Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island: Private Tour with Ferry

Two islands, one guide, four hours to understand how America began

You get a private guide who walks you through the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in four hours, with ferry tickets and entry fees included. Start at Battery Park, then cross to Liberty Island to see the monument and its grounds, then ferry to Ellis Island to explore the immigration station where millions of arrivals were processed. The guide handles timing and logistics so you move at a pace that lets the history land. Bring comfortable shoes and dress for the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Statue of Liberty2h · entry included
2. Ellis Island30m · entry included
3. Castle Clinton National Monument20m

Visit Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

• Explore Battery Park
• Visit Castle Clinton National Monument
• Take ferry to Statue of Liberty
• Tour Statue of Liberty
• Take ferry to Ellis Island
• Explore Ellis Island Immigration Station
• Return by ferry to Battery Park

The experience

Most people see the Statue from a crowded ferry full of strangers, snap a photo, and leave. On this tour, you get a guide who knows the actual history, not the postcard version, and time to stand in front of Liberty without the noise of a hundred other cameras. The ferry ride itself is part of it: you're traveling the same route 12 million immigrants took when they arrived at Ellis Island between 1892 and 1924, and your guide walks you through what they saw, what they felt, what they were leaving behind. It's four hours total, and the pace lets you absorb it instead of just checking boxes.

You start at Battery Park, where Castle Clinton sits: a former fort with a complicated history that most tours skip. Your guide doesn't. From there, it's the ferry to Liberty Island, where you have time to walk the grounds, look up at the statue itself, and hear the real story of how France gave it to the United States as a gift of friendship, and what it came to mean once people started arriving by the millions. The pedestal and crown aren't included, so you're not climbing. This is about the island and the monument, not the views from inside. After Liberty, the ferry takes you to Ellis Island, where the immigration station still stands. Your guide shows you the registry rooms, the dormitories, the places where families were separated or reunited, and tells you the stories that shaped the nation. It's heavy, but it's necessary.

The whole thing is private. Just you, your group (minimum two people), and one guide who sets the rhythm. Ferry tickets, entry to both islands, and the guided experience are all included. You don't have to figure out which ferry to catch, whether your ticket covers both islands, or how long to spend on each one. The guide handles the logistics so you can focus on what you're actually there for. Wear comfortable shoes, there's a moderate amount of walking, and dress for the weather, because you're outside on the water and on the islands themselves. Food and drink are available for purchase on the ferries and at both locations if you need them.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a personal expert guide for the full four hours, guided tours of Liberty Island and Ellis Island grounds, a guided tour of Battery Park, round-trip ferry tickets to both islands, and all entry fees.
• Food and drink are available for purchase on the ferries and at both locations.
• The experience is private, so you're not joining a larger group.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 11:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Top Dog Tours Inc.

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to understand the Statue and Ellis Island as history, not just landmarks, and don't want to navigate ferries and tickets alone. The four-hour pace and private guide mean you move at a rhythm that lets the stories stick, not a race between photo stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

Is crown or pedestal access included?

No. The tour covers Liberty Island grounds and the monument itself, but not interior access to the pedestal or crown.

How long is the ferry ride?

Ferry times vary, but the total tour is four hours. Duration is subject to ferry schedule and how long you choose to spend on Ellis Island.

What's the minimum group size?

A minimum of two people per booking is required.

Can I bring a camera?

Yes, photography is allowed. Monopods and tripods are not permitted.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can use a pram or stroller.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable, appropriate shoes for walking. Dress for weather conditions, as you'll be outside on the water and on the islands.

Are weapons allowed?

No weapons of any kind are allowed at the Statue, including pocket knives, pepper spray, and Swiss Army knives. There is no place to check these items, so leave them at home.