Ellis Island
TicketLens lets you:
Search multiple websites at onceand find the best offers.
Find tickets, last minuteon many sites, with one search.
Book at the lowest price!Save time & money by comparing rates.
Iconic Ellis Island turns a ferry ride across New York Harbor into one of America's most moving arrival stories. Walk through the Great Hall, trace immigration records, and look back toward Manhattan from the same waters that carried millions of newcomers.
Choose an early ferry ticket or a guided Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour to save time and keep both islands realistic in one day.
Choose an early ferry ticket or a guided Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour to save time and keep both islands realistic in one day.
Select a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:
Ferry Tickets
Book round-trip ferry tickets that bring you to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, with museum entry and audio tours included.NYC Statue City Cruises: Official Statue of Liberty Tickets
4.6(19285)
getyourguide.com
Go to offer
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island: Entry + Ferry + Optional Tour
4.0(36)
tiqets.com
Go to offer
New York: 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus + Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry
tiqets.com
Go to offer
NYC Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Visit with Ferry Ticket
4.0(2)
viator.com
Go to offer
See all Ferry Tickets
Guided Tours
Choose a guided route when you want the immigrant stories, ferry logistics, and Battery Park context handled in one smooth plan.NYC: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour
4.6(5109)
Go to offer
NYC: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry
4.2(1322)
getyourguide.com
Go to offer
NYC: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour with Ferry
4.5(252)
getyourguide.com
Go to offer
New York City: Statue of Liberty & Battery Park Guided Tour
4.3(55)
getyourguide.com
Go to offer
See all Guided Tours
Harbor Cruises
Pick a harbor cruise if your priority is skyline photos, close water views of Ellis Island, and a lighter visit without landing on both islands.Statue of Liberty Sunset Cruise
4.4(1850)
headout.com
Go to offer
New York: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Sightseeing Cruise
3.8(216)
tiqets.com
Go to offer
Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Cruise with One World Trade Ticket
4.0(3)
viator.com
Go to offer
Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Brooklyn Bridge Happy Hour Cruise
3.4(1)
musement.com
Go to offer
More Tickets & Tours
Browse extra combinations when you want to fold Ellis Island into a wider Lower Manhattan, bus, or monument-focused day.Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tickets
4.2(3632)
headout.com
Go to offer
NYC: Empire State, Statue of Liberty, and Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
3.4(210)
viator.com
Go to offer
6 tips for visiting the Ellis Island
1
Start before 1 pm
If you want both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, choose a morning ferry or a departure before 1 pm. Later slots can leave you choosing one island, which is stressful when the last boat is suddenly part of your plan.
2
Treat the ticket time carefully
Your printed time is for joining the security line, not for stepping onto a specific ferry. In summer, on weekends, or around holidays, queues at The Battery can run long, so arrive with a buffer and keep the first hour flexible.
3
Pick your pier with intent
From New York, ferries stop at Liberty Island before Ellis Island; from New Jersey, they usually reach Ellis Island first. If the immigration museum is your main reason for going, the Liberty State Park route can make the day feel calmer.
4
Pack light for security
Bring a small day bag, not luggage. Large parcels and suitcases are not allowed on the ferries, and there are no lockers at the screening areas, so you avoid an awkward detour before the harbor even opens up.
5
Save time for the Great Hall
Give yourself at least one focused hour on Ellis Island, and more if you want records, films, and the upper galleries. The Great Hall lands differently when you are not rushing for the next ferry bell.
6
Add the hospital side
If you want the less polished side of Ellis Island, choose a 90-minute Hard Hat Tour of the South Side hospital complex. It adds time and a separate tour ticket, but the abandoned wards give the island a sharper, quieter edge.
Ticket types at Ellis Island
Most visits begin with the same practical choice: do you want flexible ferry time, a guide who handles the story, or a harbor view without a full island stop? Match the ticket to your energy level before you commit to a long day on the water.
Ferry tickets for both islands
Best for independent visitors who want to set their own pace. A standard ferry ticket covers travel between the mainland, Liberty Island, and Ellis Island, plus access to the museums and audio tours. Choose this if you like pausing in the Registry Room or stepping outside for harbor photos without a group schedule. Book now
Guided Statue and Ellis Island tours
Choose this if you want the crossings, Battery Park meeting point, and immigration history tied together. A good guide turns the ferry ride into a timeline, from Castle Clinton to the Great Hall, so first-time visitors waste less time decoding the route. Book now
Harbor cruises and skyline views
Great when your priority is the photo angle rather than museum time. Cruises pass Ellis Island, Liberty Island, and the Manhattan skyline from the water, which works well for couples, short city breaks, or an evening when a full island visit would feel too heavy. Book now
Hard Hat Tour on the South Side
Best for repeat visitors and history lovers who want beyond the restored main building. The 90-minute route enters the unrestored hospital complex, where empty wards, tiled corridors, and harbor light make the island feel less like a museum and more like a half-open memory. Book now
History of Ellis Island
Ellis Island feels quiet today, but its layers are loud: oyster beds, fortifications, inspection desks, hospital wards, and restored galleries all sit on one expanded harbor island. Knowing that sequence makes the ferry approach feel richer.
Oyster Island before the gateway
Long before passports and ship manifests, the island was known for oysters and shifting names such as Kioshk, Oyster Island, and Gibbet Island. In the late 1700s, merchant Samuel Ellis gave the place the name visitors use today; by the early 1800s, Fort Gibson watched the harbor from its edge.
From first depot to fireproof halls
The first federal immigration station opened here on January 1, 1892. After a fire destroyed the wooden complex in 1897, the new Main Immigration Building opened on December 17, 1900, followed by hospital buildings in 1902. That is the bones of the museum you walk through now.
Peak years and quota years
Between 1892 and 1954, nearly 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island. The year 1907 was the great surge, with 1.2 million people examined; after the quota laws of 1921 and 1924, the island shifted from open gateway to detention, review, and decline.
Restoration and the museum today
After the immigration station closed in 1954, the island sat empty until preservation changed its future. It became part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument in 1965, and the restored museum opened in 1990 on an island expanded to 11.1 ha (27.5 acres). That contrast is why the place feels both grand and fragile.
How to plan an Ellis Island stop
A good Ellis Island visit is less about seeing every label and more about choosing a rhythm. Start with the ferry route, then decide whether your day is about museum depth, family records, or a wider Lower Manhattan loop.
Departure side and route order
For a classic first visit from Manhattan, start at Battery Park, sail to Statue of Liberty, then continue to Ellis Island. If your main target is the immigration story, leaving from Liberty State Park in Jersey City usually puts Ellis Island first and saves your best attention for the museum.
Museum route inside Ellis Island
Begin with the baggage area, then climb toward the Great Hall, where the scale of the inspection process finally hits. The three museum floors of Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration work best as a story, not a checklist: arrival, inspection, possible detention, and the long question of what came next.
Family records without losing the day
If you want to search passenger records, gather names, approximate arrival years, and spellings before you board the ferry. The record tools are powerful, but they can swallow museum time; do a first search online, then use the island visit for context, emotion, and a careful second look.
Pairings in Lower Manhattan
After a morning on the harbor, keep the afternoon close. Battery Park gives you a soft landing after the ferry, while 9/11 Memorial & Museum and One World Trade Center turn the day into a deeper route through memory, migration, and the modern skyline. It is a lot for one day, so choose two strong stops rather than dragging yourself through four.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ellis Island worth visiting if I already see the Statue of Liberty?
Yes, if you want the human story behind the harbor view. Ellis Island gives you the Great Hall, immigration galleries, family-record context, and a quieter look back at Manhattan.
Read more.How much time should I spend on Ellis Island?
Plan at least 1 hour for a focused museum stop. Allow a half day if you want the upper galleries, passenger records, a film, and time outside by the harbor.
Read more.Can I visit Ellis Island without visiting the Statue of Liberty?
Yes, but the ferry ticket still covers both islands. From New Jersey, Ellis Island is usually the first island stop, which helps if you want to focus on the museum.
Read more.Is Ellis Island free to enter?
There is no separate museum entrance fee, but you need a paid ferry ticket to reach the island. In 2026, general-admission ferry tickets are listed from about $26 for adults, with lower fares for children and seniors.
Read more.Is Ellis Island accessible?
The main museum entrance has ramps, and elevators serve the three exhibit floors. Ferry crews can assist on gangways, but ferry restrooms are not wheelchair accessible, so plan restroom breaks on land.
Read more.Can I bring luggage to Ellis Island?
Do not bring suitcases or large parcels. Large items are not allowed on the ferry system or the islands, and there are no lockers at the screening facilities.
Read more.Is the Hard Hat Tour included with a ferry ticket?
No. The South Side hospital tour is a separate guided experience and still requires ferry access to Ellis Island. It lasts about 90 minutes and is best added to an early visit.
Read more.Can I research my family history on Ellis Island?
Yes, but start online before your trip so you arrive with names, dates, and spelling variants. On-island research services can change while new record tools are being prepared, so do not build your whole visit around one desk.
Read more.General information
opening hours
Ellis Island is open daily except the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving, and December 25. Ferry schedules change by season and weather; if you want both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, plan a mainland departure before 1 pm and check the same-day ferry schedule before you travel.
tickets
There is no separate entrance fee for the museums on Ellis Island and Liberty Island, but a ferry ticket is required. As of April 2026, general-admission ferry tickets are listed from about $26 for adults, $23 for seniors 62+, $17 for children ages 4-12, and free for children under 4. Tickets include round-trip ferry service, both islands, the museums, and audio tours.
address
Ellis Island
1 Ellis Island
Jersey City, NJ 07305
United States
1 Ellis Island
Jersey City, NJ 07305
United States
website
Official site: https://www.statueofliberty.org/ellis-island/
how to get there
Ellis Island is reached only by ferry from The Battery in Lower Manhattan or Liberty State Park in Jersey City; private boats cannot dock. For The Battery, use the 1 train to South Ferry, the R train to Whitehall Street, or the 4/5 trains to Bowling Green. From Liberty State Park, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail stop is about a 2.3 km (1.4 mi) flat walk from the ferry area.
accessibility
The main building entrance has ramps, and two elevators connect the three museum floors. Ferry staff can assist on gangways, and priority seating is available on the enclosed main deck, but restrooms on the ferries are not wheelchair accessible.
security
All visitors pass through airport-style screening before boarding the ferries at The Battery or Liberty State Park. Weapons, drones, large parcels, suitcases, and carry-on luggage are not allowed, and surrendered items are not returned. There are no lockers at the screening areas.
How useful was this page?
Average rating 2 / 5. Vote count: 3.
Compare prices for more top sights in New York:
Popular attractions
Hungarian Parliament Building ticketsDamnoen Saduak Floating Market ticketsPalma Aquarium ticketsPrague Zoo ticketsAmerican Museum of Natural History ticketsTiananmen Square ticketsTibidabo ticketsTrafalgar Square ticketsUniversal Studios Hollywood ticketsOne World Trade Center ticketsEiffel Tower ticketsBurj Khalifa ticketsMilan Cathedral ticketsGuinness Storehouse ticketsLast Supper - Santa Maria delle Grazie ticketsMoulin Rouge ticketsGardens by the Bay ticketsStratosphere Tower ticketsDisneyland Paris ticketsDohány Street Synagogue ticketsHarry Potter: Warner Bros Studios tickets
Language
English
Currency© 2020-2026 TicketLens GmbH. All rights reserved. Made with love in Vienna.