You can get basic information about the Staten Island Ferry. If the information you are looking for is not available below, or if you have a more complicated inquiry, you can submit a question to the Department of Transportation.

The Staten Island Ferry travels across New York Harbor between St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island and Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan. It departs from two locations:

• St. George Ferry Terminal at 1 Bay Street, Richmond Terrace in Staten Island
• Whitehall Terminal at 1 Whitehall Street at South Street in Lower Manhattan

The ferry is free for all passengers.

Wheelchair and Elevator Access

Passengers with disabilities are permitted to board the ferries from both the upper or lower levels of the boats at both terminals.Some of the boats are equipped with elevators allowing mobility between all decks.

Elevators are available on the following Staten Island Ferry boats:

• The Molinari
• The Marchi
• The Spirit of America

Elevators are NOT available on the following Staten Island Ferry boats:

• The Kennedy
• The Austen
• The Noble
• The Barberi *
• The Newhouse *

* These boats have ramps that passengers with disabilities can use to travel between the first and second decks. The ramp does not provide access to the lower deck.

Animals

Service animals and pets are allowed on the ferry. Pets must be caged, muzzled, or crated.

Bicycles and Vehicles

The following rules apply to vehicles on the ferry:

• Bicycles are allowed on the ferry. Riders must board on the lower level at both terminals and wait for the boat in the designated bicycle loading areas. All bicyclists must dismount their bicycles before boarding.
• Cars, motorcycles, and trucks are not allowed on the ferry.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted on the Staten Island ferry or in the terminals.

Pay Phone Locations

Public pay phones are located in both terminals for the Staten Island Ferry:

• Whitehall (Manhattan) - In the waiting room next to the rest rooms
• St. George (Staten Island) - In the waiting room next to the Passenger Service Office and in the Passenger Drop-Off and Pick-Up area

Passenger Taxi Drop-Off and Pick-Up Locations

• Taxis: Drivers picking up and discharging passengers must use the Kiss and Ride location on the south side of the terminal. Drivers are not allowed to use the Taxi Stand located on Ramp E.
• Access-A-Ride: The stop is located on Bus Ramp B.
• United Car Service: Drivers must make pick-ups at the Taxi Stand located on Ramp B. Drop-offs are allowed at both the Taxi Stand and the Kiss and Ride.
• Private taxis and all other car services not affiliated with United Car Service: Drop-offs are only allowed at the Kiss and Ride area located on the south side of the terminal.

Parking Meter Rates

The parking meter rates at the St. George Ferry Terminal South parking lot are:

• Short-term metered parking: $1.50 per hour
• Long-term metered parking: $12 maximum per 18 hours

For additional parking inquiries, visit the Public Parking Lots page.

Leasing Space

To lease a space in a Staten Island Ferry terminal, contact the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).

Visit the NYC Economic Development Corporation website.

Additional Information or Inquiries

Learn more about the Staten Island Ferry.

Ferries depart every 30 minutes, except for during rush hours on weekdays.

Boats leaving Staten Island's St. George Terminal during rush hour follow this schedule:

• 6 AM to 7 AM every 20 minutes
• 7 AM to 9 AM every 15 minutes
• 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM every 20 minutes
• 5:30 PM to 7 PM every 15 minutes

Boats leaving Manhattan's Whitehall Terminal during rush hour follow this schedule:

• 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM every 20 minutes
• 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM every 15 minutes
• 4 PM to 5 PM every 20 minutes
• 5 PM to 7 PM every 15 minutes
• 7 PM to 8 PM every 20 minutes

A permit is required to distribute fliers or literature in Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Literature distribution is not permitted on the ferry boats. 

You can apply for a Department of Transportation permit to distribute literature in the Staten Island Ferry Terminals. All permit applications are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis.

Online

Apply for a Literature Distribution Permit.

By Mail

You can report a problem with Staten Island Ferry services, boats, and terminals, including:  

• Delays
• Announcements
• Restrooms
• Cleanliness
• Graffiti
• Broken seats or benches
• Disruptive passengers

To report food related issues, submit a Food Safety Complaint instead.

You can report homeless individuals loitering or sleeping on the benches on the Staten Island Ferry or in the Ferry terminal.

The Staten Island Ferry Division works closely with the New York City Police Department and the Department of Homeless Services to address the homeless issues with the Staten Island Ferry.

The Staten Island Ferry is considered late if it departs more than six minutes later than its posted departure time. 

You can request a Late Excusal Notice to give to your employer to prove that you were late to work because of a ferry delay.

You must provide:

• The date of the delay
• The time of the trip
• The terminal where you ended your trip
• Your name
• The email address or fax number where you want the notice sent

By Email

ferrylatenotes@dot.nyc.gov

By Phone

The Staten Island Borough President's office accepts questions, comments, and concerns about the aquarium at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.