You're standing in Bay Ridge, looking across the water at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. It looks close. It looks like you could almost touch it. But if you’ve ever actually tried to get from Brooklyn to Staten Island during rush hour, you know that distance is a total lie.
The physical gap is barely a mile. The actual travel time? That’s a whole different story.
Most people think there’s only one way to do it. They hop in a car, pay a toll that feels like a small mortgage payment, and sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the BQE. But honestly, depending on where you're starting and where you're headed, the "best" way changes every single hour of the day. Whether you're commuting to a job at Staten Island University Hospital or just headed to a weekend game at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, you need a plan that isn't just "plug it into GPS and hope for the best."
The Verrazzano Reality Check
Let's talk about the bridge. The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is the literal lifeline between these two boroughs. It’s an engineering marvel, sure, but for locals, it’s mostly just a giant bottleneck.
If you are driving, the toll is the first thing that hits you. As of 2025, the E-ZPass rate for most passenger vehicles is $7.00, but if you're a "Tolls by Mail" user, you're looking at over $11.00. That adds up fast. If you live on Staten Island, you get a resident discount, but Brooklynites? We’re paying full freight.
Traffic flows in weird patterns here. Everyone expects the morning commute into Brooklyn to be a nightmare, and it is. But the "reverse" commute—Brooklyn to Staten Island in the morning—has become increasingly congested over the last few years as logistics hubs and warehouses have popped up near the Goethals and Outerbridge.
The Public Transit Puzzle
What if you don't want to drive? This is where things get... interesting.
There is no subway connecting Brooklyn to Staten Island. None. It’s one of the great "what ifs" of New York City transit history. There was actually a tunnel started back in the 1920s—the "Hylan Hole"—but it was abandoned. You can still see the spot in Owl's Head Park where it was supposed to go.
So, you’re left with the buses.
✨ Don't miss: Weather at Kelly Canyon: What Most People Get Wrong
The S79-SBS (Select Bus Service) is the workhorse of this route. It starts at the 86th St subway station in Bay Ridge (where the R train ends) and cruises across the bridge into Staten Island. It’s pretty fast because it uses the HOV lanes, but it can still get caught in the general chaos of the bridge approach.
Why the S53 and S93 Matter
If you're closer to the 4th Avenue corridor, the S53 is your go-to. It’s a bit more "local" than the S79, stopping more frequently once it hits the island. Then there’s the S93, which is a godsend for students and faculty. It runs from Bay Ridge directly to the College of Staten Island (CSI).
Wait.
I forgot the most "New York" way to do this. The ferry.
But wait again—the famous Staten Island Ferry doesn't go to Brooklyn. It goes to Whitehall Street in Lower Manhattan. If you want to use the water to get from Brooklyn to Staten Island, you have to be strategic. You can take the NYC Ferry (the blue and white ones) from Sunset Park or Bay Ridge over to Wall Street, then run across the terminal to catch the free orange boat back down to St. George. It’s a long trip. It’s beautiful, though. You get the best view of the Statue of Liberty for $0.00 (on the big boat) or $4.50 (on the NYC Ferry).
The Bike and Pedestrian Problem
Can you walk from Brooklyn to Staten Island?
Nope.
It’s actually a point of major contention among transit advocates. Every other major bridge in the city has a pedestrian path. The Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan, the Williamsburg... even the George Washington Bridge lets you walk across. But the Verrazzano? It was built without one. Robert Moses, the guy who basically designed modern NYC, didn't want "wanderers" on his bridge.
🔗 Read more: USA Map Major Cities: What Most People Get Wrong
Every few years, there’s a push to add a bike lane. The MTA usually says it’s too expensive or would cause too much wind resistance. So, for now, if you have a bike, you have to put it on the front of an S79 or S53 bus. It’s a pain.
The "Secret" South Brooklyn Strategy
If you're coming from deeper in Brooklyn—say, Coney Island or Sheepshead Bay—driving through the local streets to get to the Belt Parkway is usually a trap. The Belt is notoriously unpredictable. One stalled car near the Cropsey Avenue exit and you’re looking at a 40-minute delay.
A lot of savvy commuters have started using rideshare apps to "bridge the gap" literally. Taking an Uber or Lyft from the 86th Street R station over to the first stop in Staten Island usually costs about $20-$30 depending on the surge. If you have three people in the car, it’s actually cheaper and faster than waiting for the bus, especially late at night when the S79 runs less frequently.
Understanding the "Vibe" Shift
When you cross that bridge, the energy changes. Brooklyn is dense, loud, and increasingly vertical. Staten Island feels like a mix of a New England coastal town and a Jersey suburb.
If you're heading over for a day trip, don't just stay by the ferry terminal. Everyone does that. They go to the Empire Outlets, look at the water, and leave.
If you've made the trek, head to Snug Harbor Cultural Center. It’s about a 10-minute bus ride from the St. George terminal. It’s got a Chinese Scholar’s Garden that is legit one of the most peaceful places in the five boroughs.
Or, if you’re hungry, go to Joe & Pat’s for a thin-crust pizza. Staten Island pizza is a different beast than Brooklyn pizza. It’s thinner, crispier, and people will argue for hours about which is better. L&B Spumoni Gardens in Brooklyn vs. Denino’s in Staten Island is a rivalry that runs deeper than the Yankees and Mets.
Logistics for the Weekend Warrior
Sunday afternoons are the absolute worst time to try this trip. Why? Everyone is coming back from the Jersey Shore or visiting family. The Verrazzano becomes a parking lot.
💡 You might also like: US States I Have Been To: Why Your Travel Map Is Probably Lying To You
If you are planning a trip from Brooklyn to Staten Island on a Sunday, aim for before 11:00 AM or after 8:00 PM. Anything in between is a gamble with your sanity.
Also, keep an eye on the wind. The Verrazzano is so high and so exposed that the MTA will frequently ban empty trailers or high-profile vehicles during storms. Occasionally, they’ll even close the upper level entirely. If the upper level is closed, just stay home. The lower level becomes a nightmare of merged lanes and frustration.
Actionable Steps for a Better Trip
So, how do you actually survive this? Here is the "expert" checklist for your next trek across the Narrows.
Download the TrainTime App
Even though it's an MTA app mostly for LIRR and Metro-North, it has integrated the bus tracking for the S79 and S53. Don't rely on the "scheduled" times. The bus is always late. Look for the "Live" GPS icon. If you don't see a bus on the map, it's not coming.
Check the "Verrazzano Bridge" Twitter/X Account
There is an automated feed that alerts you the second an accident happens on either level. Check this before you even get in your car. If there’s a "stalled vehicle" in the left lane of the upper level, take the lower level or go through Manhattan if you're coming from North Brooklyn.
The OMNY Advantage
Make sure your phone or card is set up for OMNY. The transfer from the R train to the S79 bus is free, but only if you use the same payment method. If you pay cash on the bus (don't do that) or use a different card, you're paying twice.
Avoid the "Tolls by Mail" Trap
If you are driving, make sure your E-ZPass is mounted correctly. The cameras on the Verrazzano are notoriously finicky. If it doesn't read your tag, they charge you the "mid-tier" rate, which is a few dollars more than the standard E-ZPass rate. It adds up over a month of commuting.
The "Ferry Alternative" for North Brooklyn
If you are coming from Williamsburg or Greenpoint, do not drive. Take the G train to the R, or take the NYC Ferry to Wall Street and then the Staten Island Ferry. It sounds like a lot of steps, but you’ll spend your time reading or looking at the water instead of gripping the steering wheel in rage on the BQE.
Staten Island is often called the "Forgotten Borough," and when you're stuck in traffic on the bridge, you might wish you'd forgotten the trip entirely. But with a little bit of timing and the right bus route, it's a manageable journey that opens up a side of New York most people never bother to see.
Just remember: always, always check the traffic before you hit the Gowanus Expressway. Once you're on that elevated highway, there's no turning back.