NYC Ferry: Routes, Fares and the Best Views on Board

The NYC Ferry is a must-do and wonderful ride on your next trip to New York.

This ferry zigzags between Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens and, besides moving locals around, it makes for an entertaining adventure for us travelers.

The best part is that it's a much cheaper alternative to the tourist cruises, and you still get to enjoy the Manhattan skyline for just a few dollars.

NYC Ferry routes

The NYC Ferry was created to improve connections between the city's boroughs and ease crowding on the subway. It turned into a tourist hit, and for good reason.

The 6 NYC Ferry routes let you cross from DUMBO to Wall Street in minutes, or from Midtown to Williamsburg, just to give you a couple of examples.

In summer you can even reach Rockaway Beach in under an hour (the subway trip is much longer and far less fun) and Governors Island, a ride worth taking to see Lower Manhattan in all its glory.

Below you'll find the route of each line and the top attractions you can visit near each stop:

1. East River route

This route connects the Brooklyn neighborhoods along the East River (DUMBO, Greenpoint and Williamsburg) with Manhattan.

It's an essential trip because you'll sail underneath the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges. Impressive!

It also stops in Long Island City, steps from the sleek Gantry Plaza Park (home to the famous vintage Pepsi-Cola sign).

Stops

(Click the links to read about the points of interest near each landing)

• Midtown East: East 34th Street, Manhattan.
• Long Island City: Hunters Point South, 54th Avenue at 2nd Street
• Greenpoint: 10 India Street
• North Williamsbug: North 6th Street at Kent Avenue
• South Williamsburg: 440 Kent Ave
• Dumbo: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1
• Wall Street: Pier 11
• Governors Island, summer only.

2. Rockaway route

This one runs between Wall Street (Pier 11) and Rockaway Beach.

It gets busy in summer, since it's one of the fastest ways to reach these city beaches in Queens.

Along the way there's a stop in Sunset Park, a residential Brooklyn neighborhood with a park few tourists ever visit.

If you're into photography, it's a prime spot to catch the sunset over Manhattan.

3. South Brooklyn route

The NYC Ferry South Brooklyn line connects residential neighborhoods in southern Brooklyn with Manhattan's Financial District, and in summer with Governors Island.

I always tell you Brooklyn is my favorite borough in New York. It's a more «authentic» and laid-back version of this cosmopolitan city.

Give yourself time to wander its streets. In the links you'll find details on the neighborhoods near the ferry stops so you can get to know them a bit better.

Stops

• Bay Ridge: An Italian neighborhood, home to Tony Manero and Peggy Olsen (American Veterans Memorial Pier).
• Sunset Park: An excellent Manhattan viewpoint we'll be writing about soon (140 58th St). The ferry landing in this neighborhood sits inside the Brooklyn Army Terminal complex, which plays Arkham Psychiatric Hospital in Joker (2019).
• Red Hook: A little-explored corner, a favorite of rock star chef Anthony Bourdain and home to the wonderful IKEA store (Ferris Street and Clinton Wharf).
• Brooklyn Bridge Park: Pier 6, Atlantic Avenue.
• DUMBO: Old Fulton Street and Furman Street
• Wall Street: Pier 11
• Governors Island: weekends only during the island's visiting season.

4. Astoria route

This route connects Wall Street and Midtown East with the interesting Queens neighborhoods of Astoria and Long Island City.

This NYC Ferry route also stops at Roosevelt Island, where I recommend visiting Four Freedoms Park and then heading back to Manhattan on the Tram, the only cable car in NYC that crosses the East River.

5. Lower East Side route

This route connects Long Island City in Queens with Manhattan's Financial District (Pier 11).

It's probably the least touristy of them all, since its purpose is to get students and office workers living in Queens into the Financial District.

6. Soundview route

The NYC Ferry Soundview line carries commuters from the Bronx and the Upper East Side to workplaces in Lower Manhattan.

If your plan is to visit the Bronx attractions, it's a fast and original way to get around.

7. St. George Route

The St. George line opened in August 2021 as an alternative way to connect Staten Island with Midtown West (stop at Midtown West/E. 39th Street) and Battery Park in Lower Manhattan.

Until now the only way to reach Staten Island was on those huge orange ferries, and while they're free, they're not as fast as the NYC Ferry, which connects Midtown with St. George in 30 minutes.

8. Coney Island Route

Promised for late 2021! I can already picture how great that ride along the river will be, from Pier 11 in Manhattan to Coney Island, one of the most special neighborhoods in New York.

The trip will take just 37 minutes (on the subway it's more than an hour).

It will also stop at Bay Ridge, another Brooklyn neighborhood and home to Tony Manero from Saturday Night Fever.

How much does the NYC Ferry cost?

Believe it or not, one NYC Ferry ticket costs the same as a subway ticket: $2.75.

The ticket is valid for 90 minutes, and during that window you can transfer between different ferry lines at no extra cost.

If you're staying in the city for a longer stretch, the 30-day pass could be worth it. It gives you unlimited rides on every ferry line for $120.

Where to buy NYC Ferry tickets

You can buy them through the NYC Ferry app, on their website, at the ticket booth at Pier 11 on Wall Street, or from the vending machines at each terminal.

Do kids and seniors pay?

Children under 3 feet 7 inches (1.10 meters) ride free. Above that height, they pay the regular fare.

There are no discounts for visiting seniors, only for residents.

Hours

Ferry schedules depend on the route, but in general they run every half hour from 6:30 am to midnight.

You can check the detailed schedules on the ferry website.