Statue of Liberty Tickets & Guide 2026 | New York Ferry Tips

By Emma · Updated 17 October 2026 · 2 min read

TL;DR

Statue City Cruises is the only official ferry to Liberty Island
Pedestal and crown tickets are limited and sell out, especially the crown
Airport-style security applies before boarding
The free Staten Island Ferry gives a good view if you don't need to land

Type: Landmark
Where: New York
Time needed: half a day (with Ellis Island)
Admission: from about $25 (2026) incl. ferry; pedestal and crown limited, book ahead

Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, with an internal frame engineered by Gustave Eiffel, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in 1886 as a gift from the people of France. Standing 93m from the ground to the tip of the torch, it became the symbol of freedom for millions of immigrants arriving by sea, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a highlight of any trip to New York.

What you'll see

The ferry ride across the harbour gives great views of the statue and the Lower Manhattan skyline. On Liberty Island you can:

Walk around the statue and grounds, included with every ticket.
Visit the Statue of Liberty Museum, which houses the original torch replaced in the 1980s.
Climb into the pedestal (with a pedestal ticket) for views from the base.
Climb to the crown (with a crown ticket): 162 narrow spiral steps above the pedestal, with limited headroom.

The same ferry continues to Ellis Island, where the National Museum of Immigration tells the stories of the 12 million people processed there between 1892 and 1954.

Practical information

Tickets: from about $25 for an adult in 2026, including the ferry, Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Pedestal and crown access are limited; crown tickets often sell out weeks or months ahead. Buy only from Statue City Cruises, the official operator, and check current prices.
Departures: from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The first boats of the day are the least crowded.
Security: airport-style screening before boarding, and again for the pedestal and crown. Large bags aren't allowed in the monument.
Getting there: South Ferry, Whitehall St or Bowling Green subway stations are a short walk from Battery Park.

Short on time or money? The free Staten Island Ferry passes the statue on its 25-minute crossing. Stand on the right-hand side heading out to Staten Island.

Spend the rest of your day downtown or head uptown to Central Park. Our USA guide has more ideas.

Where is Statue of Liberty?

Open in OpenStreetMap · 40.68917, -74.04444

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Statue of Liberty trip take?

Allow four to five hours to visit both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, including security and ferry waits.

Can you go up into the Statue of Liberty?

Yes, with a pedestal or crown ticket. The torch has been closed to visitors since 1916.

Are street sellers' tickets genuine?

Be wary. Sellers near Battery Park often offer harbour cruises that don't land on Liberty Island. Buy from the official operator.

Written by

Emma City breaks & deals editor

Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.