You're standing in the middle of the neon chaos of 42nd Street, looking at the giant billboards, and you think, "I should probably go see the Lady." It’s the classic New York move. But here is the thing about how far is the Statue of Liberty from Times Square: it’s not just a number on a map. If you look at a straight line, we are talking about roughly 5.5 to 6 miles. That sounds like a breezy twenty-minute drive, right?
Wrong.
New York City doesn't do "breezy" drives. If you try to Uber that distance at 3:00 PM on a Tuesday, you might as well bring a sleeping bag because the Midtown traffic will swallow your afternoon whole. You are essentially traveling from the pulsating heart of Manhattan down to its very jagged southern tip, and then—here is the kicker—you still have to get on a boat. The Statue isn't in Battery Park. She’s on Liberty Island, sitting in the middle of the harbor, looking back at the skyline like she’s judging your transit choices.
Breaking Down the Miles and the Minutes
When people ask how far is the Statue of Liberty from Times Square, they usually want to know if they can squeeze it in before dinner. The physical distance is about 5.8 miles if you take Broadway all the way down. If you hopped on the 1 train at the Times Square–42nd St station, you’d be traveling about 20 stops to South Ferry. That ride takes about 25 to 30 minutes on a good day, but the "New York minute" is a myth when there’s track work on the weekend.
Honestly, the distance in miles is irrelevant. You need to measure this trip in "New York layers." Layer one is getting out of the Times Square crush. Layer two is the subway or taxi ride. Layer three is the security line at Castle Clinton. Layer four is the actual ferry ride across the Upper New York Bay. By the time you’re actually standing at the base of the statue, you’ve put in a lot more effort than a six-mile trip suggests.
The Subway Hustle
The subway is your best friend here. Forget the yellow cabs. They’re expensive and slow. Take the 1 train (the red line) south to the very last stop, South Ferry. Alternatively, you can grab the R or W trains from 49th St or Times Square and hop off at Whitehall St–South Ferry.
Walking out of that subway station, the salt air hits you. It’s a weird contrast to the smell of roasted nuts and exhaust back in Midtown. You’re at the edge of the world—or at least the edge of the island. From here, you’re looking at a ferry ride that takes about 15 minutes to reach Liberty Island. So, if you add it all up? From the moment you swipe your OMNY card in Times Square to the moment you step onto Liberty Island, you’re looking at 60 to 90 minutes. Minimum.
Why the Battery Park Factor Matters
You can't just drive "to" the Statue of Liberty. It’s an island. I know that sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people think there’s a bridge. There isn’t. You have to go through Battery Park. This is the staging ground.
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When you’re calculating how far is the Statue of Liberty from Times Square, you have to account for the "Battery Park bottleneck." This is where the National Park Service runs its security screening. It’s like airport security but with more seagulls. Even if the subway ride was fast, a long line here can add an hour to your journey.
If you’re a pro, you’ll book your "Pedestal" or "Crown" tickets months in advance. If you just show up hoping to buy a ticket at the window, you might find yourself staring at the statue through a pair of binoculars from the shore, which is a bummer after coming all that way.
The Secret of the Staten Island Ferry
Maybe you don’t actually want to set foot on the island. Maybe you just want the photo. If that’s the case, your "distance" calculation changes. The Staten Island Ferry is free. It’s right next to the Statue City Cruises terminal at Whitehall Street.
It leaves every 15 to 30 minutes. It passes right by the statue. It’s the best "cheap" date in the city. You get the skyline, the breeze, and a great view of the Lady without the $25+ ferry fee. You won’t be "at" the statue, but you’ll be close enough to see the copper folds of her robes. For many, this is the superior way to bridge the gap between Midtown and the harbor.
Traffic, Tunnels, and Terrible Ideas
Let’s talk about driving. Just don't.
If you insist on taking a car from Times Square to the Battery, you’ll likely head down the West Side Highway (Route 9A). On a Sunday morning at 6:00 AM? Beautiful. You’ll see the Intrepid, the Chelsea Piers, and the Freedom Tower zip by. On any other day? It’s a parking lot.
The distance is short, but the West Side Highway is temperamental. One stalled delivery truck near Canal Street and your "short trip" becomes a grueling odyssey. Plus, parking in Lower Manhattan costs more than a nice steak dinner. If you’re staying near Times Square, leave the car in the garage.
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Walking the Length of Manhattan
Can you walk it? Sure. It’s about 6 miles. If you have comfortable shoes and a desire to see the "real" New York, walking from Times Square to the Statue of Liberty (or the ferry to it) is actually incredible.
You start in the chaos of the Theater District. You hit Herald Square and the Empire State Building. Then you transition into the flatter, cooler vibes of Chelsea and the Flatiron District. Keep going south through Greenwich Village, Soho, and Tribeca. Finally, you hit the Financial District, where the streets get narrow and winding, feeling more like London than New York.
It’ll take you about two to three hours. It’s the best way to understand the scale of the city. You see the architecture change from glass skyscrapers to 19th-century cast-iron buildings to the massive stone canyons of Wall Street. By the time you reach the water, you’ve earned that ferry ride.
Seasonal Shifts
Don't forget the weather. New York humidity in July is a different beast. That six-mile gap feels like sixty when the air is thick enough to chew. Conversely, in January, the wind whipping off the Hudson River as you head south can be brutal.
- Spring/Fall: Perfect for the walk or the ferry deck.
- Summer: The subway stations feel like saunas. Bring water.
- Winter: The ferry ride is freezing, but the crowds are thinner.
Logistics You Can't Ignore
To really answer how far is the Statue of Liberty from Times Square, we have to look at the return trip too. Most people forget that Liberty Island is a one-way-in, one-way-out situation. You have to wait for the return ferry, which often stops at Ellis Island first.
If you plan to see both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, you are looking at a 5 or 6-hour commitment. This isn't a "quick stop." It’s an expedition.
- Start early. If you leave Times Square at 8:00 AM, you beat the tourist rush.
- Use the 1, R, or 4/5 trains. The 4 and 5 (green line) express trains to Bowling Green are often the fastest way down.
- Avoid the "Battery Park" scammers. You’ll see people in bright vests shouting about "Statue tickets." Ignore them. Only buy from the official "Statue City Cruises" booth inside Castle Clinton or online.
The Helicopter Alternative
If you have more money than time, there are heliports near the Financial District. You can’t land on the statue (obviously), but you can fly right past it. It’s a five-minute hop from the helipad to a bird's-eye view. But for the rest of us mortals, the subway remains the king of the commute.
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Practical Steps for Your Trip
Stop thinking about the miles and start thinking about the clock. If you want to see the Statue of Liberty starting from a hotel in Times Square, here is your reality-based itinerary.
First, check the MTA website or the "Transit" app for weekend service changes. The 1 train loves to go "local only" or skip South Ferry when they're fixing the tracks.
Second, buy your tickets online at least two weeks out if you want to go inside the monument. If you just want the ferry ride, you can usually get those closer to the date, but booking ahead saves you from the first of many lines.
Third, pack light. Security at the ferry is strict. They don't allow large bags or luggage. If you’ve just checked out of your Times Square hotel and have your suitcases with you, you won't be allowed on the boat. Use a luggage storage service like LuggageHero or Vertoe near Port Authority or Penn Station before you head south.
Lastly, don't rush. The view of the Manhattan skyline from the water—looking back toward the skyscrapers of Midtown—is one of the most iconic sights on the planet. It makes the six-mile journey and the subway crowds entirely worth it.
The distance between the bright lights of Times Square and the torch of Lady Liberty is a transition from the commercial future of New York to its historical roots. It's a trip every visitor should take, provided they know that "six miles" in New York is never just six miles. It's a journey through the layers of the greatest city in the world.
To make the most of this trip, head to the Times Square–42nd St station and look for the downtown 1 train. Ensure you have your tickets downloaded to your phone before you lose signal in the tunnel. When you arrive at South Ferry, follow the signs for Battery Park and look for the massive stone fort—that’s Castle Clinton, your gateway to the harbor. Expect to spend about four hours total if you plan to walk the grounds of Liberty Island and get back to Midtown for a show.