Fees & Passes

Changes to Entrance Fees and Passes in 2026

Learn about a few upcoming changes to entrance fees and passes for non-US residents and motorcycles that begin on January 1, 2026.

Key Information

1. Ferry tickets are required

   The National Park Service does not charge an entrance fee to visit the museums on Liberty Island and Ellis Island, but a ticket for ferry transportation by Statue City Cruises is required to visit the islands.

   More about parking/transportation fees

The National Park Service does not charge an entrance fee to visit the museums on Liberty Island and Ellis Island, but a ticket for ferry transportation by Statue City Cruises is required to visit the islands. Fees for ferries, parking, special tours or special permits are not covered by America the Beautiful passes or NPS Fee Free Days. Statue City Cruises is the ONLY NPS-authorized ferry transportation provider to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and is the ONLY ferry permitted to dock and discharge passengers at the islands.

2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• February 16: Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)
• May 25: Memorial Day
• June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday
• July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
• August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
• September 17: Constitution Day
• October 27: Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
• November 11: Veterans Day

Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

 

Ferry and Tour Tickets

	Children Under 4	Children 4 - 12 Years	Adults 13+	Senior 62+
	$0	$16.50	$25.50	$22.50
RANGER TOURS:	Free	Free	Free	Free
AUDIO TOURS:	Included	Included	Included	Included
HARD HAT TOURS: *	Restricted	Restricted	+ $50	+ $50
PEDESTAL ACCESS:	$0	+$0.30	+$0.30	+$0.30
CROWN ACCESS:	Restricted	+$0.30	+$0.30	+$0.30

* Hard Hat tours of the hospitals on the South Side of Ellis Island are open only to visitors over the age of 13. Tickets for the South Side Hard Hat tours are subject to availability.

 

Catch A Ride to our Park!

Statue City Cruises

 

Warning: Beware Third Party Ticket Vendors

There are many aggressive, unauthorized ticket sellers who will try to sell tickets to the Statue of Liberty near Battery Park in NYC. These individuals will often try to scam people through misrepresentation and over-charging. We strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance. The only on-site location to purchase authorized tickets is the Statue City Cruises official ticket office inside Castle Clinton in The Battery. Plan ahead if possible, and avoid these scammers selling overpriced and/or fake tickets.


National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Passes

• These passes do not apply at the Statue of Liberty National Monument & Ellis Island, which does not charge an entrance fee.

• These passes provide free access to National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges that charge entrance fees.

• The cost of the ferry ticket is not an entrance fee but a transportation fee. There is no additional charge to visit the museums on Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Learn more below.