Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All Options

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Hear the stories of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island and learn about the creation and symbolism of the Statue of Liberty.

On this guided tour, your expert New Yorker will get your reserve-line ferry tickets and ride with you to Liberty Island and afterward, if you select our Comprehensive Tour, to Ellis Island for a tour of the landmarks around the island, such as the wall of honour. Once the tour ends, the exploration doesn't stop there as you can continue inside the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration to explore its multiple floors at your own pace. An audio guide is included to help. You’ll also have time to visit the Statue of Liberty Museum as your guide prepares you for what you’ll see inside.

Our Liberty Express option offers a 2 hour guided tour across the water, and on Liberty Island, where you'll learn all about the Statue of Liberty and our expert guide will also give you facts and tips if you wanted to visit the museum on your own after the tour.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour. The tour departs promptly and if late, you will NOT be able to catch up and will miss the tour. There are no refunds for missing the tour.

Please note the earliest time tour will have the least wait. Later tours will encounter longer wait times.

Your ferry ticket includes access to both islands, although for afternoon tours, there may not be enough time to visit Ellis Island.

Food available for purchase on the ferry, at the Statue of Liberty, and on Ellis Island

Operates in all weather conditions. Please dress appropriately.

Security screening will take place prior to entering the ferry. Visitors to the park are required to undergo airport-style security screening.

Photographs are permitted, but tripods and monopods are prohibited.

Children 3 and under free with paid adult ticket.

Guides are wearing orange hats AND/OR blue shirts or jackets.

Pedestal and crown access are not included in your tour. Guided tours are not allowed in the pedestal or crown at the Statue of Liberty

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Castle Clinton National Monument

This sandstone fort is our meeting point, but it’s also a national monument.

20 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Statue of Liberty

Tour Liberty Island with your guide. See the statue up-close and visit the Statue of Liberty Museum. This is also a great opportunity for photos of the NYC skyline.

1 hour • Admission Included

What‘s Included

History of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from an expert New Yorker

Comprehensive Tour only - Guided tour of Ellis Island including the American Immigrant Wall of Honor

Guided tour of Liberty Island

Roundtrip reserve-line ferry tickets with stunning views of the NYC skyline

Visit the Statue of Liberty Museum - learn how this sculpture became such an icon - self-guided

Comprehensive Tour only - Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, audio guide included

Gratuities

Lockers for large items on Liberty Island (available for $0.25)

Crown and Pedestal (base) access at the Statue of Liberty, entry not included

Statue of Liberty Museum & Ellis Island National Museum are not guided as tour guides not permitted

Options

Express 2-Hour Tour

Duration: 2 hours: The guided portion of the express tour lasts around 2 hours. Return ferry is included.

Comprehensive 4 Hour Tour

Reviews

4.81

13,498 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

12137

739

229

140

253

Very good experience
David B,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very good experience. These visits have been successful mainly due to our knowledgeable guide Jim. Jim is extremely generous and gives lots of details on the history of New York. He also care of the visitors. We warmly recommend this tour and hopefully you’ll have the chance to be guided by Jim. Sophie and David from Belgium
Awesome!!
emilybV5475PH,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Jayke brought the energy needed to go on a tour this cold December morning. It was freezing outside but boy did he make learning about Lady Liberty and Ellis Island unforgettable! He was charismatic and funny and was very detailed in providing history. I was excited to keep learning more and he was very kind and personable. Highly recommend this man as a guide.
No guide
Jonathan G,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00
Didn’t see guide after they gave us tickets. No guide for guidance as to which ferry to get on, where to get off and where to go once we got off.
Great tour.
242heidyc,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great storyteller… Very enthusiastic. Love Emily‘s knowledge and her ability to bring the past to life. Would highly recommend this tour.
He was a great person that showed us around the place and even taught us new things that we did not know before. Servio
Passport93813,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Sergio was great!!! We gave us a grear expiriance and very good explanation of the statue if liberty. Kids and family friendly
Learn while having a good time.
Phil H,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Charlie was our guide for a very cold day trip to Liberty and Ellis Islands. Charlie was empathic to our needs and was able to use his experience to get us on the boat fast and positioned in the best section of the boat that was warm. Charlie was exciting to listen to because you could really tell that he enjoyed telling historical stories about the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. He also knew the best spots to take photos. He was also right about the cafe at Ellis Island. It was very good. We highly recommend this trip.
Tour Guide Perfection
paulh12015,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
If there's such a thing as a perfect tour guide, it's Charlie from ExpreinceFirst. We took his tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on December 31st, and it was the highlight of our stay in NYC. Charlie was beyond great -- professionally organized, keeping tabs on all clients, which isn't easy with a group. He dazzled us with his knowledge, but presented information in an enjoyable way that helped everyone pay attention. And he added personal touches that made historical information more understandable. All that, and he took the time to get to know us, his clients. Five Stars ++++
Great Experience with Jim W.
Nomad41937804530,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide was Jim W. & he was fantastic & a wealth of knowledge! Jim is an NYC local & provide awesome insights! He even took pictures of all of our groups which was super nice!
Crowded, really crowded!!!
ROGELIO M,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00
I didn’t like the experience. It was a lot Of people everywhere. You couldn’t even move. Not nice. You should think about a different experience…. .
Great tour experience with Jim Wahler- guide
mcn511,,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Jim Wahler was our tour guide when my husband and I visited New York this past May. Jim was inclusive, knowledgeable, warm, and committed to creating a memorable experience for all of us in our group. I highly recommend this tour and having Jim be your guide as his love for New York, history and bringing people together is clearly evident.