The history of ferries in the United States traces back to the early 1600s when horse-drawn wagons operated short water crossings. Since then, ferry systems have played a vital role in transporting people and goods across rivers and lakes, serving as a transportation lifeline for communities in remote areas.

The Staten Island Ferry is one of the busiest ferry systems in the US, transporting over 22 million passengers a year. The ferry offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Lower Manhattan, making it a popular tourist destination. In addition to its popularity with tourists, the Staten Island Ferry is an important transportation link for residents and businesses.

The Staten Island Ferry system is also known as one of the oldest ferries in the US. The ferry operates between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan, and it is free to ride. A ferry ride is a great way to see New York City. The ferry system began to operate in 1817, and currently, the Department of Transportation in New York City runs the system. They operate on two terminals, Whitehall and St. George, and they make approximately 65,479 trips daily.

Staten Island Railway (SIR) trains run between St. George and Tottenville 24 hours a day. From St. George station, visitors can connect to the Staten Island Ferry service. St. George, Dongan Hills, Great Kills, and Tottenville stations have wheelchair accessibility. In the St. George station, an elevator links the train level with the main floor and street level.

The Staten Island Ferry offers a variety of amenities that include free Wi-Fi, escalators, elevators, security, restrooms, bicycle storage, cafes, and many more. Additionally, all terminals and boats of the Staten Island Ferry are accessible to people with disabilities.

At the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island, there are two municipal parking lots, and there is a pay parking lot next to the Staten Island minor league ballpark. The Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan does not offer public parking, however, in both Staten Island and Manhattan, there are parking meters, parking lots, and on-street parking at certain bus, train, and subway stations.

The City of New York provides free service on its Staten Island Ferry. There is no need to purchase a ticket to ride the Staten Island Ferry. However, in St. George, you can purchase a MetroCard at the vending machines on the lower level of the SIR station if you need one. The ferry does not offer a cancellation or refund policy since it is a free service.

What are the Ferry Schedules

Schedules can change without notice. You can get updates at www.nyc.gov/dot or by dialing 311. Schedules may change during periods of poor visibility or severe weather. The trip takes approximately 25 minutes. Rush hour trips are usually packed with passengers.

There are holiday schedules for New Year’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. On these days, the service runs every 30 minutes, departing every hour and a half.

Ferries departing from Staten Island six minutes after their posted departure time are considered late. Those who need late notes can obtain them from the Passenger Service Office located at the George Terminal between 8am and 4pm, by contacting 311, or by emailing at [email protected]. This request requires the date and time that you traveled, your name, and your email address as well as the terminal from which you departed. You will receive updates via email.

Connecting Terminals & Services

As already mentioned, there are two terminals on the Staten Island Ferry –  Whitehall Terminal and St. George Terminal. The site of the current Whitehall Terminal has housed at least two terminals. The original terminal was opened in 1903. Fire has destroyed the terminal twice, and a temporary terminal has been opened nearby to accommodate passengers. This terminal was completely renovated and modernized on February 7, 2005. Now buses and cabs are accessible from the terminal as well as from the Subway’s South Ferry/Whitehall Street complex. Currently, St. George has one of the few direct rail-sea connections in the United States.

The popular boat services of Staten Island Ferry consist of 4 classes from which 8 boat services are available. The classers are Barberi, Austen, Molinari, and Ollis. The boats include MV Alice Austen, MV John A. Noble, MV Guy V. Molinari, MV Sen. John J. Marchi, MV Spirit of America, SSG Michael H. Ollis, Sandy Ground, and Dorothy Day.

Staten Island Ferry operates between the boroughs of Manhattan and Staten Island in New York City. The Ferry system provides a vital transportation link for residents of Staten Island who work, visit, or study in Manhattan. The service also connects Staten Island to other modes of public transportation, including the New York City Subway and buses. So it plays a crucial role for passengers who travel through New York.

How to Contact Staten Island Ferry

To file a complaint by mail, you can write to NYC Department of Transportation, 1 Ferry Terminal Drive, Staten Island, NY 10301. For assistance over phone, you can call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK.

Want to report lost and found item? During business hours, the Ferry’s Lost & Found Office is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm. It is located in the St. George Terminal waiting room, across from the NYPD Police Room. For further assistance with Lost and Found, you can call 311. If you live outside New York City, you can reach them at 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) . Upon finding the lost object, the service staff will reach out to the passenger directly.