Statue of Liberty tickets start at $25.50 (adults) for the base ferry including Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and both museums. Pedestal and Crown tickets cost just $0.30 more but must be booked months ahead — Crown sells out 3–4 months in advance. First ferry departs 9:00 AM from Battery Park (NYC) and Liberty State Park (NJ). Plan 4–6 hours to visit both islands.
The Statue of Liberty National Monument — Lady Liberty on Liberty Island plus the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration — is America’s most iconic landmark. Gifted by France in 1886, the copper-clad colossus stands 305 feet tall and draws roughly 4 million visitors a year, consistently topping every New York City must-do list.
This guide covers everything you need before buying tickets: ticket types, current prices, ferry schedules, best visiting times, how long to plan, what you’ll see on both islands, and smart on-the-ground strategies to beat the crowds.
Top Tickets
# Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island tickets
# Guided Statue of Liberty tour
# Circle Line’s 2-hour Harbor Lights Cruise
Buy Statue of Liberty tickets online at cityexperiences.com (official site) — this is strongly recommended. The only authorized on-site ticket office is inside Castle Clinton in Battery Park, NYC, and at the CRRNJ Terminal in Liberty State Park, NJ. Avoid third-party resellers. Crown and Pedestal tickets sell out quickly and are not available same-day.
The base ferry ticket — also called the Ground Reserve ticket — is the cheapest and most popular way to experience the Statue of Liberty. It includes round-trip ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty Museum, the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, and a self-guided audio tour in 12 languages.
2026 Ticket Prices:
Best for: First-time visitors who want the complete island experience without the climb. Book well in advance, especially for summer weekends.
Book Base Ferry TicketTo explore the Liberty and Ellis Island grounds with an expert New Yorker, book this Liberty Guided Tour.
Pedestal Reserve includes everything in the base ticket, plus entry to the statue’s pedestal. After a second security screening at Liberty Island, you climb 215 steps (or take the elevator) to reach the outdoor observation deck above Fort Wood for sweeping views of New York Harbor.
2026 Ticket Prices:
Best for: Visitors wanting elevated harbor views and inside-the-pedestal access without the exhausting Crown climb. Book 6–8 weeks ahead for peak season.
From New York From New JerseyCrown Reserve tickets cost just $0.30 above the base ferry price ($25.80 for adults in 2026) but sell out 3–4 months in advance. You must climb 162 narrow, winding steps from the pedestal — there is no elevator. Visitors must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall. Two security screenings are required. Crown tickets are only sold by Statue City Cruises and are non-transferable.
After ferry access, museum entry, and pedestal access, Crown ticket holders climb 162 steep, narrow steps to the statue’s crown and its 25 small viewing windows. No elevators serve the crown. Tickets are timed and extremely limited.
2026 Ticket Prices:
Requirements: Photo ID matching the name on the ticket; photo ID required for all adults in the group. Maximum 4 tickets per card per 6-month period. Crown tickets are non-transferable.
From New York From New JerseyMany tourists wonder which is better – Statue of Liberty from New Jersey or Manhattan
The Hard Hat Tour is a 90-minute, docent-led walk through the unrestored Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital Complex on the south side — normally off-limits to the public. You’ll tour wards, the laundry, kitchen, staff housing, and the autopsy room while learning how immigrants were medically processed. The tour includes the JR ‘Unframed – Ellis Island’ photography installation.
Best for: History and architecture enthusiasts seeking behind-the-scenes access. Book well in advance — availability is very limited.
Save 41% with the New York CityPASS. This popular discount card lets you enjoy seamless entry to up to five top attractions while cutting your ticket costs.
The New York CityPASS saves up to 42% and includes a General Admission Statue City Cruises ferry ticket (Liberty Island + Ellis Island + both museums + audio guide) plus four or more other top NYC attractions over a 9-day window.
New York CityPASSThe first Statue of Liberty ferry of the day departs at 9:00 AM from both Battery Park (NYC) and Liberty State Park (NJ). Ferries run every 20–30 minutes during operating hours. The last mainland ferry varies by season — typically 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Liberty State Park ferry service is suspended for winter maintenance (usually January through early March each year) — always check the live schedule at cityexperiences.com before visiting.
The best time to visit the Statue of Liberty is Tuesday–Thursday in spring (April–June) or fall (September–November), catching the first ferry at 9:00 AM. These windows offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and the shortest security lines. Avoid peak summer weekends (July–August) and major US holidays when security queues can exceed 90 minutes. Crown tickets require planning 3–4 months ahead regardless of season.
Spring (April–June) and fall (September–November) offer the best balance of mild weather, manageable crowds, and natural light for photography. Mid-summer is the most crowded period but also has the longest daylight hours and latest ferry times. For Crown or Pedestal visitors, arriving at the first security screening of the day dramatically reduces wait times. Find sunset times
Plan 2–3 hours for Liberty Island only (grounds + museum + ferry time). Plan 4–6 hours to visit both Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Add 30–60 minutes for Pedestal access and 45–90 minutes for Crown access. During peak summer, allow extra time for security queues, which can take up to 90 minutes. Boarding before 1:00 PM ensures you have time for both islands.
| Visit Type | Time Needed |
| Liberty Island only (grounds + museum + ferry) | 2–3 hours |
| Liberty + Ellis Islands (both museums) | 4–6 hours |
| Pedestal access (add to above) | +30–60 minutes |
| Crown access (add to above) | +45–90 minutes |
| Security queue — off-peak | 15–30 minutes |
| Security queue — peak season/weekends | Up to 90 minutes |
For the most efficient visit: board the first ferry at 9:00 AM on a weekday. If visiting both islands, board before 1:00 PM.
Read our full article: How Long Does the Statue of Liberty Take?
The Statue of Liberty is only reachable by Statue City Cruises ferry from two mainland departure points: Battery Park in Lower Manhattan (NYC) or Liberty State Park in Jersey City (NJ). Battery Park is better connected by subway (take the 1 to South Ferry, 4/5 to Bowling Green, or R/W to Whitehall St). Liberty State Park offers easier parking but is a 1-mile walk from the HBLR station.
Not sure which departure point to choose? Read our guide: Statue of Liberty Ferry — New York vs New Jersey
Included with every ticket, the Statue of Liberty Museum inside Fort Wood features immersive galleries on the statue’s design, construction history, and the original 1886 torch. The museum rooftop offers unobstructed views of the harbor and Lady Liberty. Allow 45–60 minutes.
Walk the star-shaped perimeter of 11-pointed Fort Wood, circle the promenade for 360-degree views of Lower Manhattan, Jersey City, and New York Harbor, and pause for photos at the statue’s base. The grounds are beautifully maintained and free to roam.
Inside exhibits and museum panels trace the pedestal’s construction, and the outdoor observation deck sits atop Fort Wood with commanding harbor views. An elevator reaches the pedestal levels — some steps are still required.
Above the pedestal, 162 narrow, winding steps lead to the crown’s 25 small windows. There is no elevator. The crown weighs over 1,000 pounds and has 7 rays representing the seven continents. Minimum height: 42 inches (107 cm). Temperature inside can be 20°F higher than outside.
The Immigration Museum traces 62 years of immigration history (1892–1954) through the Great Hall, archival records, and the American Immigrant Wall of Honor. Allow 1.5–2 hours. Free with every Statue of Liberty ferry ticket.
Want the full behind-the-scenes experience? Consider the Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour — a 90-minute guided tour of the unrestored hospital complex (additional $55 per person).
A self-guided audio tour for both Liberty Island and Ellis Island is included with every ticket at no extra cost. Adult and children’s versions are available in 12 languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish — plus ASL and Audio Descriptive formats. Pick up headsets from audio kiosks on arrival at each island.
Crown Café on Liberty Island serves burgers, salads, snacks, and espresso; vegetarian and gluten-free options available. Ellis Café on Ellis Island serves sandwiches, wraps, salads, and coffee. Sealed snacks and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought from outside — coolers are not permitted. Food and drink are not allowed inside the Pedestal or Crown.
Pack light for the Statue of Liberty — two security screenings are required for Pedestal and Crown visitors. Lockers near the secondary screening area on Liberty Island accept a 25-cent coin deposit for a 2-hour rental. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes and dress in layers for changing harbor weather. No food or drink is allowed in the Pedestal or Crown — only water in a plastic container.
Liberty Island and Ellis Island are not open at night. For illuminated nighttime views, choose the Circle Line Harbor Lights cruise departing from Midtown — it sails past the fully lit statue and Manhattan skyline without docking at the islands.
Book Sunday Brunch CruiseAbsolutely. A Statue of Liberty visit delivers two national-caliber museums, unmatched harbor views, and a deeply moving connection to the immigrant stories that shaped America. Even the base ground-level ticket offers a full day of exploration. Pedestal access adds panoramic views; Crown access adds the ultimate historical bragging rights — if you can secure a ticket.
Yes. The time on your ticket is when you join the security screening queue — not a specific ferry. Ferries depart every 20–30 minutes after you clear screening.
Yes. Every adult must carry a government-issued photo ID matching the name on the Crown ticket. Names are printed on tickets at purchase. Crown tickets are non-transferable.
162 steps above the pedestal to the crown — no elevator. From ground level to the crown, the total is 393 steps (equivalent to a 27-story building).
Yes. Adult and family audio tours in 12 languages are included with every ticket. Pick up headsets at kiosks on Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
Sealed food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed on ferries and island grounds. No food or drink inside the Pedestal or Crown — only water in a plastic container.
Wi-Fi is available in terminal areas and on ferries.
A limited number of wheelchairs are available on both islands on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge (ID required as deposit). All ferry boats are wheelchair accessible. Alert the Ticket Office Manager at Battery Park or Liberty State Park upon arrival if you need assistance boarding.
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