The Staten Island Ferry is the alternative to seeing the Statue of Liberty from afar as well as other New York attractions such as Ellis Island. It is mostly aimed aimed for commuters who live in Staten Island but work in Manhattan, yet anyone can get on it to experience the 25-minute journey across the Upper New York Bay. Oh, and did we mention it’s free? As you arrive in Staten Island, you will see a lush view of the lower side of the island of Manhattan while sitting on a bench eating an ice cream. Stay in Staten Island for a while instead of getting on the next ferry back – it has so much to offer such as wild baby deer running around in the forest right in front of the beach.
The ferries depart from the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal in the south of Manhattan and arrives at the St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island. It runs daily (holidays included) 24 hours a day. Currently, there are eight ferries running.
The ferry has been free of charge since 1997, before that, the cost was 25 cents for a round trip since 1975 and before that, the price was 5 cents for a round trip – still a bargain!
Bikes are allowed inside if you’re keen on discovering Staten Island and its lush natural sights cycling. The ground entrance is reserved for cyclists only. Motor vehicles, however, are not allowed.
The Staten Island Ferry has been used as a setting in several TV shows including Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order, the Penguins of Madagascar, I Love Lucy, Sex & the City and many others. It has also been used in movies such as How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Dark Night and Zombi 2.
Subway station: South Ferry Loop (Line 1)