Every Statue of Liberty tour is a boat, but they fall into two very different kinds: cruises that sail past for photos and don't land, and ferry tours that actually put you on Liberty and Ellis Islands. That distinction is everything -- if you want to stand beneath Lady Liberty and walk Ellis Island's immigration halls, you need a ferry tour, not a sightseeing cruise. Check the wording carefully.
Prices are refreshingly moderate here, $24 to $190. Ratings run 4.5 to 4.9. My honest guidance: the reserved-ferry Liberty-and-Ellis tour is the one most people actually want; the cheap express and sunset cruises are fine if you just want skyline views from the water; and the private tour is there for those who want a guide and no crowds.
#1Best cruise
Statue of Liberty and New York City Skyline Sightseeing Cruise
The highest-rated way to see Liberty from the water -- a photo cruise, no landing.
★★★★½ 4.9 (367 reviews)·from $79·1h 30m·
This $78.57, 90-minute sightseeing cruise is the top-rated option here at 4.9 over 367 reviews, gliding past the Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. It's the best-in-class cruise for views and photos -- but it does not land on the islands, so it's a sail-by, not a visit.
★★★★★“We had a wonderful experience on this cruise in New York! The views of Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, NYC Skyline were beautiful, but what truly stood out was the excellent customer service. The crew was warm, attentive, and went above and beyond to make my father, a senior citizen feel comfortable and cared for. From helping with boarding to offering seating assistance and thoughtful check-i”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- One complimentary beverage included
- Cruise around New York Harbor
Where you'll go: Manhattan Skyline · Ellis Island · Statue of Liberty
What's good
- Highest rating here at 4.9
- Great skyline and Statue photo opportunities
- Compact 90 minutes
What to know
- Does not land on Liberty or Ellis Island
- Pricier than the express cruises
Best for: Travelers who want the best views from the water without the lines
Skip it if: You want to actually walk on the islands
#2Best private
Private Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour
A private, crowd-free tour of both islands.
★★★★½ 4.8 (194 reviews)·from $190·4h 00m·Private
This $190.00 private tour (4.8 over 194 reviews) is the priciest here, running 240 minutes across the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Battery Park and Castle Clinton. Private guiding and a relaxed pace make the notoriously crowded islands far more pleasant -- if you'll pay for it.
★★★★★“This was a lovely historical walking tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Annie knew her stuff and made it fun and interesting to learn old and new information. A great way to spend the day with my mom whose grandparents emigrated through Ellis Island.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Guided Tour of Ellis Island Grounds
- Guided Tour of Battery Park
- Private tour
- Guided Tour of Liberty Island
Where you'll go: Statue of Liberty · Ellis Island · Battery Park · Castle Clinton National Monument
What's good
- Private guide across a full 4 hours
- Lands on both Liberty and Ellis Islands
- 4.8 rating
What to know
- Most expensive option at $190.00
- Modest 194-review base
Best for: Groups wanting a private, unhurried island visit
Skip it if: You're on a budget or don't mind sharing a ferry
#3Best overall
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour with Reserved Ferry Entry
The one that actually lands you on both islands, with reserved ferry entry.
★★★★½ 4.7 (5,748 reviews)·from $59·Flexible·
At $59.00, rated 4.7 over a massive 5,748 reviews, this tour includes reserved ferry entry and visits to Liberty Island, the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island. It's the option most visitors picture when they think "Statue of Liberty tour" -- you land, you walk, you see it up close -- and the huge review base confirms it delivers.
★★★★★“Took a tour to Liberty island and Ellis island, our tour guide Emmeline was amazing! She definitely made the experience a memorable one. She was constantly making sure that we had all of our group members, she gave us detailed information about both islands, asked us questions, and included interactive questions that kept the guide from not getting boring. The boat was easy to catch, a short ride ”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Skyline Views
- Statue of Liberty Museum
- Expert NYC Storyteller
- Immigration Museum Access
Where you'll go: Castle Clinton National Monument · Statue of Liberty · Statue of Liberty Museum · Ellis Island
What's good
- Actually lands on Liberty and Ellis Islands
- Reserved ferry entry included
- Enormous 5,748-review base at 4.7
What to know
- Ferry security lines can be slow
- Duration not listed
Best for: Anyone who wants to set foot on the islands, not just sail past
Skip it if: You only want skyline photos from the water
#4Best value combo
NYC City Tour: Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street
Cheap tour bundling the Statue view with Lower Manhattan history.
★★★★½ 4.7 (1,518 reviews)·from $39·Flexible·
At $39.00 (4.7 over 1,518 reviews) this tour pairs the Statue of Liberty with the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street and Trinity Church. It's a well-priced way to combine the harbor icon with Lower Manhattan's landmarks -- just note the emphasis is on the wider downtown area rather than landing on the island.
★★★★★“The tour guide, Liz, was incredibly friendly, easygoing, and knowledgeable. She included and interacted with everyone, including a small child on the tour. It was a pleasure to go on her tour.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Photo op at the Charging Bull
- History and tour of the 9/11 Memorial
- Tour of the Canyon of Heroes at Battery Park
- An experienced and entertaining local guide who knows Lower Manhattan well
Where you'll go: New York Stock Exchange · Federal Hall · House of Morgan · Trinity Church NYC
What's good
- Low $39.00 for a broad Lower Manhattan itinerary
- 4.7 over 1,518 reviews
- Combines Statue views with 9/11 Memorial and Wall Street
What to know
- Focus is downtown, not landing on the island
- Statue is one part of a wider tour
Best for: Budget travelers wanting Statue views plus downtown history
Skip it if: Your main goal is to set foot on Liberty Island
#5Best guided ferry
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry
A guided ferry tour that lands, for those who want context.
★★★★½ 4.6 (1,247 reviews)·from $59·Flexible·
At $59.00 (4.6 over 1,247 reviews) this guided tour includes the ferry and visits to Battery Park, Castle Clinton, Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty. Same price as the top pick with the addition of a guide -- worth it if you'd like history narrated, though its 4.6 rating sits just below the self-guided leader.
★★★★★“Sara was wonderful. She was informative, lively, and very personable. We learned so much throughout the tour.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Local English-speaking guide
- Access to Immigration Museum at Ellis Island (4-hour option only)
- Pre-reserved ticket to Statue of Liberty Island (exterior access)
- Statue of Liberty Museum
Where you'll go: Battery Park · Castle Clinton National Monument · Liberty Island · Statue of Liberty
What's good
- Guided, and lands on Liberty Island
- Same $59.00 price as the top ferry tour
- Solid 1,247-review base
What to know
- 4.6 rating trails the top ferry option
- Guided pace won't suit everyone
Best for: Visitors who want a guide's commentary and to land on the island
Skip it if: You'd rather explore at your own pace
#6Best budget
Circle Line: New York City Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise
The cheapest, fastest way to see Liberty from the water.
★★★★½ 4.5 (2,223 reviews)·from $24·0h 50m·
At just $24.00 this 50-minute express cruise (4.5 over 2,223 reviews) sails past the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and New York Harbor. It's the budget champion for a quick harbor loop -- but it's a fast sail-by with no landing and the lowest rating in this group.
★★★★★“Overall experience was great.
Hospitality amazing, crowd amazing, all the employees all the way from the booth to the boat were all very welcoming and kind. I would specially like to appreciate Debbie the Tour Guide. Her insights and her personality just made the whole experience even better. I’m glad I booked this trip and honestly anyone looking to take this ride, Just Do It.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Free Wi-Fi on board
- Live narration by Circle Line’s world famous guides (in English)
- Download the Circle Line App in 9 different languages (headphones required) See below for more.
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Where you'll go: South Street Seaport Historic District · Brooklyn Bridge · New York Harbor · Statue of Liberty
What's good
- Cheapest option at $24.00
- Quick 50-minute loop
- Large 2,223-review base
What to know
- No landing on the islands
- Lowest rating here at 4.5
Best for: Budget travelers who just want a fast harbor cruise
Skip it if: You want to land on the island or want more depth
#7Best sunset cruise
Circle Line: 1.5hr New York City Statue of Liberty Sunset Cruise
A short evening harbor cruise with the Statue at golden hour.
★★★★½ 4.5 (225 reviews)·from $27·1h 30m·
At $27.00 this 90-minute sunset cruise (4.5 over 225 reviews) passes the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and One World Trade Center as the light fades. It's a cheap, pretty evening on the water -- a photo cruise, not a visit, and with a smaller review base than the express option.
★★★★★“Had very good experience loved it weather was nice too viewed sunset was upper scale tour. Enjoyed every minutes of our tour too ie we will recommend our friend too and to let them know how nice this tour was and maybe one day my friends may do the same too.”
— Verified traveller
What's included
- Air-conditioned vehicle with spacious Outdoor deck
- Free Wi-Fi on board
- Download the Circle Line App in 9 different languages (headphones required) See below for more.
- 90-Minute Statue of Liberty Sunset Cruise
Where you'll go: South Street Seaport Historic District · Brooklyn Bridge · New York Harbor · One World Trade Center
What's good
- Affordable $27.00 sunset timing
- Pretty golden-hour harbor views
- 90 minutes at an easy pace
What to know
- No landing on the islands
- 4.5 rating and only 225 reviews
Best for: Couples wanting a cheap, scenic evening cruise
Skip it if: You want to visit the island or need daytime views
Before you go: 7 things worth knowing
- Book ahead in peak season. The best Statue of Liberty tours in New York sell out days in advance — especially skip-the-line, small-group and special-access ones.
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early. Operators start on time and latecomers can lose their slot; major sights also have airport-style security.
- Check the meeting point the night before. Several tours don't start at the main entrance — some meet at a nearby office or square. Screenshot the location.
- Bring photo ID. It's required for many timed-entry tickets and special-access areas.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Most of these involve a lot of walking on uneven ground over a couple of hours.
- Look for free cancellation. Many tours let you cancel up to 24 hours before — handy if plans shift. Check the terms before you pay.
- A guide is usually worth it. The sights are impressive on their own, but the stories and context are what people remember.
How I ranked these
I weighted three things: what you actually get for the money (group size, what's included, special access), the rating balanced against how many reviews back it up — a 4.9 from 200 people isn't the same as a 4.6 from 15,000 — and price for what's on offer. Ratings, review counts and prices are pulled from Viator and shift over time, so always check the live booking page before you pay.
Good to know
Are skip-the-line tours worth it?
At major sights in peak season, yes — standard queues can run 1–2 hours and timed tickets sell out. Every tour here includes entry.
Can I cancel?
Many tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before — check the terms on each booking page before you pay.
How far ahead should I book?
1–2 weeks for standard tours; 3–4 weeks for special-access or small-group options, which sell out first.
Are these prices final?
They're "from" prices and change with date, group size and availability. The live price shows on the booking page.
Prices are "from" prices in USD and change with date and availability. Last updated August 2026.