THINGS TO DO NY · SAVE IN NYC · 4 minute read
The Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry are two different systems. NYC DOT’s Staten Island Ferry is free between Lower Manhattan and St. George. NYC Ferry is a paid network for waterfront trips. Choose by destination first, then compare the full cost of getting there and back.
Fares checked October 23, 2026: NYC Ferry now costs $5 one way, $30 for ten trips and $1.50 for approved discount-program rides. These fares took effect October 19, 2026. See the official fare-change announcement. The Staten Island Ferry remains a different, free NYC DOT service.
In this guide: The difference at a glance · Choose a ticket for the trips you will take · A transfer is different from a return trip · Check the discounts and the current route map · Before you pay
The difference at a glance
| Service | Fare | What it is useful for |
|---|---|---|
| NYC DOT Staten Island Ferry | Free | The Whitehall–St. George crossing and a harbor outing |
| NYC Ferry | $5 one way (effective October 19, 2026) | Travel between the network’s waterfront landings |
| Sightseeing cruise or island ferry | Operator-specific tickets | A specific tour, experience or island visit |
The first two rows are based on NYC DOT’s service information and NYC Ferry’s ticketing page. A sightseeing product should be checked with its own operator. These tickets are not interchangeable.
Ask a simple question before opening a ticket app: which landing gets me closest to the place I want to visit? A beautiful boat trip can be worthwhile, but it may add a walk, another transfer or a second fare. Plan that whole journey.
Choose a ticket for the trips you will take
For one adult, separate outward and return NYC Ferry rides cost $10 at the current standard fare. Budget separately for getting to the landing and any onward travel.
The current $30 ten-trip pass works out to $3 per ride. That comparison assumes you use all ten rides within the ticket rules. Unused trips are not a saving.
NYC Ferry also lists an app-only $15 pass for 48 hours of unlimited travel across its routes. Check the app for current purchase and activation terms. Compare only the rides you will actually take.
A transfer is different from a return trip
NYC Ferry’s published ticket rules allow transfers within its system for 120 minutes from the start of a one-way journey. Round trips do not qualify as free transfers. Do not plan a long lunch and an automatic free ride home on the same activated ticket.
Keep NYC Ferry travel separate from your subway or bus budget. The ferry’s transfer rule applies to its own network; your waterfront outing still needs a plan for travel before and after the ferry.
Read the landing name and departure direction twice. Similar-looking destinations on a map can be served by different sailings. The correct boat is the one that gets you to your chosen stop, not simply the first boat arriving.
Check the discounts and the current route map
The approved discount-program fare is now $1.50 per one-way trip. The $1.50 student fare applies to eligible NYC middle and high school students for weekday use during the school year. Eligibility and verification still apply; check the official ticket information.
Use the current routes and schedules to select a waterfront destination and check service alerts. Do not build a winter plan from an old summer screenshot. Seasonal services and departure patterns can change.
For an easy leisure outing, choose one landing, one activity and one return option. If your day already has multiple timed bookings, the simplest transit connection may be a better fit than a scenic detour.
Before you pay
- Confirm the operator: NYC DOT, NYC Ferry or a separate cruise.
- Confirm the landing, direction and current departure schedule.
- Count both outward and return journeys.
- Read the ticket validity, transfer and activation rules.
- Compare a pass only with the rides you will realistically take.
If your main goal is a no-ticket-cost harbor ride, start with our Staten Island Ferry guide. If your goal is a waterfront neighborhood, use Explore NYC to choose the area before choosing transport.
Official sources and next steps
NYC DOT ferry · NYC Ferry fares and ticket rules · Route map and schedules
Fares, pass options and transfer rules reviewed October 23, 2026. Prices, hours and availability can change; confirm the official details before traveling. Suggested outing durations are planning estimates.
Cover photograph: Existing Things To Do NY photo library.
