This post explains how to take the ferry to Governors Island including where to catch the ferry from both Manhattan and Brooklyn, ticket prices and schedules.
I and my fellow local tour guides love Governor's Island for the escape it offers from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Fortunately, it is incredibly easy to get there! It's just an 8-minute ferry ride from Lower Manhattan and only a few minutes longer from departure points in Brooklyn.
So read on to find out how to use the ferry and then read our post on the fun things you can enjoy once you are there.
- When is Governors Island Open?
- How to Take the Ferry
- Things to Do on Governors Island
- Summer Guide to NYC
- Things to Do in New York City
WHEN IS GOVERNORS ISLAND OPEN
This small recreational island accessible only by ferry is open year-round.
Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, it is open to the public 7 am-6 pm daily.
In the summer, it is open later, from 7 am to 10 pm on weekdays from 7 am-11 pm on and Fridays and Saturdays.
The South Island Park is open until 6 pm daily.
HOW TO TAKE THE FERRY TO GOVERNORS ISLAND
There's only one way to get to Governors Island -- and that's by passenger ferry. This is precisely why I love it!
Other than the occasional maintenance vehicle or a resident's car, you won't see anything on four wheels besides a kid's wagon.
There are two ferry systems: the Trust for Governors Island-operated ferries and the NYC Ferry.
Both ferries run from Manhattan and Brooklyn from easily reached departure points.
Governors Island Ferry
The fares are the same whether you depart from Manhattan or Brooklyn.
It's $5 round-trip for adults (13-65). It's free for:
- Adults 65 and over
- Children 12 and under
- Residents of NYCHA housing
- IDNYC holders
- Military service members (former and active)
- Friends of Governors Island members
TIP: The ferry is free on Saturdays/Sundays before 11 am!
You can purchase your tickets in advance online here and I highly recommend you do so.
There is nothing worse than getting to the ferry terminal only to see a long ticket line.
Even on free days, make an online reservation.
While you aren't locked into your reservation time, there's no guarantee you can get onto another ferry - especially on summer weekends. So plan accordingly.
Good to know:
All ferries are wheelchair accessible.
You can bring your bike for free, but space is limited. You might be better off renting one on the island. (Read how here).
Coming with little ones? There's space on the ferry for strollers, but not a whole lot. It's first-come, first-served so arrive much earlier than your reserved departure time.
Manhattan Ferries
These ferries run daily all year.
Ferries depart from the Battery Maritime Building (BMB) in Lower Manhattan and arrive at Soissons Landing on Governors Island.
The Battery Maritime Building is at 10 South Street (circled in yellow on the map).
The closest subways to the BMB/Ferry Terminal are:
- 1 train to South Ferry
- R train to Whitehall Street
- 4 and 5 trains to Bowling Green
Use this Google Maps link to get exact directions from your departure point.
TIP: If you are new to using the subway system, see our video below about riding the subway.
Ferry Schedule (after Memorial Day, 2024)
- First ferry from Battery Maritime Building to Governors Island Soissons Landing: 7 am
- Runs every 30 minutes
- Last ferry from Governors Island to Manhattan: 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11 pm Friday and Saturday
- See the full schedule here.
Brooklyn Ferries
These ferries operate only on weekends and Mondays that fall on a holiday. Ferries operate less frequently than the Manhattan ferries.
There are two departure points: Pier 6 and Atlantic Basin.
Pier 6
Pier 6 is in Brooklyn Bridge Park at Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street in Brooklyn Heights.
Use this Google Maps link to get exact directions from your departure point.
Schedule
The ferry runs Monday to Thursday.
It runs from Pier 6 to Governors Island Soissons Landing starting at 10:15 am and then every hour until 4:15 pm.
The last ferry from Governors Island back to Pier 6 is 6 pm.
See the full ferry schedule here.
Atlantic Basin
Atlantic Basin is at the intersection of Pioneer Street and Conover Street in Red Hook.
Use this Google Maps link to get exact directions from your departure point.
Schedule
The ferry runs on Saturday, Sunday and Holiday Mondays.
It runs from Atlantic Basin to Governors Island Soissons Landing every hour between 10:15 am and 4:15 pm.
The last ferry from Governors Island back to Atlantic Basin is 5:30 pm.
See the full ferry schedule here.
NYC Ferry to Governors Island
The NYC Ferry connects all five boroughs of New York City. Read all about this great mode of transport from our post on the NYC Ferry.
The NYC Ferry service has two routes that go to Governors Island: the Wall Street Shuttle and the South Brooklyn route.
Wall Street Shuttle
It operates only on summer weekends and holiday Mondays. See the full schedule here.
The shuttle departs from Wall Street Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan.
Fares are $4 one way and must be purchased before boarding.
Use this Google Maps link to get exact directions from your departure point.
It makes two stops in Brooklyn, then arrives at Yankee Pier on Governors Island.
South Brooklyn route
The route operates daily all year but does not stop at Governors Island on weekends during the summer months.
The route begins at Wall Street Pier 11 in Manhattan.
It makes two stops in Brooklyn, then stops at arrives at Governors Island's Yankee Pier. The ride is about 20 minutes.
Fares are $4 one way and must be purchased before boarding.
Riding the Subway
Check out our post on navigating the subway and our post on which MetroCard is best for you.
