractions
• Public Transportation
• Views from the water 

If you are not sure where you must board these Statue City Cruises, continue reading this article. 

Statue of Liberty – New Jersey or Manhattan? 

Here is a quick overview of what differentiates the two departure points. 

*Includes boarding wait time, security check

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Availability of Statue of Liberty tickets

More than 80% of the tourists who board the Statue of Liberty ferry board it from Manhattan.

Because of this high demand for seats from the heart of New York, more ferry boats leave the dock from here than from New Jersey. 

As a result, Statue of Liberty ferry tickets from Manhattan are available in abundance while the tickets from New Jersey are limited. 

Note: Ferry tickets from both the docs are priced at $25 per person

Tip!: If you want luxurious and adventurous tours, check the Helicopter tour from New Jersey, Heli tour from Manhattan, and Luxury Yacht tour from Manhattan. 

Know about Circle Line Statue of Liberty Cruise

Parking facilities

Battery Park has limited parking facilities, so we recommend public transportation.

Parking here is expensive when compared to parking at Liberty Park in New Jersey. 

Battery Place, Battery Park Parking, and City Parking – Battery Place are some of the popular parking facilities in Battery Park.

Liberty Park also has several parking facilities for cars, buses, and RVs.

Statue of Liberty, Ferry lot, and Liberty Landing Marina are closest to the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal station from where you will board the ferry. 

If you are driving yourself, Liberty Park is more convenient than Battery Park. 

Once you have parked your vehicle, you can walk 5 to 10 minutes to the ferry departure. 

Many tourists wonder How long does the Statue of Liberty tour take

Avoiding the crowd

Battery Park sees more tourists daily than Liberty Park.

Having said that, Manhattan ferries are the better option if you are not bothered by a slightly longer wait and moderate crowd.

If you want to avoid the crowd completely, check out the guided tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Manhattan.

Additional attractions

You need to reach the famous Battery Park which is on the southern tip of Manhattan to board the Statue City Cruise ferry. 

Some tourists reach the park a little earlier and explore the attractions in the park before boarding the ferry.

The popular attractions are – Castle Clinton National Monument, the aquatic-themed SeaGlass Carousel, The Sphere—a sculpture that survived the 9/11 attacks, and the East Coast Memorial. 

Explore the entire park with the Battery Park Self-Guided Tour, which comes with an audio guide.

If you want to try some adventure, you can do kayaking and paddleboarding in the Hudson River. 

If you love historic landmarks, you can take the ferry from Manhattan.

While Battery Park has historical landmarks, Liberty Park is known for its interactive experiences and natural surroundings. 

Liberty Science Center, the fourth-largest planetarium in the world, requires an entry ticket. Families with kids land up early, explore the planetarium, and then board the ferry. 

Just like in Battery Park, there is an Empty Sky Memorial built to honor the people who perished in the 9/11 attacks.

You can spend your time in the park’s vast open space. There are natural trails for adults to take a nature walk, playgrounds for children, and picnic spots for families.

Once you are done touring the park, you will board the ferry from the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal station. 

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Public Transportation

Public transportation in New Jersey is not as convenient as in Manhattan, so most tourists drive or take taxis to the terminal.

To reach Liberty Park, you can take the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and get down at Liberty State Park Station.

It takes a half-hour walk from the station to the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Station, which is why most tourists take a taxi.

Public transport in Manhattan is available by subway and bus. 

You can take Subway Line 4 or 5 (Lexington Avenue Line) and get down at Bowling Green. It takes a 10-minute walk to reach the ferry terminal.

Take the M1 or M15 bus route towards lower Manhattan and get off at the South ferry, which is the last stop.

Views from the water 

When it comes to the views from Battery Park and Liberty State Park, both are equally fascinating. 

From both the docks, you see stunning views of the Hudson River, the imposing Statue of Liberty, and Manhattan’s skylines, including Governors Island, Brooklyn, and the Verrazano Bridge.

With all that is said, if you are a local, it is best to take the ferry from New Jersey. 

If you are a tourist, Manhattan is a better option because it’s connected by public transport and is also more touristy. 

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