Ferry from Governors Island to Brooklyn | Two Weekend Docks

The Governors Island ferry reaches Brooklyn only on weekends and holidays, with direct boats to Red Hook and Pier 6.

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The fastest answer for the Ferry from Governors Island to Brooklyn depends on the day you travel. On weekends and holidays in season, take the Trust-operated ferry straight from Governors Island to Red Hook/Atlantic Basin or Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6. On weekdays, use NYC Ferry’s South Brooklyn route if it is running from Governors Island, or go via Lower Manhattan and connect by subway or bus.

Brooklyn service is not one single year-round route. Red Hook is usually the better landing for Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, and the southern Brooklyn waterfront. Pier 6 is better for Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, and the north end of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Governors Island To Brooklyn Ferry Options Compared

Governors Island to Brooklyn is easiest when the seasonal direct ferries are running. The direct boats save the Manhattan transfer and put you at two useful Brooklyn waterfront landings.

If you need to compare the island ferry, NYC Ferry, and land-transfer options for your exact travel day, start with the route tools here:

The main planning catch is service pattern. The Trust for Governors Island lists seasonal Brooklyn service on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from May 23 through November 1, 2026, with no Trust-operated Brooklyn ferries on weekdays.

Which Brooklyn Dock Should You Choose?

Red Hook/Atlantic Basin is the better dock for Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, and trips that continue by the B61 bus. Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 is the better dock for Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, and a walk along the park.

Choose Red Hook if your next stop is around Van Brunt Street, Pioneer Street, or the southern side of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The Trust landing is entered at the corner of Pioneer Street and Conover Street, and the B61 bus is the useful onward connection.

Choose Pier 6 if you want the easiest walk into Brooklyn Heights or the most flexible subway connections. The landing is entered at Atlantic Avenue, with Borough Hall/Court Street listed as the subway access point and the B63 bus nearby.

Simple rule: Red Hook is better for southwest Brooklyn waterfront plans; Pier 6 is better for Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, and Downtown Brooklyn.

How The Weekend Direct Ferries Work

The weekend Brooklyn ferries are simple, but they are less frequent than the Manhattan ferry. Plan around hourly departures, especially for the last boat off the island.

For Red Hook, the Governors Island departures are listed at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, and 5:30pm. For Pier 6, the Governors Island departures are listed at 11:00am, noon, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, and 6:00pm.

The official Governors Island ferry schedule is the source to check before you go, since weather, holidays, special events, and capacity can shift the day’s real boarding experience.

Adult Trust tickets are round trip, and you do not need to pick a return time when booking. Reservations are still smart because ferry space is finite, and riders with bikes or strollers should arrive early enough to board without stress.

What If You Need Brooklyn On A Weekday?

Weekday Brooklyn trips require NYC Ferry or a Manhattan transfer. The Trust-operated Brooklyn ferries do not run on weekdays, so do not walk to the Red Hook or Pier 6 Trust landing expecting that service.

NYC Ferry’s South Brooklyn route is the cleanest weekday solution when Governors Island is on the route. The weekday schedule shows Governors Island departures toward Red Hook, Atlantic Avenue/BBP Pier 6, Wall Street/Pier 11, Corlears Hook, and East 34th Street.

• For Red Hook: use the NYC Ferry South Brooklyn route when it serves Governors Island, then ride one stop to Red Hook.
• For Pier 6: stay on the same NYC Ferry route past Red Hook to Atlantic Avenue/BBP Pier 6.
• For late trips: check live times in the NYC Ferry app, because the last service of the day matters more than the posted midday pattern.

If the NYC Ferry timing does not line up, take the Governors Island ferry to Lower Manhattan and connect by subway. That route is less elegant, but it is the backup that works when the direct Brooklyn boats are not available.

Tickets, Bikes, And Boarding Details

Trust-operated ferry tickets are round trip, while NYC Ferry tickets are part of the NYC Ferry system. Mixing the two systems can cost extra because Trust tickets and NYC Ferry tickets are not interchangeable.

For Trust ferries, adults pay $5 round trip, and free fares apply to older adults 65 and over, children 12 and under, NYCHA residents, IDNYC holders, former and active military servicemembers, and Governors Island Foundation members. All passengers ride free on Saturdays and Sundays before 11am, but reservations are still recommended.

For NYC Ferry, adult one-way tickets are listed at $4.50, and NYC Ferry transfers within the system are free for 120 minutes once you begin a one-way trip. Round trips do not count as free transfers, so a same-day out-and-back needs separate fare planning.

Bikes are allowed on Trust-operated ferries with no surcharge. Space is limited, so a cyclist should treat the ferry like a timed connection, not a subway turnstile.

Where To Stay Near The Brooklyn Ferry Landings

Brooklyn makes sense as a base if Governors Island is one stop in a New York City waterfront trip. Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, and Downtown Brooklyn put you close to the Pier 6 side; Red Hook is quieter and better for a food-and-waterfront afternoon.

Use the map below to compare hotels near the Brooklyn waterfront before choosing a base:

Stay near Brooklyn Heights or Downtown Brooklyn if you want subway access after the ferry. Stay near Red Hook only if the neighborhood itself is the point of the trip, since subway access is weaker and buses or rideshares do more of the work.

The Right Route For Your Brooklyn Plan

The right ferry route from Governors Island to Brooklyn is the one that matches your day, not the one that looks shortest on a map. Weekend travelers should use the direct Trust boats; weekday travelers should check NYC Ferry first and use Manhattan only as the fallback.

• Fastest weekend move: take the direct Trust ferry to Red Hook or Pier 6.
• Best dock for Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO: choose Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6.
• Best dock for Red Hook and Carroll Gardens: choose Red Hook/Atlantic Basin.
• Best weekday move: use NYC Ferry’s South Brooklyn route when Governors Island is on the schedule.
• Most reliable backup: ferry to Lower Manhattan, then subway into Brooklyn.
• Bike-friendly choice: take the Trust ferry, arrive early, and board while bike space is still open.

The one mistake to avoid is assuming every Governors Island ferry goes to Brooklyn. Brooklyn service is seasonal and schedule-dependent, so decide your dock before you leave the island.