How to Get Statue of Liberty Tickets for Your Next Trip to NYC

When you picture NYC, what pops into your head? Hot dog carts? Broadway shows? Times Square? Or is it the quintessential towering green lady who stands tall in the New York Harbor? After living in lower Manhattan for nearly eight years, the Statue of Liberty has been in the corner of my eye for so long that I've felt desensitized to her majesty—but there's a good reason why so many tourists flock from around the world to visit the attraction.Despite my many years here and several visits to the city before that, I hadn't seen the Statue of Liberty up close until recently. I changed that one day this summer, playing tourist in my own city to see one of the world's greatest landmarks.Set on a small island off the southern tip of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty is visible from many parts of lower Manhattan, Jersey City, and even the Brooklyn waterfront. But if you actually want to get up close and personal with the statue, you'll have to leave mainland NYC and catch the 15-minute ferry to nearby Liberty Island—Lady Liberty's home just a stone's throw from Ellis Island (yes, contrary to popular belief, Lady Liberty is not actually on Ellis Island), which many people also visit when they take a trip to see the statue. Only one company, Statue City Cruises, can get you access to these two islands and the Statue of Liberty, and each of the three ticket types they offer—general admission, pedestal access, and crown access—includes the ferry ride to and from the mainland.I found myself on the top deck of that ferry on a hot morning in July, and I'm so glad I finally did. Aside from simply marveling at the approximately 305-foot sculpture, I spent the rest of my day walking around the grounds, perusing the Statue of Liberty Museum, climbing to the statue's crown, enjoying the extensive gift shop, and bopping over to get a peek at Ellis Island. My personal favorite part of the experience? Seeing the original torch in the museum, as well as snapping a pic with a replica of her foot.Ready to see the pretty lady for yourself? Read on below for everything you need to know before visiting the Statue of Liberty, including how to score tickets, what to bring, where to go once you're there, and insider tips that will help you make the most of your trip.What is the Statue of Liberty?How do you get to the Statue of Liberty?How do you buy tickets for the Statue of Liberty?Do you have to purchase tickets in advance?Are there guided tours to see the Statue of Liberty?What can you expect from a trip to the Statue of Liberty?What should you bring to the Statue of Liberty?The view of the Statue of Liberty from Liberty Island UnsplashWhat is the Statue of Liberty?A French gift to the United States in the late 1800s, the Statue of Liberty stands for the American ideals of freedom and liberty—it was created after the end of the Civil War to honor the abolition of slavery and the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It's known across movies, books, and other media for being the first thing immigrants see upon arriving in New York, signifying the start of a new life.Designed by sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, Lady Liberty was originally built in France, broken down, and transported across the ocean to her current resting place on Bedloe’s Island (since renamed Liberty Island). While her construction in France was completed in 1884, it wasn't until the fall of 1886 that she was transported and finished in New York. Her crown represents light from the sun's rays, her tablet is inscribed with the Roman numerals for July 4, 1776 (America's Independence Day), her torch stands for enlightenment, and at her feet, you'll notice a broken shackle and chain to signify the end of slavery.Statue City Cruises Courtesy Statue City CruisesHow do you get to the Statue of Liberty?Located on Liberty Island in the New York Harbor, the only way to get to the Statue of Liberty is via a Statue City Cruises ferry. The ferries depart from Battery Park in the Financial District about every 20 minutes during peak hours (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and from Liberty Park in Jersey City slightly less frequently. Be prepared to wait a little while during high season (June through August), especially when you factor in the TSA-style security system you'll have to go through, featuring metal detectors, baggage screening, and ticket checkpoints. The ferry goes to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and your general admission ticket gives you access to both.How do you buy tickets for the Statue of Liberty?There are plenty of ferries that take you around the Statue of Liberty, including the iconic Staten Island Ferry, Circle Line sightseeing cruises, and even a tall ship Airbnb Experience you can embark on for an iconic, slightly more personal view, so if all you're after is a photo op on the water with Lady Liberty in the background, there are many to choose from. But if you want to set your feet down on Liberty Island and see her up close, there's only one line that can take you there: Statue City Cruises. It's the only official ferry service for Liberty Island and Ellis Island, departing from Battery Park in the Financial District and Liberty Park in Jersey City.You can purchase tickets directly on the Statue City Cruises site for general admission (which gets you access to both islands, the Statue of Liberty Museum, and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration), pedestal access to the Statue of Liberty (including general admission), and crown access to the Statue of Liberty (including general admission). General admission tickets can also be purchased through GetYourGuide.For those interested in knocking out all of NYC's top hits in one run, a great option is to get a CityPass ticket and bundle a few different activities (like the Empire State Building Observation Deck, the American Museum of Natural History, and more) together. CityPass tickets give general admission access to both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, but you'll still have to pay extra for pedestal or crown access. While I found that the view from the pedestal was wonderful, the main draw to Liberty Island is the Statue of Liberty herself, which, of course, you can't see much of while directly underneath it, so I personally feel like a general admission ticket is more than enough.Check availability for Circle Line sightseeing cruisesCheck availability for Airbnb Experiences tall ship sailingCheck availability for Statue City Cruises ticketsCheck availability for GetYourGuide general admission ticketsCheck availability for CityPass ticketsSave even more on your NYC itinerary with our CityPass promo codes.The Statue of Liberty's face and torch UnsplashDo you have to purchase tickets in advance?“We highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance to avoid long lines and ensure availability,” says Elena Woodruff, the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Foundation marketing and communications manager. This is especially true if you're looking to buy Statue City Cruises's pedestal or crown tickets: “It's best to book these several months in advance, since these tickets are limited and can sell out.”All three types of tickets drop on the first day of the month six months in advance, so set a reminder if you're planning ahead. Day-of general admission tickets can be purchased in-person at the official ticket booth, but to ensure you get the timing you desire, I'd recommend booking at least a few days in advance, especially during high tourist season.Are there guided tours to see the Statue of Liberty?Interested in a more personalized experience, or diving deeper into the monument's history? Consider booking a tour led by an expert. I'd recommend this Viator tour or this Get Your Guide tour, both of which include round-trip access to both Liberty and Ellis Island, as well as a guide who will share stories about the history of New York while providing a tour around the grounds of both islands. If you want something more exclusive, consider this private tour from Viator that will give you plenty of one-on-one time with your guide.If you'd like to explore beyond the public areas on Ellis Island, consider booking Statue City Cruises's Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour, which follows an expert guide inside parts of the historic hospital complex.Check availability for group tours at ViatorCheck availability for private tours at ViatorCheck availability for group tours at GetYourGuideCheck availability for the Statue City Cruises Ellis Island Hard Hat TourThe view from the crown of the Statue of Liberty GettyWhat can you expect from a trip to the Statue of Liberty?Lace up your walking shoes, grab your water, and prepare for a long day of exploring. Expect to take a few hours exploring each island—the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Foundation recommends at least two to three hours for Liberty Island alone; it took me about two and a half to do a fairly breezy run through of the Statue of Liberty Museum, hike up to the pedestal, walk the grounds, and grab a treat—so budget your time wisely if you want to visit Ellis Island after as well.In my opinion, the best photos with the Statue of Liberty are taken from the ferry. If you're leaving from Manhattan, once you board, head directly to the front right side of the top deck—it's where you'll get the best view of Lady Liberty as you approach the island. Once you actually get on the island, you're a bit too close to the statue to get particularly excellent images—if you want pictures with Lady Liberty facing your direction, there are fences that can be a bit of an eyesore, and you have to take the picture from below to get both you and her in the same shot. For a better background, head around back to the Flagpole Plaza, where there's an open walking path that offers excellent views and photo ops (as long as you're okay with it being of Lady Liberty's back).Remember that if you're eager to head up to the crown or pedestal, you'll need to purchase a ticket with specialized access. The pedestal is a little over halfway up to the crown, and those who purchase crown tickets will also be able to access the pedestal viewpoint and the pedestal's museum (don't skip it—it's hidden and smaller, but offers some excellent insight into the building process of the iconic monument). To reach the pedestal overlook, you'll either have to climb the 215 stairs to the top or take the elevator. For the crown, there is no elevator access. There's a tight, 167-step winding spiral staircase from the pedestal to the crown that you'll twist your way up, so it is advised that those with any pre-existing health conditions don't attempt it.If you aren't able to score access to the pedestal or crown, there's still plenty to do. The primary Statue of Liberty Museum is available to those with general admission tickets, and inside, you'll be treated to a ton of great information, as well as huge replicas of both the statue's face plate and her foot. You can also take a look at the original torch, which was removed in 1984 and replaced with a replica in 1985. It now stands on display for an up-close look—keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of barely-there graffiti.Those looking for a double dose of history and planning on hitting Ellis Island after Liberty Island should start their days earlier rather than later. A representative from Statue City Cruises recommends heading to the statue right when it opens, noting that the 9 a.m. ferry is much emptier than in the afternoon. Another insider tip? “The Records Discovery Center features records from ports of entry across the United States, so you can search for your family's immigration history even if your ancestors did not pass through Ellis Island,” says Woodruff.What should you bring to the Statue of Liberty?Woodruff advises guests to “keep it simple and travel light.” Between the security checkpoints, ferry rides, and museums, you'll be moving around quite a bit, so the fewer things you have to keep track of, the better. Luckily, there are self-serve lockers on the island for storing your belongings, but it's best to stick to the essentials regardless. Here's what I recommend bringing along:A handheld camera (note that tripods are not allowed inside the Statue of Liberty)Quarters for the lockers (you'll get them back at the end!)Money for snacks and treats (nearly every single person I saw on Liberty Island was carrying freshly-squeezed lemonade in a giant souvenir cup shaped like a torch)Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a portable fan, as there is very little shade on Liberty IslandWaterA valid photo IDComfortable walking shoesJisulifePortable neck fanGaiatopGaiatop mini portable fanAthletaPacesetter Run hat 2.0SupergoopUnseen sunscreen stickBanana RepublicDuskfall sunglassesEltaMDUV Daily Face Tinted SunscreenAquaphorLip protectant + sunscreenSun BumSPF 50 sunscreen lotionKodakEktar H35 film camera