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A Guide to Taking the Ferry from LIC

Updated Oct 2026

How to ride NYC Ferry from Long Island City: the Hunters Point South and Gantry Plaza landings, routes and transfers, fares and discount tickets, bike and stroller rules, the winter schedule, and what is near each landing.

The NYC Ferry landing at Hunters Point South Park, with Midtown Manhattan across the East River. Photo: Tdorante10 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped).

Updated Oct 2026

Long Island City has two NYC Ferry landings on the East River, and from either one you can be in Midtown in minutes or downtown at Wall Street in well under an hour. This guide covers which route stops where, what a ticket costs, the rules for bikes and strollers, and what is near each landing.

Quick Facts

  • Two landings: Hunters Point South (54th Avenue on 2nd Street, East River route) and Long Island City (46th Avenue and Center Boulevard by Gantry Plaza State Park, Astoria route).
  • One-way ticket: $5.00. 10-Trip Pass: $30.00. Unlimited 2-Day: $15.00 (app only). New prices took effect October 19, 2026.
  • Ferry Discount Program one-way: $1.50 for approved seniors 65 and older, people with disabilities, and Fair Fares NYC participants.
  • Transfers between NYC Ferry routes are free for 120 minutes after you start a one-way trip. Round trips do not qualify.
  • Bikes ride free, but each boat holds roughly 8 to 10 and bikes stay outside on the bow.
  • Winter schedule starts Monday, November 2, 2026, with new weekend schedules on all routes.

The Two LIC Landings

NYC Ferry, Hunters Point South landing is at 54th Avenue on 2nd Street at the south end of Hunters Point South Park. It is served by the East River route. NYC Ferry lists the Q103 bus (Vernon Boulevard and 49th Avenue) and the 7 train at Vernon Boulevard and 50th Avenue as nearby connections, plus bike racks at the landing. Its landing code for arrival times is 2319806.

NYC Ferry, Long Island City landing is at 46th Avenue and Center Boulevard, at Gantry Plaza State Park. It is served by the Astoria route. NYC Ferry lists the Q102 and Q103 buses, the F at 21st Street, and the 7, E and M at Court Square as connections, plus bike racks at the landing. Its landing code is 2319820.

The two landings are on different routes, so there is no direct boat between them. Walking Center Boulevard between the two parks is the simple way to get from one to the other.

Where the Boats Go

East River route (from Hunters Point South): East 34th Street, Greenpoint, North Williamsburg, South Williamsburg, DUMBO/Fulton Ferry and Wall Street/Pier 11. On the current weekday schedule, a boat leaving Hunters Point South at 6:06 AM reaches East 34th Street at 6:09 AM. NYC Ferry lists about 47 minutes end to end for the all-stop East River Local and about 31 minutes for the faster A and B versions. See the East River schedule.

During weekday peaks (7 to 10 AM and 4 to 7 PM) and on non-winter weekends, the East River route splits in two. Both East River (A) and East River (B) stop at Wall Street/Pier 11, DUMBO and East 34th Street, but only East River (A) stops at Hunters Point South and North Williamsburg. East River (B) skips Hunters Point South and serves South Williamsburg and Greenpoint instead. Check which letter you are boarding.

Astoria route (from Long Island City): north to Roosevelt Island, Astoria and East 90th Street, and south to East 34th Street, Brooklyn Navy Yard and Wall Street/Pier 11. On the current weekday schedule, a southbound boat leaving Long Island City at 6:23 AM reaches East 34th Street at 6:30 AM and Wall Street/Pier 11 at 6:54 AM. NYC Ferry lists about 49 minutes for the whole route. See the Astoria schedule.

NYC Ferry says boats run between about 6 AM and 10 PM, 365 days a year, but times differ by route and season. The full list is on routes and schedules.

Transfers

East 34th Street and Wall Street/Pier 11 are served by both LIC routes, so those are the natural places to switch between the East River and Astoria routes. Under the Winter 2026 schedule the South Brooklyn route runs between East 34th Street and Governors Island by way of Wall Street/Pier 11. Transfers are free within 120 minutes of activating a one-way ticket (ticketing info).

NYC Ferry uses its own ticketing system. A MetroCard is not accepted as a ferry ticket. Free transfers to the subway or bus: UNKNOWN (NYC Ferry lists none). Whether OMNY can be used to pay on the ferry: UNKNOWN (NYC Ferry does not list it as a ticket option).

Tickets, the App and Passes

  • Buy tickets in the NYC Ferry app or at the ticket vending machines at the landings, then show your ticket to the deckhand when you board.
  • One-way $5.00, 10-Trip Pass $30.00, Unlimited 2-Day $15.00 (48 hours, all routes, app only).
  • All tickets expire 90 days after purchase.
  • Riders under 44 inches tall ride free with a paying adult.
  • NYC Ferry no longer sells monthly passes.
  • The October 19, 2026 change raised the one-way fare to $5.00 and the 10-Trip Pass to $30.00 (fare notice).

Reduced Fares

The Ferry Discount Program sells $1.50 one-way tickets to approved seniors 65 and older, people with disabilities, and Fair Fares NYC participants. You apply online or by mail, and approval can take up to 30 days. Once approved, buy discounted tickets in the app or in person at the Wall Street/Pier 11 ticket booth (8 AM to 7 PM daily). They are not sold at the landing vending machines, cannot be shared, and only work on NYC Ferry.

Bikes, Scooters and Strollers

  • Bikes are free, including e-bikes with pedals and electric stand-up scooters. Each boat takes about 8 to 10 bikes, and when the racks are full you may not board with one.
  • Bikes and scooters ride outdoors on the bow. Folding units can come into the cabin unless the crew asks otherwise.
  • Motorized sit-down scooters (other than ADA mobility devices), gas-powered bikes and hoverboards are not allowed. Skateboards and rollerblades are fine if you carry them.
  • Strollers are free and every boat has designated stroller space, but there is no priority boarding, and strollers cannot go on the outside or upper decks.
  • Dogs should be in a carrier and/or muzzled. Trained service animals are welcome.

Accessibility

NYC Ferry publishes an ADA compliance notice and complaint procedure. It lists an accessible paratransit pick-up and drop-off point for each LIC landing: 45-40 Center Boulevard for the Long Island City landing and 5257 Center Boulevard (as NYC Ferry lists it) for Hunters Point South. Ramp, gangway and boarding details specific to the two LIC landings: UNKNOWN. Call NYC Ferry at (844) 469-3377 before your trip if you need specifics.

Seasonal and Weekend Schedules

NYC Ferry runs seasonal schedules rather than separate holiday timetables. The Winter 2026 schedule starts Monday, November 2, 2026:

  • The East River route runs as a single all-stop route on weekends. On weekdays, East River (A) and (B) run only at morning and afternoon peaks, with the all-stop East River Local the rest of the day.
  • Weekend frequency changes on all routes, including Astoria.
  • Weekend schedules run on Friday, November 27; Thursday, December 24; Monday, January 18; and Monday, February 15.
  • A modified holiday schedule runs on Thursday, November 26; Friday, December 25; and Friday, January 1.

Exact winter departure times for the LIC landings: check the route pages once the winter timetables post.

Practical Tips

  • For live arrival times, text the landing code (2319806 for Hunters Point South, 2319820 for Long Island City) to 332-334-5645, or call 888-600-0385 and enter the code.
  • Times on the schedule are departure times, so be at the landing before the listed time.
  • At Hunters Point South during peaks, look for East River (A). East River (B) does not stop there.
  • Bring the bike early on nice days. With 8 to 10 bike spots per boat, a full rack means waiting for the next one.
  • There are no restrooms in the landing waiting areas, and parking near landings is very limited.
  • Finish food and drinks before you board. Outside food and beverages are not to be consumed onboard, though there is a concession stand.
  • In extreme weather NYC Ferry may cancel service. Check the app or the route page before you head out.
  • Crowd levels by boat and time, and the best spot to stand for views: UNKNOWN (NYC Ferry does not publish this).

Near the Hunters Point South Landing

The landing sits at the edge of Hunters Point South Park, with a promenade, a dog run, courts, a kayak launch and an overlook toward Midtown. The Queens Landing Boathouse is the environmental center run by the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, which also hosts walks and volunteer days in the parks. More waterfront spots are in Parks & Waterfront.

Near the Long Island City Landing

Step off the boat into Gantry Plaza State Park, open daily from dawn to dusk, home of the landmark Pepsi-Cola sign. Along Center Boulevard you will also find the Hunters Point Library, Sweetleaf (Center Blvd) for coffee, and Blue Streak Wine & Spirits by the Pepsi-Cola sign.

Visiting for a few days? See our short and long term rentals guide. Running or watching the marathon? The NYC Marathon in LIC guide covers that weekend.

Places in this guide

Sources

Every fact in this guide comes from the sources above, checked Oct 29, 2026. Spot something out of date? Write to contact@longislandcity.info or post in LIC Community.

The LongIslandCity.info team

GuidesTransitLong Island CityHunters Point SouthParksOutdoors & Waterfront

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