Governors Island Ferry

Our visit to Governors Island was an absolute delight! The ferry ride over is quick, smooth, and affordable only $5 round trip which makes it such an easy getaway from the city. Once on the island, we were met with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the harbor. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing picnic, a bike ride, or just a peaceful walk. There’s plenty of open space, shaded areas, and a laid back vibe that makes it ideal for families, couples, or anyone looking to unwind. Whether you’re going for the views, the green space, or just a quick escape, Governors Island is a hidden gem worth exploring.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 — Easy ride to a perfect day Took the ferry to Governors Island and honestly, it’s one of the easiest and most underrated escapes from NYC chaos. Tickets were just $5 round trip (free before 11 AM on weekends), and the ride takes about 10 minutes. Boats leave all day from downtown Manhattan. Super smooth, no drama, and you get skyline views for free. That said, even though the ride is short, I really wish the outside upper deck was open. It was a gorgeous, sunny Saturday and they kept it closed. Why?! Let us enjoy the breeze and views. Once you’re on the island, it feels like a mini vacation. Wide open green space, hammocks, giant slides, art installations, and plenty of bikes. We grabbed tacos, wandered around the forts, and chilled under the trees. You can rent a bike or bring your own. There’s even a fancy spa if that’s your thing (not mine). Ferry back was quick and on time. Pro tip: bring water, sunscreen, and a blanket if you plan to hang out for a while. Forget sweating in Central Park. Go to Governors Island. It’s the real deal.

Governor Island is a beautiful place to spend weekend with family, friends or solely by yourself. Governor Island has a magnificent view of Manhattan and the East River. There is also a beautiful view of Staten Island, the Statue of Liberty from Governors Island. Governor’s Island gives the feeling of vacationing in a different town in a different era in history because of the architectural design of the town houses and the surrounding environment. Governor’s Island is a retreat Island with beautiful houses and huts and a beautiful place to spend weekends and weekdays. Governor’s Island ferry is $5 and free for senior citizen.

Took the ferry to Governor’s Island for shows at the Art Center. The ferry port was clean and the staff was friendly. There was beautiful artwork on the walls in the waiting area. We rode two different ferries on different days. One gave access to the upper deck, the other did not. There was plenty of seating for the short ride. Views were lovely. A fun trip to a very nice place. Almost forgot to mention how beautiful the ferry port building is from the outside! Apparently it houses a fancy restaurant and hotel, gorgeous!

We took the governors island ferry for $5 a person across and spent a lovely afternoon walking around governors island and learning the history. There was plenty to see and do and places to sit and even grab a drink or a bite to eat. The views of the city from the island were pretty amazing

Great dock staff, friendly and helpful. Limited seating, but you can always just stand in the queue if you want prime seating on the deck. If you are bringing a pet please leash your animal and clean up after it. Outlets and wifi are available.

$5 round trip pet adult and kids under 12 go free, great views on the short ride out to the island.

An amazing escape from Manhattan that only takes 10 minutes. The governor’s Island ferry is a quintessential piece of South Manhattan full of history. Lovely in the summer, but much less busy in the winter to take a walk around in peace and quiet before returning to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Love taking the free ferry rides to governors island in weekend mornings before 11am. Even though it's free, you still need to get a ticket from the kiosks. The ferry building is located just a few steps over from the Staten Island ferry building in lower Manhattan. The ferry ride itself takes about 10 min between Manhattan and governors island. The ferry itself is pretty simple. There's seating on the bottom and you can choose to go upstairs for better views.

Super easy and fast!! If you have never been to Governor's Island- it's worth the time and ferry ride. There is history, small cafes and parks to explore. There's even a spa!! Great way to unwind and relax. They have the best view from a pool!

My (amazing) friends surprised me with a fabulous spa day at QC spa located on Governor's Island, and every step of the way was a surprise, After getting instructions to meet at the Battery Park City subway station, we took a short walk to the Ferry Terminal. They had pre-paid for tix so although I have no clue what they cost, I know once inside we waited a few minutes before being let onto the dock. It was a super sunny and unusually hot day so we opted to sit inside (where I opened gifts/we took photos) and enjoyed some respite from the hot sun and the crowds of passengers who opted for the sunny, upper deck. The ride was very short, sweet, and smooth. And in no time we were there! We stayed at the spa for most of the day (I think we left around 5 or 6pm) and the ride was equally uneventful and pleasant, As a native New Yorker, I can't believe I've never been on this ferry but now that I've experienced it I will for sure be making plans to ride it again soon!

Very straight forward 10-minute ride from lower Manhattan to Governors island. Timed tickets can be purchased online and cost $5 round trip for adults. Adults 65 and over, children 12 and under, NYCHA residents, IDNYC holders, Military servicemembers and Governors Island members are free. There are also a few free rides early during the weekend...befire 11am I believe. Easy public transportation access to the ferry terminal using the 1 South Ferry Station or the R/W Whitehall Street Station. Both are a block or two away from the ferry terminal. The 4/5 Bowling Green Station is a bit further about 4 blocks away. There is a small coffee shop at the Terminal. The ferry runs frequently, about every 30 minutes. You show your timed ticket to the agent and then wait in the terminal's waiting area. Once the ferry arrived, it will take some time to unload the vehicles and passengers they are bringing back from Governors Island. Once unloaded, you can board the ferry. There are two levels...lower and upper. Lots of indoor seating space on both levels to offer shade. Some may choose to ride outside to take in the amazing views of lower Manhattan, Governors Island and even the Statue of Liberty. There is NO food or drinks for sale on the ferry. There is a well-marked area where you can wait to board on Governors Island for your return trip to Manhattan. Return rides back to Manhattan also run every 30 minutes. All staff throughout the trip were very nice and efficient. There are two other ferry options to get to Governors Island: Brooklyn Bridge (Pier 6) ferry and the Red Hook/Atlantic Basin ferry...but these are only available on the weekends and holiday mondays.

There's so much to do and see on Governor Island. It's not a big place, so it's easy to take in the history, walk the trails, or picnic without getting overwhelmed. On this particular day, it was quiet, and I sat in the grass for an hour, taking in my surroundings and watching the ferry come and go before dinner. That's another plus: there are restaurants on the island. I believe the last ferry of the night doesn't leave until eleven. It's only five dollars and has no return fee.

My 1st time going to Governor's island. We walked to the Governor's island ferry location and purchased our ticket. We stood in the long line to wait for the ferry. When the ferry arrived everyone rushed to get on the ferry. It was a little chilly so I sat inside on the lower level. It was about a 5-7 minute ride to Governor's island. Exiting the ferry was the same experience as boarding ( everyone rushing).

So you're telling me for $4 you can hop on a round trip boat to Governors Island?! And word on Yelp is that it's free before noon.. how cool is that?! You can incredible views of the manhattan skyline and also statue of liberty. It's such a quick ride but oh is it fun and unique! This is one of New York City's best kept secret in my opinion and something I reckon that most native New Yorkers never have done (though I could be wrong). It's an experience I recommend everyone do at least once.

I had a lovely time on the ferry. I hadn't been for a while, so seeing the boats sail by and the Statue of Liberty truly awed me. I went with some family and the children enjoyed the journey, telling us to go again soon. There were various areas in which you can go based on if you have a stroller or have children. There is also an area for any cars that might be traveling to the island. Overall, it was a great experience and I look forward to going back.

When is the Staten Island Ferry not the Staten Island Ferry? Here's your answer. The Manhattan terminal is right next door to the much bigger Staten Island Ferry terminal at 10 South Street, and frankly I never knew it was there until we decided to take a look around Governors Island on a somewhat brisk morning. The destination is popular enough to warrant departures every half-hour from 7AM to 8PM. The trip took only ten minutes with very little wait, and they let you out as if you were a passenger on Noah's Ark. Unlike the Staten Island Ferry, it ain't free, but it is only $4 for a round trip ticket. Chump change, know what I mean? That turns not only the island into a viable tourist destination but also the ferry itself. Besides you can get quite a view (photo: https://bit.ly/3D4pjJP). RELATED - Exploring NYC? Here's a collection of sights I've experienced and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2ZvQA2F

Best spot to see the skyline. Absolutely loved our time here. We rented bikes and explored. Cost only a few dollars to take the ferry. Found a spa here that I can't wait to go back a visit. A must for any NYC trip!

Easy service , but your tickets online and the ferry is ALWAYS on time . Very reliable service

Spacious ferry terminal with cool murals and Guastavino tile. Tickets are 4 dollars for a round trip, though no one checked my ticket. These tickets are separate from NYC ferry tickets, and of course the Staten Island ferry is free. The ferry is big, plenty of seats, and staff is helpful. The ferry ride from Manhattan to governors island is five minutes or so and generally runs on the hour. Governors Island doesn't have a ton of activities, though there is some art, a spa, and a glamping site. Nice place to get away from the city, have some nice views of Manhattan, and be active with some running, walking, or biking.

This was quick and easy. No stress and off we went to beautiful location. The ride home was the same. The ferry was clean and the staff pleasant and helpful, as I had questions!

A convenient ferry ride that's free before 10am! It was a bit crowded during my trip this past June, but you can hang outside for the ~5 minutes of actual riding. I believe masks are still required and the line can get a bit long. Overall, a worthwhile trip to make if you've never been. You can bring your bike right on and enjoy Gov. Island on wheels!

Outstanding. This was my very first time taking a ferry from Manhattan to one of the islands near by. I paid $4 for a roundtrip ferry ride to Governors Island. There was a festival happening there. The only issue I had was trying to find the correct ferry. If you're not from NYC, it can be quite confusing and overwhelming because there were so many people out on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Give yourself plenty, plenty of time to find the correct ferry. I bought a ticket to Governor Island but the ferry made stops so I traded my ticket with someone at the kiosk. I walked further and found the correct ferry to Governors Island. So, just be mindful and make sure that you're in the right line!!

I'm here to ruin your summer fun by talking about Covid. (If you think it's merely a "bad cold" that was hyped up so Bill Gates can track your TikTok usage, let's not be friends). I'm not rushing back to movie theaters and I'm a bit uneasy about seeing the packed bars in Hoboken. Conversely, after seeing no one with a mask on my upstate NY trip, I joined in the fun. And I'm not going to rate a deli one star because the guy didn't have a mask. Does that make me a Covid centrist? But if you don't like the deli guy, you can go the one across the street or get a delivery. I have stricter requirements for state-supported monopolies, as the NJ Transit social media team can attest. The Governors Island Ferry, a relatively well-run operation in recent years as far as I know, isn't meeting proper safety standards. Tickets are limited for safety reasons but the boat I took was packed both ways. I understand there's a tradeoff and maybe there's no budget to run a sufficient number of un-crowded boats, but at the very least they could mitigate the risk by having an outdoor option. Some of the ferries have rooftop seating, mine didn't.

Bare bones ferry that takes you back and forth from the ferry terminal to Governors Island. When we went in February 2022, almost nobody was inside the ferry with us as almost everyone had dogs with them. If you have a dog with you, you have to ride outside on the bottom floor. I'm assuming this is because if a dog is going to make a mess, better that it happens outside where it can easily be hosed off. Ferry ride is only a few bucks and takes less than 15 minutes to get to the island. Easy. No complaints. Met expectations.

It is a true gem to come here. I bought a ticket though I didn't notice anyone checking for the ticket each way. Yes it could be crowded and it could be a long wait so what. When you go to the airport or take the Amtrak is the same thing. It's very beautiful to walk around and visit the homes. It's interesting to find a Glamping camp and a very high end spa here. It will be good for a staycation.

Wrong times on their website, showed up at 917 for the 1015 and was rudely ignored at the door and then yelled at how there is no 1015 and told me how one more there's a boat coming but it's not getting people and I'm not gonna be on it, and how he doesn't care that the website is wrong. Don't come here unless you want to show up at the wrong time after using their official website. Very rude very disappointed what a mess.

Free before noon, The Governors Island ferry is a great adventure in itself! It was new looking, clean, smooth, and my only complaint was I wish it was a longer ride over to the island. The staff were friendly, and look like northern fisherman in their overalls. Boarding and docking went smoothly, and the boats ran on schedule. I think it cost about three dollars afternoon to get over to the island, and it was free to return to Manhattan. Considering how fantastic Governors Island is, I will definitely be riding the ferry again.

I love reconnecting with nature whenever I can. Living in the city is always fun and convenient. And i need a bit more time with nature. I can get grounding by putting my bare feet on the grass. I can hear the crashing waves against the rocks near the river. There is art exhibition too if that interests anyone.

Check online and reserve tickets in advance before you go! IDNYC holders can get ferry tickets for free :) they also have time slots earlier in the morning that's free too, good to go on a nice day to hang out with friends and families. Bring a bike or scooter to go around the island when you get there! If you're coming from outside the city, finding street parking in Brooklyn is easier on Sunday mornings and you can leave from there!

Governor's Island can be reached by ferry. It only operates during warmer months. The ferry charges for a ticket at most times. It's good for a round trip however. The ride is very fast both ways. Find the ferry close to the one to Staten Island. It actually is in the Maritime Building next to it. The ferry is usually about $3 for a round trip. In the mornings the first few rides are free. The best thing about the feet is the views of the skyline. It makes for a good trip over. The island is very close to Manhattan so it won't take that much time. It only takes about 5 minutes. There's still time for plenty of pictures. It takes you to the north side of the island. Saisson Pier is where it drops you off. This is next to an information building and restaurant.

Arrived after 1 pm to the Governors Island Ferry located in the building next to the Staten Island Ferry. Purchased tickets from the vending machine $3 round trip. There was also a coffee shop in the terminal. They leave every half hour. Once boarded it was a quick trip to the island. We decided to walk around the island but there are others biking. The high school with students were active. The views of Manhattan and the World Trade Center are spectacular. Also the Statue of Liberty and the boats out in the water. It was a nice day to do some different in NYC.

Cool ferry. Smaller and much cleaner than the Staten Island ferry. Short trip from the terminal to Governors Island. Went on a Sunday morning-so didn't have to pay. Conveniently next to the Whitehall terminal so you can easily hop on from one ferry to the next. Husband stopped and grabbed coffee and a croissant. Pricey but convenient

Walked around the island on Halloween. It was a very open place, quiet and not crowded. There was pumpkin picking and great place for pictures. Families can also go glamping in the area. Unfortunately Nov 1st is the last day the island will be open to public until next year.

Leaving to governors island on the half hour. Great COVID precautions with timed tickets, effective boarding and disembarking on arrival. The trip across the harbor takes 7 mins.

They don't follow their schedule, and when you have thousands of people pouring in and trying to get out, it's not cool. When you have hundreds of kids, parents with strollers, toddlers... if you have a schedule with a ferry leaving from Governors Island every 30 minutes, the least you can do is to honor that commitment. Now that you even charge to take it, it's a SHAME that you reserve the right to make people wait forever. I've been in line for 45 minutes, and the line is still not moving. There was supposed to be a ferry leaving 15 minutes ago and if never happened. Not sure why this us taking so long. The line of people waiting is insane. This is unacceptable.

The ferry ride was cool on the way to Governor's Island, but after the concert it seemed like we would never get back to Manhattan on the ride back. The walk to the Governor's Island pier is not for the faint, weak or drunk at heart. It is a true super workout!!! We boarded the ferry to Governor's Island from Manhattan side on this round ; maybe one day we can try the ride from the Brooklyn side !!

Great way to catch some scenic views of the NYC skyline. Its $3 round trip and gets to Governor's Island in about 5 minutes. If you're going to Collective Retreats the ride its free. The lines can get long very quick during the summer, especially when there's events, but things move fast and the staff is usually nice. I've personally never had a problem with the time as its always left on schedule (they run every half hour), but you should be prepared to encounter big crowds depending at what time you take it.

We came to the Governor Island Ferry on Thursday June 28, 2019 at 2:21pm. The staff here are rude and uninformed. There were 2 adults and 4 kids (12 and under are free) in our group. I told the young man at the desk that we have 4 kids under 12 and 2 adults but I have the IDNYC card for one adult. First he said they dont honor the IDNYC card anymore. When I pointed out the sign above his head he then changed it to...."Oh well, I already put it in the computer". Then he said the fare was 6.00. I said On the online site, it states 2.00 each for round trip tickets each. He then pointed to the sign (like I did) and said the fare is 3.00 each if you want to ride ferry in a very snotty rude tone. I doubt we will ever come here again. Im posting a screen shot of the google website that states the fare is 2.00. Plus the receipt I received

Our ferry ride from downtown NYC to Governors Island (will have a separate review) was a good one. For a buck (one way) , we were transported to a beautiful island. We were instantly charged for a round trip ticket ($2). There are some days as I have heard that it is a free fare. Unluckily, not during our trip as there was a special event that was happening( Jazz Age Lawn Party). I have read that tickets can be purchase online. After the experience. there's no need. The line moves so fast in the station, there are three registers, has an organize and systematic service. Comfort stations and waiting seats before boarding are available. The trip is schedule every 25-30 mins. They were on schedule during our trip. First ferry leaves at 10 am, last ferry departs the island at 6 on weeknights, 7 on weekends. The ride to the island is about 10-15 minutes including the disembarking or embarking. You'll enjoy more the view of downtown NYC and Lady Liberty from the top deck of the boat as we tried both level. It is a regular size commuter boat...there is nothing to worry as the ferry operator has been trained to safely cruise the harbor to the destination. Bicycle is free of charge. They are not too crazy about your hand carry. You are allowed to bring any wagon/cart/carrier with you free of charge if you plan to have a picnic in the island. The short ride was fun.

It's pretty disgusting and disheartening to attempt to catch the ferry when there isn't any clear sign where to stand out where to go. I purchased the ticket online, ran inside. THERE IS NO SIGN FOR WHEN YOU NEED TO LINE UP AT SLIP 7 or WHAT TIME YOU NEED TO BE AT THE FERRY IN TIME FOR THE FRRRY TO LEAVE) This is beyond OBTUSE TO ME. Fix it NY. No parking no staff no nothing. Pretty poor.

Plentiful seating. Quite cold at 10:30pm in October. Headed to an event called How Did Our Dreams End Up Like This with a party of 9. Boat seems very clean and practically as updated as it could ever be! Ferry runs every 20 minutes and the line is organized nicely indoors :-)

ONE OF THE BEST deals and best distination in NYC! Free ferry to Governors Island from South Ferry Manhattan or Pier 6 of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The Manhattan boats are larger and are more frequent than the Brooklyn ferries. The line can get very, very, very long so go early! Bring a wagon if you have one. Bring cash for food vendors and bring your bicycle! They do rent bikes on the island and there is free kayaking too.

This ferry is free, quick, punctual, and safe. That's pretty much everything I want in a ferry. But if I had any advice for the ferry operators, it would be to paint the metal seats white. In the summer sun, those seats burned my ass through three layers of cloth. And nobody wants that.

Ive actually been here more than once. Taking my children to governors island has become an annual event for us. The ferry going and coming back is so much fun to them. It use to be free on the weekends but now it's only up to a certain time. Anyway waiting for the ferry there never seems long, they have bathroom on the ferry and at the station. They also have a water fountain that doesn't work, so do carry water for those hot summer days

FREE ferry rides to get my game on at Governors Island? Sign me up for that shiznit for sure! Have taken this free mode of transportation over to the island a few times over the years to partake in a few festivals and activities. Free, on-time, and safe. Grab a seat or hang out by the windows for a nice water view. Here is the summer schedule. Can take it from Manhattan and Brooklyn, and runs back and forth throughout the day. http://www.govisland.com/html/visit/directions.shtml There is a lot to see and do each weekend on the island so having a relaxing, and FREE, mode of transportation is a bonus when you want to take a power nap on the way back.

Cheap, quick ride, air conditioned, don't search bags, and beautiful views!! Get there at least 15 minutes before the ferry leaves to secure a place due to limited space on board. On the weekends the ferry runs every 30 minutes (during summer time and prior to 7p). The weather is a bit choppy.

The employees that work the ticket sales for this ferry are THE WORST employees I've ever encountered, and I know what a low bar we have in NYC. Here's an exchange with just one of the incompetent ticket sellers: Her: Are you paying with cash or credit? Me: Which is faster? Her: Credit Me: OK I'll pay with credit Her: The credit machine is broken

Quick ride to governors island. Large ferry but does full up quick so get there about 20 minutes early. The fair is only $2 one way. Nice views of the Brooklyn skyline and you get to see the helicopters land on the neighboring pier.

This was my first experience with the ferry. It was a Saturday at 7:30am from a special ferry for runners only. I can only speak of the trip since a ticket wasn't required. It was a quick 5 minute cruise with both docks in sight. Ferries to Manhattan are not very frequent but the system is fine considering what you pay for it. I did see a sizable line of people waiting for the ferry when I returned to Manhattan.

Took this ferry by accident. Meant to take the NYC Ferry, but went to Pier 6 instead of Pier 1. Still, the timing worked out. Entry is free if you have an NYC ID, which lucky for us, we did so we didn't have to go buy tickets! The boat itself isn't as nice as the NYC Ferries, but bigger. And since it's just two stops, it'll always be empty when you board. Just make sure not to get there at the last minute (especially on the way back), because you might just get cut off and have to wait an hour for the next one.

The ferry cost $2 to get to and from the Governors Island. The terminal is conveniently located on the left side of the Staten Island ferry terminal in Battery Park. It's fast, efficient and cheap. Its very spacious as well. As a matter of fact, one can take their bicycle to the ferry free of charge and access the faster bicycle lane to board the ferry. Unfortunately, some people are taking advantage of this privilege. There are so many things that you can do in the Island. It's a perfect place for a picnic or biking. Visitors can enjoy the national monument and view some art installations scattered all over the island. There's also a beach club that serves snacks, cocktails, wines and cold bottle or draft beers. Allow ample amount of time when going back to Manhattan. The ferry is every 30 minutes and the last trip is 7:00pm on weekends. Lines for the ferry are long and It took us about an hour in the queue before being able to board the ferry back.

How can you not love a free ferry that brings you to a lovely recreational island where you can bike, and stroll and picnic and participate in events? There is even room for you to bring your bike. My boyfriend's only gripe was that the ride was too short.I did notice that since the island has become more popular, more unsavory elements are popping up occasionally. Some stupids kids on the upper deck were trying to spit at people until I looked up and they saw me and I gave them the evil fish eye. This is one place where you don't have to be afraid to speak up and I was resolved to call one of the ferrymen if the kids did it again. I believe they are still serious about keeping it good clean fun. Hint;if you take an afternoon ferry and you have a bike, you might not always be able to get on the ferry and might have to wait for the next one. Try to get there earlier if you are biking. They do bag checks so please don't carry the kitchen sink aboard. There is food to be bought at Governor's Island.

Very easy and short ride; there's a second deck for people to chill and a bottom deck for people to hide from the wind and sun. The ferry goes from Manhattan as well as Brooklyn, and it's very convenient to go to Governors Island! It's free until 11:30AM on weekends, and it's $2 otherwise. The ferry wasn't super crowded when I went which was nice, and it seems pretty well maintained (not too dirty nor old).

I take this all the time during nyc summers to get to governors island from lower manhattan. Its free in morning but later in day costs $2 per adult roundtrip so pretty cheap. Sometimes if theres a big event the line is painful (2hrs wait ) Going on an off weekend is 100% worth it though to go see the new Hills with cool slides we went labor day weekend & zero lines!!

This review has nothing to do with the actual ferry ride or the island itself. It is 100% directed toward the ferry operation workers. 3 of the 4 workers I asked what there was to do on the island had no idea or even cared to know. 2 were ticket sellers and 1 was a ferry assistant. It was no one's first day. I don't know, If your sole purpose at work was to get people to and from an island....maybe be able to answer the simple question about the place? The best was when I asked the 2nd ticket seller but the 1st girl answered for her and said "She don't know either" The girlfriend saw the steam beginning to come from my ears and pulled me away. Maybe it's me, but I feel one should take a little pride in your job, whatever it may be, not have complete apathy and ignorance of it. This was at the Brooklyn Pier boarding site.

$2 round trip for a 5 min ferry ride that arrives on time and safely. There arent any bells and whistles but for a 5 minutes ride all you really need are seats and they have that.