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NYC Ferry: What you need to know about routes, tickets, and more

How to use the city’s new ferry service, one of the most pleasant ways to get around

Ferry rides on New York City’s waterways are the latest public transportation system to join the city’s subway and buses, with the NYC Ferry system —which now connects four of the five boroughs—launching in 2017. (Some 6.3 million people turned to the ferries for their travels in 2019.) The ferry system currently has six routes serving neighborhoods like lower Manhattan, the Rockaways, and the Lower East Side; in the next few years, several new routes and stops will be added to the service.

It’s one of the more pleasant ways to get around the city : The mini-voyages on the East River and throughout New York Harbor offer sprawling cityscape views and are a great way for out-of-towners to take in the boroughs without spending a fortune. If you’re interested in switching up your commute or just enjoying a leisurely boat ride, here’s everything you need to know about the city’s newest public transportation network.

What routes are currently operational?

Between the ferry’s launch in May 2017 and the end of 2018, NYC Ferry launched six routes: East River, Rockaway, Astoria, South Brooklyn, Lower East Side, and Soundview. (A new Brooklyn Navy Yard stop has since been added to the Astoria Route.)

The system’s main hub is Pier 11/Wall Street, where all lines converge. From there, on the weekends during the summer, the South Brooklyn and East River routes offer connections to Governors Island.

What routes are coming soon?

Several new routes are on the horizon for the service, including one from Staten Island to Battery Park City and then up the west side of Manhattan scheduled to launch in 2020. Another route from Coney Island to lower Manhattan is in the works, and a new landing in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx is also planned for 2021.

The South Brooklyn Route will also be reconfigured to commence from Sunset Park/Brooklyn Army Terminal instead of Bay Ridge, which will be added to the new Coney Island Route, and will no longer stop at Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park (that stop will only be accessible via the East River route).

How much does a ferry ride cost?

It’s the same as riding the subway: $2.75 for a one-way fare , and $121 for a 30-day pass. You have to pay an additional $1 to bring your bike onboard, which translates to $141 for a 30-day pass that includes a bike onboard.

Unfortunately, you can’t use your MetroCard on the ferry, which has led critics to question how much the ferry will actually benefit commuters. But the service does offer free transfers within its routes up to 90 minutes from when you first board the ferry.

How do I buy tickets?

Each of the ferry landings has electronic vending machines and ticket agents to help you out, but the easiest way to do it is to download the ferry app on your smartphone. The app also offers a detailed breakdown of the ferry schedule. Tickets are also available for purchase on the NYC Ferry’s website .

How many people can each ferry seat?

Most of the NYC Ferry’s existing fleet fits 129 inside and 28 people on the outer deck for a total of 149 passengers. In 2018, the city debuted the first of its six 350-passenger boats to meet the growing demand for the system.

How long is the ride?

Times vary depending on the route. The shortest route is the Lower East Side, which is completed in about 34 minutes. But the distance between the Rockaways and Wall Street, meanwhile, is covered in approximately 57 minutes. It takes about 35 minutes between Wall Street and Astoria; from South Brooklyn to Pier 11 it’s 46 minutes; the Soundview trip takes 46 minutes; and the East River route last 48 minutes.

What can I do once I’m on board?

Well, aside from the free Wi-Fi and charging stations, you can also hit the sauce, among other beverages. The ferry offers beer on tap, wine, and coffee, along with a selection of snacks, all part of a concessions stand called The New Stand . Brooklyn Pilsner and the Gotham Project are on tap, and Joe Coffee is the pick-me-up of choice.

How have New Yorkers reacted to the new ferry system?

Mayor Bill de Blasio launched the NYC Ferry system in 2017, and cast his ferries as an alternative to the ailing public transportation offered by the MTA, pegging the fare to the price of a subway or bus swipe. This, de Blasio said at his 2015 state of the city address announcing the service, would make ferries “ affordable to everyday New Yorkers just like our subways and buses .”

But since its launch, the service has navigated choppy waters, with critics calling it a boutique transportation project that lacks the capacity to meaningfully serve commuters. (The latest ferry boats holds up to 350 riders, while a single subway train can carry upwards of 1,000 straphangers.) The fare may be the same as a subway or bus ride, but the system sails with a $9.34 per passenger subsidy; meanwhile, the subway fare is subsidized at $1.05 per rider. Long-withheld surveys also found that upon its launch the typical ferry rider earned a six-figure salary —not exactly the average New Yorker de Blasio cast as the service’s target audience.

Still, for all its foibles, the ferry system draws millions of riders each year and as the city continues to pour resources into it, so it won’t be going anywhere any time soon.

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Your New York Ferry Guide – An Overview of The Most Popular NYC Ferries

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For locals, the New York Ferry or NYC Ferry is one of the most important means of transportation when it comes to reliability and speed. Unfortunately, the subway (MTA), usually has a problem with running on time. You just never know if the MTA is on schedule for if there will be delays. It can also be particularly bad on weekends because of ongoing construction. You usually won’t have to deal with any of this when it comes to ferries.

Table of Contents

NYC Ferry Guide: What to Know

NYC ferries run on a strict schedule here. Now, that may seem completely normal to you as a visitor, but it is a real luxury for us locals. Transportation in NYC can be difficult and the ferry is one of the few options that remains on schedule and on time. In this article, we’ll provide you with an overview of the different possibilities as a tourist about using ferries in NYC. You have many options and very attractive destinations that can be reached by using an NYC Ferry.

NYC Ferry: The Ferry for the East River

The public NYC Ferry or New York Ferry used to be called the East River Ferry. It travels on the East River, which takes you from Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx (and back). The ferry is especially popular with New Yorkers to get to work from home. It’s super-efficient, because it’s guaranteed to avoid any traffic jams. If you get thirsty or hungry, you can even buy small snacks or drinks on the ferries.  

The best part about this is the ride is super-relaxing, it doesn’t put a dent in your wallet because it costs just as much as a subway ride which is only $ 2.75. Also, just like other ferries, you get to see amazing views.

Schedule, Prices and Tickets for the NYC Ferry

Ferry tickets are relatively cheap. A one-way ticket runs for $2.75 (if you bring a bike on board, it costs $1 more). There’s also a $30 dollar ferry ticket as well. Kids are permitted to ride the NYC Ferry for free as long as they are no taller than 44 inches.

The 50 Absolute Best Things to Do in New York (90+ pages)

Getting Your New York Ferry Tickets

There are three different ways to buy New York ferry tickets. Our favorite is the really good and easy-to-use NYC Ferry app (available for free download on iOS and Android). Here, you can choose your New York ferry ticket and you can pay by credit card. Make sure your phone has a working internet. You can also can buy the New York ferry tickets at kiosks at their respective seaports. The last alternative is the website itself, here you can order the tickets and then print them out at the end.

NYC Ferry Map and Stops

In total there are 8 routes, 7 of which you can already use. Depending on the particular route, the ferries start every 20-30 minutes on weekdays and every 45 minutes on weekends (you can see that they are very popular with commuters).

The blue East River route runs between Midtown East (34th Street), Queens (Hunters Point), Brooklyn ( Greenpoint , North and South Williamsburg, DUMBO at Brooklyn Bridge Park, and again to Manhattan (Wall Street / Pier 11) In addition, Governors Island is also on the blue route.

The Rockaway route is a summer hot spot. After an hour long ride, you’ll reach Rockaway (NYC Ferry used to stop at Sunset Park in Brooklyn), which is known for its fantastic beach. Here you can enjoy a beach day, walks along the promenade or visit the Rockaway Brewing Company.

The pink-colored South Brooklyn route connects the southern part of Brooklyn with Lower Manhattan . The stops are DUMBO , Atlantic Avenue (both at Brooklyn Bridge Park), Red Hook (near IKEA, nearby is our favorite BBQ at Hometown BBQ and right next to it is the Brooklyn Crab which is also recommended), Sunset Park and Bay Ridge. The NY ferry also heads to Governors Island in the summer.

If you want to go north from Manhattan, or you want to go back to Manhattan from Queens, then the orange route from Astoria is the place to go. Here, the ferry commutes between Wall Street / Pier 11, East 34th Street, Long Island City at Gantry Plaza State Park, Roosevelt Island and Astoria.

The purple-colored Soundview line leads from Lower Manhattan to the Bronx. The Lower East Side route will be yellow and connect Lower Manhattan with Long Island City (in addition to the Astoria route, it will have two more stops in Manhattan).

You can download the NYC Ferry map with all the stops as a  PDF .

Here, you can view the schedule including the  departure times in detail .

NY Waterway–The NYC Ferry to Jersey and Manhattan

NY Waterway ferry connects Jersey with Manhattan. It’s also known as the Hudson River Ferry. Many locals have now moved to the neighboring state, New Jersey, particularly Jersey City and Hoboken. Those cities have become super attractive neighborhoods. In addition to the PATH and buses, the NY Waterway Ferry is also a reliable option.

The Ferry Terminal locations are in Midtown on W38th Street, Brookfield Place in Lower Manhattan, Pier 11 Wall Street and the Battery Maritime Building in Port Liberté. For example, if you have rented an Airbnb in the neighboring state or are staying in a hotel, the NY ferry is often the faster alternative to get to the city.

While the South, such as Jersey City, Paulus Hook, and Hoboken, have good access to the PATH, areas like Weehawken, West New York, and Edgewater rely on the NJ Transit Bus. This can be a nightmare, especially during peak times, because the buses have to drive through the Lincoln Tunnel, which is usually congested. It often makes sense to take the ferry at certain times of the day, especially if you need to be somewhere.

Costs, Prices, and Tickets for the NY Waterway

In terms of price, the cost of the NY Waterway is significantly higher than the NYC Ferry. A drive from Port Imperial in NJ can cost $13 per person to Lower Manhattan. Children from 6-11 years pay $ 6.50. From age 11, the child counts as an adult. A ride to Midtown costs a maximum of $9 depending on where you leave.

How To Get NY Waterway Tickets

You can get NY Waterway tickets  either online  or at the ticket kiosks that are located at every stop of the NY Waterway. There are monthly and weekly tickets which are worthwhile if you ONLY use the ferry.

New York Ferry to Staten Island

One of the most popular ferries is the  Staten Island Ferry  which connects Manhattan to Staten Island. The orange-colored ferries are a part of New York City’s vibe just as much as the yellow cabs. The best part is the Staten Island Ferry is free! On the 20-25 minute crossing, you’ll enjoy the photogenic skyline of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. The ferries have been connecting the two boroughs since 1905 and the Staten Island Ferry uses more than 23 million passengers per year or over 60,000 per day.

Staten Island Ferry Schedule

During rush hour, the ferries leave every 15 minutes. Otherwise, it’s every 30 minutes.

The ferry starts in Battery Park in Manhattan. The nearest subway stations are Whitehall St., which you can reach by taking the   N R   W  lines and South Ferry Station, which is line  1  . The St. George Terminal is your destination in Staten Island. You can either take the next ferry back to Manhattan or take some time off at the North Shore Waterfront Esplanade Park. When you get back to Lower Manhattan, you can round off your experience with a visit to the 9/11 Memorial and the  One World Observatory  or you can go for a nice drink at the bar, The Dead Rabbit.

You can see the schedule  here.

New York Ferry to the Statue of Liberty

This is one of the most popular tours in New York. This New York ferry connects New York’s Battery Park with Liberty Island (where the Statue of Liberty is located) and Ellis Island.  If you only want to go to Liberty Island without going into the Statue of Liberty itself, then the price for the crossing is already included in all  sightseeing passes.

Tickets and Prices for the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty

There are several tickets for the Statue of Liberty:  

1.  Ferry ticket and visit to Liberty Island and Ellis Island

2. Tickets for the  first pedestal of the Statue of Liberty

3. Tickets to  the crown of the Statue of Liberty  (of which there are only 365 per day, you have to book long in advance)

More about the Statue of Liberty  can be found in this article.

Schedule, Tickets, and Prices For the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty

Every day, the ferries leave their ports in Battery Park at 8:30 am and run pretty much every 20 minutes. It takes about 15-20 minutes to get to Liberty Island. From there, the ferries leave for Ellis Island which is about a 10-minute ride and then the ferries head back to Manhattan.

NYC Ferry–The Seastreak Ferry

This relatively large, very comfortable ferry in New York is both a ferry for commuters and for those looking for a weekend getaway. Seastreak has numerous destinations. We recommend taking weekend trips to beautiful  Newport  or to  Martha’s Vineyard.

Obviously, only do something like this if you plan on staying in New York for a long time and want to plan an extra weekend outside of the city.

The IKEA Ferry  in New York

The IKEA Ferry is also called the Ikea Water Taxi or IKEA Express Ferry and is part of the New York Water Taxi. It commutes between Manhattan and Red Hook , Brooklyn. The ferry stops right in front of IKEA in Brooklyn. Yes, New Yorkers take the ferry to Ikea and then have the furniture delivered to their home. It’s pretty convenient.

The ride itself is relaxing. You can look at the wonderful skyline of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge . The IKEA ferry goes right past Governors Island as well. The ferry starts at Pier 11 in Wall Street.

Schedule, Tickets, and Prices for the IKEA Ferry

On weekdays, the ferries start every 45 minutes from 2PM. On weekends, they start every 50 minutes from 11:30AM. The price for a ride is $5, but you can redeem it when you shop at IKEA!

You can buy tickets at the ticket counter at Pier 11. For the trip back to Manhattan, we bought them at the ticket kiosk at the pier in Brooklyn.

New York Water Taxi

The New York Water Taxi is an ideal way to explore New York City from the water. NY Water Taxi has four stations in Midtown, Battery Park, South Street Seaport and Brooklyn Dumbo). You can travel back and forth as often as you like with the one day ticket.  Just sit back, relax and enjoy the view. The ride takes about 70 minutes. Here is a detailed article from us about  NY Water Taxi .

Prices and tickets for the NY Water Taxi

The New York Water Taxi Day Pass rates are as follows: Adults are $37 and children ages 3-12 are $31. These tickets are valid for one day.  You can get Water Taxi tickets  here  . If you have the  New York Pass, the day pass for the Water Taxi is already included.

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Locals Know This Is the Best Way to See NYC

A local’s guide to must-visit piers, parks, breweries, beaches, and more across nyc’s boroughs—by water..

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The NYC Ferry connects all five boroughs of New York City; it acts as both a commuter ride and pleasure cruise for locals.

Photo by Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock

As the lucky tenant of a high-floor apartment in a low-rise neighborhood, I am arrogantly familiar with New York City geography. Every day for more than 20 years, I’ve awakened to the kind of sparkling NYC skyline views most people only get to see in movie credit sequences. Yet, even with all that, I’m still stunned every time I take an East River ferry and watch Midtown’s skyline shift as the river bends between the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges. Suddenly the Empire State Building (my architectural crush, my Machine Age sweetheart) is not where I expect to see it; my familiar living room view of it is upended by a new angle and different array of buildings around it. I feel like I’ve passed through the looking glass.

These ferries aren’t the formidable Staten Island ferry , chugging back and forth between St. George in Staten Island and the tip of Manhattan. These smaller NYC Ferry boats operate on seven routes around the boroughs (an eighth, that will run from Wall Street to Coney Island, starts summer 2022). Several routes run up and down the East River, carrying commuters and sightseers from way up in the Bronx or Queens all the way down to the Financial District. Other routes head due south, scalloping in and out along the Brooklyn waterfront, to the beaches at Far Rockaway. In 2021, a new kind of Staten Island ferry was introduced that runs straight up the Hudson River to Midtown Manhattan. The accessibility and immediacy of the multiple ferry routes have opened a new way to experience the city, all for the same $2.75 fare as subways and buses.

For locals and visitors, ferries offer easy entry into neighborhoods they may be curious about—like Williamsburg, formerly famous for hipsters but now more established and approachable, or the multinational mélange of Astoria, or Far Rockaway, where the city meets the Atlantic Ocean—but reluctant to visit sight unseen. As the ferry approaches and docks, passengers have time to see the lay of the land and get an idea of which direction to walk first, unlike when you emerge from the subway station and stand blinking in the sunlight, checking your Google maps for orientation.

During the pandemic, my husband Thom and I took ferry adventures to new-to-us neighborhoods, bringing our bikes (Citi Bikes are widely available at and near ferry docks) and an ancient AIA Guide to New York City , our advanced planning usually limited to dropping a Google Map pin on local breweries with outdoor seating in our destinations. Here are some of our favorite ferry discoveries:

Far Rockaway is home to surf beaches and seriously good cheese fries at Rippers.

Photos by Michelle Heimerman

Far Rockaway, Queens

Great for: Beachgoers (or visitors who’ve had enough pavement for now, thank you)

Getting there: Rockaway (RW) ferry ( Note: There’s no Citi Bike out here, but you can bring your own on the ferry for an extra $1. )

On warm, sunny weekends, expect a ridiculously long line of beachgoers standing at Wall Street’s Pier 11 waiting for the boat to the Rockaways. Weekdays and cloudy, cool days are better for ferrying.

The 57-minute ride is considerably faster and far more spectacular than the subway. The ferry cuts down the harbor, zooms under the Verrazano Bridge, passes the delightful visual mayhem of Coney Island’s beach and amusement parks, then docks on the Jamaica Bay–side of the barrier peninsula. A five-minute walk gets you to the boardwalk and a truly pretty ocean-facing beach.

On the boardwalk just past Beach 108th Street, Caracas Arepa Bar , open May–September, serves up arepas, the perfect beach food you may not have considered before.

Watch the surfers from Beach 110th to Beach 111th streets, or walk/bike east for about a mile to get to another popular surf stretch between Beach 91st and Beach 87th. If the waves are good, they come even in winter, wearing wet suits.

Along the length of the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk, you’ll find public playgrounds, skate parks, ping-pong tables, lifeguard stands, and lots of satisfying people-watching. (An elderly neighbor, Rose, who grew up when the neighbors all spoke Yiddish, spent summers here with her family as a child while her father worked in Manhattan. Nod to all the lovely Roses sitting on Rockaway benches. They think you need a sweater.)

In season, down at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club on Beach 87th Street, surfers hang with each other and surfer wannabes. The mostly open-air art and event space also contains a bar and Rippers , a shack that serves seriously good burgers and cheese fries.

The last (crowded) ferry to Manhattan leaves Rockaway pier at 8:15. (Not so terrible worst case scenario: There’s an A train stop at Beach 105th Street.)

The Noguchi Museum is a museum and sculpture garden in Long Island City—a Queens oasis.

Photo by Nicholas Knight

Astoria, Queens

Great for: Visitors in the mood for a little art and old New York. Plus beer.

Getting there: Astoria (AST) ferry

The ferry to Astoria zigzags back and forth across the East River—if you board at Wall Street Pier 11, you’ll sail from Manhattan to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, back to Manhattan then over to Queens stopping at piers in Long Island City, Roosevelt Island, and then finally Astoria. So you get to see a long shot of that shifting Midtown skyline, followed by a close-up of the unspeakably elegant U.N. Secretariat Building, and peeks at the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building among the Manhattan high-rise high points.

Before you pull up to the Astoria ferry stop, you’ll notice your first destination on the Queens shoreline— Socrates Sculpture Park , a four-acre former landfill now part of the NYC Parks system, dedicated to outdoor installations. On summer weekends, the park is a hot destination for locals. Dodging toddlers and picnic blankets can distract from serious art-viewing but it’s still a fun and free stop. Extend your cultural moment with a visit to the Noguchi Museum just down the street from the sculpture garden. The museum, opened by the late Japanese American sculptor and furniture designer Isamu Noguchi, offers galleries filled with his work—abstract and graceful sculptures made of stone, wood, or metal—as well as the works of related artists, and a meditative garden. Don’t skip the museum shop—it’s a dream.

Hop a Citi Bike (there’s a dock right outside the Noguchi Museum) and follow the bike lane north along the shoreline. We like to meander along the way to Astoria Park, and the glorious stretch of early 19th-century houses along 12th Street make it my favorite route.

Astoria Park is a knockout public park with WPA bona fides and a wide riverside path perfect for cycling. Two bridges loom overhead: the 1930s erector-set-deco Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (that links Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx and that everyone mostly still calls the Triboro Bridge) and the soaring red Hell Gate Bridge that spans a treacherous section of the East River it was named for and leads to Randalls Island.

Time for some local flavor: A glass of pilsner and a pretzel in the enclosed outdoor garden at Bohemian Hall may taste like Central Europe but it’s also authentic for multi-ethnic Queens, home to Czechs and Slovaks among the many ethnicities that have settled here over the years. (More than 130 languages are spoken in this most diverse borough of NYC.) Linger at the long, shaded tables for a bratwurst, or on your way back to the Astoria ferry landing, swing by Il Bambino for a panini instead.

Stop by DUMBO for the views, shops, a top-tier theater, the Time Out Market, and more.

Photo by Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

DUMBO, Brooklyn

Great for: Visitors with kids

Getting there: South Brooklyn (SB) or East River (ER) ferries

Step off the ferry onto Pier 1, right in the shadow of the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge and feel immediately caught up in the busy swirl of Brooklyn getting its fun on.

If you arrive hungry, take a left at Water Street and walk under the Brooklyn Bridge to check out Empire Stores, a Civil War–era coffee warehouse retooled as a hip mall. Inside, Time Out Market , a sort of curated food court/event space that features both stalwart stands and seasonal pop-up kitchens, will have something for every palate in your entourage. Jacob’s Pickles has great fried chicken, mac and cheese, and, surprise, pickles, and I’m a fan of Chote Miya’s paneer roti or samosa chat. Enjoy your feast at the picnic tables outside before walking back south toward the ferry landing. At the base of the ferry pier, in the little building with the long line out front, Ample Hills Creamery scoops great ice cream (divine Dark Chocolate for me, thanks, or maybe Pecan Be Heroes), for your dessert course.

Forge on into Brooklyn Bridge Park , which unfolds down the waterfront from Pier 1 to Pier 6 and is easily one of the city’s best and busiest parks. Gardens, woody paths, elevated walkways, state-of-the-art playgrounds, water features, and open picnic lawns roll south on dry land. On the piers jutting into the sparkling East River, you’ll find basketball courts, beach volleyball courts, soccer pitches, and a skating rink, plus thrilling views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

Hunters Point South will feel like home.

Photo by MISHELLA/Shutterstock

Hunters Point South, Queens

Great for: Travelers seeking to explore someone else’s NYC

Getting there: East River (ER) ferry

This Queens ferry stop drops you at waterfront Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City, a mind-blowing illustration of the borough’s legendary diversity: women in hijabs ordering tacos from a food truck, a circle of impossibly beautiful people practicing capoeira to live drumming, little boys wearing kurtas speeding on scooters past beach volleyball courts, Orthodox Jewish couples courting on park benches. If you can’t bear to leave this multi-culti slice of heaven to explore further, all is forgiven. I love it here.

The park, named for the still-standing gantries or cranes that used to unload cargo here, is especially charming on summer evenings, when a Tuesday free concert series—mambo, soul, big band—takes place against the backdrop of the sun setting behind the Manhattan skyline.

A few blocks inland, the art at PS 1 , a satellite of the Museum of Modern Art, often feels a little more experimental than that at the parent institution. See what’s showing and hope that you get your mind blown. Mina’s , the museum restaurant, is stunningly spare with a delicious Greek menu offering options as light or as filling as you’d like.

Fifth Hammer Brewing has a changing menu of beer, a long bar and tables inside, and a roll-up garage door that opens to outside tables. A rotating selection of food trucks park out front, too. Excellent entertainment is supplied by the variety of good dogs lolling beside their owners’ tables.

>>Next: The AFAR Guide to New York City

NYC Ferry provides a daily ferry service connecting all five boroughs.

You can purchase tickets using your smartphone, online, or at ferry locations.

Learn more about NYC Ferry online or by phone.

• View ferry routes and schedules.
• Get the latest service alerts.
• Learn more about NYC Ferry.
• Agency: Economic Development Corporation
• Division: NYC Ferry
• Phone Number: (844) 469-3377
• Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Leave a message if needed.

You can buy tickets online, using the NYC Ferry app, or from ticket vending machines at each landing.

NYC Ferry offers single rides and 10-trip passes. Bikes can be taken on the ferry for no extra charge.

Single Rides

• Adults and children over 44 inches: $4
• Children under 44 inches: free
• Ferry Discount Program participants: $1.35

10-Trip Pass

10-trip passes cost $27.50.

All transfers to other NYC Ferry routes are free and valid for 120 minutes once you start your one-way trip. Round-trip journeys don’t qualify for free transfers. 

Learn more about NYC Ferry Tickets.

Ferry Discount Program

The Ferry Discount Program offers one-way tickets for $1.35.

You are eligible if you're a:

• Senior (65 or older)
• Person with a disability
• Participate in the  Fair Fares NYC  program
• Student at the New York Harbor School

Learn more and apply for the program.

Astoria Route

The Astoria Route operates 7 days a week from 6:30 AM to 10 PM between these stops:

• Astoria (3-10 Astoria Boulevard, Astoria, Queens)
• Roosevelt Island (104 Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge E Main Street off of Tram Plaza, Long Island City, Queens)
• Long Island City (47th Road, Long Island City, 46th Avenue and Center Boulevard, Long Island City, Queens)
• East 34th Street (East 35th Street at FDR Drive, Manhattan)
• Brooklyn Navy Yard (Non-Navy Yard tenants can access the ferry landing by walking through BLDG 77, which is located at Flushing Ave and Vanderbilt Ave.)
• Wall Street/Pier 11 (Gouverneur Lane at South Street, FDR Drive, Manhattan)

The approximate total running time is 49 minutes.

Get a map, schedule, and other route information.

Coney Island Route

NYC Ferry currently has no plans to launch ferry service in Coney Island.

For more information, visit ferry.nyc or send an email to [email protected] .

East River Route

The East River Route operates 7 days a week from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM between these stops:

• Hunters Point South (54th Avenue on 2nd Street, Long Island City, Queens)
• East 34th Street (East 35th Street at FDR Drive, Manhattan)
• Greenpoint (10 India Street, Brooklyn)
• North Williamsburg (North 6th Street and Kent Avenue, Brooklyn)
• South Williamsburg (440 Kent Avenue, Brooklyn)
• DUMBO (Old Fulton Street and Furman Street, Brooklyn)
• Wall Street/Pier 11 (Gouverneur Lane at South Street, FDR Drive, Manhattan) 

The approximate total running time is 43 minutes.

Rockaway Route

The Rockaway Route operates weekdays from 5:15 AM to 8:30 PM and weekends from 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM between these stops:

• Rockaway (Beach 108th Street and Beach Channel Drive, Rockaway Park, Queens)
• Sunset Park (140 58th Street, Brooklyn) 
• Wall Street/Pier 11 (Gouverneur Lane at South Street, FDR Drive, Manhattan) 

The approximate total running time is 57 minutes.

Soundview Route

The Soundview Route operates 7 days a week from 6:30 AM to 10 PM between these stops:

• Throgs Neck/Ferry Point Park (Bronx)
• Soundview - Clason Point (2 Bronx River Parkway, Bronx)
• East 90th Street (Manhattan)
• Stuyvesant Cove (East 20th Street at FDR Drive, Manhattan)

The approximate total running time is 56 minutes.

South Brooklyn Route

The South Brooklyn Route operates weekdays from 6:30 AM to 9 PM and weekends from 6:30 AM to 10 PM between these stops:

• Bay Ridge (American Veterans Memorial Pier, Brooklyn)
• Sunset Park (140 58th Street, Brooklyn)
• Governors Island   (except on summer weekends and holidays)  closed for repairs
• Red Hook (Ferris Street and Clinton Wharf, Brooklyn)
• Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6/Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn Bridge Park Greenway, Brooklyn)
• Wall Street/Pier 11 (Gouverneur Lane at South Street, FDR Drive, Manhattan)
• Corlears Hook (397 FDR Drive, Manhattan) 

The approximate total running time is 63 minutes.

Governors Island Ferry Landing Closure

The Governors Island landing is currently closed due to pier replacement. NYC Ferry's South Brooklyn route is bypassing Governors Island in both directions. Service is expected to resume to a normal schedule in March.

In the meantime, you can take a ferry operated by the Trust for Governors Island from Lower Manhattan.

Learn more about the other ferries to Governors Island.

St. George Route

The St. George Route operates 7 days a week from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM between these stops:​

• St. George  (1 Bay Street in Staten Island)
• Battery Park City (Battery Park/Vesey Street in Manhattan)
• Midtown West/Pier 79 (12th Avenue in Manhattan)

The approximate total running time is 35 minutes.

Boarding Rules

Boarding Areas

NYC Ferry has covered wait and boarding areas at most locations.

Strollers and Vehicles

There is no fee for bringing strollers on board the ferry. There are designated spaces for strollers as well.

Cars, motorcycles, and trucks are not allowed on NYC Ferry.

Pets and Service Animals

Only service dogs or dogs in a pet carrier or with a muzzle are allowed on the ferry.

COVID-19 Safety

Learn more about NYC Ferry's COVID-related policies and safety measures.

Shuttle Bus

The Rockaway Route has a free shuttle bus in Queens which departs from Beach 108th Street. Shuttle stops are located at existing bus stops.

Get a Rockaway route shuttle bus schedule.

Eastbound Stops

• Ferry Terminal at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 108th Street
• Stop 2: Rockaway Beach Blvd and Beach 86th Street
• Stop 3: Beach Channel Drive and Beach 67th Street
• Stop 4: Beach Channel Drive and Beach 54th Street
• Stop 5: Beach Channel Drive and Beach 41st Street
• Bus Terminus: Beach Channel Drive and Beach 35th Street

Westbound Stops

• Stop 1: Ferry Terminal at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 108th Street
• Stop 2: Rockaway Beach Blvd and Beach 116th Street 
• Stop 3: Rockaway Beach Blvd and Beach 127th Street
• Stop 4: Rockaway Beach Blvd and Beach 135th Street
• Stop 5: Rockaway Beach Blvd and Beach 149th Street
• Stop 6: Jacob Riis Park Road and Bath House
• Terminus: Rockaway Point Blvd and Beach 169th Street (WEEKDAYS ONLY)

The East River Route has a free “Flag Down Service” shuttle bus in Manhattan which operates in a loop approximately every 10-20 minutes from 6:34 AM - 9:56 AM and from 4:11 PM - 7:18 PM. This shuttle does not operate on a schedule. You may flag down the shuttle at any of the stops.

Get an East River route ferry landing departure schedule.

• 6th Avenue and East 35th Street
• 6th Avenue and Bryan Park
• 6th Avenue and 47th Street
• East 34th Street and 2nd Avenue
• East 34th Street and 3rd Avenue
• East 34th Street and 5th Avenue
• East 34th Street and 6th Avenue
• East 34th Street and Park Avenue
• East 34th Street Ferry Terminal 
• East 34th Street and Madison Avenue
• East 48th Street and Park Avenue
• East 48th Street and Lexington Avenue
• Lexington Avenue and East 34th Street
• Lexington Avenue and East 37th Street
• Lexington Avenue and East 42nd Street

Complaint or Lost Item

You can make a complaint or report a lost item with NYC Ferry and get a tracking number.

Contact NYC Ferry:

Make a complaint or report a lost item to NYC Ferry.

[email protected]

Additional Assistance

You can get additional assistance with NYC Ferry inquiries by phone.

Disclaimer:

The City intends to use the data collected from this survey to generally add and improve City services. Survey participation is voluntary. Participants in this survey will not receive further communication from the City with regards to this survey.

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How to navigate the ferry systems in New York City

New York is a city of mass transit. It’s home to 36 subway lines, hundreds of bus routes and even boasts commuter rails to its suburbs in Long Island, Connecticut, New Jersey and the Hudson Valley.

Given the coastal nature of the city, with four out five boroughs being on islands, it makes sense for ferries to be part of that transit network too.

What are the various types of city ferries?

The Staten Island Ferry might be the most recognized ship in the city and is a point of pride for many of the borough’s residents. The service is free and runs 24 hours a day between Whitehall Terminal on the southern end of Manhattan and St. George Terminal on the north shore of Staten Island. The city started running it in 1905, but it’s been operating in some form since the early 19th century. The project was spearheaded by Staten Island native Cornelius Vanderbilt, one of the richest Americans in history.

NYC Ferry is the city’s primary ferry system. It is a public network operated by the private company Hornblower. The service launched in May 2017 and has since grown to include six routes (South Brooklyn, East River, Rockaway, Soundview, Astoria and St. George) and seasonal passage to Governors Island. It connects 25 piers across 70 nautical miles, and the NYC Ferry website claims it to be the “largest passenger-only fleet in the nation, based on hours of service and a fleet size of 38 vessels.”

NY Waterway is a private company operating in partnership with agencies like Port Authority, the city’s Department of Transportation and the MTA. The service started in the 1980s and is primarily used as a method to cross the Hudson River for residents of New Jersey or counties north of the city. The company’s sole intracity route is a free weekend-only service traveling between Pier 79 in Midtown and an Ikea store in Red Hook.

New York Water Taxi is a private service that can be hired to travel a specific route between various locations across the five boroughs and New Jersey. According to their website , most charters are for large groups of more than 30 people. They primarily advertise the service for corporate events, weddings and film shoots, mostly traveling along points in the East River. Their parent company, Circle Line, also operates sightseeing cruises encircling Manhattan.

How many people are taking the ferry?

NYC Ferry experienced record-breaking ridership in fiscal year 2023, with 1.2 million more passengers than the year before, according to the latest report . Approximately 6.6 million people took a trip on NYC Ferry in FY2023 compared with about 5.4 million in FY2022. The ferry also drew nearly a million more riders than before the pandemic, with FY2019 ridership at 5.7 million. The fiscal year is July to June.

The latest quarterly report from NYC Ferry, published for ridership between April 1 and June 30, 2023, said they’ve served approximately 31 million riders since their launch. The East River route was by far the most popular, with averages of 7,700 riders on weekdays and 11,100 on weekend days. Astoria was the next highest with an average of 4,200 weekday riders and 5,700 weekend day riders.

The Economic Development Corporation said they plan to build on their boost in ridership by continuing to offer special promotions and creative one-time rides. This past summer, the "Ferry Enchanted Sunset Ride" took riders along the East River while playing songs from Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now, Taylor’s Version." NYC Ferry has done numerous social media promotions for Swift, including showing off where several of her “1989” Polaroids were taken.

Keeping with the trend of women pop stars, NYC Ferry launched a “Madonna Celebration Route” from Dec. 11 to 17 in honor of Madonna's “Celebration Tour.” The promotion renamed each landing on its South Brooklyn route with a Madonna-related spin, including “Express Yourself Hook” and “Material Girl Pier,” and featured another special ride that played the artist’s music and offered the chance to win concert tickets.

It's not just single rides either. In July, they launched the Rockaway Reserve program, allowing riders to save their spot headed for the beach. This built upon their launch of the seasonal “Rockaway Rocket” line in 2022, which was an express version of the regular route. In the past year, a Bay Ridge express line also began and a landing in Greenpoint was restored.

Despite all this, the Staten Island Ferry is a much more popular service, with DOT reporting about 35,000 passengers on a typical weekday. Five boats make 117 trips over the course of a day, with boats taking off every 15 minutes during rush hour and every half-hour during off-peak times. Around 12 million people ride the Staten Island Ferry annually, according to the DOT.

NYC Ferry financials

While the Staten Island Ferry went fare-free in 1997, NYC Ferry has charged a base rate ever since it opened, which was initially $2.75 to match the cost of a subway or bus ride. The system does not use MetroCard or OMNY, but tickets are available at machines in every landing or the NYC Ferry app.

In September 2022, the Adams administration unveiled a “Ferry Forward” plan aimed at creating a “more equitable and fiscally sustainable” system.

The plan increased the cost of an individual ride from $2.75 to $4. Regular ferry riders could keep their old rate by purchasing a 10-pack for $27.50, and as part of the "Fair Fare" program, the price decreased to $1.35 for seniors, people with disabilities and other eligible commuters.

NYC Ferry has been subject to criticism in the past as a service heavily subsidized by the city. The city’s per-passenger cost was $9.67 in FY 2022, but that rate has dropped more than $1 to $8.55. The EDC said the decrease is primarily due to the fare change implemented in the “Ferry Forward” plan and the significant jump in ridership. Between FY2022 and FY2023, farebox revenue was up more than $6 million.

In a press release about a new contract with Hornblower from August, the EDC reported that “per passenger subsidy is on track to be reduced by nearly 30% by 2025.” Their projection is primarily based on evidence of continually increasing ridership, but the contract also allows Hornblower to seek a systemwide sponsorship for the ferry. In an interview with NY1, the EDC said pursuing a hypothetical “NYC Ferry brought to you by Pepsi” is a top priority and are hopeful about the new source of income.

Banner advertising has not been commonplace on the ferries the way it is in the city’s subways, with the ferry instead opting for digital advertising on a screen at the front of the boat. Most, if not all, of these ads are for local businesses, products or entertainment. The revenue from these, however, does not appear to be significant. The EDC reported only $1,740 in “other operating revenues” besides farebox.

Planned expansions

The city spent millions in an attempt to bring ferry service to Coney Island . A landing at Coney Island Creek at Kaiser Park was built in 2021, but it had to be torn down because of “safety concerns related to sand build-up,” according to NYC Ferry .

Environmentalists were against building a landing at that location, saying that dredging the creek would release toxins into the waterway. The creek had historically been used as a dumping site .

While the EDC said last year it “remains committed to continued economic development and support to Coney Island and its residents,” EDC officials told NY1 in a November 2023 interview there are no updates to its plans to bring ferry service to Coney Island.

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Ticket Options

Specific Routes 

10-Trip Pricing

To continue to offer maximum flexibility in our ticketing options, we will continue to offer 10-trip tickets (valid for 60-days) at the following updated pricing (effective November 10, 2014) .   Effective Routes & Pricing Edgewater to Midtown: $93.25 Port Imperial to Midtown: $83 Port Imperial to WFC & to Pier 11: $119 Lincoln Harbor to Midtown: $83 Hoboken 14 th St. to Midtown: $83 Hoboken 14 th St. to WFC:  $97.50 Belford to Pier 11, WFC, Paulus Hook & Midtown: $207.50   

We believe that these new ticketing options will offer more flexibility for our customers, while providing good value along with unmatched service. To provide even more flexibility, additional new ticketing options are currently being developed and will be announced soon.

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NYC Ferries: A Visitor's Guide on How to Ride

When planning a trip to NYC, you may want to include a ferry ride in your itinerary. 

Not only are they a fantastic way to see the city from the water, but in some cases, a convenient means of transportation as well.

This post explains New York City’s different ferry services, including destinations, how to take them, prices, how to save money on tickets and more.

As local tour guides, we’ve taken these ferries many times and we share our insights below. 

We also include some suggestions from members of our popular New York City Travel Tips Facebook group.

Our group of over 200k members consists of locals, regular visitors, and newbies to NYC, who all love to share their experiences with others.

You don't need to become a member to read the posts, comments, and recommendations.

So check out the group after you've read this post!

• Commuter Ferries
• Statue of Liberty Ferry
• Hop-on-Hop-off Tourist Ferries
• Deals on Tickets
• Tips from Locals and Travelers

Several ferry services in New York City will take you to some of the most popular sites in the city.

While some ferries are free to take, the price of tickets for others ranges from $4-$20 or more.

Taking one of the ferry services to a specific destination (rather than a taxi or driving yourself) can save you quite a bit of money.

But if your goal is to see the sights rather than using an inexpensive means of transportation, you may want to consider a sightseeing cruise.

We cover these cruise options in our boat tours and cruises section below .

Can You Use a MetroCard on NYC Ferries?

No, MetroCards are either not accepted or not needed, as some, such as the Staten Island Ferry, are free to take.

See our post on which MetroCard to buy  to find out what forms of transportation do accept MetroCards.

COMMUTER FERRIES

NYC Ferry 

This commuter ferry (previously called the East River Ferry) travels along the East River between Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.

This is an especially popular option for workers in NYC, as it’s a quick and efficient way to get to and from work.

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Ferries can be packed with New Yorkers commuting to work during rush hours, so it may not be the most comfortable ride for tourists. But there are some distinct benefits to traveling by the New York Ferry.

Aside from avoiding traffic in the city, the ferry is very affordable. At $4 a ride, the cost isn't much more than the subway and the ferries offer a prettier view.

Also, there are some nice amenities -- you can purchase snacks onboard, recharge your smartphone and use the free Wi-Fi.

Ticket Prices

• $4/One-way ticket
• $27.50/10-Trip Pass
• $1.35/Seniors, People with disabilities
• Kids under 44 inches ride free

How to Purchase Tickets

Tickets are available through a few different methods, making it very convenient to purchase them.

The easiest option is simply to download the NYC Ferry app and purchase a ticket on your smartphone. You then show your phone to the deckhand when boarding the ferry.

Alternatively, you can buy your ticket on their website, but you will still need to download the NYC Ferry app and show your smartphone when boarding.

If you do not have a smartphone or prefer hard tickets, you can purchase tickets from the vending machines located at every NYC Ferry stop.

Finally, if you want to avoid using a smartphone or machine entirely, you can purchase tickets from a ticket agent on board each ferry or at the ticket booth at the Pier 11/Wall St. dock.

NYC Ferry Routes and Maps

There are currently 6 year-round NYC Ferry routes and there are more routes in the works, including a route from Wall Street to Coney Island.

In the summer, an additional route is added that goes to Governor’s Island.

These are the routes, with all their stops listed beneath their names. Click on the map above for route schedules.

• Midtown East
• Brooklyn Navy Yard
• Wall Street
• Roosevelt Island
• Long Island City
• Atlantic Avenue
• Sunset Park
• Uptown Manhattan
• St. George Staten Island
• Battery Park City
• Midtown West
• East 34th street

More information on routes and maps can be found here.

NY Waterway 

Also known as the Hudson River Ferry, this commuter ferry travels between Manhattan and New Jersey.

Not only is this an excellent service for commuters, but it is also useful to those staying in hotels in New Jersey just across the river from NYC.

This is a far more reliable service than the NJ Transit Bus, so if you’re planning to travel between New Jersey and Manhattan, you may want to consider the NY Waterway ferry.

However, the cost of this service is more expensive than other ferries in the area.

• One Way: $11.25/Adults | $7.50/Kids (6-11) | $10.50/Seniors, Disabled
• One Way tickets are free for kids 5 and under.
• Bike Surcharge: $1.25
• 7-Day Pass: $94.25
• 10-Trip Pass: $103.25
• 30-Day Pass: $345.25
• Monthly Pass: $336.25
• Student Pass: $274

There are three ways to buy NY Waterway tickets.

There are ticket kiosks at each dock where you can purchase tickets in person.

Also, you can buy tickets online from their website or their app . In both cases, you must use your smartphone as your ticket.

NY Waterway Routes and Maps 

There are five NY Waterway routes. Beneath the map, we list each route and its stops.

Click on the map for route schedules.

• Edgewater Landing
• Port Imperial
• Lincoln Harbor
• Paulus Hook
• Liberty Harbor

Staten Island Ferry

Below is a summary of the Staten Island Ferry. Click here for our in-depth post .

This free commuter ferry offers one of the best views of the New York skyline . You ride right by the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island too.

The ferry departs from Whitehall Terminal located south of Battery Park and the ride to Staten Island is approximately 25 minutes.

Staten Island Ferry Schedule

The Staten Island ferry runs 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. You can ride it day and night. Night rides are quite beautiful.

The schedule is easy to understand.  The ferries run every 30 minutes, on the hour and half-hour (so, 12:00, 12:30, 1:00, 1:30).   

There is one exception. During weekday rush hours, the ferries run every 15 minutes.

Rush hours are 6:00 am until 9:30 am and 3:30 pm until 8:00 pm.

We recommend that you check the  schedule and their website  for any changes and updates.

Be sure to download our free Staten Island Ferry audio tour to accompany you on your cruise.

We have created a GPS-led audio tour to accompany you on your ride to Staten Island and back.

Have one of our tour guides show you what you are seeing from the ferry.

Here's a sample of what you will hear.

Download it now . $2.99

Once at Staten Island, you can get off the ferry and explore the island, or get back on the ferry and head back to Manhattan.

Since the Staten Island Ferry operates 24 hours a day, riding the ferry is a fantastic thing to do at night as the city sparkles after dark and the views are extra special.

Riding the ferry before or after our Lower Manhattan Tour is a great way to spend half a day without spending half your budget!

We also have a  GPS-enabled audio tour  of Lower Manhattan which can be used day or night.

Read our post on how to take the Staten Island Ferry for details.

• New York Water Taxi

The New York Water Taxi has four stops in NYC: Midtown Manhattan, Battery Park (in Lower Manhattan), South Street Seaport (near Wall Street), and DUMBO (in Brooklyn).

While the Water Taxi is a quick way to travel between the above locations, it is quite expensive, certainly in relation to the NYC Ferry described above.

However, you are paying for a one-day pass for unlimited Water taxi rides between 10 am and 5 pm, as opposed to just a one-way ticket on the NYC Ferry.

This means that you can use the Water Taxi as a “hop-on-hop-off” service,  making it somewhat more worth the price.

If you are only taking one ride, this is not the best option.

Water Taxi one-day passes are valid from 10 am - 5 pm. The passes cost $40 for adults and $34 for children.

Purchase tickets or learn more .

TIP: Before purchasing a New York Water Taxi pass, note that a pass is included in several of the NYC tourist passes. If you’re planning to buy a tourist pass, no need to buy a pass!

Read our post on how New York City tourist passes can save you money on attractions and activities!

The IKEA Ferry

This ferry, as you may have guessed, travels to New York City’s only IKEA store, located in Brooklyn in the neighborhood of Red Hook.

It departs from Wall Street several times a day. You don’t need to shop at Ikea to enjoy this ferry and its great views, especially of Lower Manhattan.

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It is free on weekends so why not hop on and take a 20-minute ride from Manhattan and back?

Find out more from the website .

TIP: The IKEA cafeteria has awesome views of the Statue of Liberty, free wi-fi, and cheap food!

Red Hook is a pretty cool neighborhood along Brooklyn’s waterfront, so why not explore the area as well?

Read more about Red Hook and other Brooklyn neighborhoods .

The Seastreak Ferry

This ferry company provides service from New York City and New Jersey to popular beach destinations, like Nantucket in Massachusetts.

Since they provide service to places such as Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and Sandy Hook Beach in New Jersey, ticket prices are more expensive than the other ferries listed above.

But Seastreak also has an affordable New Jersey-New York service, providing an alternative to NY Waterways.

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New York-New Jersey Service

• Highlands, NJ
• Atlantic Highlands, NJ
• Wall St., NY
• East 35th St., NY
• One Way: $28/Adults | $11/Children (Sat & Sun only)
• Round Trip: $49/Adults | $22/Children (Sat & Sun only)
• Ride from East 35th St. to Wall St. for only $5
• 10 Trip Book: $230
• 40 Trip Book: $720
• Kids (5-12) ride free Mon - Fri.
• Kids under 5 are always free.

Beach Routes and Prices

• First Departure Round Trip: $30
• One-Way: $165/Adults | $75/Children
• One-Way Holiday: $200 per person
• Round Trip: $240/Adults | $135/Children
• Round Trip Holiday: $310 per person
• One-Way: $175/Adults | $85/Children
• One-Way Holiday: $210 per person
• Round Trip: $260/Adults | $155/Children
• Round Trip Holiday: $330 per person

These aren’t the only services provided by this company. See the Seastreak website  to find out what other ferries they run.

STATUE OF LIBERTY FERRY

This ferry’s sole purpose is to transport people to and from the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. 

In fact, this is the only way to get to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

This means that tickets cost more than other ferries discussed in this post.

Still, the ferry is reasonably priced considering that it takes you to one of the most famous sights in the world.

You can save on tickets by purchasing  a combo package that includes a visit to the Statue of Liberty. 

Also, this ferry ticket is included in several NY tourist passes, which save you money on multiple attractions.

All tickets include a round-trip ride to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. But you will have to purchase special tickets if you want more than just a trip to the island.

The ticket options are:

Ferry 

• No access to enter the Statue of Liberty.

Ferry with Pedestal Access

• Enter the pedestal of the statue.
• Gain admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum.
• See the views from the pedestal level.

Ferry with Crown Access

• Enjoy all the benefits of a pedestal ticket.
• See the views from the crown of Lady Liberty.

For more information about ticket prices, availability, and how to save money on this ferry, read our full post on Statue of Liberty tickets .

HOP-ON-HOP-OFF TOURIST FERRIES 

If you are in NYC as a tourist, you may want to consider a sightseeing cruise instead of a traditional ferry.

Several ferries and cruises focus more on sightseeing rather than mere transport. Most offer some form of commentary on the sights you will see as you pass them.

Some of these ferries have few, if any, stops. Others allow you to hop off and hop back on as you like, so you can explore different parts of the city

Tickets for these cruises range from $30-$40 per person, and if you choose a hop-on-hop-off cruise your ticket will be valid for at least an entire day, making it comparable to the New York Water Taxi.

Both hop-on and hop-off ferries and sightseeing cruises are included with various tourist passes, so even if you find the prices a bit higher than you would like, you can save up to 50% off prices if you have a tourist pass.

See the section below on money-saving deals .

Read our post about NYC boat tours and cruises to learn about the many options to see the city from the water.

DEALS ON TICKETS

This section lists the best ways to save money on ferries and cruises in New York City, including tourist passes, combo packages, and more.

Tourist Passes

Several of the ferry and cruise services listed in this post are included with at least one NYC tourist pass.

If you’re planning to visit a few or more popular attractions, this could be a great way to save money on tickets

The following options are available via tourist passes:

• City Sightseeing Hop-on, Hop-off Cruise
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• Hornblower Cruises
• Manhattan by Sail

There are several tourist passes to choose from, and depending on which one you choose, you can save between 20% - 50% off general admission prices.

A simple money-saving option is to build your own pass (BYOP) because you only need to purchase tickets to four different attractions to save 20% on each attraction.

If you were planning on seeing just a few of NYC’s most popular sights, including taking a sightseeing cruise, the BYOP option is a good choice.

On the other hand, if you intend to see multiple attractions, an all-inclusive pass may be the better choice for you.

These passes provide access to dozens of popular attractions for a specific number of days.

You choose the number of days, generally from 1 day up to 10 days.

These passes are best for visitors who want to see as much as possible and have the time and energy to do so! The more attractions you visit the more you save.

Another type of tourist pass allows you to pay one price for a set number of attractions (usually between 2 and 12 attractions) that costs less than if you bought each attraction ticket individually.

This kind of pass makes sense if you want to see the pricier attractions, and since many cruises and ferries are inexpensive, you won’t save much on your boat ride. Still, these passes are worth looking into for the savings you can get on other activities.

Here are some of the additional attractions and tours you can enjoy with any of the above types of passes:

• Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tour
• Empire State Building
• Top of the Rock
• Madame Tussauds
• Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
• Radio City Stage Door Tour
• Rockefeller Center Tour
• Madison Square Garden Tour
• Luna Park at Coney Island
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center
• Yankee Stadium Tour

For more information on these services, please read our post about New York City tourist passes .

Combo Packages

The City Sightseeing Hop-on, Hop-off Cruise is included in several combo packages.

These deals are an excellent way to save money for those who want to combine a sightseeing cruise with just one or two other attractions.

Here are some of the best combo deals available on cruises in New York City:

Key to the City Package - Bus, Cruise & Observatory

Land and Sea Package - Big Bus & Circle Line

Bargain Websites

You can almost always find ways to save money on cruise tickets, the Statue of Liberty ferry, and even the New York Water Taxi on Groupon and LivingSocial .

In addition to any regular sales, these sites frequently run special deals that give an extra 10% - 20% off and sometimes even more.

Before you make any purchases, check both the top and bottom of these websites’ pages for any additional deals to save even more money.

Tips from Locals and Travelers 

The comments below about the various ferries are from locals and tourists who are members of our popular New York City Travel Tips Facebook group.

Taking the NYC Ferry

Many people want to know how to combine a ferry ride between Manhattan and DUMBO in Brooklyn combined with a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Many people chimed in with helpful suggestions.

Here, Michelle asks about getting tickets for the ferry.

Group members were happy to share this information.

Which is the best ferry to take at night to see the Manhattan skyline?

This question comes up quite frequently. Here are recommendations from both New Yorkers and visitors.

The most popular answer is the free Staten Island Ferry. Part of the appeal is that it is free, but it does truly offer amazing views at night.

Many people gave thumbs up to the Harbor Lights sightseeing cruise.

While not as frequently recommended, some people liked the NYC Ferry rides.

The Staten Island Ferry

The number one question people have about taking the free Staten Island Ferry is how it works, and in particular, if you have to get off and back on again.

In addition to answering the question, Betty recommends where to sit on the ferry for the best views.

So many people ask if the ride on the Staten Island ferry is choppy. 

If you are concerned about getting seasick, here is what some of the group members had to say about the ride.

As for the best time to take it? Here is some local advice.

Sightseeing Cruises

Many members of our Facebook group ask about sightseeing cruises and loads of people had stellar reviews of Circle Line's Harbor Lights cruise.

Questions about the Statue of Liberty Ferry

People often ask about how much time to set aside for a trip to the Statue of Liberty, with or without visiting Ellis Island.

Here are some thoughts on the matter.

If you found these comments informative, you might like to check out our Travel Tips Facebook Group!

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How to see the Manhattan skyline by boat for less than $3

July 6, 2019 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

You’ve probably heard of the Staten Island ferry, the free ferry that runs between Manhattan and Staten Island. This ferry for tourists and locals is a great way to see the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan, but there are far more ferries than this line. This post will be introducing you to the New York Ferry system, the ferries with the best views, and why you should definitely take a boat ride to enjoy the Manhattan skyline.

If you’re from somewhere, it’s funny how you just don’t do new things until you push yourself out of your comfort zone. When I was back in New York, a friend and I were in Brooklyn when we noticed the ferry to Queens at the moment that we were considering a lengthy subway ride through Manhattan back to Queens. On an impulse, we bought a ticket for the ferry only to be wowed by the sunset over the Manhattan skyline.

Although exploring Manhattan is always great, it’s even better to see the Manhattan skyline from the other boroughs. ( You can click here for a round-up of the best spots to enjoy the NYC skyline on land .) There’s nothing like New York’s impressive skyline seen by boat.

• 1 About the New York City ferries
• 2 The best New York City ferry routes to consider!
• 3 Other tips for taking the NYC ferries
• 4 Let me know what you thought of the New York City ferries!

About the New York City ferries

The New York City ferries are a separate transportation system from the MTA system (e.g. buses and subways ). It’s run privately and you can purchase your ticket using the machines at the stops using a card. You’ll find real-time schedules and tickets using the NYC ferry app. I’ll discuss the best NYC ferry routes for views of Manhattan below!

A New York ferry ticket (one-way) only costs $2.75 as of 2019, which is a steal given that many journies pass by some of the most famous buildings in New York City! (You can also bring a bike (or a Citi Bike) if you are renting a bike for the day.) This is a separate system from the Metrocard.

You might have seen offers for New York City boat cruises, such as the Circle line Sightseeing Cruise , that will show you the Manhattan skyline from the comforts of a boat that will cruise New York harbor. You’ll find similar tours below for those looking for an extended experience seeing the New York skyline. You can definitely do this for less if you’re creative…

The New York Harbor has long been an important place for New York as its deep harbor is the reason why many Europeans were able to land in New York. The first European to see it was Giovanni da Verrazzano. Henry Hudson famously explored the harbor and headed north in the hopes of discovering a route to the Northwest Passage. The port along New York Harbor was one of the most valuable ports in the colonies.

The best New York City ferry routes to consider!

After a lovely day exploring Downtown Brooklyn’s waterfront, I ended up taking the ferry from Dumbo at the Brooklyn Bridge Pier 1 towards Astoria . Astoria is a cool neighborhood with a rich history, great craft beer, and interesting attractions if you’re interested in getting off the beaten path. ( Click for my guide to Astoria ) This is such a great route as you pass underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, cruise past Midtown (including the Empire State Building), and even get to see the UN building as well as Roosevelt Island.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Brooklyn, I’d recommend taking same orange line towards Astoria to get off in cool Williamsburg and even more hipster Greenpoint to explore New York’s coolest bars and shops. Both are reachable by subway, but why not take the scenic route?

Another scenic NYC ferry route is the ferry from the main ferry stop at Wall Street (Pier 11). If you’re interested in panoramic views of Manhattan and New York in general, consider taking the purple line towards Soundview. Get off at East 90th Street during the day to explore the Upper East Side , one of New York’s most exclusive neighborhoods next to Central Park, and home to many filming locations from TV shows (including Gossip Girl).

The Staten Island Ferry is free and worth taking for stunning views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. You’ll need to wait about a half hour for the ferry to return, so I’d recommend browsing the new outlet mall next to the ferry terminal for amazing deals!

The ferry system is in the process of expanding to other areas of New York that can be harder to reach by subway, including Coney Island. I’d check the official app and website for updates on construction in 2020/2021.

Other tips for taking the NYC ferries

I strongly recommend bringing a jacket as it can be quite chilly with the wind. (You can click for my NYC packing list here .) We were mostly okay, but I was glad to have a sweater with me!

If you’re into photography, I recommend looking up when golden hour will occur, so that you can enjoy the sunset over Manhattan with the best lighting for photos. This is typically an hour before sunset and due to the ferry’s motion, it will be harder to shoot sunset photos once it gets dark. A DSLR will do well, but my phone camera struggled a bit!

There’s limited seating with tinted windows (which make for disappointing photos), but you’ll find a slightly steep staircase near the back of the boat where you can climb to the top deck for unobscured views without the tourist crowds!

Let me know what you thought of the New York City ferries!

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About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

August 8, 2019 at 3:06 pm

We’ve been to NYC a few times in the past. But it’s been about 8-9 years. Our last time there we really went off the beaten path of typical and loved it more than ever. This blog is great and this idea on taking Ferries (as well as the information on neighborhoods – that’s what we did last time – is super helpful.

Also loved your clothing section.

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Fun Places to Take a Ferry to From New York City

TripSavvy / Brakethrough Media

When it comes to getting around the city, New York City has one of the best public transportation systems in the world. As a result, it may come as no surprise that the ferries running on the East and Hudson rivers also connects New Yorkers from different boroughs, providing ample opportunities for fun adventures on your trip to the city.

Popularity has already surged tremendously now that the East River routes—the ones connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx—cost the same price as a subway ride, and better still, the ferry to Staten Island remains completely free. In addition, there are also commuter ferries running between Manhattan and New Jersey via the Hudson River, which can make for an interesting day trip for visitors and locals alike looking to explore the state just next door.

Ferries certainly aren't new modes of transportation; in fact, such service to lower Manhattan has existed since Dutch colonial times. However, the new routes and frequency of ferries being offered are bringing about a new age for nautical commuters to, from, and around the city. These are just six fun places you can visit by ferry on your trip to New York City this year.

Governor’s Island

For a mini-escape from the hustle and bustle of the city that's ever-so-close to Manhattan and Brooklyn, the pedestrianized Governor's Island is the perfect warm-weather retreat. Touting 172 acres that are accessible only by ferry, visitors can explore the isle's many attractions, activities, special events, and festivals on foot or via bike (rentals are available) upon arrival.

Ferry services (operated by NY Waterway) run daily from early May through early October and depart from the Battery Maritime Building (at 10 South Street, in downtown Manhattan), with extra service on weekends. There is also weekend-only service from Brooklyn in Brooklyn Bridge Park (at Pier 6).

Fares are $2 round-trip for adults and free for kids ages 13 and under. Additionally, IDNYC cardholders (which is complimentary for NYC residents who apply) ride for free, as do commuters who hop on board before 11:30 a.m. on weekends.

Alternatively, look to newly added transport routes on the 2017-launched NYC Ferry service, which offers seasonal summer weekend stopovers at Governor's Island on both its East River and South Brooklyn routes, with access from numerous pick-up points in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

Added to the ferry system in August of 2017, you can now make your way for this lively European-flavored Queens enclave by boat for just $2.75 on the  Astoria ferry line .

Extending ferry access into Western Queens, the line also includes stops at neighboring arts and microbrewery haven Long Island City, as well as Roosevelt Island, which comes wedged between Queens and Manhattan in the East River. On the Manhattan side of the same ferry route, hop on or off at two locales: East 34th Street in Midtown or Wall Street in Downtown.

While in Astoria , ample diversions await. You can kick back at atmospheric Astoria Park, which offers sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and one of the city's best public pools. Alternatively, film buffs can spend part of the day at the excellent Museum of the Moving Image . Foodies, meanwhile, won't want to miss some of the best Greek food in the city, thanks to the large Greek community that resides here (for authentic Greek eats, try Stamatis , a quality taverna set on 23rd Avenue).

The Rockaways

One thing The Ramones failed to mention in their ever-catchy tune about hitching a ride to “Rock-rock, Rockaway Beach" was that it takes a really long time to get there on the A train.

Happily, as of summer 2017, New Yorkers can make getting to this sandy stretch of Queens beaches more fun thanks to the launch of NYC Ferry service to the Rockaways . With pick-up and drop-off service in Lower Manhattan (at Wall Street) and Sunset Park, Brooklyn, the zippy ride from Manhattan now takes just under an hour.

The Rockaways have miles of beaches and boardwalk, plenty of laid-back surf-and-sand activities, and brim with surf schools, outdoor bars and eateries, watersports activities, and even whale-watching boat outings.

Scheduled ferry service is now available daily, year-round, with fares of just $2.75 each way.

Hoboken, New Jersey

TripSavvy / Makito Umekita

Once a blue-collar Jersey city, with industry, cargo shipping, and transportation defining its waterfront, Hoboken has since transformed into an upscale residential area, dotted with luxury condominiums, bars, boutiques, and cafes. The old charming neighborhoods, with their brownstone residences, are a pleasure to walk through and teeming with vibrant street life and admirable Beaux Arts, Victorian, and Gothic architecture.

Operated by NY Waterway, daily ferry service runs between Midtown Manhattan (at West 39th Street) and 14th Street in Hoboken; fares are $9 one-way, with reduced (or free) rates for kids and seniors. There are additional weekday ferry services to Hoboken, too, running between Wall Street, Pier 11, and the World Financial Center in Downtown Manhattan and the Hoboken-NJ Transit Terminal; adult fares run $6 to $7 each way on that route. 

Staten Island

With all of the buzz about new and exciting ferry routes in the city, you can't forget about the good old  Staten Island Ferry . Still the greatest free ride in New York City, this short but epic ferry trip across New York Harbor, connecting Lower Manhattan (from the Whitehall Ferry Terminal at 4 South Street) to the St. George neighborhood in Staten Island, is your quickest and cheapest way to see the Statue of Liberty from the water.

The historic St. George area will have more reasons to stick around, too. In 2018, for instance, the world's largest Ferris wheel opened here, and the Empire Outlets, NYC's first outlet mall, is also coming to St. George soon.

Sandy Hook Beach, New Jersey

National Parks Service

If you're looking for a quick-and-easy summer beach escape, you can jump on a seasonal, weekend SeaStreak ferry from Lower Manhattan (at Wall Street) or Midtown Manhattan (at East 35th Street), with scheduled weekend service during the height of beach season between May and September.

Part of the National Park Service, scenic Sandy Hook offers plenty of fun-in-the-sun activities like biking, hiking, birding, camping, and fishing. Strolls around Fort Hancock Historic Post and tours of the lighthouse are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, too.

Of course, the most popular attraction at Sandy Hook is its beaches, which are among the finest in New Jersey. Be advised that one such stretch of beach here, Gunnison Beach, is “clothing-optional"—if you end up on that part of Sandy Hook, just make sure you have extra sunblock.

However, the ride to Sandy Hook doesn't come cheap. Ferry fares are $46 round-trip, with lower or free fares for kids. They do, however, include complimentary round-trip shuttle service from the port directly to your preferred strip of sand upon arrival.

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No charges filed after NYC subway rider shot as passengers took cover and screamed there were babies onboard

A 36-year-old man was shot with his own gun on a New York City subway Thursday as terrified riders took cover, screamed that there were babies onboard and begged for someone to open the train doors so they could get to safety.

While Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Oren Yaniv on Friday said the shooting “was shocking and deeply upsetting,” he added that “at this stage, evidence of self-defense precludes us from filing any criminal charges against the shooter.”

The incident on a northbound A train, which was captured on video, comes on the heels of a string of violent crimes on the city’s subway system that prompted New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to deploy a force of 1,000 , including 750 National Guard, to increase security on the transit network.

Videos posted on social media show the unidentified 36-year-old man approaching a 32-year-old passenger and getting into a verbal dispute. The footage appears to show the 36-year-old ranting and yelling and threatening to beat up the 32-year-old.

The situation escalates when the 32-year-old man stands and puts his hands up, according to one video posted on X.

One passenger is heard saying, "there's babies on here." Several riders get up and move out of the way, the video shows.

The two men get into a physical fight and during the altercation, a woman is seen appearing to stab the 36-year-old man repeatedly in the back.

At a Friday morning news conference, police said it looked like the woman had a "sharp object and cut the 36-year-old male with that sharp object."

Video shows the 36-year-old man bleeding and saying, "You stabbed me."

The 36-year-old then walks over to his jacket and pulls out a firearm, the footage shows.

"Get down, all the way down, baby," a female rider says before screaming repeatedly: "Let me out! Let me out! Let me out! Let me out!"

Other passengers scream for the train doors to be opened. As riders flee, gunshots are heard.

Michael Kemper, the NYPD's head of transit, said officers were aware of the videos circulating online.

At some point, the 36-year-old man lost control of the gun and was shot by the 32-year-old multiple times as the train pulled into the Schermerhorn Station, Kemper said Thursday.

Eyewitnesses recorded video showing a man on a stretcher being lifted into an ambulance outside the station.

Police officers were already at the station, Kemper added, and were on the scene in seconds. The 32-year-old man was questioned by detectives Thursday night, he said.

"The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing," Yaniv said Friday after announcing the Brooklyn DA's Office doesn't have plans to prosecute the shooter at this time.

New York City Council member Lincoln Restler, who represents the area, said on X: "This is a horrible tragedy & deeply unnerving to the millions of New Yorkers who take the subway every day."

Metropolitan Transportation Authority chair and CEO Janno Lieber said in the Friday news conference that the police deserved praise for a swift response

"Transit crime is 2% of the crime in the city of New York, but it has a huge disproportionate impact on people’s sense of safety because they’re in an environment where they can’t move around as easily," he said. 

The shooting came more than a month after surveillance video captured a man allegedly throwing lit containers of flammable liquid at a group of people on a New York City subway platform.

Police are still searching for the man in that incident.

To combat transit crime, more than 1,000 police officers were put in the city’s subway system in February, resulting in a 15.4% drop in crime compared to the same month last year, according to police statistics released earlier this month. 

Robbery dropped 5% and grand larceny decreased 28.6% while incidents of felony assault stayed the same, according to the data.

Meanwhile, arrests in the transit system are up about 45%.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.

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Kate middleton new video shows her happy, healthy with william, exclusive 6.9k 3/18/2024 1:00 pm pt.

The Kate Middleton sighting that got reported on this week is real after all -- 'cause a new video of her during this outing has surfaced ... and TMZ's got a first look.

TMZ has obtained a clip that was taken of Kate Saturday while she and Prince William were visiting a business about a mile from their home in Windsor -- known as the Windsor Farm Shop -- where The Sun reported eyewitnesses saw them out and about this past weekend.

Onlookers felt she looked "happy, relaxed and healthy" as she strolled in the store -- a supermarket of sorts -- and the couple didn't seem to have a care in the world.

Their three kids weren't with them ... but The Sun also claimed they spent the first part of their Saturday watching the children play sports. At first, there was no real evidence to back up the report ... but now, the first actual visual of her here has surfaced, and it's 100% her.

As you see in this footage, obtained by TMZ, Kate looks relaxed in casual athletic wear ... rocking an all-black look with some pink trimming. Her gait is strong -- a good sign given her purported abdominal surgery. PW is right by her side as they walk out of the Farm Shop with bags in hand.

Nobody around looks to be bothering them ... and Kate, sure enough, does indeed look pretty cheerful here -- smiling wide and even carrying on a conversation with her husband.

One of the eyewitnesses who saw them, Nelson Silva , says ... "I noticed a couple choosing loaves of bread and the woman turned her face and I felt like I had seen the face before. It was familiar. I knew it from somewhere."

He adds, "I went to my car and as they came out of the shop I just filmed them. I think they walked out through a gate out of the grounds. They just vanished and I didn't see a car. I just wanted to share with my family footage and show just how normal they were."

Silva finishes ... "Kate looked happy and relaxed. They look happy just to be able to go to a shop and mingle. Kate looked relieved like it was a success going to a shop. It felt natural."

The couple was walking at a relatively brisk pace ... and Kate, on its face, seems to be okay. Frankly, it's as if nothing was ever wrong with her ... although, of course, we know she was in the hospital for a while for a serious procedure that took her out of commission.

The exact nature of her ailment was never made clear by Kensington Palace officials.

BTW, for all the skeptics who might not believe this was taken as it's been relayed to us -- we've delved into the metadata ... and there's no doubt, this was filmed on Saturday right near the Prince and Princess of Wales' home in Windsor. So yes, it's a legitimate video.

Like we said, this is the first time we've seen Kate out in public -- outside of a car, that is -- since December -- and now that we're seeing her in the wild, on her own two feet, ya gotta wonder if this will satisfy conspiracy theorists who have taken over TikTok.

Remember, the Palace says she underwent abdominal surgery in January -- and was scheduled to be sidelined until at least Easter. Despite this timeline ... that hasn't stopped people from floating jokes/conspiracy theories, which got gravely serious on Mother's Day.

Of course, we're referring to the Photoshop fail seen 'round-the-world ... which showed that Kate (or someone at Kensington Palace) tried to pull a fast one on the public. There were 16 alterations made to the photo ... and it's been debunked as a fake many times over.

Kate ended up copping to it herself ... albeit, in nothing but a social media statement. Lots of people felt she was falling on the sword and that the Palace was behind the edits.

After that botched job ... everyone thought something very serious was going on -- but now, we're seeing Kate out and about and seemingly fine.

Are you believing your lying eyes?

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8 Incidents in 2 Weeks: What’s Going on With United’s Planes?

While no one was injured, most of the mishaps required emergency landings or diversions. One safety expert said the incidents were not the result of “systemic problems.”

By Christine Chung

An engine fire sparked by plastic packaging wrap , a tire lost shortly after takeoff and a plane veering off the runway : These are among the eight incidents that have occurred over the past two weeks on flights operated by United Airlines. While no injuries — or worse — have been reported, the mishaps have generated headlines and stoked rising anxiety about aviation safety among federal officials and passengers alike.

All of the incidents happened on flights that took off from or were headed to airports in the United States, and five involved airplanes made by Boeing, a manufacturer already under intense scrutiny. In January, a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner in mid-flight, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing.

United, one of the world’s largest airlines, flies aircraft manufactured mainly by Boeing and Airbus. In an email United began sending to customers on Monday, the company’s chief executive, Scott Kirby, wrote that while the recent incidents were unrelated, they were “reminders of the importance of safety.”

“I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus,” he continued, adding that every case was being reviewed by the airline and would influence its safety training and procedures.

Here’s what travelers should know about the latest in airplane woes.

What exactly happened on or to the planes?

Most of the incidents reported in the last two weeks required emergency landings or diversions.

March 4: A Boeing 737-900 departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston returned to the airport to make an emergency landing after one of the plane engines ingested and burned plastic wrap .

March 7: A Boeing 777 leaving San Francisco for Osaka, Japan, made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport after the aircraft lost a tire .

March 8: A Boeing 737 Max 8 veered off the runway upon landing at George Bush Airport in Houston and tilted onto the grass .

Later that day, a flight leaving San Francisco for Mexico City was diverted to Los Angeles after the Airbus A320 experienced issues with its hydraulic system.

March 9: An Airbus A320 heading to Salt Lake City turned back to Chicago O’Hare International Airport after it reported maintenance issues .

March 11: A Boeing 777, flying from Sydney, Australia , to San Francisco, turned back after takeoff because the plane had a hydraulic leak.

March 14: An Airbus A320 that departed from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport had a hydraulic leak shortly before it landed in its scheduled destination, San Francisco.

Later that day, a Boeing 737-800 that took off from San Francisco landed at Rogue Valley International Medford Airport in Oregon missing an external panel .

Are the recent issues typical, or cause for concern?

The mishaps were not the result of “systemic problems,” said Robert Sumwalt, a former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board who now heads a new aviation safety center at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

“Some of these issues are things that happen occasionally, but often don’t get reported in media,” Mr. Sumwalt said, though he emphasized that none were acceptable.

Kyra Dempsey, who writes about aviation accidents in a blog called Admiral Cloudberg, said that United’s recent issues were being “falsely conflated with Boeing’s troubles.”

“While it’s bad luck that United had so many incidents in such a short period, in general such incidents happen frequently around the world and they aren’t on the rise overall,” Ms. Dempsey said.

How has United responded?

Mr. Kirby’s 270-word message to United customers, including to members of the airline’s frequent flier program, started to be sent on Monday morning, said Josh Freed, a spokesman for United.

Starting in May, United pilots will have an extra day of in-person training, a change that was already planned before the incidents, Mr. Kirby wrote. The airline will also use a “centralized training curriculum for our new hire maintenance technicians” and will dedicate additional resources to the carrier’s supply chain.

What government agencies oversee these issues, and how are they responding?

The Federal Aviation Administration regulates the country’s aviation system and investigates safety incidents on U.S. airlines, while the N.T.S.B. investigates the causes of accidents, collisions and crashes involving planes flown by U.S. carriers, in addition to other accidents involving commercial and mass transit operators. Both agencies have discretion on what they investigate, Mr. Sumwalt said.

Currently, the N.T.S.B. is investigating the incident that occurred on March 8 in Houston, when the plane veered off the runway, an agency spokesperson said. The N.T.S.B. is also looking into a Feb. 10 Los Angeles-to-Newark flight , operated by United, that experienced severe turbulence, leading to injuries among more than a dozen passengers. (The Boeing 777 landed normally, but the flight was met by medical personnel.)

Safety experts said some issues don’t necessarily rise to the level of an investigation by either agency.

For example, partial loss of some of an airplane’s multiple hydraulics systems is common, said Michael McCormick, an assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a former F.A.A. control tower operator. The F.A.A. may or may not get involved for this kind of issue, unless there’s a pattern, Mr. Sumwalt said.

The January episode involving the blown door plug aboard the Alaska Airlines jet is under investigation by the N.T.S.B. and the Justice Department.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Boeing: A Company in Turmoil

Boeing is weathering a particularly difficult period: two fatal crashes, a loose panel that blew out during a flight, quality concerns and production slowdowns..

United’s Planes : An engine fire sparked by plastic packaging wrap, a tire lost shortly after takeoff and a plane veering off the runway: These are among several incidents that have occurred over two weeks  on Boeing flights operated by United Airlines.

Alaska Airlines Flight 1282: After a section of a plane headed for Ontario, Calif., blew out  10 minutes after it took off , there was increased scrutiny  on the plane’s manufacturer: Boeing . The Justice Department has since launched a criminal investigation .

Quality Control Issues: An audit that was initiated by the Federal Aviation Administration after the Alaska Airlines incident found dozens of problems  throughout Boeing’s manufacturing process and one of its key suppliers.

Whistleblower’s Death: John Barnett, a former quality manager for the company, was found dead in Charleston  in March with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was set to testify in a lawsuit in which he accused Boeing of retaliation for his complaints about quality and safety.

At Fault: A report released in February by the Federal Aviation Administration said that Boeing’s safety culture remains flawed , despite improvements made after two fatal crashes  in 2018 and 2019.

Solving an Enduring Crisis: The Federal Aviation Administration has asked Boeing to produce an action plan  to address quality control issues. We asked experts how Boeing should try and fix its longstanding problems .