You're standing at the Exchange Place waterfront in Jersey City, looking at the Manhattan skyline, and you realize the PATH train is delayed again. Or maybe you're stuck in that soul-crushing crawl toward the Lincoln Tunnel. It happens to everyone. Taking a ferry to New York City from New Jersey isn't just a "scenic" backup plan; for a lot of us, it’s the only way to maintain a shred of sanity during a Tuesday morning commute. But honestly, most people just hop on the first boat they see without realizing they might be paying double what they need to or landing miles away from their actual destination.
The water is the most logical way to move between these two states, yet the system feels weirdly fragmented. You’ve got NY Waterway, Seastreak, and the Liberty Landing Ferry, all running on different schedules with vastly different price points. If you don't know the nuances, you're basically throwing money into the Hudson.
The Massive Price Gap Nobody Mentions
Let’s get real about the cost. If you take the ferry to New York City from New Jersey from a spot like Weehawken or Hoboken via NY Waterway, you’re looking at about $9.00 to $10.75 for a single one-way adult ticket. That’s steep compared to a $2.75 subway ride. However, if you head down to Liberty State Park and catch the little "Little Red Boats" (Liberty Landing Ferry), it’s often cheaper for a quick hop to Brookfield Place.
Then there’s the Seastreak. This is the "big league" of ferries. It pulls in from Highlands or Atlantic Highlands in Monmouth County. It’s luxury. It has a bar. It also costs nearly $30 for a one-way trip. You’re paying for the fact that you aren't sitting on the Garden State Parkway for two hours. Is it worth it? If you value your time and want a Guinness while crossing the harbor, absolutely. If you’re on a budget, it’s a non-starter.
The math changes when you factor in the "free" transfers. NY Waterway runs those iconic red and white buses all over Manhattan. You step off the boat at West 39th Street, and you jump on a bus that takes you to Midtown or Downtown for no extra charge. If you were going to pay for a subway anyway, that $10 ferry ticket starts to look a bit more reasonable. It’s a bundled service that most tourists—and even some locals—completely overlook.
Where You Land Matters More Than Where You Start
The biggest mistake? Ending up at Pier 11/Wall Street when your meeting is at Hudson Yards.
NY Waterway is the dominant player here. They run out of Port Imperial (Weehawken), 14th Street (Hoboken), and the Hoboken Terminal. Most of these boats drop you at the West 39th Street Midtown Terminal. From there, you’re a short walk to the Javits Center or a bus ride to Times Square. But they also have routes to Brookfield Place (Battery Park City) and Pier 11.
If you’re coming from Jersey City, you have options at Paulus Hook and Liberty Harbor. These are surgical strikes into the Financial District.
- Paulus Hook to Brookfield Place: Takes about 6 minutes. Barely enough time to open a laptop.
- Belford (Monmouth County) to Pier 11: This is the heavy commuter route for the Wall Street crowd.
- Hoboken 14th St to Midtown: The "young professional" special. Fast, breezy, and usually full of people in Patagonia vests.
The Liberty Landing Ferry is a bit of a niche gem. It connects Liberty State Park directly to the World Financial Center. It’s mostly used by people living in the massive apartment complexes near the park or tourists who parked their cars in Jersey to avoid NYC parking fees. It’s a smart move. Parking at Liberty State Park is significantly cheaper than any garage in Manhattan.
Weather, Waves, and the "Puke Factor"
People ask all the time: "Does the ferry run in the rain?" Yes. Always. These boats are tanks. However, the Hudson River isn't a pond. When a Nor'easter blows through, that ferry to New York City from New Jersey is going to dance.
The big Seastreak catamarans handle the chop pretty well because they are massive. The smaller NY Waterway boats? You’re going to feel the swells. If you get seasick, the winter months can be a bit of a gamble. That said, the crews are professionals. They do this thousands of times a year. If the conditions are truly dangerous, the Coast Guard shuts it down, but that’s rare. Usually, the ferry is the only thing still moving when a snowstorm paralyzes the trains and buses.
📖 Related: Kissimmee 10 day forecast: Why the Florida Winter Might Catch You Off Guard
The Secret "Short Cut" for Weekend Travelers
Weekends are a different beast. Some routes don't run. The Hoboken to World Financial Center route often goes dormant on Saturdays and Sundays. You have to check the app. Always check the app. NY Waterway’s app is actually decent—it lets you buy tickets on your phone and scan them at the gate. No paper. No fumbling with machines while the deckhand is yelling "Last call!"
One thing that confuses everyone: The difference between the "Hoboken Terminal" and "Hoboken 14th Street." They are about a mile apart. If you tell your friend to meet you at the Hoboken ferry, and you go to the historic terminal while they go to the uptown pier, you’re going to have a bad time. The Terminal is where the NJ Transit trains live. 14th Street is up by the breweries and the newer condos. Choose wisely.
Why the Commute is Actually Better for Your Brain
There is legitimate data—and plenty of anecdotal evidence—that commuting by water lowers cortisol levels. You aren't shoved into a metal tube underground. You have fresh air. You have a view of the Statue of Liberty. You have space.
On a clear evening, taking the ferry back to New Jersey at sunset is probably the best $10 "tourist" experience in the city, except you’re just going home. You see the lights of the Freedom Tower kick on. You see the Verrazzano Bridge in the distance. It’s a moment of Zen before you have to get back in your car and deal with Jersey traffic.
Realities of the "Last Mile" Problem
The ferry gets you across the water, but then what?
Jersey-side parking is the hidden tax. At Port Imperial in Weehawken, the parking garages are expensive. If you aren't within walking distance of the terminal, you have to factor in the cost of a Light Rail ticket or a parking pass. Suddenly, your $20 round-trip ferry ride becomes a $35 daily excursion.
This is why the ferry works best for two types of people:
- The Luxury Commuter: Someone living in a "Gold Coast" high-rise who walks 200 feet to the pier.
- The Strategic Tourist: Someone who leaves their car in a suburban NJ Transit lot, takes the train to Hoboken, and then finishes the trip on the ferry for the experience.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
If you're planning to take the ferry tomorrow, don't just wing it.
- Download the NY Waterway and Seastreak apps now. Prices are usually a dollar or two cheaper on the app than at the window, and you avoid the "clueless tourist" line.
- Verify the terminal name. Double-check if you are going to "Brookfield Place" (Battery Park City) or "Pier 11" (Wall Street). They are a 15-minute walk apart, which is a long time if you’re late for a Broadway show.
- Look for the red buses. If you arrive at the Midtown W. 39th St terminal, look for the NY Waterway shuttle buses. They are free for ferry passengers. Wave them down at any city bus stop along their routes (they run on 57th, 50th, 42nd, 34th, and a downtown loop).
- Check the wind forecast. If gusts are over 30 mph, the ride will be bumpy. If you’re prone to motion sickness, sit toward the back of the boat on the lower deck; it’s the most stable spot.
- Bring a coat. Even in the summer, the breeze on the top deck of a boat moving at 30 knots is cold. If you want that perfect Instagram shot of the skyline, you’ll want a windbreaker.
Taking the ferry is a lifestyle choice. It’s more expensive than the PATH and slower than a perfectly timed bus, but it’s the only way to travel that makes you feel like a human being instead of a sardine. Map your route, check the terminal, and keep your eyes on the skyline.