ita

Is this the place where you have to go though lots of security? How long is the trip there and back? From midtown, near Radio City, how do we get there?

doug_stallings

I think I answered this on another thread. No, there is no security here. The security is on the ferry TO the Statue of Liberty. This one just passes by.

BudgetQueen

Allow at least 1/2 hour to get there via subway. Take the 1 train from Times Square to South Ferry. The Staten Island Ferry is a "sail by" ONLY, no access, only a look as you sail past. You need to allow an hour for the round trip ferry. IF You want access, then look at Statue Cruises and booking the boat tour, access to the base and crown, if interested.

Aduchamp1

Ride the ferry on the right side out and the left side back.

This advice is often wrongly attributed as the etymology of the word posh when rich cruise ship passenegers supposedly had their tickets stamped Port Out Starboard Home so that their stateroom would have the shaded side on the trip to India.

jroth

I am still not sure why visitors to NY believe that the Statue of Liberty experience must involve getting off on its island and exploring the statue itself. This was never the original intention of the artist who designed it nor those who had it installeld in New York harbor. It was (and is) intended to be a welcoming symbol to those arriving from abroad by ship. And so it was in the days of the mass immigration from Europe. Newly arriving immigrants were inspired by its presence and the symbol it was for the new life they were entering into. You can duplicate that experience by taking that Staten Island ride (free). Or take the SOL boat but just get off at Ellis Island for the museum - great history of those arriving immigrants.

nytraveler

Cannot stress strongly enough that the Staten Island Fery doens NOT go to the SoL. It gives you a view from a reasonable distance. It is free and runs every 15 minutes or so during the day. The trip to and fro Staten Island will take about an hour and you will get a great view of the downtown skyline on the way back.

The ferry TO the Statue of Liberty should be booked in advance - as should tickets for the Statue. If not, there is a long ticket buyers line (and most probably access to the Statue long sol out), then a security line (like airline, they say leave 45 minutes for this), then another line to get into the Statue (if you have been able to get tickets). The entire Statue of Liberty process, includng round trip ferries will take about 5 hours.