New York City's East River Ferry: Routes, Tickets, and How to Ride

The former East River Ferry route has transitioned to a new, expanded NYC Ferry Service featuring lower fares ($2.75 per ride), onboard concessions, new boats, and more. The popular East River Ferry was a three-year pilot program.

The Demise of the East River Ferry

The original East River Ferry service was launched in 2011. It was a part of a three-year pilot program to provide year-round ferry service between East 34th Street and Pier 11 in Manhattan, Long Island City in Queens, Greenpoint, North Williamsburg, South Williamsburg, the DUMBO neighborhood in Brooklyn, and seasonal weekend service to Governor’s Island, according to the Mayor's press office. The success of the ferry service led to increased stops and service.

New York residents and visitors alike loved the East River Ferry. In fact, in 2016, the ferry service saw the largest ridership in its history. Riders enjoyed the spectacular Manhattan skyline views, brought their bikes on board, and made the trip a family outing. Others used the ferry to go to work.

The East River ferry service ran from Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens across, of course, the East River.

The Current East River Ferry Route

As part of the transformation of New York City's waterfront into play-space, now you can enjoy even more frequent ferry service between Manhattan and four very cool waterfront neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens: DUMBO, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and Queens, Long Island City.

Where Does New York City's East River Ferry Go?

The East River Ferry service runs from Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens across, the East River. (If you want to visit the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island, or see the Little Red Lighthouse under the George Washington Bridge, this isn't the boat for you.)

The East River Ferry makes the following stops (note that the route may change seasonally):

• East 34th Street in Manhattan at the East River
• Long Island City (at Queens West) in Queens
• Greenpoint (India Street and the East River) in Brooklyn
• Williamsburg - two stops, one in North Williamsburg (at North 6th Street) and one in South Williamsburg (at Schaefer Landing) in Brooklyn
• Fulton Landing in Brooklyn at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 1
• Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn (seasonal)
• Pier 11 in Wall Street in lower Manhattan (located on the water side of the FDR, one block south of Wall Street and east of Front Street in the financial district, south of the South Street Seaport area)

What Can You See from the East River Ferry?

As its name suggests, this ferry plies the East River. It affords passengers gorgeous views of Manhattan, New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges, the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and more. If you go down to Brooklyn, you can see the waterfront, glass-enclosed Jane's Carousel, cool old warehouses, and Brooklyn Bridge Park. In short, you get a view of New York City that you don't get when standing atop a skyscraper, riding the subway, or walking down busy streets, even in brownstone Brooklyn.

How Much Does It Cost to Use the East River Ferry Service?

• Fares for passengers are $2.75 for a one-way ticket and $121 for an unlimited monthly pass.
• A maximum of two children aged five and under are allowed to travel free with each accompanying ticketed adult passenger.
• Ticketing machines are available at all commuter locations along with staffed ticket agents at some stops.

Ticket Details You Should Know

• All one-way tickets are valid for 30 days from the date of purchase.
• Ten-trip tickets are valid for 60 days from the date of purchase.
• Monthly passes are only valid for the calendar month and year that is printed on the front of the ticket.
• All sales are final.
• No personal checks accepted.

When Do Brooklyn and Manhattan's East River Ferries Run?

• Weekdays, the 149-passenger vessels operate from 6:45 a.m. until 8:45 p.m. in both directions.
• During morning and evening peak hours, three boats service each landing every twenty minutes.
• During weekday off-peak hours, two boats run on a thirty-minute schedule.
• On Saturdays and Sundays, three 399-passenger vessels operate every forty-five minutes from 9:35 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.
• Governors Island is served on the weekend route during the Island’s operating hours. If you have an NYC ID, you can ride the ferry for free.

Can You Take a Bike on the East River Ferry?

Yes. Ferries accommodate bikes on board for an additional dollar.

Can You Keep Riding the Ferry in a Continuous Loop?

The ferry's operators say, "All passengers are required to disembark no later than the end of a scheduled run, at either the East 34th St. Terminal in midtown Manhattan or the Pier 11/Wall St. Terminal in downtown Manhattan (on summer weekends, the end of the southbound scheduled run is at Governor's Island)."

Other Things to Know about the East River Ferry

• No rollerblades, skateboards, or heelies allowed on boats.
• Only service dogs or small dogs in pet carriers are allowed on board.
• Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Due to the number of children’s life preservers on board each vessel and safety considerations generally, no more than 25 children may be on board a vessel at any one time.