froggie73

Hi - I am planning a day trip to NYC from Boston just to go to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We've done plenty of day trips before so I know it'll be a very long, exhausting day but I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to make the best use of the day. Normally we take the train into Penn Station and either walk or jump in a cab to get where we're going. Is a cab the best plan for this day too? I don't know the subway well enough to consider that option. Is there a commuter train that would get me closer to Battery Park (if I drove to CT)? Thanks for the help!

nytraveler

No Penn Station is as close as you can get.

The question is - do you have tickets for the ferry and statue? Apparently th tickets for the crown are sold out through May - not sure when there are tickets for the ferries and the pedestal (which I would not do the trip without).

You need to go to statuecruises.com to see what dates ticket are available for - unless you want to go in the very near future. Then you might have to take your chances but that could mean standing on line for a very long time - since passengers with tickets get on first and others only if there is room.

You need to allow about 5 hours for all 3 ferries and to see the SoL and Ellis Island. But even with tickets you need to get there about 30 minute early to go through security (airline type security - no large bags or backpacks to get on the ferry.)

So I would check out the tickets and then decide when to go.

Ackislander

You may be able to shorten your day just a bit by taking the train from Route 128 or Providence, depending on where you live.

froggie73

Thank you for the suggestions! Our dates are flexible but I will buy tickets ASAP. Would you suggest we go to the SoL first, then Ellis Island? I'm unfamiliar with the ferry system and how frequently they run but will do some research as well. And based on the suggested five hour allotment, I would assume two hours all encompassing at the SoL, then three at Ellis Island? Thanks again!

vincenzo32951

I'm not an expert on this, but I have made a similar trip from PS to the BP area. I think the subway is the only way to go (to the South Ferry station, I believe). A taxi is going to take longer and be much more expensive.

Just a take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the subway prior to making the trip.

nytraveler

You have to go to the SoL first and then Ellis Island since that is the ferry route: from South ferry on Manhattan to Liberty Island to Ellis Island and then back to south Ferry. How much time you spend on each island depends on your level of interest.

In terms of time the 3 ferries together will take at least 40 minutes all together - plus a half hour up front for the security line (once you have tickets).

doug_stallings

The subway is definitely your best bet. Take Amtrak into Penn Station, then transfer to the 1 train to South Ferry, making sure you are in the front half of the train. When you exit, walk through the park to Castle Clinton to get your tickets.

Make doubly sure you have reserved a spot in advance, or you will spend hours in line. Allow at least 90 minutes between the time of your arrival and the time of your tour because you need to arrive a bit early to pick up your tickets and go through security before the ferry. You'll need at least 3 or 4 hours on the islands to really see something (more if you plan to climb up to the crown), so make sure you arrive early enough and get an early enough ticket time.

froggie73

Thanks again for all the help, especially with the subway!