---
title: Early Access Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour
slug: early-access-statue-liberty-tour-ellis-island
type: attraction
sub_type: statue of liberty tours
source_url: https://www.tripster.com/detail/early-access-statue-liberty-tour-ellis-island
city: New York
state: NY
country: US
address: 1 Bowling Green
geo:
  lat: 40.70441
  lng: -74.0179
duration: up to 4 hrs
cancellation_policy: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience.
extracted_at: 2026-06-16T18:05:23.361Z
price_from:
  amount: 56.75
  currency: USD
  unit: per_adult
availability: InStock
rating:
  value: 5
  count: 1974
  scale: 5
ticket_options:
  - group: Other Options
    options:
      - name: Tour Admission
        price: 57.47
        regular_price: 67
        savings: 9.53
        ticket_types:
          - name: Adult (15+ yrs)
            min_age: 15
          - name: Child (2-14 yrs)
            min_age: 2
            max_age: 14
          - name: Infant (0-1 yrs)
            min_age: 0
            max_age: 1
---
## Overview

Enjoy an early-access Statue of Liberty Tour and a visit to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum with personal time to explore. This 4-hour tour begins at The Battery (formerly Battery Park), where you join your licensed guide and ferry across the harbor to Liberty Island, avoiding peak-hour crowds and enjoying beautiful views of the harbor and Lady Liberty.

Beat the crowds and start your morning with priority access to two of New York City’s most meaningful landmarks, including guided insights and free time to explore at a comfortable pace.

## What's Included

- Pre-reserved ferry tickets to Ellis Island and Liberty Island
- Access to the Statue of Liberty Museum at Liberty Island
- Access to the Immigration Museum at Ellis Island
- Official audio guide on Ellis Island
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Priority boarding to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

## What's Not Included

- Transportation
- Tickets for the Statue of Liberty Crown
- Access to hospitals on Ellis Island (not open to the public)
- Food and drinks (except water in a clear container)

<!-- tripster:ticket-options:start -->
## Ticket Options

- **Tour Admission** — $57.47 (regularly $67.00, save $9.53)
  Get early access to Liberty Island and avoid crowds while exploring this iconic site with a local guide. Highlights are the Statue of Liberty Museum, Ellis Island, and more. Includes pre-reserved ferry tickets, an official audio guide on Ellis Island, and a licensed tour guide.
  - Adult (15+ yrs)
  - Child (2-14 yrs)
  - Infant (0-1 yrs)

<!-- tripster:ticket-options:end -->

## Good to Know

* First-ferry access to the Statue of Liberty available with 8:30am departure only in summer and 9am departure only in winter.
* Wander Ellis Island at your leisure with an official audio guide (included).
* After your tour, you can spend time at Ellis Island on your own or return on the ferry with your guide.
* Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the tour.
* Arrive early to be assured of nearby parking.
* Tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
* Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothes.
* Bring sunscreen, hat or umbrella, and your camera.
* Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
* All guests must pass through airport-style security to access Lady Liberty.
* Certain items such as weapons, scissors, pocket knives, sharp items, tools, large suitcases, and backpacks are not permitted.
* Food and drink are not allowed except for water in a clear container.
* Statue of Liberty tours run rain or shine, except if the Coastguard stops water traffic due to inclement weather.
* A physical or digital copy of the confirmation email is not required; guides will have the guest name in their database.
* Suggested to bring water, hat, sunglasses, parasol, sunscreen, coat, umbrella, and photo ID for some sights.
* Street parking and paid parking lots are available near Battery Place, NY.

## Cancellation Policy

Free Changes & Cancellations. See details upon selection.

## FAQs

### Where is the meeting point?

The departure point for this Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island tour is at 22 Battery Place, with a meeting at the front entrance of Pier A Harbor House. Pier A Harbor House is to the right of the Statue of Liberty ferry and Castle Clinton. Please see your confirmation email for more details on this Statue of Liberty tour. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour's start time. The tour guides will be holding a sign with the Walks logo and “MEET HERE” on it. Do not go to the ticket line at Castle Clinton! Your guide will not be there!

### How long is the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour?

This Early Access Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour is approximately 4 hours.

### What if I'm late?

If you are running late, it's best to contact the tour operator at the phone number on your e-ticket so they can reach out to your guide. This is not always possible for all tours - their guides are with other clients and are already into the tour (they ask them not to use their phones during their tour). But in some cases, a few-minute delay can be remedied. Most times, guides leave the meeting point within 5 minutes of the tour start time.

### What is included in this tour?

This tour includes views of New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty Pedestal tickets, ferry access and priority boarding to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, access to Statue of Liberty Museum at Liberty Island, official audio guide on Ellis Island, a local English-speaking guide, and an expertly guided walking tour. This statue cruise and ferry service tour is given in English. They don’t offer multi-language tours.

### What landmarks will we be visiting?

You will see the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island (first Access with the earliest tour time), the Statue of Liberty (Exterior Access), the NYC Statue of Liberty Museum, Battery Park, access to the nearby Ellis Island, Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration (the Ellis Island Museum), and the Castle Clinton National Monument.

### Does this tour include access to the Statue Crown?

No. Unfortunately, tickets for the Statue of Liberty Crown are extremely limited, at only 365 per day, and sell out months in advance. Walks does not provide any tours that include the Statue of Liberty Crown.

### Are the hospitals on Ellis Island included on this tour?

No, The old hospitals are not open to the public and have to be booked specially if you want to visit them.

### Is transportation included?

Transportation is not included in this tour.

### Is parking provided?

Street parking and paid parking lots are available near Battery Place, NY.

### Are there any age/physical/health/etc. restrictions for this tour?

There are no age restrictions for this tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.

### Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. However, please note that if your tour includes the Statue Pedestal (which has elevator access) the only part you will NOT be able to visit is a small platform at the very top of the Statue Pedestal.

### Can I bring my camera?

Yes! There are a lot of photo opportunities on this tour.

### What should I bring?

You may bring water, a hat, sunglasses, parasol, and/or sunscreen, a coat, umbrella, or outer layers for the cooler months, and a photo ID for some of the stop-over sights. A reminder that this includes touring and ferry access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, so using sunscreen is recommendable. All guests must pass through airport-style security to go to Lady Liberty. Certain items, including weapons, scissors, pocket knives, sharp items, or tools, are not permitted. Large items such as suitcases and backpacks are not allowed. Food and drink are not permitted except for water in a clear container. Please visit the United States National Park Service website for a complete list of items.

### What should I wear?

It is recommended guests wear attire appropriate for the day’s weather forecast and comfortable walking shoes, so it's easy to navigate along uneven surfaces, dirt paths, cobblestone, etc.

### Is this tour ever cancelled due to weather conditions?

Statue of Liberty tours run rain or shine. One exception is if the Coastguard ceases water traffic (which includes the ferry to the Statue of Liberty) due to inclement weather.

### Should I bring the confirmation email?

A physical or digital copy of this confirmation email is not required to join your tour. Your guide (or tour coordinator) will have your name in their database, so as long as you know the name on the booking, you're set!

## Reviews

> "Awesome educational tour"
> — Wellman Rood, August 2016

> "Wonderful tour with a fantastic guide"
> — Jeffrey M., July 2016

> "A view of liberty"
> — Jon Douglass-Bull, June 2016

> "Great experience"
> — Rachel Morton, June 2016

> "Great experience"
> — J Close, May 2016