Statue of Liberty ferry from New Jersey – terminal, schedule, tickets, prices

One of the most rewarding outings from New Jersey is visiting the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and the Immigration Museum on Ellis Island.

You can’t take your transport to the Islands.

The only way to visit these historic sites is by ferry, operated exclusively by Statue Cruises.

The ferry tickets include access to both the Islands and their attractions.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know before booking your Statue of Liberty ferry from New Jersey.

We have you covered, from details about the terminal and ferry schedule to ticket prices and practical visitor tips.

Here is a quick solution if you are in a hurry: Book your Statue of Liberty tickets from New Jersey and catch your ferry from Liberty State Park, New Jersey. On the ticket booking page, select the option “Reserve Line Ticket from New Jersey Without Pedestal Access.”

Or you can opt to just cruise around Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island.

Terminal for Statue of Liberty ferry

Liberty State Park is the only location in New Jersey with ferry service to the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.

Liberty State Park is massive and covers 1,212 acres (490 ha).

The main part of the Park, which has the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal (CRRNJ Terminal), is bordered by water on three sides, and this is from where the ferries also set sail.

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More than 15 Statue of Liberty ferries set sail from Liberty State Park in New Jersey all through the day, every day. 

Liberty State Park’s ticketing and departure areas are by the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal near the water. 

They are closed only on Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November) and Christmas (25 December) yearly.

Address: Liberty State Park, 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ. Get Directions

Note: Besides the ferry dock, Liberty State Park has many other attractions, such as the Liberty Science Centre, Empty Sky (a 9/11 Memorial that pays tribute to 749 people from New Jersey who died in the tragedy), water sports, biking, etc. 

How to get to Liberty State Park, New Jersey

There are many ways to get to Liberty State Park. 

Liberty State Park in New Jersey is the perfect departure location for visiting the ferry dock by car, motorhome, or private bus. 

Liberty State Park is also amply serviced by public transportation, taxi, and Liberty Landing Ferry Service.

By Light Rail

The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) is a light rail system in Hudson County, New Jersey.

Get to Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, which runs through the Jersey City and New Jersey area, and get down at the Liberty State Park station.

HBLR to Liberty State ParkPin
A Light Train traveling from Jersey Avenue to Liberty State Park. Image: Wikipedia

This station is 1.6 km (1 mile) from the ferry location, and since there is no public transport option, it is best to get an Uber.

An Uber can take you to the Statue Cruises ticket office in the CRRNJ Terminal for approximately US$12.

Driving to Liberty State Park

You can also reach Liberty State Park by vehicle. From the New Jersey Turnpike, take exit 14-B and follow the signs to the Park.

Park at the free Statue of Liberty Parking and take a brisk six-minute walk to the CRRNJ Terminal.

The park closes at 10 pm, and you must pick up your car before that.

Free parking at Liberty State ParkPin

To avoid walking, you can use the paid parking slots near Liberty State Park’s ferry dock for $7 per car.

Designated spots for those with official placards are also available at the lot.

By Liberty Landing Ferry Service

The Liberty Landing Ferry is a fast, affordable, and efficient alternative across the Hudson.

It is the perfect mode of transport if you come from the New York side because it offers a two-mile promenade along the Hudson River with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.

Liberty Landing Ferry Service to NJPin
Image: Libertylandingferry.com

You can board the ferry from the World Financial Terminal in New York and get to the Liberty Landing Marina at Liberty State Park, NJ.

On weekdays, the ferry service starts at 6.30 am and runs every hour until 6.30 pm, while on weekends, the first ferry departs at 9.30 am, with the last ferry at 6.30 pm.

Each ride lasts approximately 20 minutes.

Liberty Landing Ferry’s ticket prices

TravelerOne way
AdultUS$10
Child (7 to 12 yrs)US$5
SeniorsUS$6
Infants (less than 6)Free

Reservations are not required for the Liberty Landing Ferry. Tickets can be purchased on board using cash or credit cards.

Visitors with ferry tickets to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island get a US$2 discount on Liberty Landing Ferry Service tickets.

Statue of Liberty ferry schedule from New Jersey

Every 20 to 25 minutes, a ferry leaves Liberty State Park to go to Ellis Island.

The first ferry from Liberty State Park sets sail at 8.30 am during the mid-March to mid-October high season.

During the low season, the first ferry starts at 9 am. 

Since the Statue of Liberty’s closing hours differ throughout the year, the last ferry’s timing from Liberty State Park in New Jersey also changes.

Tourist SeasonFirst ferryLast ferry
Late May to Early September9 am5 pm
Early September to Mid October9 am4 pm
Mid October to Late May9 am3.30 pm

Avoiding the last Statue of Liberty ferry from New Jersey is better.

Tourists taking the last ferry from Liberty State Park face a choice: they can either visit the Statue of Liberty or the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, but not both.

Boarding the Statue of Liberty ferry from New Jersey

A Statue of Liberty ferry ticket is required to board the ferry from either New Jersey or New York.

Statue of Liberty Ferry TicketPin
When you buy your Statue of Liberty ferry tickets on the day of your visit at the Battery Park or Liberty State Park ticket counters you get a physical ticket as in the pic. However, we recommend you buy your tickets online and much in advance because there are long lines at the venue and the Reserve and Crown tickets get over soon. Image: Wanderlustingk.com

All ferry tickets include the following:

  1. The ferry ride to Liberty Island, Ellis Island, and back to the Mainland
  2. Access to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island
  3. Access to the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island
  4. Access to the National Museum of Immigration on Ellis Island
  5. Audio Guide*

*The Audio Guide, available in 12 languages, can be picked up from the Audio Guide booth at both Liberty and Ellis Islands. 

Since the Statue of Liberty is the main attraction, visitors often refer to ferry tickets as “Statue of Liberty tickets.”

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The train terminal in Liberty State Park. Image: Steve Stanger

While you can purchase these tickets at the Statue Cruises ticket office inside the historic train terminal in Liberty State Park, we don’t recommend it for two main reasons:

  1. The ticket counters often have long lines.
  2. Certain types of tickets sell out quickly, so it’s smarter to buy them online in advance.

All visitors with tickets must undergo an airport-style security screening and wait in line to board the ferry. Depending on the season and time of day, the wait can range from five to twenty minutes.

To minimize your waiting time in line, please book your Statue of Liberty cruise tickets online in advance.

Statue of Liberty ferry tickets

There are three types of Statue of Liberty ferry tickets to choose from: Crown tickets, Pedestal tickets, and Reserve tickets.

Types of Statue of Liberty Ferry TicketsPin

While Crown and Pedestal tickets are less in demand, they are also more difficult to obtain.

Reserve tickets, also known as ‘Grounds Only’ tickets, are the most popular and widely available option.

Reserve tickets

These Reserve tickets give you access to both the Statue of Liberty and the Immigration Museum and include a roundtrip ferry service from New Jersey (or New York).

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. 

Important: Since you want to board the ferry from New Jersey, please select ‘Reserve Line Ticket from New Jersey’ on the ticket booking page.

Ticket price

Adult ticket (13 to 61 years): US$32.50
Seniors ticket (62+ years): US$28
Child ticket (4 to 12 years): US$22.50
Infant ticket (up to 3 years): Free

If you are willing to board from Battery Park, New York, you can book a complete guided tour of the Statue of Liberty.

Things to know about Liberty ferry from NJ

Once you are on the ferry, keep your ferry ticket with you until your return.

While there are outlets on the ferry selling food, drinks, and merchandise, we recommend focusing on the stunning views instead. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to shop and dine at the outlets on both islands.

All Statue of Liberty boats departing from Liberty State Park in New Jersey follow this route: first, they stop at Ellis Island, home to the Immigration Museum. Next, they head to Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands, before returning to Liberty State Park.

Types of Statue of Liberty ferry ticketsPin

Whether you start from Liberty State Park in New Jersey or Battery Park in New York, the ferry ride to Liberty Island typically takes 15 minutes or less.

The ferry ride from Liberty Island to Ellis Island also takes about 15 minutes.

If you stay on the boat for the entire round trip without visiting either monument, the journey will last about one hour and fifteen minutes.

We recommend dressing in layers, as this trip is mostly outdoors and the weather can change quickly.

Watch this video to learn what to expect on your trip from New Jersey to the Statue of Liberty:

Note: During peak seasons (summer months), the wait to board a ferry can be up to 60 minutes.

Return ferry to Liberty State Park, New Jersey

You can board a return ferry to Liberty State Park at any time—after exploring one island or visiting attractions on both islands.

There’s no need to return to your original departure point. For instance, if you have plans in New York, you can board the ferry to Battery Park instead of returning to New Jersey.

Your Statue of Liberty ferry ticket is flexible for return trips. However, ensure you use the correct boarding location on each island.

If you accidentally board the ferry bound for New York instead of New Jersey, don’t worry. Once you arrive at Battery Park, you can take a short walk and board the Liberty Landing Ferry Service to return to New Jersey.

Liberty Landing Ferry Service is a convenient water taxi between Manhattan and Liberty State Park.

More about Statue of Liberty
# Statue of Liberty free tour on Staten Island ferry
# How long does Statue of Liberty take
# How to buy last minute Liberty Crown tickets

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Researched & written by
Jamshed is a versatile traveler, equally drawn to the vibrant energy of city escapes and the peaceful solitude of remote getaways. On some trips, he indulges in resort hopping, while on others, he spends little time in his accommodation, fully immersing himself in the destination. A passionate foodie, Jamshed delights in exploring local cuisines, with a particular love for flavorful non-vegetarian dishes. Favourite Cities: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Dublin, Prague, Vienna

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