Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour with Reserved Ferry Entry

4.8 (14,948 reviews) New York City, USA
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Duration3h - 5h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 25 travelers

Overview

Experience America’s most iconic symbols of freedom without the guesswork. This comprehensive guided tour takes you from the bustling shores of Battery Park through the hallowed halls of Ellis Island. With Reserved Access tickets, you’ll bypass the massive general admission lines and dive straight into history with a local expert storyteller.

What You’ll Experience

Step onto Liberty Island for a guided stroll around the monument. Your guide will share the "hidden in plain sight" secrets of the statue’s design and the dramatic story of its journey from France.

The Immigrant Journey: Walk through the Great Hall where 12 million people began their American dream. Hear the personal, heart-wrenching, and triumphant stories of the families who passed through these very doors.

The "Guide Advantage": Our guides are experts in NYC history who know the best photo spots and the quietest corners of the museums.

Options

Comprehensive 4 Hour Tour
Express 2-Hour Tour

Duration: 2 hours: The guided portion of the express tour lasts around 2 hours. Return ferry is included.

What's included

  • Skyline Views
  • Statue of Liberty Museum
  • Expert NYC Storyteller
  • Immigration Museum Access
  • Reserved Ferry Access - significantly reducing your wait time
  • Ellis Island Experience (Comprehensive Tour)
  • Gratuities
  • Pedestal & Crown Access
  • While your guide provides essential history outside, museums are self-guided to comply with rules.
  • small locker fees for oversized bags ($0.25) are not included.

What to expect

  1. Castle Clinton National Monument
    20m
    This sandstone fort is our meeting point, but it’s also a national monument.
  2. Statue of Liberty
    1h · Admission ticket included
    Tour Liberty Island with your guide. See the statue up-close and visit the Statue of Liberty Museum. This is also a great opportunity for photos of the NYC skyline.
  3. Statue of Liberty Museum
    45m · Admission ticket included
    If you choose our Comprehensive 4 Hour tour, you will have time visit the museum on your own (guides not permitted inside the museum) before continuing your tour to Ellis Island.

    If you choose our Express Tour, the tour ends at Liberty Island so you can stay as little or as long as you like in the museum.

    Our guides are not permitted to enter the museum so this part will be self-guided.
  4. Ellis Island
    1h · Admission ticket included
    Choose our 4 Hour Comprehensive tour and take a tour of Ellis Island as your guide points out sights like the American Immigrant Wall of Honor.

    Not included with Express Tour.
  5. Ellis Island Immigration Museum
    1h · Admission ticket included
    Choose our Comprehensive 4 Hour tour and discover the stories of the millions of immigrants who came through here from 1892-1954. Explore this museum at your own pace with your included audio guide before returning to Battery Park at your leisure. Guides are not permitted into the museum so this part is self-guided but our guides will give you facts and tips before you enter to get the most out of your visit.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meet your guide outside the front entrance of Castle Clinton, the round brown brick building near the water in Battery Park. Your guide will be on the steps outside of the north entrance of the castle, wearing an orange hat. This is the entrance facing the buildings in Manhattan.

End point

Express Tour - This tour will end at Liberty Island.
Guests can spend more time there if they wish or they can head back on the first ferry returning to Battery Park - return ticket included.

End point

4 Hour Comprehensive Tour - This tour will end on Ellis Island. Guests can spend more time there if they wish or they can head back on the first ferry returning to Battery Park - return ticket included.

Important: Express Tour does not end on Ellis Island, this tour option ends at Liberty Island.

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. The tour departs promptly and if late, you will NOT be able to catch up and will miss the tour. There are no refunds for missing the tour.
  • Please note the earliest time tour will have the least wait. Later tours will encounter longer wait times.
  • Your ferry ticket includes access to both islands, although for afternoon tours, there may not be enough time to visit Ellis Island.
  • Food available for purchase on the ferry, at the Statue of Liberty, and on Ellis Island
  • Operates in all weather conditions. Please dress appropriately.
  • Security screening will take place prior to entering the ferry. Visitors to the park are required to undergo airport-style security screening.
  • Photographs are permitted, but tripods and monopods are prohibited.
  • Children 3 and under free with paid adult ticket.
  • Guides are wearing orange hats AND/OR blue shirts or jackets.
  • Pedestal and crown access are not included in your tour. Guided tours are not allowed in the pedestal or crown at the Statue of Liberty

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.8 (14,948)
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