You’re standing at Wall Street's Pier 11, the wind is whipping off the East River, and you’re wondering if you actually need that $15 KALLAX shelf enough to brave the water. NYC transit is usually a subterranean nightmare of delayed L trains and crowded platforms. But the ferry to IKEA Brooklyn NY is different. It's basically a mini-vacation that ends in a Swedish furniture warehouse.
Honestly, it’s one of the best "hacks" in the city, provided you know how the schedule actually works. If you mess up the timing, you’re stuck in Red Hook. Red Hook is beautiful, but it's also a transit desert.
Why the NYC Ferry is Better Than the Subway
Most people try to take the R or the G train to Smith-Ninth Streets. Don't do that. It’s a long, uphill walk over the canal, and by the time you reach the blue and yellow gates, you’re already exhausted. The ferry drops you right at the IKEA terminal. You step off the boat, walk past the waterfront park, and you're inside.
The NYC Ferry South Brooklyn route is the primary way to get there now. It stops at Corlears Hook, DUMBO, Wall Street/Pier 11, Atlantic Ave, and then Red Hook. The views are incredible. You get a face-to-face look at the Statue of Liberty for the price of a standard ferry ticket. While tourists are paying $30 for a "harbor cruise," you're sitting on the top deck with a breeze in your hair, heading toward a plate of Swedish meatballs.
The NY Waterway Weekend Shuttle Mystery
There used to be a free weekend shuttle operated by NY Waterway. It was a staple of Brooklyn living for a decade. You’d hop on at Pier 11, it was free, and it was fast.
Things changed.
The free shuttle has been inconsistent or suspended at various points over the last few years. As of now, the City FM (NYC Ferry) has largely taken over the heavy lifting for IKEA shoppers. If you’re looking for that legendary free ride, you need to check the official IKEA Brooklyn website the morning of your trip. Don't assume it's running. If it isn't, the $4.50 (or whatever the current NYC Ferry single-ride fare is) is well worth avoiding the B61 bus.
Navigating the Logistics of Furniture on a Boat
Can you bring a couch on the ferry? No.
I’ve seen people try to drag flat-packed dressers onto the deck, and the crew isn't always thrilled. The NYC Ferry has rules about luggage and large items. If it fits in a standard shopping bag or a large IKEA blue bag, you’re fine. If you’re trying to move a queen-sized HAUGESUND mattress, the ferry crew will likely turn you away.
Think of the ferry as your "scouting" mission or "small items" trip.
If you’re buying big stuff, use IKEA's delivery service. You can shop in person, go to the kiosks, and have it sent to your apartment. This lets you enjoy the ferry ride back home without clutching a 40-pound box of hardware while the boat hits a wake from a passing container ship.
Timing Your Trip Like a Pro
The South Brooklyn route doesn't run every five minutes. On weekdays, you might be waiting 45 minutes if you miss a boat. On weekends, it’s slightly more frequent but way more crowded.
I’ve found that the "Golden Hour" for an IKEA run is Tuesday morning. The store is empty. The ferry is quiet. You can actually get a seat on the top deck.
- Check the NYC Ferry App. It’s the only way to live. Real-time tracking is mostly accurate.
- Buy your tickets on the app before you get to the pier. The machines at Pier 11 always have a line of confused tourists trying to figure out the difference between the Rockaway and South Brooklyn lines.
- Give yourself a 10-minute buffer. The boat waits for no one.
The Red Hook Experience Beyond the Meatballs
Red Hook is a weird, wonderful place. Since the ferry to IKEA Brooklyn NY drops you right in the heart of it, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by only visiting the warehouse.
Directly next to IKEA is the Erie Basin Waterfront Park. It’s built on an old shipping pier. It’s quiet, industrial, and has some of the best views of the harbor. After you've survived the fluorescent lights and the maze of the showroom, sitting by the water for twenty minutes is a necessary palate cleanser.
If you’re hungry but can’t face another plate of lingonberry jam, walk a few blocks into the neighborhood.
Hometown Bar-B-Que is legendary. It’s expensive, and the line is long, but it’s world-class brisket. Then there’s Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie. They have these things called "Swingles"—frozen key lime pie on a stick dipped in dark chocolate. You can eat it while walking back to the ferry terminal.
💡 You might also like: Flying BNA to Frankfurt Germany: What the Booking Sites Won’t Tell You
What Happens If You Miss the Last Ferry?
It happens. You spend too much time in the "As-Is" section, and suddenly the sun is down.
The NYC Ferry usually stops running to Red Hook around 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM, depending on the season and the day. If you miss it, your options are:
- The B61 Bus: It takes forever. It winds through the backstreets of Red Hook and eventually gets you to Downtown Brooklyn.
- Rideshare: An Uber or Lyft from IKEA to Manhattan can be $50 or more because of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel toll.
- The Long Walk: You can walk to the F/G train at Smith-Ninth, but it’s about a 20-25 minute trek through a fairly industrial area. It’s safe, but it's boring and tiring if you're carrying bags.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
Don't just wing it.
First, download the NYC Ferry app and load it with at least two tickets (one for each way). Second, check the weather. If it’s foggy, the ferries slow down or stop entirely. Third, grab a heavy-duty IKEA blue bag from your closet before you leave the house—don't pay for another one there.
When you get to the store, head straight for the cafe if it’s around lunch. The line gets massive by 1:00 PM. Eat first, then shop. It prevents "hanger" which is the leading cause of relationship arguments in the kitchen cabinet section.
Once you’re done, head back to the pier at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure. The ferry terminal at IKEA is exposed to the elements, so if it's winter, bring an extra layer. The wind off the water in Red Hook is significantly colder than the wind in Manhattan.
The ferry to IKEA Brooklyn NY isn't just a commute. It’s a way to see New York from the water, grab some cheap furniture, and explore a neighborhood that still feels like "Old Brooklyn." Just don't try to bring a sofa on board.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the current NYC Ferry South Brooklyn schedule on the official website or app to confirm the last boat departure time for tonight. If you are planning a weekend trip, verify on the IKEA Brooklyn store page if the seasonal NY Waterway free shuttle is currently active, as this can save you the ferry fare.