Tourists wanting to visit Liberty Island, home of the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, once the gateway for millions of immigrants to the United States, have only one option: ferry. The boats service the islands daily, but getting there requires planning and a small fee.
Ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island leave from two locations: Battery Park in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J. The Battery Park terminal is easily accessible by New York's subway and bus systems but has limited parking for drivers, while parking is plentiful in Jersey City.
Ferries depart every 30 minutes from Battery Park and Liberty State Park from about 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., traveling to Liberty Island first, Ellis Island second, then back to their origin. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., the ferry makes return trips only.
Ferry tickets, as of October 2009, cost $12 for adults and children 13 or older, $10 for adults 62 or older, $5 for children ages 4 to 12 and are free for children younger than 4. All tickets include admission to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
Tickets are limited, so book in advance through www.statuecruises.com to guarantee passage. The line, particularly at Battery Park, gets long during the day, so arrive early.
Travelers who are looking only for a great view of Liberty Island and Ellis Island and don't want to disembark can do so by riding the Staten Island Ferry, which is free.
