Visiting the Statue of Liberty in New York: Tickets and Important Information

Visit Liberty Island with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in New York

The Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Located in New York City off the southern tip of Lower Manhattan, the statue has become a symbol of freedom and independence for people around the globe. If you plan to visit the Statue of Liberty, here's how to get there and what ticket options are available. We also have a tip on how to escape the crowds in New York.

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City. During peak season, long lines form for the ferry ride from Manhattan to Ellis Island and Liberty Island, home of Lady Liberty, as the statue is affectionately called. By following our tips, you can make the most of your visit without wasting time in line, as we have recently been back and documented our experience here.

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island in the southern part of Lower Manhattan. Next to it is Ellis Island, which belongs to New Jersey. The ferries from Statue Cruises take you to both islands.

You must book tickets for the Statue of Liberty online in advance. They are highly sought after.

There are several ticket options that I will elaborate on below.

No time? Then consider this 1-hour boat tour (you won't go ashore, but will get as close as 30 meters to the Statue of Liberty in New York). There's also the free Staten Island Ferry. However, this place is further away. If you want to save some money, take the free Staten Island Ferry or consider a helicopter tour. We believe the visit and the knowledge gained are worth it.

Security: There are strict security checks at both locations, similar to an airport. Plan for wait times.

Getting There: To get to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, you need to take a ferry from State City Cruises, departing from Manhattan or New Jersey. Check the schedules in advance to ensure you have enough time to see everything.

Plan enough time: There is a lot to see on both islands. Plan for at least four hours for your visit. Short on time? Then consider what you will skip.

Those were our key recommendations and tips for visiting the Statue of Liberty in New York. Detailed information about the different tickets can be found below (also, why we recommend the ferry from New Jersey).

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most well-known landmarks in New York. It stands for political freedom and democracy. It serves as an unofficial gateway to New York City, welcoming visitors from around the world, just as it did for the nearly 12 million immigrants who saw this enormous statue upon their arrival.

The sculpture is an impressive sight and is located in a beautiful setting between New York and New Jersey. If you are interested in American history or want to learn more about the country's symbols, then a visit to the Statue of Liberty, the Statue of Liberty Museum, and Ellis Island is definitely worth it.

For us, the Statue of Liberty and the Museum on Ellis Island are among the most important sights in New York.

There are three different types of tickets for the Statue of Liberty, as well as a special ticket for the Hard Hat Tour on Ellis Island, the unrenovated hospital where immigrants were registered and examined.

The ferry ride is included in all tickets, whether you travel from New Jersey or Manhattan.

Ground Pass: The "standard" ticket allows you to enter Liberty Island, where the statue is located. You also have access to the Statue of Liberty Museum, which is excellently done and provides exciting facts about the construction of the Statue of Liberty in three films and many models. You will also get an audio guide on both Ellis Island and Liberty Island.

With the Pedestal Pass, you can additionally visit the base of the statue and have a better view of Manhattan. We find this not necessary, as you can also achieve a perfect (and almost better) view of Manhattan and the Financial District skyline from the newly built roof of the Statue of Liberty Museum.

The ticket also grants access to the crown of the statue. Crown reservations must be made long in advance (recommended 6 months before your trip) as they are very limited. Same-day Crown Access tickets are not available, nor is there a waiting list.

Our experience: Just like the Pedestal Pass, it is not worth it. However, you will see a fact firsthand that we only knew from the museum: Lady Liberty wears broken shackles as a reminder and to celebrate the end of slavery.

Here you'll find information about the Crown Access ticket

Unfortunately, we have not done this tour yet. This guided tour was recommended to us for our next visit. It guides you with an audio guide through the unrestored part of Ellis Island, which constitutes two-thirds of the island: the Immigrant Hospital. The ticket allows you to skip the line at the security check, which saves you a lot of time, especially when departing from Manhattan.

You can buy tickets spontaneously on-site at the South Ferry Terminal (Manhattan) and Liberty State Park (New Jersey). However, availability is limited, as this iconic sculpture is one of the most popular attractions in New York.

That means: They sell out quickly.

Therefore, we recommend purchasing tickets before your trip to guarantee a spot on a ferry. To avoid long wait times, I suggest booking the tour from New Jersey. Only during the off-season in winter and spring might you manage to grab a ticket spontaneously. Don't rely on that if you really want to go.

Tickets with ferry, Liberty Island (Statue of Liberty) and Ellis Island cost $24.50. It does not matter whether you take the ferry from New Jersey or New York.

The prices for the Statue of Liberty vary depending on which type of ticket you choose. Even if the ticket for the pedestal costs only minimally more, we believe it is not worth it.

In general, we recommend purchasing a sightseeing pass for New York (comparison of passes). Either the official New York Pass (information I have written here), CityPASS New York, or the Sightseeing Pass for New York. The costs of attractions add up quickly. New York is getting increasingly expensive. We have used the New York Pass for 5 days during all our trips. During our last trip, we visited the Statue of Liberty from New Jersey, which we highly recommend as it is much less crowded and more relaxed.

Consider visiting Liberty Island and Ellis Island from New Jersey (Liberty State Park). The lines are shorter and the boats are less crowded. In general, we find that New Jersey is worth it.

Even the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal is a sight. From 1892 to 1954, this historic train station was the first place millions of immigrants reached when they received permission to immigrate to Ellis Island. From here, they traveled by train to their new homes across the United States.

Options: There are guided tours and audio guides on both islands to provide you with more information. Think in advance about which option works best for you (duration with audio guides is about 45 min per island; we suggest using it on Ellis Island and watching the films in the museum on Liberty Island).

Immediately after getting off the ferry, you can pick up audio guides in German on your right side. Follow the instructions in a clockwise direction and listen to each station in turn. Plan for 40 minutes.

The museum opened in 2019 and includes three interactive films that tell the story of the National Monument of the Statue of Liberty. It also contains a model where you can see the interior of the statue and its steel supports.

You will learn many exciting facts from the design to the finished statue on Liberty Island. Additionally, the original torch and a copper model of the foot are also displayed, so you can see what color Lady Liberty once had.

Ellis Island and the Immigration Museum are included in every ticket. The ferry stops (depending on whether you come from New Jersey or New York) either before or after the visit to the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island.

Coming from New Jersey, the ferry first stops at Ellis Island and then goes to Liberty Island. If coming from New York, it's the opposite, first stopping at Liberty Island. You can either disembark or stay aboard. We visited the Ellis Museum.

Tip: After entering, get an audio guide in German on your right and follow the instructions for visiting the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Experience what processes immigrant went through upon arrival. We found the audio guide very interesting and well done.

We believe that both Liberty Island and Ellis Island should be seen. Especially the audio guides provide a good insight into the fates of the immigrants.

You learn a lot about the history of the nearly 12 million immigrants who sought their great fortune in the United States and initially came to Ellis Island for registration and examination. The exhibition is very detailed and chronologically structured. As visitors with an audio guide, we experienced how a refugee experienced their arrival.

If you have little time, you should consider whether you can still make the exhibition (after entering, on the left side at the end of the Registration Hall through the door). We took about an hour for that and then had to queue up again for the long lines for the ferries. Be prepared for long wait times if you take the ferry to New York.

We also found the panels interesting, where you can also search for your surname and ancestors. I did not know until then that my family had direct ancestors who migrated to the United States.

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. You can reach the island by ferry either from Battery Park in Manhattan or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Tickets for the ferry can be purchased online or at ticket counters in both parks.

If you plan to visit the Statue of Liberty, be sure to buy your tickets online in advance. This way, you can secure a spot on the ferry and circumvent the long lines at the ticket counters. Tickets can be purchased up to a month in advance and can be printed or displayed.

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. You can reach the island by ferry either from Battery Park in Manhattan or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Tickets for the ferry can be purchased online or at ticket counters in both parks.

The best way to reach the Statue of Liberty is to take the ferry from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. The ferry ride takes about 25 minutes and offers a great view of the statue and Ellis Island. You also get a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline.

If you are coming from New Jersey, you can take the ferry from Liberty State Park. The ferry ride from New Jersey is shorter, but you have fewer views of the Statue of Liberty, as the ferry arrives around the back of the island. However, from experience, it is less crowded.

At the Statue of Liberty, there are many things to see. Aside from the statue itself, you can also explore the Statue of Liberty Museum, which covers the history of the statue and its construction.

You can also take a walk around the pedestal, which offers a panoramic view of New York Harbor and the Manhattan skyline. And if you purchase a Crown Pass, you can even go into the crown of the statue and view the torch up close.

The Statue of Liberty Museum features a range of interactive exhibits that tell the story of the Statue of Liberty. Visitors can learn about the history of the statue in New York, see how it was built, and view a replica of the torch. The museum also has several artifacts, including the original torch of the statue and a piece of the statue's pedestal. Additionally, the museum offers a number of educational programs for visitors of all ages. Overall, the museum is a must-see for any visitor wanting to learn more about this American icon.

No matter which ticket you buy, you will definitely have an unforgettable experience at the Statue of Liberty.

The ideal times are spring (March to April) and fall (from mid-October to mid-November). It's less crowded then. Dress warmly, as there is a biting wind around the Statue while walking on Liberty Island.

During peak season (May to September), be sure to book the earliest time slot possible. This way you can avoid crowds and won't have to wait as long for the ferries. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your booked time, as security checks take time and are very strict.

The ferry ride to Liberty Island takes about 25 minutes, so plan enough time to explore the island and see everything it offers. Tip: Go from New Jersey; it's less crowded.

The best time of day to visit the Statue of Liberty is early in the morning. In summer, it is also not as hot.

No, there is no way to visit the Statue of Liberty for free. All visitors must purchase a ticket to enter the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island, and Liberty Island. After all, the Statue of Liberty is one of the top attractions in New York.

However, if you are visiting New York City on a tight budget, there are a few ways to save money on your visit to the Statue of Liberty.

One option is to purchase a New York City Pass (here's my comparison of New York passes), which includes access to the Statue of Liberty and other attractions. Another option is to take advantage of one of the many free walking tours in New York City.

Additionally, you can use the free Staten Island Ferry to get pretty close to the Statue of Liberty. However, we find this does not replace a visit.

Since 1916, it has not been possible to visit the torch of the Statue of Liberty. The torch tourism abruptly ended on July 30, 1916, when the munitions depot on Black Tom Island - less than a mile from Lady Liberty - exploded (caused by German spies during the war). At that time, the United States was not officially involved in World War I; however, they were supplying weapons to the Entente powers Britain and France, who were fighting against the German Empire. These weapons were stored on Black Tom Island.

The explosions were so powerful that they were felt 130 kilometers away in Philadelphia. In Manhattan, windows shattered from the force of the explosions. The right arm of Lady Liberty was struck by shrapnel, causing it to be so severely damaged that it could never be reopened to visitors.

Since 2019, the original torch, damaged in 1916, has found its home in the Statue of Liberty Museum after being on display in the statue's pedestal for years.

There are two options to enter the inside of the Statue of Liberty: You can book a Pedestal Ticket or the ticket for the crown. The latter must be booked at least 6 months in advance, as it sells out quickly. There are no tickets or waiting lists available on-site.

Leave us a comment at the end of the article with feedback and your experience or questions about the visit. Have you been to the crown? What did you think of the Statue of Liberty Museum and where did you buy your tickets for the Statue of Liberty? We look forward to your comment. This helps others with their travel planning for New York.

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