Ferry in Jersey City, NJ

Catching the ferry from Jersey City is a surprisingly easy way to get to Manhattan, and you get those gorgeous skyline views thrown in. Several ferries connect Jersey City with both Midtown and Downtown NYC—think Port Liberte, Liberty Harbor, and Paulus Hook.

Ferry rides in Jersey City generally cost $6-$10 one way, with discounts for kids and seniors. The Liberty Landing Ferry links up with the World Financial Center, while NY Waterway runs routes to Brookfield Place and West 39th Street. Most services let kids under 6 ride free, so it’s a pretty wallet-friendly move for families.

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If you’re tired of sitting in traffic, the ferry just might save your sanity. The ride across the Hudson River only takes a few minutes, but you still get this breezy, mini-cruise vibe—and plenty of photo ops. Locals rely on the ferry for their daily grind, but visitors love it too, especially if they want a fresh view of the city.

Overview of Ferry Services in Jersey City

Jersey City’s ferries give commuters and visitors a handful of options for getting to Manhattan. These water routes aren’t just an alternative to the train or bus—they’re a chance to catch some river and skyline scenery along the way.

Key Ferry Operators

NY Waterway handles most of the ferry action in Jersey City. They run frequent services on weekdays and weekends from several terminals. Their free shuttle buses in Midtown Manhattan make it easy to finish your trip once you dock.

Liberty Landing Ferry shuttles people between Jersey City and the World Financial Center (Brookfield Place) in Manhattan. Both commuters and tourists seem to love this one.

The City of Jersey City just relaunched Port Liberte Ferry service, which runs weekday trips between Port Liberte and Pier 11/Wall Street in Manhattan.

All these operators let you buy tickets with mobile apps, so boarding’s a breeze. Most ferries come with comfortable seating, WiFi, and sometimes even snacks or drinks.

Popular Routes and Destinations

From Jersey City, you can reach a bunch of Manhattan spots by ferry:

Downtown/Financial District:

Jersey City (Harborside) to Pier 11/Wall Street
Port Liberte to Pier 11/Wall Street
Liberty Landing Marina to Brookfield Place

Midtown:

Jersey City terminals to West Midtown/39th Street Terminal

NY Waterway charges $7-$9 one way for adults, with discounts for kids and seniors. Kids 5 and under ride for free, and those 6-11 get a reduced fare ($4-$5). Seniors (62+) can get tickets for $6.50-$8.

Most trips take 10-15 minutes—often faster than driving or taking the train during rush hour. Ferries run often during peak times, but you’ll see less frequent service on weekends.

Ferry Terminals in Jersey City

Jersey City has several ferry terminals, each connecting you to different parts of Manhattan. Every terminal has its own schedule, amenities, and vibe.

Paulus Hook Ferry Terminal

You’ll find Paulus Hook at 10 Exchange Place in downtown Jersey City. It’s one of the busiest terminals, with ferries to Pier 11/Wall Street, Brookfield Place/World Financial Center, and Midtown/West 39th Street.

The terminal has covered waiting areas, electronic schedule boards, and ticket machines. If you’re heading to lower Manhattan, you’ll get there in about 8 minutes; Midtown takes roughly 15.

NY Waterway runs most routes from here, with boats leaving every 15-20 minutes during rush hour. Off-peak, you might wait up to 30 minutes.

There are plenty of spots to grab a coffee or a bite nearby, and the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway is right there if you want to catch some fresh air before your ride.

Liberty Harbor Terminal

Liberty Harbor sits at 76 Audrey Zapp Drive, close to Liberty State Park. From here, you can get to Pier 11/Wall Street in downtown Manhattan.

This terminal doesn’t have a lot of frills—just basic covered waiting areas and ticket kiosks. The ride to Manhattan takes around 10 minutes.

Service here mainly caters to weekday commuters, with limited weekends. Free parking is a nice perk, especially compared to other terminals. You’re also within walking distance of Liberty State Park and the Liberty Science Center.

Port Liberte Terminal

At 10 Lighthouse Way in southern Jersey City, the Port Liberte Terminal mostly serves the Port Liberte community.

It offers weekday commuter service to Pier 11/Wall Street in Manhattan, and the ride across New York Harbor takes about 15 minutes.

Amenities are pretty basic—just a small waiting area and simple restrooms. Passengers get free parking.

There aren’t as many departures here, and most are during morning and evening rush hours. While you wait, you’ll get some beautiful harbor views.

Greenville Terminal

You’ll find Greenville Terminal at 260 Port Jersey Boulevard, down in the southern part of Jersey City.

This terminal mainly serves weekday commuters heading to lower Manhattan. The trip to Pier 11/Wall Street is about 20 minutes.

There’s plenty of parking and a basic waiting area. It’s quieter than the downtown terminals, so boarding feels less hectic.

Food options nearby are limited, so you might want to bring your own snack. The terminal is easy to reach from Route 440 and the New Jersey Turnpike Extension.

Schedules and Operating Times

Jersey City ferries run reliable routes across the Hudson, but schedules shift between weekdays and weekends to match different travel patterns.

Weekday Ferry Times

NY Waterway runs several routes from Jersey City to Manhattan, with lots of departures during morning rush hour. From Paulus Hook, ferries head to the World Financial Center and Pier 11/Wall Street. Morning boats (6:30am-9:30am) usually leave every 15-20 minutes.

Liberty Landing Ferry starts as early as 6:30am from Liberty Landing, with a quick stop at Warren Street before heading to the World Financial Center, arriving by 6:45am.

In the afternoon, return trips from Manhattan to Jersey City run frequently between 4:00pm and 7:00pm. Most weekday routes operate until about 9:00pm, with a few late-night options.

Weekend and Holiday Services

Weekend ferry service from Jersey City is a bit more relaxed, but still gets you where you need to go. NY Waterway runs ferries every 20 minutes from Jersey City terminals, starting around 9:54am and wrapping up by 8:48pm.

Weekend ferries tend to be less crowded, so you’ll usually find a seat. Families often prefer these trips. If you’re planning leisure trips to Manhattan, weekends are a good bet.

Holiday schedules usually follow the weekend timetable, but there might be changes for major holidays. For Port Imperial connections (which you can reach from Jersey City), weekend service runs from 8:00am to 12:40am on Saturdays and 8:00am until late on Sundays.

Schedules can change with the seasons or weather, so it’s smart to check the NY Waterway website or app before you head out.

Ferry Routes and Connections

Jersey City’s ferries link you to key spots in Manhattan and even connect different neighborhoods along the Jersey City waterfront. These routes are a nice break from trains and buses, and the views aren’t bad either.

Links to Manhattan Destinations

You can hop on ferries from several Jersey City terminals to reach various parts of Manhattan. From Paulus Hook, boats head to Brookfield Place/World Financial Center and Pier 11/Wall Street. NY Waterway also runs routes to Midtown from different Jersey City locations.

Liberty Landing Ferry connects Liberty State Park with Brookfield Place in Manhattan. If you’re staying near Liberty Harbor, this route is especially handy.

Most rides to Manhattan are quick—usually 7-15 minutes, depending on where you start and finish. Ferries run often during rush hour (every 15-30 minutes), but less frequently on weekends.

Connections Within Jersey City

Ferries also link up several Jersey City neighborhoods. You’ll find routes between Paulus Hook, Liberty Harbor, and Port Liberte.

Greenville Terminal serves folks living in southern Jersey City. These internal routes help you skip city traffic and enjoy the water.

Most ferry terminals connect to other transit options. For example, Paulus Hook offers an easy transfer to the Light Rail. Bus stops are close to most terminals too.

Some services meet arriving ferries with free shuttle buses, taking you deeper into Jersey City neighborhoods. This combo of water and land transport makes getting around pretty seamless.

Schedules can shift with the seasons, so check with NY Waterway or Liberty Landing Ferry for the latest.

Commuter and Travel Options

Jersey City gives commuters a bunch of ferry and transit choices for getting to Manhattan or around the area. These services are flexible and convenient, especially when the roads are jammed up.

Integration with NJ Transit Light Rail

The NJ Transit Light Rail lines up perfectly with ferry terminals in Jersey City, so getting to the waterfront is easy. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail stops at both Paulus Hook and Liberty Harbor, putting you just steps from NY Waterway ferries.

Sometimes, you can use a single fare for both light rail and ferry rides. This setup makes it simple to move between land and water—ideal for daily commuters.

Light rail trains run often, with service every 5-10 minutes during rush hour and every 15-20 minutes at other times. You can plan your commute without too much guesswork.

Bus Services and Other Transit Links

Several bus routes connect Jersey City neighborhoods to ferry terminals. NY Waterway even offers a Bus-Ferry combo for passengers on routes 156R, 158, and 159R, giving you an alternative to the Port Authority mess at night.

Once you land in Manhattan, NY Waterway provides free shuttles around Midtown. These are included in your ferry fare, which is a nice bonus.

Ferry commuters can grab 10-trip passes ($78.85) or monthly passes ($258.40) through the NY Waterway app, which also supports contactless ticketing.

Liberty Landing Ferry connects Jersey City and the World Financial Center in NYC, stopping at Liberty Landing Marina in New Jersey.

Parking and Accessibility

If you’re taking the ferry in Jersey City, knowing where to park and what accessibility features are available can make the trip a lot smoother. Each terminal has different parking setups and accessibility accommodations.

Parking Facilities at Ferry Terminals

Paulus Hook terminal sits at the end of Sussex Street by the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway. Parking here is street-only and first-come, first-served, so try to get there early, especially on weekdays.

At the Liberty Harbor/Marin Boulevard terminal, you can snag discounted daily parking at the Vantage Garage through LAZ Reservations (lazparking.com). The garage is just a couple minutes’ walk from the terminal.

NY Waterway runs a free parking shuttle bus service at some locations, making it easier to get from your car to the ferry. Parking facilities are open 24/7, so you’ve got flexibility for early or late rides.

Handicap Accessibility Features

Jersey City’s ferry terminals really do keep accessibility in mind. If you use a wheelchair or have mobility challenges, you’ll find these terminals pretty easy to navigate.

Driving in? You’ll spot handicap parking close to the entrances, as long as you’ve got an official placard. These spots get you right onto level walkways that lead straight to the boarding areas—no weird detours or awkward steps.

NY Waterway has put a lot of accessible design touches into their terminals, like ramps, wide doors, and accessible restrooms when available.

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The ferries themselves can handle wheelchairs and folks who need a little extra help. Usually, staff are on hand and ready to give you a hand getting on or off the boat if you ask.

It’s a good idea to call ahead and double-check the exact accessibility details at your departure terminal, since the setup isn’t always identical at every location.