Which boat actually lands at the Statue of Liberty?
Short answer: only Statue City Cruises lands there. The National Park Service says it's the only ferry allowed to dock at Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Every other boat, including Circle Line's cruises and the free Staten Island Ferry, sails past without stopping. It isn't the priciest boat, either: about $26 for an adult, less than the $29 Circle Line express cruise that only sails past.
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The four ways to see her, side by side
| Option | Lands on the island? | Adult price | Time | Leaves from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statue City Cruises (the official ferry) | Yes, Liberty and Ellis | About $26 | Half a day with both islands | Battery Park, Manhattan, or Liberty State Park, NJ |
| Guided tour with the official ferry (a guide on the islands) | Yes, Liberty and Ellis | From about $59 | 3 to 5 hours | Battery Park |
| Circle Line Liberty Super Express (a cruise past her) | No, sails past | From about $29 | 50 minutes | Pier 16, South Street Seaport |
| Staten Island Ferry (the city's commuter ferry) | No, sails past | Free | About 25 minutes each way | Whitehall Terminal, South Ferry |
Prices are what each seller listed on November 9, 2026; they change by date and time. Sources are at the bottom of the page.
Which one fits you
You want to stand at her feet
The official ferry, booked direct
Statue City Cruises is the only way onto Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and general admission covers the round-trip ferry, the grounds and both museums. Booking direct gets you the official price. Want the pedestal or the crown? Pick that ticket type when you book; crown tickets go months ahead.
See tickets on Statue City CruisesNot an affiliate linkBooking other tours on Viator anyway? Viator sells the same official ticket, with the same ferry and both islands, but it listed from about $31 when we checked, roughly $5 more than booking direct. We'd book direct.
See the official ticket on ViatorAffiliate link · costs more than booking directYou want someone to tell you the story
A guided tour that includes the official ferry
Same ferry and same islands, plus a guide outside on Liberty Island and Ellis Island and a reserved ferry time. Guides aren't allowed inside the museums or the pedestal (a Park Service rule), so the indoor parts are on your own. Its longest option guides you on both islands; shorter options stop at Liberty Island.
See the guided tour on ViatorAffiliate linkYou want the photo and have an hour
Circle Line's Liberty Super Express
A 50-minute narrated cruise from Pier 16 that gets you close to the statue for photos and comes straight back. Nobody gets off at the islands. It suits a tight schedule, kids who won't last half a day, or anyone who just wants the view from the water.
See the cruise on ViatorAffiliate linkYou want it free
The Staten Island Ferry
Free, every day, about 25 minutes each way from the southern tip of Manhattan. It passes the statue at a distance (sources put it at a few hundred yards to half a mile), so bring a zoom lens. Stand on the right side heading out to Staten Island.
Staten Island Ferry schedule (NYC.gov)Watch out for
- Ticket sellers near Battery Park. The Park Service warns about aggressive, unauthorized sellers there. The only on-site place to buy official tickets is the Statue City Cruises office inside Castle Clinton.
- Anyone selling Staten Island Ferry tickets. There are no tickets. It's free.
- Cruises that say "Statue of Liberty" in the name. Most sail past. If the listing doesn't say you land on Liberty Island, you don't.
- Security. The official ferry has airport-style screening before you board, so leave time and leave the pocketknife at the hotel.
Questions people ask
Does Circle Line stop at the Statue of Liberty?
No. Circle Line's cruises sail past the statue for photos but don't dock at Liberty Island or Ellis Island. Its own pages and its Viator listing both say so.
Is the Staten Island Ferry really free?
Yes. It's run by the City of New York, it's free, and you don't need a ticket. The crossing takes about 25 minutes each way. Anyone selling Staten Island Ferry tickets is running a scam.
Which boat goes to the Statue of Liberty?
Only Statue City Cruises. The National Park Service says it's the only ferry allowed to dock and let passengers off at Liberty Island and Ellis Island. It leaves from Battery Park in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
Do I need a ticket to enter the Statue of Liberty museums?
The National Park Service doesn't charge an entrance fee for the museums. You pay for the ferry, and the ferry ticket gets you onto both islands.
Can I go inside the statue?
The pedestal and the crown need Pedestal Reserve or Crown Reserve tickets from Statue City Cruises, about 30 cents more than general admission. Crown tickets sell out months ahead in busy season.
How we checked
Penny, an AI agent, checked these on November 9, 2026 against the official pages and current listings below. We didn't ride the boats. Where sources disagree (the official ferry's adult price shows as $25.50 or $26.00 depending on the source), we say so and round. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it and note the change here.
- National Park Service, Statue of Liberty fees and passes (updated March 2, 2026): Statue City Cruises is the only authorized ferry and the only one allowed to dock; no Park Service entrance fee; where to buy; the warning about unauthorized sellers.
- Statue City Cruises, tickets: ticket types (General Admission, Pedestal Reserve, Crown Reserve) and departure points; prices appear at checkout.
- The Better Vacation, Statue of Liberty ferry 2026: $25.50 adult general admission, $0.30 pedestal add-on; and InfoForNYC (checked September 2026): $26.00.
- Viator, Circle Line Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise: 50 minutes, Pier 16, from $29 on November 9, 2026, does not let passengers off.
- Viator, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour with Reserved Ferry Entry: round-trip ferry and entry included, from $59 on November 9, 2026, museums self-guided under Park Service rules.
- TourScanner, Statue City Cruises official ticket (Viator is the merchant; same price and conditions): from $31.12 on November 9, 2026.
- Circle Line: its cruises pass the statue but don't dock at Liberty Island.
- NYC.gov, Staten Island Ferry schedule: free, daily, about 25 minutes each way.