Statue of Liberty FAQs

Yes, you must to print the e-tickets to show in the entrance.

There are two departure points with ferries leading to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The first is on the southern tip of Manhattan, New York and can be located in The Battery, previously known as Battery Park. The second departure point is in New Jersey, in the Central Railroad Terminal of New Jersey. Public transport is available to both departure points, with paid parking available at the New Jersey Terminal but not at the Battery.

Yes. All tickets include a round trip to both Ellis and Liberty Island, as well as a complimentary audio tour for each island. Depending on your departure point, you will be taken to see the islands in a different order. If you are leaving from the Central Railroad Terminal of New Jersey, you will stop off first at Ellis Island Before going to the Statue of Liberty. Alternatively, if you are leaving from the Battery in Manhattan, New York, you will first be taken to see the magnificent monument on Liberty Island and then onwards to Ellis Island where all ticket holders have access to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.

With every ticket purchased, you will receive a complimentary audio tour for both Ellis Island Immigration Museum as well as the Statue of Liberty. The audio tours are great because you can stop and start the tour as you please, according to your interests and the interests of your companions. The audio tours are available in several languages including English, German, Russian, Italian, Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese, French and Spanish. There are audio tours designed for children available in English, French, Italian, German or French, and additionally there is an audio tour for the visually impaired with extra descriptive information.

The ferry boats are indeed accessible to the disable and staff on hand will assist in boarding, however wheel chairs are not provided. The rest rooms aboard the ferries are equipped for disabled persons so it is possible to visit Liberty and Ellis Islands as a handicapped individual.

It is recommended that you allow for a thirty minute waiting time in order to collect your tickets and go through the standard security procedures. In peak season, it is recommended to allow for 1 hour prior to your scheduled tour time. Remember to bring your confirmation number to the ticket office in order to make the process as fast and smooth as possible.

All ferry tickets include a round trip to both Liberty and Ellis Islands, so you do not need a separate ticket in order to visit Ellis Island.

Yes, all tickets include a round trip and access to both Liberty and Ellis Islands.

There is limited parking available at Battery Park, so it is recommended that you explore the various public transport options for a successful visit. The subway, bus, train, ferries and taxis are all great options depending on your needs.

There is paid parking available at the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, making this the ideal departure point if you wish to use a motor vehicle to reach the destination. However, there are also public transport options available to the destination.

There are food and drinks available on both islands at the beautiful cafes which offer indoor and outdoor seating, paired with stunning views. The food options are diverse, with international dishes as well as American food on offer.

The security screening process on the islands is on par with that of an airport, and Park Rangers are on site at all times.

Due to security measures taken to protect the monument and its visitors, tickets cannot be posted lest they fall into the wrong hands. A confirmation number is emailed upon reservation of a ticket, and ensuring that you have this number on hand when you collect your tickets makes for a smoother process. By booking your tickets ahead of time, you can skip the queue for tickets and proceed directly to the pre-paid pickup point.

Only small bags such as purses and fanny packs are permitted on the visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Camera equipment is also allowed however it is recommended that you travel light, as all large bags (including backpacks) will be stored in lockers at an additional charge.

It takes approximately 15 minutes to reach each island by ferry, and if you remain on the boat without setting foot on either island, the trip will be 1 hour 15 minutes. Depending on your waiting time when boarding the ferry, and the amount of time spent on the islands the trip can take a good 5 – 6 hours. It is recommended that you leave early in the morning so as to ensure enough time for a thorough exploration.

A complimentary audio tour is provided for each island, and Ellis Island offers a 45 minute movie called “Ellis Island Movie: Island of Hope, Island of Tears.” You will also have access to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and the American Family Immigrant Wall of Honor – a wall with the names of immigrants scratched into it. Additionally you are welcome to explore your heritage at the American Family Immigration Center, which gives you access to a database whereby you can trace your ancestry back to the days of the Immigration Station.

Yes the tickets do expire, and you can find the expiry date printed on your ticket.

The ferries are accessible via wheelchair; however you will need to bring your own as wheelchairs are not provided. Please note that there is currently no access to the upper levels of the statue for the disabled. The Ellis Island Movie features subtitles and there are audio tour transcripts available for the hearing impaired. There is also a descriptive audio tour for the visually impaired.

For online purchases, credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express are accepted.

Virtual cards are unfortunately not accepted as a means of ticket payment.

Guided tours on Liberty Island are provided periodically with no additional charge using American Sign Language translation. These tours depart from the flag pole area and can be arranged via email with a minimum of 3 weeks advanced notice.

Follow the link for further information: http://www.nps.gov/stli/contacts.htm

There are 192 steps up to the highest point of the pedestal, and it is recommended that individuals are of good health and mind for the climb. There is an elevator available within the pedestal, but the crown is only accessible via the stairs.

There is an elevator that provides access to the pedestal section of the statue, but beyond that the crown is only accessible via the stairs.

Depart Battery Park:

8:30AM, 8:45AM, 9:00AM, 9:20AM, 9:40AM, 10:00AM, 10:20AM, 10:40AM, 11:00AM, 11:20AM, 11:40AM, 12:00PM, 12:20PM, 12:40PM, 1:00PM, 1:20PM, 1:40PM, 2:00PM, 2:20PM, 2:40PM, 3:00PM, 3:20PM, 3:40PM, 4:00PM, 4:20PM, 5:00PM 

Depart Liberty Island:

8:55AM, 9:10AM, 9:25AM, 9:45AM, 10:05AM, 10:25AM, 10:45AM, 11:05AM, 11:25AM, 11:45AM, 12:05PM, 12:25PM, 12:45PM, 1:05PM, 1:25PM, 1:45PM, 2:05PM, 2:25PM, 2:45PM, 3:05PM, 3:25PM, 3:45PM, 4:05PM, 4:25PM, 4:45PM, 5:05PM, 5:25PM

Depart Ellis Island:

9:10AM, 9:25AM, 9:45AM, 10:05AM, 10:25AM, 10:45AM, 11:05AM, 11:25AM, 11:45AM, 12:05PM, 12:25PM, 12:45PM, 1:05PM, 1:25PM, 1:45PM, 2:05PM, 2:25PM, 2:45PM, 3:05P, 3:25PM, 3:45PM, 4:05PM, 4:25PM, 4:45PM, 5:05PM, 5:25PM, 5:45PM 

Arrive at Battery Park:

 9:20AM, 9:35AM, 10:15AM, 10:35AM, 10:55AM, 11:15AM, 11:35AM, 11:55AM, 12:15PM, 12:35PM, 12:55PM, 1:15PM, 1:35PM, 1:55PM, 2:15PM, 2:35PM, 2:55PM, 3:15PM, 3:35PM, 3:55PM, 4:15PM, 4:35PM, 4:55PM, 5:15PM, 5:35PM, 5:55PM

Return Trips Only :

Depart Liberty Island: 5:40pm, 5:55pm, 6:30pm, 6:45pm

Depart Ellis Island: 6:10PM, 6:35PM, 7:00PM

Arrive Battery Park: 5:55PM, 6:10PM, 6:20PM, 6:45PM, 6:45PM, 7:00PM, 7:00PM

Depart Liberty State Park:

8:30AM, 9:00AM, 9:35AM, 10:10AM, 10:45AM, 11:20AM, 11:55AM, 12:30PM, 1:05PM, 1:40PM, 2:15PM, 2:50PM, 3:25PM, 3:55PM, 4:30PM, 5:00PM.

Depart Ellis Island:

8:50AM, 9:20AM, 9:55AM, 10:30AM, 11:05AM, 11:40AM, 12:15PM, 12:50PM, 1:25PM, 2:00PM, 2:35PM, 3:10PM, 3:45PM, 4:15PM, 4:50PM, 5:20PM

Depart Liberty Island:

9:10AM, 9:40AM, 10:15AM, 10:50AM, 11:25AM, 12:00PM, 12:35PM, 1:10PM, 1:45PM, 2:20PM, 2:55PM, 3:30PM, 4:05PM, 4:35PM, 5:10PM, 5:40PM

Arrive Liberty State Park:

9:25AM, 9:55AM, 10:30AM, 11:05AM, 11:40AM, 12:15PM, 12:50PM, 1:25PM, 2:00PM, 2:35PM, 3:10PM, 3:45PM, 4:20PM, 4:50PM, 5:25PM, 5:55PM

Return Trips Only:

Depart Ellis Island: 6:00PM, 7:00PM

Depart Liberty Island: 6:15PM, 6:45PM

Arrive Liberty State Park: 6:30PM, 7:00PM, 7:10PM

Yes, the Statue is accessible and remains open to the public during the federal government shutdown (22 December 2018 – 25 January 2019). Due to the funds raised by the New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, the Statue of Liberty as well as Ellis Island remain open for tourism and business.