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How to Skip the Line at the Statue of Liberty

By the BeatTheCrowd team · Updated 20 October 2026 · 3 min read

Quick answer

Buy only from Statue City Cruises, the official ferry operator, and book the first ferry at around 9 am. The long wait here is the security line before boarding, which builds from mid-morning. Leaving from Liberty State Park in New Jersey is usually quieter than Battery Park. Want the crown? Book 3-4 months ahead for spring and summer.

At a glance

Ticket: About $25-26 adults, including the ferry, Liberty Island and Ellis Island
Official seller: Statue City Cruises only. Ignore street sellers
Crown: Only about 500 a day, sold out months ahead in peak season

How long are the lines at the Statue of Liberty?

The ticket isn't the problem: the wait is the airport-style security check before you board the ferry at Battery Park, and it can stretch to an hour or more on summer mornings after the first boats. Crown visitors also pass a second screening on Liberty Island. Then there are the ferry queues to come back.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Before you book your ferry, check how busy the Statue of Liberty is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for US holidays, school breaks and weather.

Check today’s crowds at Statue of Liberty →

Which ticket to book

Ticket	Price (approx.)	Good to know
Grounds (Reserve)	About $25-26	Ferry, Liberty Island, museum and Ellis Island
Pedestal	Similar price	Limited daily numbers. Book ahead
Crown	A few dollars more	About 500 a day, non-transferable. 162 narrow steps, no lift

Beware of street sellers

Touts, sometimes in official-looking uniforms, sell 'Statue of Liberty' cruises around Battery Park. Many don't stop at the island. Buy only on the Statue City Cruises site.

Best (and worst) times to go

First ferry, around 9 am: the shortest security line, and you'll be ahead of the groups.

Weekdays outside school holidays: noticeably calmer.

Worst: 10 am to 2 pm on summer weekends, and US holidays.

Winter: short lines, but cold and windy on the water.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Our hourly forecast for the Statue of Liberty shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.

Check today’s crowds at Statue of Liberty →

Insider tips that actually save time

Leave from Liberty State Park if you can get to New Jersey easily. The security line is usually much shorter.

Travel light. Large bags must go in lockers, and crown visitors can take very little up.

Do Liberty Island first, Ellis Island second. Allow time, as the last ferries back fill up.

Sit on the right side of the ferry from Battery Park for the best view of the statue.

FAQs

How much is the Statue of Liberty?

About $25-26 for adults, including the ferry, Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Crown tickets cost a little more.

How far ahead should you book Statue of Liberty crown tickets?

3-4 months ahead for April to September, and 2-3 months off-peak. Only about 500 are sold each day.

How long is the security line at the Statue of Liberty?

It can reach an hour or more at peak times. Take the first ferry or leave from Liberty State Park.

What is the best time to visit the Statue of Liberty?

The first ferry of the day on a weekday. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.

Sources

How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 20 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.

Getting there	Subway to South Ferry (1), Bowling Green (4, 5) or Whitehall St (R, W), then walk to Battery Park.
Crown rules	Minimum height 42 in (107 cm). Book months ahead.
How long to allow	4-5 hours including Ellis Island.