How long does it take to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island?


How long does it take to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island? At a minimum, you should budget two hours for the Statue of Liberty and an additional hour if you plan to visit Ellis Island as well.


Can you do Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty in one day?

Tickets are limited based on safety and security standards. To visit both islands in one day, the National Park Service recommends an early ferry departure. Tickets are purchased through Statue City Cruises, the official ferry service provider. Ferries provide transportation to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island.


Is it free to see the Statue of Liberty?

These passes do not apply at the Statue of Liberty National Monument, which does not charge an entrance fee. The cost of the ferry ticket is not an entrance fee but a transportation fee. There is no additional charge to visit the museum on Liberty Island and Ellis Island.


Can you still walk up in the Statue of Liberty?

If you want to go inside the Statue of Liberty, you must buy a Pedestal Access or Crown Access ticket. General Admission tickets do not get you access inside the statue. If you are interested in tours of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, read more below.


Can you walk into Ellis Island?

No, public access to Ellis Island is only via ferry boat operated by Statue City Cruises. The docking of private vessels is strictly prohibited. The bridge to Ellis Island is not open to the public and is available to authorized personnel only.


Do you need to book Ellis Island?

Tickets are available for purchase daily. However, during peak visitation periods tickets can sell out. To ensure access, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance. For updates on island openings, please visit the National Park Service website.


Is it worth going to Ellis Island?

As a tour guide, a question I hear a lot is: “Is it worth it to see Ellis Island?” For those who have no familial connection or relation to the people who passed through, its importance and influence can often be overlooked. Which is why I am here to tell you that it is absolutely, 100% worth it.


Which is better Angel Island or Ellis Island?

Overall, almost everyone who came through Ellis Island (around 98% by some counts) was admitted. By contrast, 60% of the immigrants who arrived at Angel Island—most of whom were Chinese—were detained, and it took weeks or months to be released; the longest detention Lee found was 756 days.


How early should I be there to visit Statue of Liberty?

Getting to the Statue of Liberty Aim to arrive approximately 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time as there's a required security screening of all passengers before boarding.


How do you avoid crowds at the Statue of Liberty?

Since the first departure is at 8:30 am and security opens at 8:15 am, plan to be there no later than 8:00. Being on the 9:00 am slot means there will be less crowds on the grounds of the Statue of Liberty, the Pedestal and even Ellis Island, and your visit will be much smoother.


What is the best day of the week to go to the Statue of Liberty?

Inevitably weekends are busier than mid-week, but it really is all relative and there is truly no quiet time to visit the statue. Our recommendation is to catch the first ferry departures Tuesday–Thursday if you really want to beat the crowds and get inside the museums ahead of anybody else.


What is the best time of day to see the Statue of Liberty?

Being on the 9:00 am slot means there will be less crowds on the grounds of the Statue of Liberty, the Pedestal and even Ellis Island, and your visit will be much smoother. Alternatively, opt for an early afternoon visit – though at that time of day there will definitely be more people than in the early morning.


What is the best way to see Statue of Liberty?

BEST VIEW: Hands down, the best view on land is from atop One World Observatory. Located in the southern most part of Manhattan, it's the closest observation deck to the Statue of Liberty, giving you the most intimate view possible from land.


How long does it take to walk to the top of the Statue of Liberty?

It takes around 20 minutes to walk to the top of the Statue of Liberty. You can take an elevator to the pedestal level of the Statue but the walk up to the crown itself will take you at least 15 minutes.


Is it worth going up the Statue of Liberty?

I don't think people realize just how steep and tight the stairway up is! The statue museum is amazing and it was just surreal to see it up close! The views from the ferry are better... but it is so worth it to plan ahead and book tickets to climb to the crown at least once in your life!


Can I take a backpack to Statue of Liberty?

Pedestal Access Those with reservations to the pedestal, the stone base that the Statue of Liberty sits on top of, must secure the following items in a locker: ALL FOOD & DRINKS (except water in a clear plastic bottle) ALL BACKPACK-STYLE BAGS (including over-sized bags, drawstring bags, and backpack purses) Strollers.