NYC Statue of Liberty Cruise: 50 Minutes & Harbor Views

Fifty minutes on the water gets you past Lady Liberty and six landmarks

You board an ultra-modern boat, spend fifty minutes watching the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center and Hudson Yards slide past your window, and get free bus access before and after. The whole thing fits into a tight schedule without feeling rushed, and you leave with the photo and the memory without losing half your day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Statue of Liberty and NYC skyline cruise

• Board the scenic cruise boat
• Pass by Hudson Yards neighborhood
• View Edge NYC observatory
• See The Vessel sculpture
• Pass Chelsea Piers complex
• View Little Island park
• Pass One World Trade Center
• Pause in front of Statue of Liberty
• Pass Ellis Island immigration station
• Return to departure point

The experience

The boat leaves the dock and you're moving through New York Harbor almost immediately. Fifty minutes is short enough that you don't need to plan your whole day around it, but long enough to actually see what you came for. The Statue of Liberty gets the full stop, the boat pauses right in front so everyone can get the shot, and then you've got Ellis Island off to the side, Governors Island, and the whole lower Manhattan skyline happening at once. One World Trade Center rises up on your left, Hudson Yards on your right, and somewhere in between you pass Chelsea Piers and Little Island. It's a lot to take in, but that's kind of the point.

The boat itself is modern, with both indoor and outdoor decks, so if the weather turns or you just want a break from the wind, you can move inside without missing anything. There's WiFi on board if you need it. A licensed guide is there the whole time, though honestly the Statue of Liberty Cruise is one of those experiences where the view does most of the talking. You get access to the top deck at no extra charge, which matters because that's where the light is best and where you're not fighting other people for space when the boat slows down in front of Lady Liberty.

What saves real time here is the free bus pass that comes with your ticket. New York Waterway runs multiple routes around the city, so you can use the bus to get to the dock before your cruise and then get wherever you're going next without buying another ticket. It's a small thing, but it means you're not hunting for a subway entrance or flagging down a cab after you're done on the water.

What’s included

Your ticket covers the full fifty-minute cruise with a licensed guide, access to both interior and exterior decks plus the top deck at no extra charge, onboard WiFi, and a free pass to use New York Waterway bus service on multiple routes before and after your cruise.

Information

Lasts 50m, runs every day at 10:00, 13:30 and 14:30, from US$ 25 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 13:30 and 14:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 500

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by NY Waterway Harbor Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're short on time but don't want to skip the Statue of Liberty: fifty minutes gets you the main sights and a photo without eating up your whole day, and the included bus pass means you don't have to figure out separate transport to and from the dock.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Statue of Liberty cruise?

Fifty minutes total, from departure to return.

What landmarks do you see on this cruise?

The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, Hudson Yards, Chelsea Piers, Little Island, Governors Island, and Edge NYC.

Is there an outdoor deck?

Yes. The boat has both interior and exterior decks, and the top deck is included with your ticket at no extra charge.

Do you get close to the Statue of Liberty?

The boat pauses in front of the Statue of Liberty so passengers can take photos. You don't land on Liberty Island on this cruise.

Is WiFi included?

Yes, WiFi is available on board.

What's included with the ticket?

The fifty-minute cruise, access to all decks including the top deck, and a free pass to use New York Waterway buses before and after your cruise on multiple routes.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?

Yes. The boat is wheelchair accessible, strollers are allowed, and service animals are permitted.

Do infants need a ticket?

Infants can ride on an adult's lap and do not require a separate ticket.