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Statue of Liberty – what to expect, tickets, prices, discounts, timings, FAQs

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The Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom, inspiration, and hope and is one of the most recognizable figures in the world.

Every year more than four million board the Statue of Liberty ferries to reach Liberty Island and see the iconic figure from up close.

In the second part of their trip, they hop back on the ferry to Ellis Island to learn about the intriguing history of immigration to America, which took place between 1892 and 1954.

The statue’s pedestal houses a museum, and visitors can also climb to the top to take in panoramic views of New York City and its surroundings.

This article explains everything you need to know before you buy your Statue of Liberty tickets.

What to expect at Statue of Liberty

Explore the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island museums on tours tailored to your preferences.

Soak up the views of the iconic skyline during a round trip to and from the Statue of Liberty.

When you arrive at Ellis Island, grab your multilingual audio guide at the Immigration Museum.

Explore America’s busiest immigration station for over 62 years as you walk in the footsteps of millions of people from all around the globe who passed through here while searching for a new beginning and a new life for their families in America.

Use the unique experience to research your family history as you have access to the American Family Immigration History Center’s records. You can search all ship manifests that came through Ellis Island.

During your visit to Liberty Island, embark on a fascinating journey through the history of Lady Liberty and how it came into existence.

If you’re on a guided tour, you’ll enjoy expert storytelling that will transport you back in time and help you appreciate the significance of this iconic monument.

As you explore the island, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the New York City skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the surrounding area.

You’ll also get to experience the Statue of Liberty Museum and see Lady Liberty’s original torch up close!


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Where to book tickets

Tickets for the Statue of Liberty are available to be purchased at the ferry point or online in advance.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.

Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, they may sell out during peak days.

Booking early also helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

How do online tickets work

Go to the Statue of Liberty booking page, select your preferred date, time, and number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.

After the purchase, you will receive the tickets via email.

You don’t need to carry printouts.

Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the gate on the day of your visit and walk into the attraction.

Statue of Liberty ticket prices

The ‘Grounds only’ tickets are the most basic and popular Statue of Liberty ferry ticket and cost US$31 for all adults aged between 13 and 61 years.

Kids aged between four and 12 years get a discount of US$13 on the adult price and pay only US$18.

Senior citizens aged 62 and above also get a discount and pay only US$24.

Infants up to three years of age can join for free.

If you want to take on a 4-hour guided tour of the Statue of Liberty, an adult ticket for visitors aged 15 and above will cost US$69.

For children between two and 14 years of age, the tickets are available for US$64.

Infants up to one year of age can get on for free.

Statue of Liberty Ferry

Statue City Cruises operates the Statue of Liberty ferries.

Statue of Liberty ferry routes

The ferries start from Battery Park in New York and Liberty State Park, New Jersey.

Depending on where you take the Statue of Liberty ferry, here is the route the ferries take and the stops they make.

All Liberty Cruises that sail from Battery Park in New York first go to Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands in all its glory.

Then they sail to Ellis Island and finally back to Battery Park.

Route of Statue of Liberty Ferry from Battery Park
Route followed by Statue of Liberty ferries starting from Battery Park. Image: Statuecruises.com

All Statue of Liberty boats that sail from Liberty State Park in New Jersey first go to Ellis Island with the Immigration Museum.

Then, they sail to Liberty Island so the tourists can see the majestic Statue of Liberty, and finally, they return to Liberty State Park.

Statue of Liberty Ferry route from Liberty State Park
Route followed by Statue of Liberty ferries starting from Liberty State Park. Image: Statuecruises.com

Statue of Liberty ferry tickets

You don’t need to buy separate ferry tickets to the Statue of Liberty. Or to Ellis Island.

The Statue of Liberty tickets you will buy online (or from the ticketing office in New York or New Jersey) include access to Liberty ferries.


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Statue of Liberty tickets

Statue of Liberty tickets
When you buy the Statue of Liberty tickets online, there is no need to queue up at the ticket counter. You can line up to board the ferries, saving yourself a lot of time. Image: Lovingnewyork.de

Statue of Liberty Express Skip-the-Box-Office Cruise

These Reserve tickets get you access to both the Statue of Liberty and the Immigration Museum and include a roundtrip ferry service.

These are the most popular and widely available tickets and are also known as ‘Grounds only’ tickets.

You can explore the Statue of Liberty from the grounds around it and visit the Liberty Museum. 

You can’t go up to the Pedestal or the Crown. 

Visitors are free to choose between ferry points from New York or New Jersey.

Ticket price

Adult ticket (13 to 61 years): US$31
Seniors ticket (62+ years): US$24
Child ticket (4 to 12 years): US$18

Infant ticket (up to 3 years): Free

Guided Experience

This 4-hour guided tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is one of the highest-rated tours on this circuit.

Learn about Manhattan’s history in Battery Park before setting sail on the ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty.

The ticket includes a pre-reserved entry to Ellis Island, accompanied by an expert English-speaking guide for a walking tour.

Get the official audio guide that will provide you with insightful information about the history and culture of Ellis Island.

The ticket also allows access to the Ellis Island museum, where you can explore a vast collection of exhibits and artifacts that showcase the rich heritage of the island.

Ticket price

Adult ticket (15+ years): US$69
Child ticket (2 to 14 years): US$64

Infant ticket (up to 1 year): Free


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Statue of Liberty cruises

Some tourists prefer to avoid going through the five to six-hour grueling Liberty visit and instead choose to cruise around the Statue of Liberty.

Many Statue of Liberty boat tours are available, offering different experiences.

These are also often referred to as Statue of Liberty Cruises.

These cruises are generally one hour long. Unless it is a Statue of Liberty dinner cruise, in which case, it can be three hours long.

Besides sailing within 100 feet of the Statue of Liberty, these cruises also take you to Ellis Island.

Day time Liberty cruise

There are many kinds of daytime Statue of Liberty cruises you can book.

The 60-minute daytime cruises start at 10.50 am, 12.20 pm, 2.20 pm, 4.20 pm, and 5.50 pm and cost US$33 per person.

The 90-minute Liberty Cruise, where you also see the grandeur of lower and midtown Manhattan, is available at 12.30 pm or 3 pm and costs US$41 per person.

If you prefer luxury, check out the Statue and NYC Skyline Cruise aboard the Luxury Yacht Manhattan.

To cruise around the Statue of Liberty on this luxury 1920s-style yacht, you must shell out US$64 per person. 

Night time Liberty cruise

You can experience the Statue of Liberty in the dark in two ways.

Enjoy a sunset cruise with drinks, music, and breathtaking views of the New York skyline.

This cruise departs from Pier 36 right under the Brooklyn Bridge, costing US$40 per person. 

Statue of Liberty Sunset Cruise
Statue of Liberty Sunset Cruise comes highly recommended. Image: Liz Artymko

Or, if you prefer a more elaborate experience, you can opt for the luxury dinner cruise through New York Harbor, complete with live entertainment. 

During both nighttime cruises, you see the stunning New York skyline.


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Meeting Point

The meeting point for a Statue of Liberty cruise or ferry will vary depending on the tour option you choose.

It’s important to keep in mind that the meeting location may change.

Visitors should check the booking page before arriving to confirm the exact location.

Timings

The Statue of Liberty is open between 9 am to 5 pm daily.

Since the first ferry from Battery Park and Liberty State Park set sail at 8.30 am, taking 15 minutes to reach Liberty Island, you can be at the Statue of Liberty as early as 8.45 am.

As far as the closing times are concerned, there are two times to keep in mind –

1) Last entry into the monument, which affects only the Crown and Pedestal ticket holders

2) Closing of Statue of Liberty ground, which affects all visitors

The Statue of Liberty remains closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Recommended Reading: Statue of Liberty facts

Statue of Liberty helicopter tours

There are many ways of exploring the Liberty Statue but nothing beats the thrill of witnessing the massive Statue of Liberty in all its glory from a helicopter. 

On a Statue of Liberty helicopter tour, you can see more in the 20-odd minutes from the air than you will ever see on a ferry tour. 

The fascinating aerial views are bound to make your holiday memorable. 

Additionally, besides Lady Liberty, you also see many other iconic landmarks, making these heli tours popular among tourists.


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Best time to visit Statue of Liberty

Statue Cruise in front of Statue of Liberty
Vladone / Getty

The best time to visit the Statue of Liberty is as soon as it opens from 9 am to 10.30 am because you get to avoid the crowd. 

When you start early, you can explore the Liberty Monument outdoors when the weather is pleasant and reach the Immigration Museum on Ellis Island as the temperatures go up.

Locals from the New York Metropolitan area visit on holidays and weekends, crowding the ferries.

Find out how long the Statue of Liberty takes.


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Statue of Liberty Museum

Before May 2019, only holders of the Crown and Pedestal tickets could visit the Statue of Liberty Museum because it was inside the monument.

Ever since the new Liberty Museum moved outside, even visitors with only ground access tickets can get in and explore.

At the Statue of Liberty Museum, you get to understand how France and the USA worked together to make the Statue of Liberty what it is today – a symbol of freedom and liberty.

The museum’s centerpiece is the original torch Lady Liberty carried before it got replaced in the 1980s because of a leak.

The museum also contains sculptor Bartholdi’s actual studio photos, with the statue’s colossal body parts scattered.

Yet another item not to be missed is a full-sized replica of Lady Liberty’s foot, built in the 1980s.


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Statue of Liberty audio tour

Audio tours of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island, and the Immigration Museum are included with every Statue of Liberty ticket sold.

The 45-minute self-guided audio tour helps visitors learn about the Statue while exploring the Liberty Island grounds.

The tour is suitable for both adults and kids.

The Ellis Island Museum’s audio tour is 45 to 60 minutes long and has been designed with both adults and kids in mind.

These audio guides are available in Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish.


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Visiting at night

During peak summer, the last ferry to Liberty Island is at 5.30 pm; during non-peak months, it is as early as 4 pm.

After this, you can’t land on Liberty Island.

If you want to see the Statue of Liberty after dark, the only way is to book an evening cruise.

These cruises set sail from New York Harbor and help you see Lady Liberty up-close, personal, and well-lit. But they don’t land on Liberty Island.

Besides circling the Statue of Liberty at night, you can enjoy the well-lit New York skyline on such cruises.

We recommend the below given Night Cruises around the Statue of Liberty.


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Security at Statue of Liberty

All visitors must subject themselves to the primary airport-type screening before boarding the Statue of Liberty ferries.

This screening happens at both the boarding points – Battery Park and Liberty State Park.

There are no locker storage areas at the screening facilities in both Battery Park and Liberty State Park.

Here are the items prohibited on the Statue of Liberty ferry –

  1. All weapons, including guns and knives
  2. Drones and similar remote-controlled vehicles
  3. Large suitcases, carry-on baggage, etc.

Visitors with Pedestal tickets or Crown must undergo one more screening before entering the Statue of Liberty Monument.

The screening process at the Monument is stricter, and visitors can’t take inside items such as food, drinks, backpacks, strollers, tripods, laptops, tablets, pocket knives, etc.

Locker facilities are available where you can keep these items just before entering the statue.

If climbing up to the Crown, you can only take four items: mobile, camera, water, and any medication you need.


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Food at Statue of Liberty

Food and drink won’t be a problem during your Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour.

If you are hungry or thirsty on the ferry, look for concession stands that sell snacks and beverages (and merchandise!).

Get your food for a picnic

We recommend this because it will be healthier and cheaper.

Don’t pack a lot, and that too in large coolers because large packages don’t make it past the security.

Liberty Island and Ellis Island have many beautiful picnic spots where you can sit down and enjoy a meal with your family.

Keep the weather in mind when you plan the picnic.

Crown Cafe & Ellis Island Café

Liberty Island and Ellis Island have a Café serving healthy light snacks and full meals.

The prices are steep, but these restaurants are excellent alternatives if you haven’t packed anything. 

Check out the menu here.

FAQs about the Statue of Liberty

Here are some questions visitors usually ask before booking tickets for the Statue of Liberty.

Should I purchase tickets to visit the Statue of Liberty in advance?

It is best to purchase tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist season, as tickets can sell out quickly. Online booking helps in ensuring availability and a hassle-free experience.

How long does it take to visit the Statue of Liberty?

The average visit to the Statue of Liberty takes 2-3 hours, but it can vary depending on how much time you spend exploring the island.

What is included in the Statue of Liberty ticket price?

A standard ticket includes ferry transportation to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, access to the grounds of Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty Museum, and an audio tour.

Can I visit both Liberty Island and Ellis Island with one ticket?

Yes, one ticket allows you access to both islands.

Can I climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty with a regular ticket?

No, access to the crown of the statue requires a separate ticket and advanced reservation.

Is there a limit on the number of people who can visit the Statue of Liberty at once?

Yes, there is a limit on the number of visitors allowed on the island at one time, and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Are there any restrictions on what I can bring with me to the Statue of Liberty?

Yes, there are several items that are not allowed on the island, including large backpacks, coolers, and weapons. You can check the National Park Service website for a complete list of prohibited items.

Are there any guided tours available for visiting the Statue of Liberty?

Yes, there are several guided tour options available, including ranger-led tours, audio tours, and private tours.

Can I cancel or change my Statue of Liberty ticket reservation?

Yes, you can cancel or change your reservation up to 24 hours before your scheduled visit.

Are there any dining options on Liberty Island?

Yes, there are several dining options available, including a cafeteria and a full-service restaurant.

Sources

# Nps.gov
# Statueofliberty.org
# Cityexperiences.com
# Freetoursbyfoot.com

The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.

More about Statue of Liberty

# Boarding Liberty ferry from New Jersey
# Statue of Liberty facts
# Statue of Liberty free tour
# Statue of Liberty ferry
# How long does Statue of Liberty take
# Ellis Island tour tickets
# Last minute Statue of Liberty Crown tickets
# Why Reserve tickets are better than Crown tickets

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This article was researched & written by

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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