Plan Your Visit

Statue of Liberty photo taken froma boat with the NYC skyline in the background

NPS Photo

 

Planning Ahead For Your Visit

Visiting Liberty Island is one of the most rewarding experiences of any trip to New York City. However, visitors who wish to visit the islands or enter the pedestal and visit the crown must secure tickets through Statue City Cruises, the ONLY AUTHORIZED ticket seller for Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. This is very different from how past generations once accessed the Statue of Liberty. The National Park Service strongly recommends making advanced ticket purchases. Tickets secured far enough in advance allow visitors to select their desired level of access and eliminate the need to wait in line to purchase tickets at The Battery (NYC) or Liberty State Park (NJ).

What Are My Ticket Options?

Visitors arrive by ferry service. All ferry tickets include access to the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Pedestal and crown access require advance purchase as these 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. One ferry ticket includes access to both islands. Purchasing tickets through vendors other than Statue City Cruises may result in unnecessary additional charges. For more information, visit our Fees and Passes page.

  • General Admission: This ticket is our most widely available ticket. Visitors will have access to both islands, including entry to both the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. This is the only ticket available when crown and pedestal reservations are sold out. General Admission tickets do not include access inside the statue or pedestal.
  • Pedestal Ticket: Tickets are limited. Pedestal tickets allow visitors to access up to the top of the pedestal, which includes lower pedestal levels. These are purchased online only through Statue City Cruises.
  • Crown Ticket: Tickets are limited. Crown tickets allow visitors to access the crown of the statue, which includes a walk up 162 steps from the feet of the statue to the crown. There is no elevator access to the crown. These are purchased online only through Statue City Cruises.

The time listed on the ferry ticket is the time you need to get in the queue for the security screening facility either at The Battery (NYC) or Liberty State Park (NJ). It is not a reservation for a ferry departure.

It is recommended that you include ample time and maintain a flexible schedule to include boarding the ferry and security screening. Wait time can be an hour or more during peak times and seasons, including summer, weekends, and holidays.

 
A ferry boat with passengers arrives to Liberty Island on a bright summer day.
Statue City Cruises

Statue City Cruises is our official source for tickets to the island. Click this link for more information.

Photograph of the front of the Great hall in the main immigration building
National Museum of Immigration

Learn more about Ellis Island and its history. Click for more information.

Park Police Officers and their K-9's on Ellis Island with the Statue in the background.
Safety, Security & Screening

All visitors must pass through airport-style security before boarding ferries at Liberty State Park or The Battery.

Virtual Tour Interface including view from inside Statue of Liberty crown
Learn about & Take the Virtual Tour

Learn more and tour the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island virtually through 360-degree and historic images and unique locations.

Last updated: October 2, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Receiving Office
1 Ellis Island

Jersey City, NJ 07305

Phone:

212 363-3200

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