You're standing on the pier at Wall Street’s Pier 11, the wind is whipping off the East River, and you’re wondering if you actually need that $15 side table enough to risk the maritime commute. Honestly, taking the ferry to Red Hook IKEA is one of those quintessential New York experiences that is either the highlight of your weekend or a test of your patience, depending entirely on how well you understand the schedule. It's not just a boat ride. It’s a tactical maneuver through one of the city's most isolated—yet charming—neighborhoods.
Most people assume there’s just one boat. Wrong.
There is the official NY Waterway IKEA shuttle, and then there is the NYC Ferry (South Brooklyn route). If you mix them up, you might end up in Bay Ridge or Sunset Park when all you wanted was a Poäng chair.
The Two-Boat Problem: Which Ferry to Red Hook IKEA is Yours?
Let's break this down. For years, the NY Waterway "IKEA Express" was the legendary free weekend ride. It still exists, but the rules have changed since the pandemic. It usually runs from Pier 11 in Manhattan directly to the IKEA dock in Red Hook. On weekends, it’s often free if you spend a certain amount, but on weekdays, there’s a fee. It is fast. It is direct. It smells like salt air and anticipation.
Then there is the NYC Ferry.
This is the big, blue-and-white fleet run by the city. It stops at the Atlantic Basin terminal, which is a bit of a walk from the store—maybe 10 to 12 minutes if you aren't carrying a heavy box of flat-pack furniture. If you’re coming from the East Side or the Rockaways, you’ll likely be transferring to this line.
Why choose one over the other? Speed versus scenery. The direct shuttle is a straight shot. The NYC Ferry is a sightseeing tour that just happens to drop you near a warehouse full of Swedish designs.
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The Logistics of Carrying a Billy Bookcase on a Boat
Can you bring furniture on the boat? Yes, but don’t be that person.
I’ve seen people try to lug a queen-sized mattress onto the top deck. Don’t do it. The deckhands have a specific level of tolerance for your DIY ambitions. Small items, bags, and maybe a small flat-pack box are fine. If you’re buying a kitchen’s worth of cabinets, you need the IKEA delivery service.
Actually, the real pro move is taking the ferry to Red Hook IKEA just to browse, then paying the $19-$49 flat-rate delivery fee to have the heavy stuff sent to your apartment. You get the boat ride and the meatballs without the slipped disc.
The Red Hook Vibe is Part of the Journey
Red Hook is weird. I mean that in the best way possible. It’s a neighborhood that feels like a coastal village trapped inside a metropolis. When you get off the boat, you aren’t just in a parking lot. You’re near Sunny’s Bar—one of the oldest spots in the city—and Widow Jane Distillery.
If you take the ferry, don't just rush into the blue box.
Walk over to Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie first. It’s right there by the water. Get a "Swingle" (a frozen key lime tart dipped in chocolate on a stick). It’s arguably more important than the furniture. The contrast between the massive, industrial scale of the IKEA warehouse and the crumbling, cobblestone charm of the waterfront is exactly why people bother with the boat in the first place.
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Scheduling and the "I'm Stranded" Panic
The NYC Ferry runs roughly every 20 to 30 minutes, but the IKEA shuttle is more sporadic. If you miss the last shuttle, you’re looking at a long walk to the Smith-9th Streets subway station, which, by the way, is the highest subway station in the world. It’s a trek.
Check the app. Seriously. Download the NYC Ferry app and the NY Waterway app. If the fog rolls in, things get delayed. New York Harbor is a working waterway, not a Disney ride. You’re sharing space with tankers and tugboats.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Pier 11 Departure
Pier 11 at Wall Street is a chaotic hive. There are lines for the Rockaway ferry, the Soundview ferry, and the IKEA boat. They aren't always clearly marked. You have to listen to the announcements. If you see a group of people carrying those iconic yellow-and-blue crinkly bags, you’re probably in the right place.
Wait. Did you check the weather?
If it’s raining, the top deck is a nightmare. If it’s sunny, it’s the best $4.00 (or free) view of the Statue of Liberty you can get without being a tourist on a Circle Line cruise. The boat passes surprisingly close to Governor's Island. You get a perfect silhouette of the Lower Manhattan skyline.
Is the Ferry Faster Than an Uber?
Honestly? Usually not. If you’re in Lower Manhattan, a car through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel (officially the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel) will get you there in 15 minutes. The ferry takes about 20 minutes on the water, plus the wait time at the pier.
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But the tunnel costs a fortune in tolls, and the traffic is a soul-crushing grind. The ferry is a mental palate cleanser. It’s the difference between being stuck in a metal tube underground and feeling the spray of the harbor on your face.
A Quick Word on the Meatball Situation
The IKEA cafeteria in Red Hook has some of the best views in Brooklyn. Most people don’t realize this. You can sit with your Swedish meatballs and look directly out at the Statue of Liberty through massive floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s the cheapest "waterfront dining" in New York City.
- Arrive via ferry.
- Grab a tray.
- Eat while watching the boats go by.
- Try not to buy a stuffed shark (Blåhaj) on your way out. You probably will anyway.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
Before you head to the pier, verify the current weekend schedule on the IKEA Brooklyn website. The free shuttle service is often seasonal or subject to sponsorship changes. If the shuttle isn't running, use the NYC Ferry South Brooklyn line and get off at Atlantic Basin. From there, follow the green painted path on the sidewalk; it leads you straight to the store entrance.
If you’re planning on bringing back anything larger than a lamp, bring a folding grocery cart. Your shoulders will thank you during the walk back to the pier. Lastly, keep an eye on the time—the harbor gets significantly colder after sunset, even in the summer, so pack a light jacket for the return voyage.
The trip is as much about the harbor as it is about the shopping. Enjoy the skyline, eat the pie, and don't forget where you parked your bike if you brought one on board.