New York City - The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - Travel Guide

Statue of Liberty (Liberty Island)

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island provide an in-depth understanding of immigration history in the United States. 

They are also iconic symbols connected to NYC and the United States.

Ferries are the only transportation to both Liberty Island (site of the Statue of Liberty) and Ellis Island.
One ferry ticket provides access to both islands.

Statue Cruises is the official ferry service provider.
All private vessels are prohibited from docking on either island. 

You can reserve online or buy tickets on the day you visit at Statue Cruises official ticket office inside Castle Clinton in Battery Park

On Liberty Island, there are three options:
1. Round-trip Statue of Liberty and Ellis ferry only with the following:

• A self-guided audio tour is included with each ferry ticket and can be picked up at the Antenna Audio booth on Liberty Island. ( 30 - 40 minutes ).
Adult versions are offered in nine languages and the children's audio tour (ages 6-10) is offered in five languages.
A descriptive audio tour is also available for the visual-impaired.

• Park Rangers provide free English-language guided tours throughout the day which take 30-45 minutes.

• The Information Center offers brochures and a captioned video chronicling the story of the Statue of Liberty.
Schedules for the Ranger guided tours and ferries are also available.

2. Round-trip Statue of Liberty ferry and pedestal access.
(recommend purchasing tickets in advance as tickets are very limited on the day of your visit)

• In addition to option 1 above, visitors may walk or take an elevator (part of the way) to the top of the pedestal. 
The total number of steps from the lobby to the top of the pedestal is 215.

• There is no extra fee for pedestal access. Reservations are recommended.
Pedestal tickets are subject to availability on a first come basis located at the ticket office.

3. Round-trip Statue of Liberty ferry and Crown access.
(Additional fee.  Recommend purchasing tickets in advance as tickets are very limited on the day of your visit)

• In addition to option 1 and 2 above, visitors may walk or take an elevator (part of the way) to the top of the pedestal.
Then walk up at least 146 stairs on a confined spiral staircase

• Crown fee is in addition to the ferry fee. Reservations are required.
Pedestal access is included.
Crown tickets are subject to availability.

Ellis Island

On Ellis Island you can:

1. Take a guided tour with a Park Ranger or a self-guided tour

2. Visit the museum’s three floors of exhibits documenting immigrants' experiences at Ellis Island, as well as the general history of immigration to the United States

3. Watch "Island of Hope, Island of Tears" is an award-winning documentary

4. Visit the "American Family Immigration History Center" at Ellis Island to search the database while at Ellis Island of possible relatives!

5. For an additional Fee, take the Hard Hat Tours of the Hospital Complex:
• Guided 90-minute tours will take you to select areas of the 750-bed Ellis Island Hospital Complex.
• For Tickets book online or by calling 1-877-LADYTIX (1-877-523-9849).
• This hard hat tour is for ages 13 and older

Liberty and Ellis Island Entrance :

Fee: Click here for ferry to Liberty and Ellis Island information and ticket prices

You may use one of these methods to reserve tickets:
• Online: Statue Cruises Website for tickets
• By Telephone: 1-877-LADY-TIX (1-877-523-9849) or 201-604-2800

In Person: At the ticket booth in Battery Park

There is no extra fee for pedestal access.
Pedestal tickets are subject to availability on a first come basis located at the ticket office.

There is a small additional fee to go up to the Crown per person in addition to the ferry fee. Reservations are required.
Pedestal access is included. Crown tickets are subject to availability.

• There is a maximum of four (4) crown reservations allowed per order.

• Children must be at least four (4) feet, or 1.2 meters, tall to visit the crown.

• The names of those in your party must be provided at the time of purchase. Tickets are non-transferable.

• Prior to entering the Statue of Liberty, each ticket holder will be required to show photo ID (except minors without ID) matching the name printed on the ticket.

• There are restrictions on what can be carried up to the crown

Hard Hat Tours on Ellis Island are open only to visitors over the age of 13.

Tickets for the South Side Hard Hat tours are subject to availability

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Liberty and Ellis Island Hours :

8:30AM - 4PM (Daily)

By Subway (Train) to Battery Park for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry :

- Take the Yellow R MTA subway line to White Hall St station  or
- Take Dark Green 4/5 MTA subway line to Bowling Green station or
- Take the Red 1 MTA subway line to South Ferry station


By Bus to Battery Park for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry :

- Take the Red M5, M20, or Blue M15 bus and exit at South Ferry stop.
 

Once you are in Battery Park :

- Follow signs for the Statue of Liberty ferries
- Walk about 5 minutes to the Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park
- Catch the Ferry from the dock

Directions:  More Information on Directions to Statue Cruises

• Nothing can spoils plans like sold out tickets!
   Reserve online ASAP for the day and time that will work for your visit to NYC

• Bring Water, wear good shoes!  

• Kids can earn a Jr. Ranger Badge for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. 
   Check at the Ranger stations for details 
   Statue of Liberty - Junior Ranger Activity Book                                          
   Ellis Island - Junior Ranger Activity Booklet

• If you plan to go up the crown, make sure you are in good physical shape to do it. 
   The steps are steep and small up to the crown.  If you have any claustrophobic issues, then this is not for you.

• Combine with other attractions in the area like Wall St, City Hall, Brooklyn Bridge, 9-11 Memorial, and One World Observatory

• This is a popular attraction so book online to ensure your spot for the time and day you want

• This attraction will take 3 or more hours depending on your interest

• If you are visiting multiple attractions in NYC get discounts by purchasing: 
 
The City Pass: includes one Statue Cruises ferry ride with stops at Liberty Island and Ellis Island, plus an audio tour on each island and Ellis Island Immigration Museum admission

Explorer Card by Smart Destinations: offers the Lady Liberty Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing ticket offers cruises around Ellis and Liberty Island but does not disembark.

Visit Statue of Liberty Website

Visit Ellis Island Website