From Jersey City, the ferry reaches Manhattan in about 8–20 minutes, with Paulus Hook best for most riders.
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For a ferry to Manhattan from Jersey City, Paulus Hook is the easiest starting point for most travelers because it has frequent Brookfield Place service and weekday Wall Street/Midtown routes. The ferry costs more than PATH, but it wins on views, comfort, and direct access to the Manhattan waterfront.
Pick the ferry when your Manhattan stop is Battery Park City, the Financial District, Pier 11, or the far west side near West 39th Street. Pick PATH when price, late-night frequency, or subway transfers matter more than the water crossing.
After you choose the route, compare ferry, train, and transfer timing before you pay:
Best Starting Point In Jersey City
Paulus Hook Ferry Terminal is the strongest Jersey City ferry terminal for most Manhattan trips. The terminal sits by Exchange Place, close to PATH, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, waterfront offices, and several hotel towers.
The main reason Paulus Hook works so well is route choice. From one terminal, riders can reach Brookfield Place/Battery Park City daily, Pier 11/Wall Street on weekdays, and Midtown/W. 39th Street during weekday commuter windows.
Liberty Harbor/Marin Boulevard can also make sense if you are staying closer to the Grove Street or Liberty Harbor side of Jersey City. Liberty Landing Ferry serves Liberty State Park and the World Financial Center/Brookfield Place area, but Paulus Hook is simpler for most visitors because it connects more directly with the densest part of the Jersey City waterfront.
Jersey City To Manhattan Ferry Routes: What Each Pier Gets You
Jersey City ferries are best understood by their Manhattan landing pier, not by the boat itself. Brookfield Place is the all-purpose Lower Manhattan landing, Pier 11 is best for Wall Street, and West 39th Street is best for Midtown’s west side.
NY Waterway lists Paulus Hook to Brookfield Place as a 7-day route, with tickets sold at the terminal window or through its mobile app, on the official Paulus Hook to Brookfield Place page. Current posted fares can include fuel surcharges that are not always reflected in the base fare table, so check the app before tapping pay.
| Mode Or Route | Typical Time | Rough One-Way Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Paulus Hook to Brookfield Place ferry | About 7–8 minutes on the water | Adult fare listed from $7.75 before surcharge |
| Paulus Hook to Pier 11/Wall Street ferry | About 8 minutes after leaving Paulus Hook | Adult fare listed from $8.75 before surcharge |
| Paulus Hook to West 39th Street ferry | About 20 minutes | Adult fare listed from $9.75 before surcharge |
| Liberty Harbor to Pier 11 ferry | About 15 minutes including the Paulus Hook stop | Usually similar to other Downtown NY Waterway fares |
| PATH from Exchange Place to World Trade Center | About 4 minutes train time | $3.25 full one-way fare |
| Taxi or rideshare through the Holland Tunnel | About 15–45 minutes, traffic-dependent | Often $35–$80 before tip and surge pricing |
| Bike via ferry plus Manhattan waterfront path | Ferry time plus riding time | Ferry fare; bikes currently ride free on several NY Waterway routes |
Which Ferry Route Should You Take?
Brookfield Place is the best default landing for Lower Manhattan, while Pier 11 is the sharper choice for Wall Street and the East River side. West 39th Street only makes sense when your final stop is Midtown West, Hudson Yards, Javits Center, or the west side shuttle network.
- Choose Brookfield Place for One World Trade Center, Battery Park City, Tribeca, the Hudson River Greenway, and easy walks to the 1, R, W, 4, 5, E, and PATH areas.
- Choose Pier 11/Wall Street for the Financial District east of Broadway, South Street Seaport, the East River waterfront, and connections toward Brooklyn by NYC Ferry.
- Choose West 39th Street for Hudson Yards, the Javits Center, Times Square by shuttle or walk, and Midtown offices west of Eighth Avenue.
Fare note: NY Waterway base fares and fuel surcharges can change separately. Treat the route table as a planning snapshot and confirm the live fare in the app before travel.
Buying Tickets And Boarding Without Stress
NY Waterway tickets are easiest through the mobile app, but terminal windows still work at major stops. Buy the exact route you need, arrive a few minutes early, and watch the pier signs because slips can change.
Paulus Hook is compact, so the main mistake is not distance inside the terminal; it is choosing the wrong Manhattan landing. A Brookfield Place ticket is not the same trip as Pier 11 or West 39th Street.
- Open the NY Waterway app or use the ticket window at Paulus Hook.
- Select the route by Manhattan terminal, not just by the word Manhattan.
- Check the next departure and any service alert before activating a mobile ticket.
- Board only when the crew calls your route or the sign matches your landing.
| Manhattan Landing | Best For | Service Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Brookfield Place/Battery Park City | World Trade Center, Battery Park City, Tribeca | Daily service from Paulus Hook |
| Pier 11/Wall Street | Wall Street, South Street Seaport, East River side | Weekday commuter service from Paulus Hook |
| Midtown/W. 39th Street | Hudson Yards, Javits Center, Midtown West | Weekday commuter service, strongest in peak periods |
| World Financial Center/Brookfield area | Liberty State Park and western Downtown Manhattan | Useful for Liberty Landing and park trips |
| PATH World Trade Center | Cheapest Jersey City to Lower Manhattan ride | Rail service, better for late nights |
| Taxi or rideshare | Luggage, door-to-door trips, bad weather | Traffic-heavy through the Holland Tunnel |
| NYC subway after ferry | Trips beyond the waterfront | Separate fare after landing in Manhattan |
Where To Stay For Easy Ferry Access
Manhattan hotel choice should match the ferry landing you expect to use most. Downtown hotels near Battery Park City and the Financial District are easiest for Brookfield Place and Pier 11, while Midtown West works better for the West 39th Street ferry.
Jersey City can also be a smart base if you want skyline views and fast access to Lower Manhattan without paying Manhattan hotel rates. The Exchange Place and Paulus Hook area is the most convenient Jersey City pocket for ferry riders.
Use the map to compare stays near the Manhattan ferry landings and the Jersey City waterfront:
How Long Does The Jersey City Ferry Take?
The shortest Jersey City ferry crossing to Manhattan is the Paulus Hook to Brookfield Place route, which runs in about 7–8 minutes on many scheduled trips. The Midtown ferry is longer, usually about 20 minutes from Paulus Hook to West 39th Street.
The total door-to-door time depends on how far you are from the terminal and how well the schedule matches your arrival. A ferry that takes 8 minutes on the water can still become a 25-minute trip if you just miss a departure.
PATH beats the ferry on raw price and often on late-night usefulness. The ferry beats PATH when your destination is near the waterfront, when you want an easier ride with luggage, or when the Hudson River view is part of the point.
Pick The Route That Fits Your Manhattan Stop
Jersey City ferry riders should choose by landing point first, then price, then schedule. The best ride is the one that drops you closest to your real Manhattan stop.
- Fastest for Lower Manhattan: Paulus Hook to Brookfield Place, especially for One World Trade Center and Battery Park City.
- Best for Wall Street: Paulus Hook to Pier 11 during weekday commuter service.
- Best for Midtown West: Paulus Hook to West 39th Street when the schedule lines up.
- Cheapest fallback: PATH from Exchange Place to World Trade Center.
- Best with bags: Ferry if your hotel is close to either terminal; rideshare if your final address is far inland.
The ferry is not the cheapest way from Jersey City to Manhattan, but it is often the calmest and most scenic way. For visitors staying near Exchange Place, Paulus Hook, Battery Park City, or the Financial District, the small fare premium can buy a much better arrival.
References & Sources
- NY Waterway.“Paulus Hook to Brookfield Place/Battery Park.”Lists the official route description, ticketing method, fares, and service pattern for the Paulus Hook to Brookfield Place ferry.