If you're looking for an easy way to get around New York City that's outside, in the open air, and involves a new adventure, then boy oh boy do I have something for you! This weekend we were trying to think of something to fill these endless days of social distancing and we remembered: There are more ferries in NYC than the one to Staten Island.
Let me say first: The Staten Island Ferry is great. If you haven't already been on it then you should. It's a wonderful way to see the statue of liberty, let alone the fact that it's a free adventure on the water and you're allowed to BYOB*. So you should definitely climb aboard that one if you haven't already.
* I believe this is right, but you know, follow the signs and the rules.
For those of you who have done the dash to Staten (and immediately come back) enough already, then here's another idea: Catch a ferry to somewhere different!
Where does the NYC Ferry go?
Did you know that there is a public transport method beyond the subway, buses, and trains? Yep! It's a ferry and it's been there the whole time without you possibly even realizing:
NYC Ferry offers New Yorkers a dependable, state-of-the-art way to commute & connect in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens & the Bronx.
There are 8 different routes and they all go back and forth as you can see on this map:
You'll notice that locations like East 34th and Wall Street have a number of different ferries stopping which means that you can change between routes if you're trying to get somewhere (you can even transfer, but more on that below).
Honestly, it's just a great way to get out of your borough without having to pay for a car or to take the train if you're not comfortable with that just yet.
What can I do at each stop on the NYC Ferry?
Well, we went on our first ferry adventure this last weekend to Greenpoint, found a lovely outdoor spot for brunch, and wandered the streets and the outdoor markets filled with goodies and good social distancing.
If you have something fun to do at a stop be sure to leave it in the comments below for everyone.
How much does the NYC Ferry cost?
An Adult one-way ticket costs $2.75 and if you're taking a bike with you it's an extra $1 (more about that below).
If you suddenly realize that you LOVE the ferry and you want to catch it lots, then the price comes down and you can get an unlimited monthly pass for $121 (or $141 with your bike).
In these final days of warm, not the worst idea!
When you activate your ticket, you get 90 minutes of transfers, which means that you can get off your first ferry, change, and keep traveling all for the cost of a single ride!
How do I get tickets to the NYC Ferry?
I know it's going to shock you but there's an app!
NYC Ferry is actually a wonderfully intuitive app too that allows you to quickly buy your ticket, show it directly on your phone, and climb aboard.
Search the App Store, download it, and as a pro tip: Setup your credit card details sooner rather than when you actually need it and you'll be a ferry riding pro in no time!
Can I take a bike on an NYC Ferry?
You sure can!
Bikes are welcome on the ferry. Before boarding, remember to select the bike option when purchasing the ticket. A $1.00 surcharge applies to all bikes brought on board (riders who bring a suitcase-sized folding bike can keep their bike with them while traveling)
When you climb aboard, you can hang your bike up right there and then not have to worry about it until you get off! Ride to the ferry, ferry, ride away from the ferry. Magic!
