Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tickets: What to Book

Did you know that Ellis Island was the immigration station where more than 12 million immigrants took their first step onto American soil between 1892 and 1954?

True, the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island welcomed travelers, but it was on Ellis Island that they disembarked and went through the entire immigration process.

Inside the beautiful halls of the Ellis Island immigration station, their fate was decided: whether they could enter the country, whether they would be deported or, if they had the funds, be treated at its modern hospital (you'll walk through its abandoned wards on the Hard Hat Tour).

The building today houses the National Museum of Immigration, a place dedicated to honoring the brave souls who left everything behind to rebuild their lives in America.

Below I'll give you the reasons to visit Ellis Island, also known as the Island of Immigrants in New York, in case this introduction hasn't convinced you yet 😉.

Where is Ellis Island?

Ellis Island and Liberty Island are part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, one of the most important historic sites in New York and absolutely worth visiting.

Like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island sits south of Manhattan, but geographically it's in New Jersey waters.

If you look at a map of Ellis Island, you'll see it's connected to the New Jersey shore by a short bridge, the Ellis Island Bridge. It's used for staff transportation and maintenance work.

Is Ellis Island in New York or New Jersey?

The reason the Statue of Liberty National Monument falls under New York's jurisdiction is historical.

Until 1834 there was no clear boundary between the two states, and since colonial times both islands had been assigned to New York.

That year the United States Congress drew the state line down the middle of the Hudson River, making an exception to keep custody of the islands in New York's hands.

To this day the situation remains complicated and a little hard to grasp. They say New York collects the tourism revenue while New Jersey pays the bills. What matters is that together they've preserved one of the most important historic monuments in the United States.

How to Get to Ellis Island

The ferry ride to Ellis Island and admission to the Immigration Museum are included in the tickets to visit the Statue of Liberty. You don't pay a cent extra to visit.

Ferry terminals for Ellis Island

They're the same terminals used by Statue City Cruises, the official ferry operator for the Statue of Liberty National Monument. There are two departure points, one in Manhattan and one in Jersey City:

⛴️ The Manhattan ferry terminal is in Battery Park, the park at the southern tip of Manhattan (Bowling Green station, subway lines 4 or 5).

⛴️ The New Jersey ferry terminal is in Liberty State Park in Jersey City (one of the best viewpoints of Manhattan!). Read up on how to get to New Jersey from Manhattan.

You can board at Battery Park and come back to the Liberty State Park terminal, or the other way around. It's a great outing!

How much do Ellis Island tickets cost?

Tickets to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are included when you buy your ferry passage. There are several ticket types; here I'll go over only the ones related to Ellis Island:

🚢 General Admission: Round-trip ferry ride to Liberty Island and Ellis Island plus admission to the museums:

💵 Ages 13 to 61: $24.50 | 62+: $18 | Ages 4 to 12: $12

⛑️ Hard Hat Tour: Round-trip ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, plus a guided walk through the abandoned Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital complex.

💵 13+: $74.50 | 62+: $68

All tickets to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty must be purchased on the ferry operator's official website.

Here are more details on what each ticket type includes:

1) General Admission:

It lets you explore Ellis Island and Liberty Island freely, and includes admission to the National Museum of Immigration and admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum.

Ideally you'll go with plenty of time so you can see both museums. They're genuinely interesting and packed with historical information about how modern New York came together.

2) Hard Hat Tour

This 90-minute guided tour takes you through the abandoned buildings of the Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital.

It's an experience that gives you a firsthand, well-documented look at what the thousands of people who entered the United States through this station went through.

In the piece on Ellis Island I share my experience on the Hard Hat Tour. A preview: it's by far one of the most moving things I've done on my trips to New York.

This ticket also includes general admission to Liberty Island and Ellis Island (it does not include pedestal or crown access).

Where do you buy Statue of Liberty tickets?

To lock in the date and time you want, the recommendation is to buy your tickets online.

You can also buy them at the ticket windows inside Castle Clinton in Battery Park, an old military fort that once protected New York Harbor.

If you're departing from New Jersey, you can buy them inside another historic building: the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, in Liberty State Park.

But I'll say it again: DO NOT BUY tickets the same day. In high season the lines are enormous and you won't get pedestal tickets or crown access.

II. The Fascinating History of Ellis Island

• The origins and evolution of Ellis Island as a point of entry for immigrants.
• An account of its first days in operation and its role in United States history.

(the first immigration station operated out of Castle Clinton in Battery Park).

IV. Touring the Landmark Sites

• A detailed look at the Immigration Museum on Ellis Island.
• Points of interest, such as the Statue of Liberty visible from the island.

V. Immersive Experiences on Ellis Island

• Moving stories of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island.
• Interactive activities inside the museum that help you better understand the immigrant experience.

VI. Hidden Gems and Lesser-Known Corners

• Less-visited spots on the island that offer a unique perspective.
• Tips for exploring quieter areas and uncovering hidden secrets.

VII. Ellis Island Today

• Special events and temporary exhibitions that may be running.
• Conservation initiatives and efforts to preserve the island's history.

VIII. Practical Tips for Visitors

• Advice on the best time to visit Ellis Island.
• Expert tips for making the most of your visit and dodging the crowds.

IX. Powerful Immigrant Stories

• Personal narratives that highlight just how varied these experiences were.
• Interviews or quotes from immigrants sharing their moving stories.

X. Final Thoughts: Ellis Island as a Cultural Treasure

• A recap of Ellis Island's historical and cultural importance.
• An invitation to readers to explore this fascinating corner of New York.

XI. Additional Resources

• Links to useful trip-planning resources.
• Further reading suggestions on the history of immigration in the United States.

This outline gives you a solid structure for an informative, engaging article about Ellis Island, offering readers a complete picture of this iconic New York landmark.

What to See on Ellis Island

Ellis Island isn't a cheerful place. It was one of the most important and most rigid customs stations for entering the United States.

Here, foreigners went through severe bureaucratic and medical inspections before setting foot in their new homeland, and many ended up in quarantine or, in the worst cases, deported.

Many arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs, fleeing wars and famine: 2.5 million Italians, 2.3 million Austro-Hungarians, 1.9 million Russians, 600,000 Germans and hundreds of thousands of Asians came through Ellis Island.

If immigration history hits close to home for you or simply interests you, I'd recommend these three visits:

1. The South Street Seaport Museum, where you'll learn more about the transatlantic voyages of Europeans searching for a better life in America
2. The Tenement Museum in the Lower East Side, dedicated to the history of migration in New York (103 Orchard Street).
3. The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, the historic train terminal in New Jersey where travelers arrived to continue their journey to other parts of the United States after clearing the Ellis Island inspection (it's near the Liberty State Park viewpoint in Jersey City)

New York's Immigration Museum

Today the island is an immigration museum, and visiting invites quiet reflection. It's a tribute to everyone who passed through to rebuild their lives in New York.

In the outdoor gardens you'll find the Wall of Honor, a memorial listing the names of thousands of immigrants who made it to «America» through Ellis.

On the wall you'll spot familiar names like science fiction writer Isaac Asimov and Max Factor, both from Russia, painter Max Ernst from Germany, actor Bela Lugosi from Hungary, Venezuelan president Cipriano Castro, gangster Lucky Luciano from Italy, and thousands of other Italians who would leave their mark on New York.

The Wall of Honor still has plenty of room for descendants to honor their intrepid ancestors by engraving their names, though only after contributing a sum to the Ellis Island Foundation, which keeps this legacy alive.

After visiting Ellis Island, I promise you'll see New York with different eyes. You'll walk through Chinatown, Little Italy or the Lower East Side understanding their roots, but above all admiring everyone who crossed oceans and built new lives through sheer effort and talent.

Ellis Island on Film

If the story of the Ellis Island immigrants interests you, watch Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather Part II, which has scenes filmed on the island itself.

This is where young Vito Andolini becomes Vito Corleone, thanks to an official who mistook his hometown for his last name. The same thing happened to thousands of foreigners whose names were rewritten by customs officers.

Like thousands of immigrants, Corleone was left in quarantine on Ellis Island.

How to Get to Ellis Island

You board the same ferry that goes to the Statue of Liberty (subway lines 4 and 5, Bowling Green station in Manhattan, or from Liberty State Park in New Jersey)

Prices

With the same Statue of Liberty ticket and at no extra cost, you can visit Ellis Island, either before or after the Statue's island, since the ferry runs a loop between both islands and the terminal in Manhattan or Jersey City.

The key is buying your ticket in advance to skip the lines and save time. It's also smart to book a morning departure, which gives you time to take both monuments at an unhurried pace.

Access to Ellis Island is also included in the tourist discount passes.

Hours

Every day of the year except December 25 and Thanksgiving
9 am to 5 pm