Frequently asked questions

Yes. Every tour includes an official ticket from the operator: Statue City Cruises in New York, Alcatraz City Cruises in San Francisco. Le Way Go is an independent tour operator: we buy your ticket for you right after you book and add the Le Way Go City Guide.

No. We are an independent tour operator. The ferries, islands and attractions are run by the operators named on each tour page, and their rules apply to your visit.

You can book up to 6 months ahead. Online booking closes 90 minutes before departure. If you book less than 24 hours before departure, we send your ticket as soon as it is bought.

By card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, in US dollars. Payments are handled by Stripe. We never see or store your card number.

Prices are per person and include everything. The total you see before paying is the total you pay.

Up to 10 guests per booking. Each booking needs at least one adult or senior. For larger groups, contact us and we will arrange it.

New York: Adult 13–61, Child 4–12, Senior 62+, children 3 and under free (Big Bus tour: Child 3–12, children 2 and under free, because Big Bus charges from age 3). San Francisco: Adult 18–61, Junior 12–17, Child 5–11, Senior 62+, children 4 and under free. The Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour is for ages 13 and up only. Operators may check ages on the day.

No. We only need the name, email and mobile number of the person booking, plus the number of guests in each age category.

No. You book as a guest. Your booking reference and your email are all you need to manage your booking or contact us.

Your booking is confirmed by email right away. We send your official ticket 24 hours before departure, or right away if you book less than 24 hours ahead.

We buy each ticket from the operator after you book, then prepare your ticket with your City Guide link. Sending it 24 hours before departure lets us handle any change on the operator’s side before your day.

First check your spam or promotions folder. If your departure is less than 24 hours away and you still have nothing, call or text us right away and we will resend it.

No. Show the QR code on your phone at boarding. You can print it if you prefer.

It is rare, but it can happen because we buy after you book. We contact you right away and you choose another departure time, a similar ticket with a refund of the price difference, or a full refund.

New York: Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, next to Castle Clinton. San Francisco: Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing on The Embarcadero (not Piers 30, 32 or 34). Both are shown with map links on the tour pages and on the How It Works page.

New York: arrive at least 30 minutes before your ticket time, which is your security check-in time, not the ferry departure. Lines can take more than an hour at busy times. San Francisco: arrive at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing 45 minutes before your departure for check-in and boarding.

Your phone with the ticket QR code and the City Guide, headphones, comfortable shoes and a layer: it is windy on the water in both cities. Food is not allowed everywhere, so check the tour page for the rules on your island. Leave suitcases at your hotel: there is no luggage storage at the departure points or on the islands.

Tickets for missed departures cannot be refunded or changed, so plan extra time to get there.

Ferries run in most weather. If the operator cancels your departure, we contact you and you choose a new date or a full refund.

No. Crown tickets are issued in each visitor’s name and sold only by Statue City Cruises. Our New York tours include the pedestal (Pedestal Access tour) or the grounds and Ellis Island.

Yes. Cancel for free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Later than that, your tickets are bought and sent, so your booking cannot be changed or refunded.

Online, from Manage My Booking (the button in your confirmation email): cancel, or change your date or time, up to 24 hours before departure. To change the number of guests, call, text or email us with your booking reference.

The refund goes back to the card you paid with. It usually reaches your account within 2 to 7 business days, depending on your bank and our payment provider.

Yes, up to 24 hours before departure, subject to availability. You pay or get back the price difference.

The same free cancellation applies: up to 24 hours before departure, for a full refund. To cancel or change, please use the website you booked on. For questions about your day, we are happy to help.

An app with audio tours, top places, where to eat, a map of what is near you and 1 to 3 day itineraries for the city of your tour. It is included with every booking.

No. Your link opens in your phone’s browser, with an internet connection. For offline listening, the Le Way Go City Guide app for iPhone and Android is coming soon to the App Store and Google Play.

In the iPhone and Android apps (coming soon), yes, for the audio tours you have downloaded. Do that on Wi-Fi before your visit. The browser version needs an internet connection, and signal on the ferries and islands can be weak.

English, Spanish, French, Italian and German. Everyone in your group can pick their own language on their own phone.

Yes. Your link works for your booking, on every phone in your group.

Your access opens 10 days before your tour and stays valid for one year after it, so you can plan before and keep exploring after.

Call or text (646) 279-7493, or email [email protected]. We answer 7 AM Eastern to 8 PM Pacific, 7 days a week. You can also use the form on our Contact page.

A small team that mixes tourism experience with software. Read our story on the About Us page.

New York City and San Francisco today, with more cities coming. Check back for new destinations.