From Penn Station to the Statue of Liberty: Subway + Ferry Route Guide

No subway goes directly to the Statue of Liberty — Liberty Island has no subway station. But the combo of **subway + free ferry** is the classic, affordable route from Penn Station.

Step-by-Step: Penn Station → Statue of Liberty

1. Enter Penn Station subway complex (34th St–Penn Station on 7th Ave / 34th St–Penn Station on 8th Ave — same complex, different entrances)
2. Take downtown 1 (local) or 2/3 (express) — all red line
   • 1 stops at **South Ferry** (terminal, 15 min from Penn)
   • 2/3 skip South Ferry; get off at **Wall St** (12 min), walk 5 min to Whitehall Terminal
3. Board the Staten Island Ferry (Whitehall Terminal → St. George)
   • **FREE**, 25 min each way, runs 24/7 (30 min intervals off-peak, 15 min peak)
   • **No ticket needed** — just walk through turnstiles
   • **Best views:** Right side (starboard) going out; left side (port) returning
4. Disembark at St. George (Staten Island) — but **don't stay!** The ferry *passes* Liberty Island; you don't get off there.
5. For actual Liberty Island access: Stay on ferry to St. George, transfer to **S89 bus** to **Staten Island FerryHawks stadium**? No — that's wrong. **Correction:** The Staten Island Ferry does **not** stop at Liberty Island. You must take **Statue Cruises** from Battery Park (NYC) or Liberty State Park (NJ).

⚠️ Critical Correction

The Staten Island Ferry **does not stop at Liberty Island**. It sails *past* it. To **visit** the statue (grounds, pedestal, crown), you need **Statue Cruises** (official concessionaire):

• From Battery Park (NYC): Walk from South Ferry/Whitehall → Castle Clinton → Statue Cruises booth
• From Liberty State Park (NJ): Light Rail to Liberty State Park station → short walk
• Reserve: statuecruises.com — crown tickets 6+ months ahead
• Cost: $25+ (grounds only); $25+ (pedestal); $25+ (crown) — same base fare, reserve tier

Summary

• View only (free): Penn Station → 1 to South Ferry → Staten Island Ferry round-trip
• Visit (paid): Penn Station → 1 to South Ferry → walk to Castle Clinton → Statue Cruises ferry

Don't let the Staten Island Ferry tease you — it's a view, not a visit.