This $4 Boat Ride is New York’s BEST Kept Secret!

Is the scenic NYC Ferry, the Best value boat ride in New York City at just $4? We'll show you three scenic routes and let you decide.
🛒 SHOP our NEW NYC Guides For Your Next Trip: www.thatch.co/@herebebarr
⭐ CHEAPEST Way To Book NYC Attractions: gyg.me/IGzUX75T
📝 GET Your FREE First-Timers GUIDE to NYC: my.ny-guide.com/freenycguide
🎨 Buy an NYC Art Print/Postcard from Adriana's Store: www.etsy.com/shop/illustratio...
✔️ SUBSCRIBE NOW! DON’T FORGET! The more the merrier! :)
NYC Ferry Chapter List:
0:00- Intro
0:17- How To Ride The Ferry
0:44- 1) Pier 11 to Rockaway Beach, Queens (Rockaway Route)
3:10- 2) Pier 11 to Throgs Neck (Ferry Point Park) (Soundview Route)
7:12- 3) Pier 11 to DUMBO (East River Route)
🍕 Buy Me A Slice of Pizza: www.buymeacoffee.com/herebebarr
✈️ TRAVEL FOR FREE With These Rewards Credit Cards: bit.ly/328jVBX
👕 Buy Some Merchandise (T-Shirts/Hoodies/Coffee Mugs): teespring.com/stores/here-be-...
CONNECT-
✅ VISIT MY WEBSITE: www.ny-guide.com
✅ FOLLOW ME ON IG: / here.be.barr
✅ FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER: / herebebarr
✅ LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: / herebebarr
✅ FOLLOW ME ON TIKTOK: @HereBeBarr
📧 SEND ME AN EMAIL: ny-guide.com/contact/ (Note: I don't offer private tours of NYC. I only have the time to respond to business/media inquiries)
👋 Shout out to our Highline and Higher Members:
ActionKid , Chelsea Prince, Robin Palmer, Gerome L David, Susie Okimoto, Colten Jordan, Todd Stilphen, Pittsburgh Living, Jennifer Goff, Aimey Tunthasuwatana, Adam Wood, Joe Mann, Mihael Kašnar, Cole, Kevin Lippes, JJ, Martin Hannis, Tom Shaner, and Joe Sutton.
🎥 My Equipment:
(Support this channel, by buying through these affiliate links)
Canon M50 (Main Vlogging Camera): amzn.to/2v2b3Sb
Brevite Backpack (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED): www.brevite.co/?rfsn=2276516.1...
DJi Mavic Pro Drone: amzn.to/2qOfyJj
CANON G7X MARK II: amzn.to/2ket6Oz
GO PRO HERO 5: amzn.to/2iYr8g9
Go Pro Sport Kit/Accessories: amzn.to/2m0kUzF
Big Joby Tripod: amzn.to/2m0mFNk
Little Joby Tripod: amzn.to/2m0pApr
New Outlander Daypack (20 L size great for holding gear): amzn.to/2mjy0KX
Canon Battery Pack NB-13L: amzn.to/2kIWokF
SanDisk Extreme 128GB Flash Memory Card: amzn.to/2jLJYsr
Skinny Micromuff (essential for wind noise): micromuff.com/
"More About Here Be Barr"
I'm Jon Barr, an ex-sportscaster turned travel vlogger. If you're looking for waste no-time ,incredibly informative videos loaded with useful travel tips, you've come to the right place! My vlogs are made for the savvy traveler. Subscribe to learn all of my travel tips, tricks, and secrets that have helped me visit 33 countries. Based out of NYC but always on the go.
Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this video are from companies which Jon Barr will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Jon Barr is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. Some offers may no longer be available or expired from the date of the published video. The information in this video was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
🎼 Get 1 Month Of Free Awesome Music For Your KZbin Videos: share.epidemicsound.com/z96VD

[@HereBeBarr]

Scroll back up and smash that like button if you want to try the NYC Ferry now! 🛒 SHOP our NEW NYC Guides For Your Next Trip: www.thatch.co/@herebebarr

[@amyt2400]

Great content! 🚢

[@paulshipley5669]

Many thanks for your content Jon! Does this work? Catch ferry from East 34th to DUMBO, rather than Pier 11? Staying at YOTEL Times Sq. and plan to channel-the-jetlag from the UK, first thing in the morning! (July '23)

[@HereBeBarr]

check the map, i believe you can!

[@user-cv8oi8pm3p]

😍🙌🇺🇸🌏

[@karon718]

Even as a native New Yorker I still do this with my family every summer. Never gets old

[@User-rka_zykx76]

National tragedy waiting to happen…

[@luciemedici]

If you take the Path to exchange place, the photos you can take of the skyline are incredible, plus lots of restaurants and no tourists 😀

[@Nycc._.chirss08]

Also newport!

[@triphops3949]

Correct, but the PATH train is not fun, only marginally nicer than the subway, and on the weekends it just flat out sucks. One can also take the NY Waterway ferry, but that is very expensive because it is a private company with no subsidy.

[@FlaminDrago46]

Just wanted to say that my wife and I came to the city for the first time and I used so many of your amazing tips to navigate the city. Thank you for all that you do, we appreciated all your advice.

[@marcellocolona4980]

I’ve taken these routes many times, great photo ops and not choked with tourists. The Staten Island ferry is free but overrun with hordes of tourists in the warmer months. Always take a jacket even in the summer, the wind can be brutal.

[@andylynes1]

This is such a fantastic tip. We took the ferry today from Pier 11 to Roosevelt Island. The $4, 40 minute ride was incredible with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. We then took the tramway back over to Manhattan with more jaw-dropping vistas. We wouldn't have known about either without this channel which we've been watching studiously for many months while planning our holiday so we are very grateful and indebted to John for sharing his knowledge. We are also staying Park Slope in Brooklyn partly due to the neighbourhood's coverage on this channel and are absolutely loving it so thanks due again to John.

[@sabrinaromero3899]

Suchhhh an amazing video! I always come back to this channel every time I go to NY. This guy honestly have the best tips to go around the city and for cheap. Love love love it, thank you ❤

[@crazeyjoe]

Way to inform visitors to NYC that one can experience the city (not just Manhattan) for minimum $$$. Of course hotels prices are expensive but many places to visit such as parks are free. Many museums do not have a set entrance fee, it's more like accepting donations. The SI Ferry is free, of course the NYC Ferry is $4.00. There are many great quality eateries that are budget priced (outside the high touristy areas). Many of those eateries featured on this channel.

[@cathynewyork7918]

Visitors can also stay overnight at the West Side Y for less than $100 a night, or in a hostel for even less, instead of expensive hotels.

[@NYC1222]

Thanks for the great idea, was looking at a boat tour but this looks far more relaxed. That’s 2 things I’m doing now on my next trip to NYC. Keep them coming and thank you.

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

The Brooklyn Bridge is quite the impressive bridge for sure! The span was designed by John A. Roebling. The project's chief engineer, his son Washington Roebling, contributed further design work, assisted by the latter's wife, Emily Warren Roebling. When her husband was bedridden, it was up to her (who was the only one to visit him when he was sick) to see it through. She developed extensive knowledge thanks to his teachings. She took over much of the chief engineer duties, including day-to-day supervision and project management. When the bridge was finally completed in 1883, she was the first to cross it by carriage. She was honored in a speech by Abram Stevens Hewitt, who said that the bridge was, "an everlasting monument to the sacrificing devotion of a woman and of her capacity for that higher education from which she has been too long disbarred".

[@cathynewyork7918]

There is a bronze plaque dedicated to Emily Warren Roebling, in the plaza on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge, close to the ice cream shop.

[@Tofog22000]

Great summer threat! Love the idea of taking the ferry to DUMBO and crossing the Brooklyn Bridge back to the city.

[@SergioGonzalez-wl9pu]

Such a helpful video A train ride from my hotel to the city is about an hour. After watching this I released the hotel is literally a 5 min walk from the ferry. You saved me a lot of time 🙏

[@christopherberry2375]

We are planning a trip to NYC in October. We have watched multiple videos of yours regarding the city and I want to thank you for showing us around and giving us the tips! You are such a great resource for those visiting the city for the first time!

[@ronnybaby1970]

For a relaxt way to JFK airport, take the ferry to Rockaway Beach after a short walk to the Subway A/S and a ride to Howard Beach and the JFK Train to the airport. Great views of Manhattan and the best way to say goodbye to New York :-)

[@briansieve]

I love water, transit, views, and chill exploring. These are great options for me. Thanks

[@marilovescoffee]

My friend and I were in NYC for the first time recently. We had never heard of the ferry, but we took the tram to Roosevelt Island and hung out for a while and had dinner there. Afterwards we noticed signs for the ferry so decided to check it out. It was easy to figure out how to get tickets from the machine, and we enjoyed our lovely $4 sunset cruise to Wall Street. And we got a lot of pictures of the Brooklyn Bridge as we went under it. We would highly recommend the ferry as a tourist attraction in its own right.

[@CartmanGriffin]

We did this it was excellent, we brought that 10 tickets this is the 2nd time we did this. Love your content we learned so much from you guys for our 2. Suits so far.

[@TopDownDC]

I've always liked doing a round trip on the Staten Island ferry when I visit NYC, but this looks so much better. Thanks for posting this! (And thanks KZbin for somehow knowing I'd like this.)

[@whereareweofftonow]

That view as you approach lower manhattan on the Staten Island Ferry is worth the hassles. Loads of people never see that as they are on the side of the ferry looking at Statue of Liberty.

[@Fishboardstudios]

Sold….we are travelling there next week and we are for sure adding this to our list of things to do. Thanks for all the info :)

[@pellepeloton8103]

Im going for my 4 th. visit to New York this summer. I will defenately take this ferry. It seems like there are always new places to visit and things to do. And budget tips are always welcome 😊

[@ceciri89]

Thank you for sharing this. We just came back from NYC. I follow all of your tips. My kids loved the city and the ferry trip. We are so thankful. 🙏

[@robatsea2009]

As always, the go-to spot for tips on NYC. Awesome!

[@keila87]

Great video! I am planning to take my parents to NY this summer. I haven’t explored NY much but been there a couple of times but I am still new to commuting there and this video gives me an idea on how to get to DUMBO via the ferry and then walk through Brooklyn bridge. Thanks a lot for all the great infos!

[@anettemurgalla5607]

I do this all the time with my tour guide guests - the best way to go around and see a lot 😍

[@CC-oq2mj]

You are so right about Circle Line...Expensive! I took that one my first time in New York, this time I will take the Ferry. Thank you so much for posting this video.

[@cindee1794]

Jon, your videos are going to be so helpful when I'm able to travel again. I've been to NYC twice and there is still so much I haven't seen. Thanks for always providing so much useful content!

[@judysadowsky2186]

You are not missing much, the city is a very scary place to visit. I refused to go in the city, and I am a city person.

[@cindee1794]

@@judysadowsky2186 I haven't found it at all scary and I look forward to going again as soon as I'm able.

[@johnoleary148]

@@judysadowsky2186My family and I visited in April for 6 days and loved it. Wasn’t scary at all. It was back to its best. The only scary thing was the price of things. Prices have gone up big time. But that’s all over the US. But New York itself was safe and friendly. We will be back soon.

[@markfox6786]

So I took this a couple of weeks ago after seeing this vid. Very cool. Hadn't even remembered to look at Coney island outbound to rockaway but, had the insight to take the sunset ferry back and remembered Coney island ,all lit up, on the way back! VERY coolThanks!!!!

[@bri9bern]

What a great way to cruise around NYC, excellent work. One of your best videos for all of us who enjoy saving a few bucks.

[@johnoleary148]

Great video Jon. Once again you find something new to bring to our attention. I had no idea about this and even though I live in England I will be taking a lot of bits from this video for future reference. Bargain price and you see things you haven’t seen before on the area. Ferry looked decent to. If anyone is new to Jon then you have come to the right channel. The best no BS NYC KZbinr out there. Watch all his videos if you can.

[@johnoleary148]

Watch out for the sneaky resort fee they charge you each night at a hotel. It was $54 extra added on for each room each night. Ridiculous. The Knickerbocker hotel was fantastic though. Highly recommend it.

[@donboudreau2]

Thank you, Jon, great video as I'm now looking forward to ferrying on our next trip. Thanks again.)

[@polemius01]

Great video! Sounds like a nice day out, even for us New Yorkers!

[@chrisgreen9937]

Thanks for the entertaining videos. The blend of commentary,visuals and soundtrack is great. How about episodes on the bridges and trains of the city.

[@therealhannahlee]

I love the ferry! It’s so much easier to get to North Brooklyn and Queens from where I am than on the train AND way more beautiful! ✨

[@HereBeBarr]

I totally agree! I hardly ever take it too.

[@SANDYMILLER23]

Thank you so much. My cousin and I are going early next month (after the 4th of July). l will definitely ride on it. Great video.😀😀😀

[@Suiedits22]

As a native New Yorker I lived in Greenwich used to get on at the Williamsburg stop sometimes for a little treat on a nice summer morning.

[@gtone339]

Man as a tourist who was there back between May 24 - 28, I did not know about this $4 ferry ride! Plus, I missed out on the UN HQ too! I'm too busy exploring the best-known sites around NYC, lol. I will revisit NYC again hehe! 😁

[@karmadave]

I’ve always taken the Circle Line depending on the tides it does go all the way around Manhattan Island. This is great info and I will try the ferries next time I visit New York City ❤

[@LadyMaReesLife]

I love that you are showing this! My husband and I live not too far from the Clason Point pier in the BX on the Soundview ferry line. If someone takes Soundview...omg im at the part you boarded Soundview! Yay, Gracie! Soundview also takes you past North Brother Island which is not open to the public. It's so hard to get to it, but you can see it while riding. This was great!

[@AntonWongVideo]

Man, the Pier 11 to Throgs Neck one really seems like the QUINTESSENTIAL New York City ferry!

[@HereBeBarr]

The best route.

[@Lyons_T-BAG]

Great video, Jon. I love the views you get on the ferry. Have a great week smashed that like button.

[@CemeteryGates007]

I thank you for the video, I would have never thought of traveling by ferry.

[@paulstewart2896]

Great advice. I've done the circle line boat and all the tour guide done was tell us he'd written a book and they do accept gratuities. This way you can be your own guide and save a fortune

[@skaarfvagly3959]

Thank You, I recently moved to Los Angeles and I knew the LA Metro didn't have a ferry, but I looked it up. because I saw this video, and Long Beach Transit has $1 ferry rides!

[@vailewalders1395]

I went on a boat infrastructure tour with a tour guide who explained everything, aqueducts and all kinds of things one normally wouldn't notice or know about it was fun and interesting

[@laceyr_8322]

I love riding on the ferry and i've recommended it to others too (visitors and locals). The ride from E 90th St to Wall St is quite nice!

[@kryhaa4503]

Took this my first time around in New York. Cant wait for my second trip in October :D

[@ghostrich3948]

I am so much looking forward to going to New York and already feel like a local thanks to you! 🙌

[@luisridez9219]

Thank you for the tips!

[@mrmartywaring]

On Memorial Day weekend, I took the ferry & loved it!

[@mesmerize3965]

I will try this when I visit NY. This would be in list. Thank you for this video .❤❤❤

[@edflaherty1887]

If you are worried about the weather one can sit downstairs and stay out of the weather. The downstairs area is heated and air-conditioned with great views. I would not hesitate to ride it any time of the year. The lower area is good if you have walking/stairs issues. Also, nice clean bathrooms on the boat . Great deal at $4.00.

[@BookerT555]

Great video, looking forward to doing some of the bits we’ve never done.

[@agpc0529]

As a local this guys nyc videos are the only ones I’ve seen that show you tips even locals don’t know

[@Thomas1980]

I'm visiting New York in October. I am very excited

[@Maotou8]

Love ❤ it Jon!!

[@PatrickHiggins-iy5bn]

Great video. Thanks Jon. Watching from Scotland

[@chaxologist2961]

One can also get to bring in their bicycle or scooter using only the 10-day pass which is only $2.75 each way! Much cheaper than before when it was a mandatory $3.75!

[@stevenmorrison4692]

I was in Chicago one summer house sitting and I had been many there multiple times but not usually in the summer. Anyway. I need to get from Shedd Aquarium back up towards Navy Pier I paid $5 to ride the ferry boat instead of walking 3 miles or taking a cab with would've been like $15 with tip. It was a nice boat ride with the lake breeze on a summer day and seeing the skyline during early evening

[@dseppelfrick]

I tried this 2 weeks ago on a sunny October day. I started at Wall St. and ended at Hunter’s Point and went back to Wall St. I called it my own self Bridges tour. It took one hour going out and one hour back. It was well worth it! I got wonderful photo and sat up on top. Such a good deal for a round trip ticket of $8.00.

[@letsrolloutnyc]

I’ve been trying to do this, but I keep getting caught up with stuff but I’m definitely going to do this soon. Great video Jon. 😎

[@shareced7651]

Thank you for this! I also shared this with a facebook group, “New York City tourist tips”

[@boba2984]

Great video as always! I am hoping to combine the NYC Ferry with a trip to Roosevelt Island then return via the Roosevelt Island Tram.

[@DanaDane559]

Thank you again, Jon! I found this to be true of my bus tour of Manhattan in 2023! I looked at the rooftop hop on hop off busses, but they started at about $64. Then I looked at the city busses- $2.75 one way/$5.50 round trip & I was able to see the city from the windows just fine!

[@martingreenberg870]

Try getting a MTA pass. For ~$35 you can ride the subway and busses an unlimited amount of times. A great value. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@ctgottapee9020]

@DanaDane559 do you remember which bus routes were round trip lines good for sight seeing?

[@DanaDane559]

@ctgottapee9020 I personally thought the city busses were a great way to see the city, cheaper than the tours & you determine your own route!

[@whereisthedollar]

As a former NYC resident, who left there in the early 70's and have never even new about this. I approve of this Video, message and will do most of these ferry routes on a next visit LOL.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

That Rockaway ferry is definitely useful for those who'd rather not take a ride on the A! Not a secret but a favorite of mine when it comes to ferries is the Staten Island Ferry, which is of course free and an absolute steal. The reason the ferry is free is because the fee for it was eliminated in 1997 by former Mayor Giuliani as part of the "One city, one fare" system the MTA started that year. So Staten Islanders wouldn't be paying extra when they transfer to the subway at South Ferry. Another free ferry is NY Waterway's IKEA ferry which goes between Midtown and IKEA in Red Hook with a stop at Wall Street in between. It's great that Brooklyn has its own IKEA for those who don't want to or can't go to either Nassau County or New Jersey for IKEA. Even better that the ferry exists so you can chillax and stop for some meatballs. That bridge you went under at 2:41 is the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge which opened in July 1937. It's a vertical-lift bridge, meaning the bridge can be lifted in case a vessel wants to pass beneath. The bridge's center span can be raised to a height of 150 feet or 46 meters to do so. It was built by the American Bridge Company (who also helped build the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Chrysler Building, and Empire State Building) cost 10 million dollars to build, or over 200 million dollars in 2024 dollars!

[@TrinbagoVibes]

Always learning something new, thanks for the wonderful tour

[@HereBeBarr]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MitchellBPYao]

Hes a good one

[@charlesbaran1106]

Great experience and a great value! Now living in Ulster Co., I haven't been to Manhattan in a few years. Looking forward to a day there, including trying out spending time on the water. Hell Gate was named for its dangerous currents. Hope you had a smooth ride.

[@goldcanyon340.]

I definitelY need to try this out next time I visit NYC.

[@timol.1029]

We are visiting NYC in october for the first time.Thx for those amazing tips. Love your videos.Greetings from Germany 🙋‍♂️

[@MaxR.]

3 weeks ago at my visit we took the Astoria Line from Roosevelt Island sown to Pier 11. Very nice. Unfortunately bad weather and the top was blocked.

[@hothotheat3000]

Yes! I took the ferry the last time I was in the city and it was great. Tourists, just be careful whenever you’re approaching the piers, because there WILL be scammers nearby claiming to “sell” tickets. Once you get past those people, you’ll have a great time! It’s very relaxing to be out on the water and watch the city pass by.

[@jimmaloney3738]

Can't agree more Jon. Really great way to go to Dumbo and walk back across Brooklyn Bridge 👍

[@georgewang6036]

Glad to have seen this video before my 3rd trip to NYC. I wasn’t sure what to do for this trip.

[@suefitz2498]

Thanks for this one Jon, I loved navigating the three rivers in NYC on an architecture boat tour, much more expensive but did have a great narration of the history of NY via the development of the built environment. When I come back I’ll definitely be doing this one, what a wonderful trip and so economical. Keep up the great work ❤

[@nag33rom]

A great $8 roundtrip bargain!!!!! Did it at sunset...just beautiful!!! Crew was very helpful and friendly!!!

[@CarmenGarcia-bu3so]

What's the name of that boat or trip... im goin sunday. I have no clue...too many boats

[@biya1965]

Must be great in the fall. It’s a must do even for a native NYer

[@Fakeaorta]

One of my favourite secret hints you have shared! Thank you!

[@TheBingBuzz]

Adding this to our list!

[@GauthierA83]

I learned the importance of a jacket the hard way, a week and a half ago! Lol We did a boat tour to see the Statue of Liberty up close early morning and we weren’t going back to our hotel until later that evening so just didn’t feel like carrying it around all day!

[@RyanisRude]

Omg! Maybe I should go on this boat! Definitely love a boat tour!

[@MRP3261]

Jon I've seen the NYC Ferry boat ,Rockaway to NYC and vice versa from my apt in Sheepshead Bay . And from the boats I fish in Sheepshead Bay for Porgies and Fluke. Any way the wind does not bother me when I'm on a boat. It's Thunderstorms

[@whereareweofftonow]

As a tourist, I always recommend to friends/family to get tramways to Roosevelt Island, then the boat down to Wall Street. Great way to see the city from different perspective and cheap.

[@lpklpk447]

Wow. Thank you. I had no idea about this 👍

[@arfriedman4577]

The staten island ferry and the circle line are good to use. Your ferries are a good choice. I'm not sure when they started. In the early 1990s, my coworker had me walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to go to a meeting in one of our buildings. In mid 1990s, I took tram for a ride. I lived in 2 boros of nyc years ago.

[@bonniepwtf]

Nicely done, very!

[@TrainsFerriesFeet]

Riding the ferries is one of the most underrated and inexpensive things to do in NYC.

[@triphops3949]

Great video! I love the NYC ferry and have used it many times, including both the Rockaway and Soundview lines, during my after -work and day off excursions around NYC. The views can't be beat, and even though the $4 fare used to be $2.75 ( upped to offset the massive subsidy from the city) it's still a great deal.

[@joshuabingham1303]

Did this both the first time and second time I went to NYC. There were fewer people on it in December than in April but it cannot be overstated how amazing it is regardless of crowds. Definitely worth the couple bucks

[@ChristopherSmithNYC]

Great video!

[@MassbyTrain]

What’s even better is the ikea ferry red hook to 34th

[@chrisairr]

One to add to my list of things to do in NY! 😊

[@SeaBassTian]

I've never taken any of these ferries in my long life as a NYC resident but I totally should the next time I visit. I believe that there is one in Greenpoint and also one in Astoria (both pretty thriving neighborhoods!) which I don't believe you cover here. Great views!

[@osvaldonoda9193]

Totally agree, I have done it twice👍👍

[@awos6559]

Def one of the top secrets of nyc!!! I first took this ferry several years ago before the pandemic after I read about it in the New York Times! I think at the time it was the same price as the buses and trains? It’s one of the best deals in nyc!!!

[@bencoheed]

Planning to do this today

[@daveh6645]

Thanks for this vid. We are about to take the Soundview ferry. I had planned to take Staten Island but this looked far better.

[@HereBeBarr]

Have fun!

[@jimmymendez9995]

Great job

[@samuraikaoss1455]

I took the ferry last week for the first time when I was up there. The views of Manhattan were awesome. LOOK OVER THERE, ITS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY!!!!

[@paultauriainen]

I rode the Rockaway Ferry to Manhattan when I was in NYC last summer

[@gabrieladanesi7470]

I used it for the first time last year, we went to Williamsburg, great ride! Too bad the route to Coney Island was closed. The Rockaway line was really long (it was august).