While friends were visiting from Spain, we took a weekend trip to NYC to show them the sights. One of the best days of our trip was taking the ferry out to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We wanted to share a few tips on how you can visit these islands on your next trip to NYC!
It does not cost money to visit Liberty Island or Ellis Island, but you do need a ticket for the ferry. Statue Cruises are the only boat permitted to transport people to and from the islands. The round trip ticket costs $19.25 per person. It’s recommended you purchase in advance since you will have access to a faster queue. You can take the ferry from Liberty State Park in New Jersey or Battery Park in NYC. For more ferry ticket information visit: Statue Cruises.
If you simply choose the ferry ticket, you will be able to access an audio guide on Liberty Island that walks you through some history behind the Statue of Liberty. While we were there, construction was happening on the new Statue of Liberty Museum, which opened last year in 2019. The museum is free to enter, so no additional ticket is required.
You can buy an extra ticket that will allow you to visit the inside of the Statue of Liberty to see the pedestal and crown. Currently it is only $3 extra but requires a timed entrance, so best to plan ahead. Check out the National Park Services website for more info on Statue of Liberty Tickets. The day we visited there were no more time slots available. It’s important to note that there is no elevator and it’s 162 steps to the top.
From Liberty Island, you can catch the ferry to Ellis Island. There is no additional ticket needed to enter the National Immigration Museum. They even offer a history center where you can search for your connection to Ellis Island through family lineage. This was a special trip for me since my great-grandparents came through Ellis Island from Lithuania in the early 1900’s. We even have the document framed, signifying it.
Visiting both islands will definitely take up a full morning or afternoon, so it’s best to plan ahead. We visited in the Summer and it was quite hot walking around outside. The ferry was crowded because it was peak season, but offered beautiful views of NYC skyline on our way back.
We hope this posts helps you plan your next trip to NYC and ensures you get Statue of Liberty tickets.
Cheers, Amanda
