Plan Your Visit

The Statue of Liberty against the Manhattan skyline.

NPS Photo

 

Planning Ahead For Your Visit

Visiting Liberty Island is one of the most rewarding experiences of any trip to New York City. However, visitors who wish to enter the pedestal must secure reservations. For over a decade, the National Park Service has implemented a reservation system. This is very different from the way past generations once accessed the Statue of Liberty. The National Park Service strongly recommends making advanced ticket reservations. Reservations secured far enough in advance allows visitors to select their desired level of access; eliminating the need to wait in line to purchase tickets.

What Are My Ticket Options?

Visitors arrive by ferry service. All ferry tickets include access to the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Separate reservations must be made for the pedestal. Tickets are limited based on safety and security standards.

To visit both islands in one day, the National Park Service recommends an early ferry departure.
Tickets are purchased through Statue City Cruises, the official ferry service provider. Ferries provide transportation to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island. One ferry ticket provides access to both islands. Purchasing tickets through vendors other than Statue Cruises may result in unnecessary additional charges. For more information, visit our Fees and Passes page.

• General Admission: This ticket is our most widely available ticket. Visitors will have access to both islands including entry to both the Statue of Liberty Museum and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. This is the only ticket available when reservations are full. General Admission tickets do not get you access inside the monument, or to any level of the pedestal.
• Pedestal Ticket: Tickets are limited. Advance reservations are recommended. Pedestal tickets allow visitors to access up to the top of the pedestal; which includes lower pedestal levels. These are purchased online only through Statue City Cruises.
• Crown Ticket: Tickets are limited. Advance reservations are needed. Crown tickets allow visitors to access the crown of the statue, which includes a walk up 162 steps from the feet of the statue to the crown. There is no elevator access to the crown. These are purchased online only through Statue City Cruises.