Ellis Island
Ellis Island from a helicopter, New York City, USA
Ellis Island from a helicopter, New York City, USA

Ellis Island Tours and Tickets

32,458 reviews

As the gateway for over 12 million immigrants to the United States, New York City’s Ellis Island was America’s busiest immigrant inspection station for more than 60 years. Today, the island’s restored main building houses the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, which honors the US’s immigrant heritage, chronicles the island’s role in immigration history, and gives voice to the immigrants themselves.

  • New York City, New York, 10004

Tours and Tickets to Experience Ellis Island

When are you traveling?
New York City Categories
Time of Day
Duration
Price
$0
$500+
Rating
Specials

136 results

123
...
6

What are people saying about Ellis Island

Mary_M, Nov 2023
Loved Liberty Island 🗽
We had a great tour with Jett. He was so informative about the Statue and its history. We learned so much. We enjoyed the free time however we didn't have enough time to go to Ellis Island. You need more time than the 2 hours allotted to really explore both locations.
Michelle_D, Nov 2023
Ferry to Freedom
Jeff, is amazing! Tips on where to stand in line, the best (warmest!) ferry seats, to the plethora of information provided about the immigrant's trials and their hope of a better tomorrow. The history of Ellis Island is palpable, I'm only sorry it took me 51 years to visit.
Anand_V, Nov 2023
Well organized good guide
Well organized package - guide Alex was very pleasant articulate and engaging - they group you with others into the state run boat and you are on your own aftwe exactly two hours - then you have time to take pics in Liberty island and also Ellis island stop over is entirely on your own time - and you don’t really need a guide there because it’s based on audio self guided your
Scott_P, Nov 2023
Wonderful!
Nicola (sp) was great. Interesting experience hearing about some of our nations most revered monuments from the perspective of someone who migrated to the U.S. from Italy. He was wonderful and very knowledgeable. I would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What are Ellis Island hours of operation?
A:
Ellis Island hours of operation: . Buy tickets in advance on Viator. If you book with Viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
People Also Ask
Q:Is a tour of Ellis Island worth it?
A:Yes, visiting Ellis Island is worth it. The former immigration complex is one of the most meaningful historic sites in the US and is home to the National Museum of Immigration. Visitors can tour the main building and view world-class exhibits and collections of historical artifacts.
Q:Can you visit only Ellis Island?
A:No, visitors have to book combination tours. Many visitors visit the island and the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island nearby. Combination experiences typically include ferry transfers from Battery Park in downtown Manhattan and allow free time to explore both islands at your own pace.
Q:How long does a tour of Ellis Island take?
A:It depends. Generally, 2-3 hours are enough to take a self-guided or ranger-led tour and view the exhibits at the National Museum of Immigration. Visiting the Statue of Liberty takes about another 1-2 hours. Ferry rides from Battery Park take about 10-15 minutes.
Q:What is the best day to visit Ellis Island?
A:To avoid crowds, visit Ellis Island on weekdays. And the earlier you can get there, the better, as you will likely dodge crowds and have more time to explore. To guarantee you’ll be one of the first daily visitors, book a ride on the first ferry of the morning, usually at 9am.
Q:How long is the ferry ride to Ellis Island?
A:One-way ferry rides to Ellis Island take about 10-15 minutes. From Ellis Island to Liberty Island, it’s another 15 minutes. A final 15-minute route takes visitors back to the initial pickup spot, either Battery Park in Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
Q:Is there a bathroom on the ferry to Ellis Island?
A:Yes, ferries to Ellis Island have bathrooms and concession stands with snacks and a small selection of souvenirs. The ferries and restrooms are wheelchair-accessible, and passengers can sit inside or outside. Neither smoking nor drinking alcohol is permitted.