Statue of Liberty tickets explained: General Admission, Pedestal and Crown

When you book a visit to the Statue of Liberty, you choose between three official ticket types. They all ride the same ferry and visit the same two islands. The difference is how far into the Statue you go: around it, into its pedestal, or all the way up to the crown. Here is what each ticket includes, so you can pick the right one.

General Admission: the islands and the museums

General Admission is the basic ticket from Statue City Cruises, the ferry operator. It includes:

• The round-trip ferry from The Battery in Manhattan (or Liberty State Park in New Jersey)
• Access to the Liberty Island grounds, where you can walk all around the Statue
• The Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island
• Ellis Island and the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

You do not enter the monument itself. You see the Statue from the grounds, which already give you great close-up views and photos.

Who it is for

• Visitors on a tight schedule who want to skip the extra security line
• Families with a stroller they do not want to leave outside the monument
• Anyone who books late, when pedestal tickets are already gone

Pedestal Reserve: inside the base of the Statue

The Pedestal Reserve ticket includes everything in General Admission, plus entry into the monument. You climb inside the granite pedestal the Statue stands on.

• Fort Wood level: walk all the way around the top of the old star-shaped fort, with 360-degree views of the harbor and a close look up at the Statue. The National Park Service recommends it for the best photos.
• Top of the pedestal: the observation balcony, right under the Statue’s feet, looks out over the harbor and the Manhattan skyline.
• Inside the Statue: through glass panels and a glass ceiling, you see Gustave Eiffel’s iron frame that holds the copper skin.

Stairs, elevator and security

• The climb to the top of the pedestal is 215 steps, about 10 stories. An elevator is available for visitors who cannot use the stairs.
• Before you enter, you pass a second airport-style security check on Liberty Island.
• Backpacks, food, most drinks, strollers, tripods and laptops are not allowed inside. Water in a clear plastic bottle is fine.
• Lockers near the monument entrance hold what you cannot take in, for up to 2 hours, with a 25-cent deposit (quarters only; change machines are on site).

Pedestal tickets are limited and can sell out in advance. Book as soon as you know your date.

Crown Reserve: the climb to the top

The Crown Reserve ticket includes General Admission and the pedestal, plus the climb into the crown. It is a memorable experience, but it comes with strict rules:

• Stairs only: 162 narrow steps on a spiral staircase from the pedestal to the crown, 377 steps in total from the base. There is no elevator past the pedestal.
• Height, not age: there is no minimum age, but children must be at least 42 inches (107 cm) tall and able to climb on their own. Minors must stay with an adult.
• Name-bound: every name is given at purchase and printed on the ticket. Tickets cannot be transferred, and each adult shows a matching photo ID.
• Travel light: only a phone, a camera, medicine and water in a plastic bottle can go up to the crown.
• Short visit: you can spend about 10 minutes inside the crown.

Crown tickets are very limited and often sell out months ahead. There are also limits per order and per person, so check the rules when you buy.

Why Le Way Go does not sell Crown tickets

Crown tickets carry each visitor’s name and are sold only by Statue City Cruises, online or by phone. If the crown is a must for you, book it directly on statuecitycruises.com, as early as you can.

Which one should you choose?

• Families with young children: Pedestal Reserve. Small children can go to the pedestal, and the elevator helps tired legs.
• Seniors and visitors with limited mobility: Pedestal Reserve with the elevator, or General Admission. Skip the crown.
• Limited time: General Admission. No second security line, so you have more time for Ellis Island.
• Photographers: Pedestal Reserve. The Fort Wood level gives open, 360-degree views of the harbor and the skyline.

Local tip: the time on your ticket is when you can join the security line at The Battery, not the ferry departure. Lines can take more than an hour at peak times, so arrive early and leave the big backpack at the hotel.

How to book

Le Way Go buys your official Statue City Cruises ticket right after you book, for your exact date, time and group. Your ticket arrives by email 24 hours before departure, or right away if you book later than that. Le Way Go is an independent tour operator, not the ferry operator.

Every booking also includes the Le Way Go City Guide, with audio tours for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Central Park, Lower Manhattan and more. Download the audio tours you want in the iPhone or Android app on Wi-Fi before you go, so you can listen offline on the islands. The browser version needs an internet connection.

Ready to book?

Choose Pedestal Access to go inside the Statue’s base, or combine your Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island visit with a Big Bus tour of the city or a Hard Hat Tour of the Ellis Island hospital. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.

More questions about tickets and delivery? See our FAQ.

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