The Staten Island Ferry

I m pretty sure there is no place on earth where you can catch a ferry for free and on top of that get to experience one of the most exciting skylines there is. if you are in new york for more than just a few days its worth your while. dont expect great things once on staten island. i m sure it s a nice place just not in walking distance to the terminal ;-)

Cheapest way of seeing statue of liberty! The ferry is free and the journey across is fairly quick. You get a really nice view of manhattan, worth going both during the day and when it s dark.

If your not visiting the statue of liberty hop on the ferry for a free trip there and back.
The newer ferries have toilets, but both terminals also do.
Great views of the statue and the city in all but the worst weather.

The cheapest way to get around the NYC harbour. For a price of a subway fare you'll get to see the Downtown Manhattan, the Statue and the Ellis Island. Not too safe though as far as I know; there have been several boats that crashed into their piers while docking. Some people lost their lives, some lost their limbs. Never sit on the docking end of the boat.

The best thing about the Staten Island Ferry is that its free and a great way to get some beautiful pictures of the Statue Of Liberty without going there and also lovely views of Manhattan Island on the ferry ride back from Staten Island.

The ferry has seats but no toilets, there are toilets at both terminals though and shops as well for drinks and snacks.

It takes about an hour to get there and back but you can stay on Staten Island if you want.

Best and only free transportation I can think of in the city. Great view of the city skyline perfect to take pictures or the city very cool at night the city lights and the skyline.

It’s free, it’s regular, you get great views of the Manhattan skyline, I don’t really see how anyone can not enjoy the trip. You’ll get some great photos, save money and… if you’re really desperate for things to do, you can have a look around Staten Island.

First time in New York and of course i had read every guide book before even stepping on the plane. The Rouigh guide recommnded this 5c tour. In fact it didnt even cost that-a few years ago- because no one asked us for money. Easy to hop onto and then you stand outside. Roomy in side but you can just imagine the commuters in the morning pressed tight against each other. Outside though in the crisp wind of the sea you get a glorious though somewhat distant view of the Staue of Liberty. Id recommend it as a family cheap way of seeing it and also maybe a first timers thing. However once you’ve seen it you’ll just ache to get closer and thats when you’ll have to ditch the 5c ride and fork out for the ferry that goes round it and then docks so you can see it close up.

The iconic orange Staten Island Ferry is a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours, there are great views and pictures to be taken of New York and the Statue of Liberty. Best of all, the boat is free and runs often so you can just turn up and go. Do try and get a space at the side of the boat as it will fill up and you will miss out on the views. I was intrigued by Staten Island itself so decided to hang around a little while and not get the boat straight back. I don’t recommend this approach, I found very little of interest within walking distance and found myself wishing the next boat would hurry up!

This is a great (and free) way of seeing the Statue of Liberty.

It offers free transport to and from Staten Island.

Take your camera with you, and get plenty of photos ! :)

This is a great thing as not only does it offer free service to and from Staten Island but it also passes by the Statue of Liberty for those great picture opportunities. Also i think it’s great to go on what i think is an iconic symbol of New York riding on the huge black and orange boat/ship. Plus as it is so big the line for the trip moves very quickly so bare in mind if you do see what looks like a huge waiting line. So to sum up this is a must do activity for anyone visiting this great city plus Staten Island is not to be sniffed at if you fancy a visit if not just catch the free ferry back as soon as you get off.

A trip to New York is never going to be cheap, so to find something that is free must be a bonus. Hence, the Staten Island Ferry. Not only do you not have to pay, but you can get really good views of the Statue of Liberty. If you want to get off to see the Statue or get close up, you will need to pay for the other ferry that also stops at Ellis Island, but if a long distance view and some reasonable photographs are all you are after, the Staten Island Ferry is not so crowded, free and fine for unlimited travel. One of New York’s must do activities!

Amazing views of Manhatten on this trip over to Staten Island. Mix with the locals - it is just like the movies.
One of the things to do before you die.

Staten Island Ferry
Great tourist attraction for several reasons. It’s free, you get a great view of lower manhattan and the statue of liberty (and Brooklyn and the Verrezano Narrows Bridge), it’s next to Battery Park, which is also worth and visit…and did I mention it’s free?! The new Terminal building is pristine (on the inside at least, it’s still a mess of construction in the surrounding area) and the ferry has always run like clockwork whenever I’ve got on. You could take the ferry to the Staten Island Botanic Gardens. It’s a longish walk from the Ferry, or there is a bus. Alternatively get straight back on the ferry when you get to Staten Island and return to Manhattan, in under an hour total for a great bit of New York siteseeing.

Love the staten island ferry, if only to pretend im in working girl, or sex and the city, or any film set in new york really. Its free, and gives you one of the best views of lower manhattan, especially where the twin towers were. Fabulous little tourist attraction, everyone should hop on. Who says nothing in life is free?!

A must for any visitor to new York. A free ride across to the Island with fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty. If you’re on a budget this is a great way to view Manhattan from the river

An absolute must for any visitor to the big apple. Free ride with fantastic views of Manhattan on the return leg and of course the 'Lady of Liberty’ there and back. You must dress warm if on a chilly day as it gets freezing on deck but you can be inside, then that’s no fun and you miss too much.

It was a New Yorker I met in Rome who recommended taking a trip on the Staten Island ferry and a good tip it turned out to be.

The ferry itself is nothing to write home about and is primarily for commuters. However, it is free and from it you get the most spectacular views of Manhatten Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Ashamed to say that we didn’t stop on Staten Island (although the locals are at pains to tell everyone that it’s not the rubbish dump of New York anymore - it used to be), but we turned right round and got on the next ferry back.

Some say the best things in life are free! this is true to a certain extent!
One thing you can do in New York is get the ferry to Staten Island and back again! It quite exciting and you get to see a great view of the Statue of Liberty although the ferry doesn’t get up very close to it unfortunately! the return journey is awesome, seeing Manahattan all lit up is really magical!

I will just give one piece of advice though, do not get off the ferry at Staten Island, there is nothing to see there.. I decided to get on a bus there and after 15 minutes of driving into nothingness I decided to get out and get a bus back to the ferry!

Great way of seeing the Statue Of Liberty and getting photos of Manhattan ,which truly looks like Gotham from the ferry