The Statue of Liberty is in the middle of the New York Harbor, closest to an area of the city called Battery Park, at the southern tip of Manhattan. Because few tourists stay in that area, as it's the financial district of the city, many rely on taxis to get there. This is both expensive and time-consuming. The fastest way to get to Battery Park is to take the 1 or 9 train to the South Ferry station, 4 or 5 train to the Bowling Green station, or the N or R train to the Whitehall Street station. The subway is the fastest form of transportation in New York because the underground tunnels don't have to confront the traffic of cars and buses. Furthermore, if you travel during peak times from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the trains will come every five minutes or even faster.
When you get to Battery Park, don't make the mistake of taking the Ellis Island/Liberty Island ferry. The line to buy tickets for that ferry is usually very long, then after you procure them, there's a tedious security checkpoint that you have to go through before setting foot on the boat.
Instead, upon arrival at the Statue of Liberty, head for the Staten Island Ferry. This ferry is completely free and runs every 15 to 30 minutes. It's a 25-minute ride from Manhattan to Staten Island, and you get plentiful viewing and photo opportunities of the statue. There's also a great deal of seating, as well as snacks and beverages available for purchase.
When you get to Staten Island, you're supposed to get off the ferry, then get on again for the ride back to Manhattan, but most people just stay on the boat. Keep in mind that if you're doing this during the workweek, you should do it in the middle of the day and avoid rush hours, from 7 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
The ferry also provides a breath-taking view of the New York skyline at night.
