How to Get to the Statue of Liberty

Monuments such as Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Building, Broadway, Grand Central Terminal… there are so many places to visit in New York that wondering how to get to the Statue of Liberty might not be at the top of your list, but it should be. Here’s how to do it.

The Symbol of New York

 

If you ask a New Yorker—and a good part of humanity—what the Statue of Liberty means, they will respond that it is a banner of democracy and freedom. This image as a universal symbol has been especially reinforced by Hollywood, which has never hesitated to use it as a resource in hundreds of films.

Who doesn’t remember the statue buried on a beach in Planet of the Apes? It has also been attacked by aliens in Independence Day or come to life to destroy NYC as seen in Ghostbusters II. The list of movies featuring the Statue of Liberty is practically infinite, making it a pop icon of global culture.

History of the Statue of Liberty

 

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the French government to commemorate the centennial of the United States’ declaration of independence and as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. The statue’s form was designed by the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, while the famous engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel was responsible for its structure.

Since its inauguration in 1886, it was the first thing European immigrants saw upon arriving in America after crossing the Atlantic. At that time, immigrants were first disembarked on Ellis Island (another nearby islet occupied by the statue), where each person was inspected for legal and medical purposes before officially setting foot in America.

Today, the Statue of Liberty is one of the main monuments in the United States, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. It is estimated that Liberty Island and Ellis Island receive about 3.5 million visitors each year.

How to Get to the Statue of Liberty

If you’re wondering how to get to the Statue of Liberty (or at least see it from the water), you should know that there are different options, depending on how much time you want to spend and how many dollars you’re willing to pay.

Free Ferry to Staten Island

Every 30 minutes, a free ferry departs from Manhattan to Staten Island. On this journey, you won’t have the chance to visit the Statue of Liberty, but at least you can take some photos and admire it from a distance.

The ferry departs from the Whitehall Terminal located in Battery Park and docks at the Saint George terminal. To get to Battery Park, you can take the subway to Bowling Green station.

Ferry to the Statue of Liberty

Es la opción más popular para visitar el monumento, así que ten en cuenta que, sobre todo en verano, tendrás que hacer una fila de al menos dos horas para embarcar. Este ferry parte desde el Castle Clinton National Monument, donde también venden los billetes. 

Water Taxy

 

This is the quickest way to take great photos near the Statue of Liberty. You won’t have access to the island, but the boat will circle around it a few times so you can get all the selfies you want.

The Water Taxi operates like a sightseeing bus, but sailing through the Hudson River and East River. The Water Taxi is included in the New York Pass and Go City New York cards. If you don’t have either, you’ll need to pay $37 for adults or $31 for children ages 3 to 12. It has five stops:

• Midtown Manhattan: Pier 83, W 42nd St.
• Lower Manhattan: World Financial Center Ferry Terminal.
• Lower Manhattan: Slip 6, Battery Park.
• Financial District: Pier 11, Wall Street.
• DUMBO, Brooklyn: Pier 1, Water Street (Brooklyn Bridge Park).

Tickets for the Statue of Liberty

When you buy your ticket at Castle Clinton, you’ll have to choose between three options:

Reserve Ticket

This ticket gives you access to Ellis Island and the National Immigration Museum, as well as taking you to Liberty Island. This is the most basic entry, so you won’t be able to climb to the pedestal or the crown of the statue. It costs $23.50 for adults, $18.50 for seniors over 62, and $12 for children ages 4-12.

By the way, Ellis Island is one of the best viewpoints in New York, offering extraordinary views of the Big Apple.

Views of Manhattan from Ellis Island

Pedestal Reserve Ticket

As the name suggests, this ticket allows you to climb to the pedestal of the statue. Like the Reserve Ticket, the Pedestal Reserve Ticket also includes a visit to Ellis Island and the National Immigration Museum.

Crown Reserve Ticket

Includes everything mentioned above plus the privilege of climbing up to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, although you’ll have to climb 162 steps to reach the top. The number of visitors is limited per day, and reservations can only be made through the official website.

We must warn you that it is very difficult to obtain this ticket as they sell out quickly, and you must buy them many months in advance. Additionally, the climb can be challenging for those who suffer from claustrophobia and vertigo.

Statue of Liberty Tour

 

If you’re looking for an easy way to visit this monument, you’re in luck. The Statue of Liberty tour includes the ferry ride, admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum, and entry to the National Immigration Museum on Ellis Island.

Plus, you’ll be accompanied by a Spanish-speaking guide who will make this 4-hour experience unforgettable, and you’ll avoid wasting time in endless lines.

What to See Besides the Statue of Liberty?

Well, now you know how to visit “Miss Liberty.” But there’s still a lot of Manhattan to explore.

For that, we recommend doing the VIP New York Contrasts Tour. Also, we invite you to check out our list of excursions from New York that includes cities like Boston, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, or Washington DC.

We also offer the best free tour in New York, where you’ll be shown the best viewpoint for seeing the Statue of Liberty in Downtown Manhattan, as well as in the Financial District, Wall Street, and the 9/11 Memorial.

 

You can’t miss them!