I've lived in New York City for 5 years and the only public transportation I'd recommend to visitors is the ferry

Gabbi ShawAug 16, 2023, 02:44 IST

The view from the Rockaway Reserve ferry.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Getting around New York City can be a hassle — especially in the heat of summer.
By taking the ferry, you can see some of the city's best sights while staying cool.

Like many New Yorkers, I often take the subway to get around the city.

But after a recent ferry ride, I'm convinced the mode of transportation is the best in New York City.

I took the ferry to Queens' Rockaway Beach on a weekend in July, and found that it made traveling actually fun as opposed to a chore.

I've lived in New York City for five years and tried its various methods of public transportation, from the subway and the bus to the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad.

The NYC subway.ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images

I've lived in New York City for five years and tried its various methods of public transportation, from the subway and the bus to the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad.

But the only one I can definitively say is a positive — if not downright enjoyable —experience is the New York City Ferry, which I've taken to Williamsburg, Astoria, Red Hook, and the Upper East Side.

An NYC Ferry boat.Drew Angerer/Getty Images

But the only one I can definitively say is a positive — if not downright enjoyable —experience is the New York City Ferry, which I've taken to Williamsburg, Astoria, Red Hook, and the Upper East Side.

One particularly hot weekend in July 2023, I took the ferry to Rockaway Beach in Queens with a friend for the first time.

My roommate and I on the ferry.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The Rockaway Reserve is a special ferry line that allows passengers to reserve tickets in advance online for $10 for a specific time slot on weekends and holidays through Labor Day this year.

The Rockaway Ferry.quiggyt4/Shutterstock

The Rockaway Reserve is a special ferry line that allows passengers to reserve tickets in advance online for $10 for a specific time slot on weekends and holidays through Labor Day this year.

You can also purchase a standard ferry ticket for $4, but it doesn't guarantee that you'll get onto the next boat. Similar to using the subway, you'll eventually get on a ferry with a regular ticket, but you'll need to wait until there's space.

A crowded NYC Ferry travels on the East River.John Penney/Shutterstock

You can also purchase a standard ferry ticket for $4, but it doesn't guarantee that you'll get onto the next boat. Similar to using the subway, you'll eventually get on a ferry with a regular ticket, but you'll need to wait until there's space.

Getting a Reserve ticket is basically like having a fast-pass at an amusement park; it might be more expensive, but at least you know when you're getting on.

A view of Lower Manhattan as seen from a ferry heading to Rockaway Beach.Beth J. Harpaz/AP

I thought paying an extra $6 was worth it. It meant I didn't have to wait in this long line for the ferry on a sunny Saturday afternoon and potentially not get a seat on the boat.

The line for the ferry can go down the block.JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images

I thought paying an extra $6 was worth it. It meant I didn't have to wait in this long line for the ferry on a sunny Saturday afternoon and potentially not get a seat on the boat.

The Rockaway Reserve leaves from the Wall Street ferry stop in Lower Manhattan, and takes around 90 minutes to sail to Rockaway Beach, running around every 25 minutes. The same journey would be a 75-minute subway ride, or a 40-minute drive without traffic.

A view from the Rockaway Reserve.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The Rockaway Reserve leaves from the Wall Street ferry stop in Lower Manhattan, and takes around 90 minutes to sail to Rockaway Beach, running around every 25 minutes. The same journey would be a 75-minute subway ride, or a 40-minute drive without traffic.

We were able to snag a seat on the roof, giving us a better view of the city. If you can't get a rooftop seat, there are plenty of indoor seats down below, which is also where the bar — which serves alcoholic drinks — and snacks are.

The roof of the Rockaway Reserve.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

We were able to snag a seat on the roof, giving us a better view of the city. If you can't get a rooftop seat, there are plenty of indoor seats down below, which is also where the bar — which serves alcoholic drinks — and snacks are.

On the ferry trip, I enjoyed views of Governors Island, Brooklyn Heights, the Statue of Liberty, and more.

The view of the Statue of Liberty.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I also got a pretty good view of Coney Island, including the iconic (and now-defunct) Parachute Jump amusement ride.

Coney Island from the ferry.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Even though my view might've been a bit obstructed by other ferry riders who were also trying to snap a pic, I didn't feel like I missed anything.

Taking photos of the skyline.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

One downside of taking the ferry is that exiting can be a little difficult. It didn't feel like the boat was crowded when we were seated, but a bottleneck formed when we waited to disembark.

Exiting the ferry.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

One downside of taking the ferry is that exiting can be a little difficult. It didn't feel like the boat was crowded when we were seated, but a bottleneck formed when we waited to disembark.

On the way home, after a day at the beach, it was so much nicer to watch the sunset from the ferry rather than sitting on a bus stuck in traffic.

The sunset.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

For anyone looking for a cheap activity — and an enjoyable way to get around — I think the NYC Ferry is worth it for the views alone.

The Statue of Liberty at sunset.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

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I've lived in New York City for 5 years and the only public transportation I'd recommend to visitors is the ferry

I've lived in New York City for five years and tried its various methods of public transportation, from the subway and the bus to the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad.

But the only one I can definitively say is a positive — if not downright enjoyable —experience is the New York City Ferry, which I've taken to Williamsburg, Astoria, Red Hook, and the Upper East Side.

One particularly hot weekend in July 2023, I took the ferry to Rockaway Beach in Queens with a friend for the first time.

The Rockaway Reserve is a special ferry line that allows passengers to reserve tickets in advance online for $10 for a specific time slot on weekends and holidays through Labor Day this year.

You can also purchase a standard ferry ticket for $4, but it doesn't guarantee that you'll get onto the next boat. Similar to using the subway, you'll eventually get on a ferry with a regular ticket, but you'll need to wait until there's space.

Getting a Reserve ticket is basically like having a fast-pass at an amusement park; it might be more expensive, but at least you know when you're getting on.

I thought paying an extra $6 was worth it. It meant I didn't have to wait in this long line for the ferry on a sunny Saturday afternoon and potentially not get a seat on the boat.

The Rockaway Reserve leaves from the Wall Street ferry stop in Lower Manhattan, and takes around 90 minutes to sail to Rockaway Beach, running around every 25 minutes. The same journey would be a 75-minute subway ride, or a 40-minute drive without traffic.

We were able to snag a seat on the roof, giving us a better view of the city. If you can't get a rooftop seat, there are plenty of indoor seats down below, which is also where the bar — which serves alcoholic drinks — and snacks are.

On the ferry trip, I enjoyed views of Governors Island, Brooklyn Heights, the Statue of Liberty, and more.

I also got a pretty good view of Coney Island, including the iconic (and now-defunct) Parachute Jump amusement ride.

Even though my view might've been a bit obstructed by other ferry riders who were also trying to snap a pic, I didn't feel like I missed anything.

One downside of taking the ferry is that exiting can be a little difficult. It didn't feel like the boat was crowded when we were seated, but a bottleneck formed when we waited to disembark.

On the way home, after a day at the beach, it was so much nicer to watch the sunset from the ferry rather than sitting on a bus stuck in traffic.

For anyone looking for a cheap activity — and an enjoyable way to get around — I think the NYC Ferry is worth it for the views alone.