The Staten Island Ferry provides service for commuters traveling between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan, but visitors who want to see New York City’s working waterfront (& the Statue of Liberty) will enjoy the free ride across the New York Harbor!

Riding the Ferry

The ferry operates between the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island and the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan. The trip is about 25 minutes long. Passengers using wheelchairs are encouraged to use lower-level boarding at both the Whitehall and St. George Terminals. All passengers are required to comply with applicable U.S. Coast Guard Security Regulations regardless of which level they board from. No pets are allowed on the ferry with the exception of pets in cages and service animals.

Ferry Schedule

The ferry runs around the clock every day of the year. Generally, it runs every fifteen minutes during rush hour and every half hour or hour during nights and weekends. During periods of reduced visibility or heavy weather the schedule may be adjusted.

The ferry operates on a holiday schedule on New Year’s Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On these days, service will be provided every 30 minutes between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Parking

In addition to privately operated lots, there are two DOT Municipal parking lots at St. George Ferry Terminal. The daily parking rate is $8.00, quarterly permits are $300. Parking in the nearby municipal garage and lot at St. George Courthouse Garage costs $55 per month.

The upper South Lobby Kiss & Ride at the St. George Ferry Terminal is open for passenger pick-ups and drop-offs. Passengers should take the South Lobby elevator on the main concourse level to the 3rd floor. Drivers can access this area by taking the bus ramp from Richmond Terrace, using the outermost right lane.

How the Ferry Assisted in the 9/11 Attack

After the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, the Staten Island Ferry transported tens of thousands of people out of lower Manhattan to safety on Staten Island. The captains docked the ferries under zero visibility as the smoke and debris from the collapses filled the sky. The following days passengers were not allowed on the ferries. The fleet was being used to transport emergency personnel and equipment to and from lower Manhattan. In addition to the emergency personnel and equipment the ferries were also being used to transport military personnel and equipment to Governors Island and lower Manhattan included in this were U.S. Army tanks. Since that day, the Staten Island Ferry no longer carries cars.

Price: Free

Ferry Addresses

• Manhattan:
  Whitehall and Water St
  New York, NY 10006 (Map)

• Staten Island: 1 Bay St.
  Staten Island, NY 10301

Nearest Subways In Manhattan, J/Z to Broad Street; 1 to South Ferry; 4/5 to Bowling Green. In Staten Island, Staten Island Railway to St. George.

Phone: 718-815-BOAT

Website: http://www.siferry.com/