You’re standing on the pier at Wall Street, the wind is whipping your hair into a bird's nest, and you’re wondering if you should’ve just taken the L train. Honestly? You made the right choice. Taking the ferry to Williamsburg Brooklyn isn't just a commute; it’s a vibe shift. But if you think it’s as simple as tapping a subway card and hopping on, you’re probably going to end up standing on the wrong dock while your boat sails away toward Queens.
The NYC Ferry system is a beast of its own. It’s glorious when the sun is hitting the skyline just right, and it's a cold, salty mess when a storm rolls in. Most people assume the ferry is a tourist trap. It’s not. For locals, it’s a sanity saver. The subway is a subterranean lottery of delays and "showtime" dancers. The ferry? It’s consistent, breezy, and has a bar. Yeah, an actual bar.
The Two Stops You Need to Know
Williamsburg isn't a monolith. If you tell a local "meet me at the ferry," you’re begging for a logistical nightmare because there are two distinct landings: North Williamsburg and South Williamsburg.
North Williamsburg is the heart of the action. It’s right at East River State Park (now known as Marsha P. Johnson State Park). If you’re heading to Smorgasburg to eat your weight in ramen burgers or you’re trying to hit up the boutiques on Bedford Avenue, this is your stop. It’s crowded. It’s chaotic. It smells like artisanal coffee and expensive sunscreen.
South Williamsburg is the quieter, more industrial sibling. Located near the base of the Williamsburg Bridge at Schaefer Landing, this stop serves a very different crowd. It’s closer to the historic district and the burgeoning luxury high-rises that have completely reshaped the shoreline. If you get off here thinking you’re a two-minute walk from the Apple Store, you’re in for a long, sweaty hike.
Pricing, Apps, and Avoiding the Ticket Line
Forget your OMNY card for a second. As of early 2026, the NYC Ferry still operates on its own payment ecosystem, though there’s always talk of integration. A single ride currently sits at $4.50. If you’re a frequent flier, you grab the 10-trip pack because it drops the price significantly.
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Don't be the person fumbling with the ticket machine at the pier while the gangplank is being pulled up. Download the NYC Ferry app. It’s the only way to live. You buy the ticket on your phone, activate it right before you board, and show the QR code to the deckhand.
One thing people always miss: the transfer. Your ticket is good for 120 minutes. If you’re coming from the Rockaways or Soundview, you can swap lines at Wall Street/Pier 11 or 34th Street without paying twice. Just make sure you don't activate the ticket too early. Once that timer starts, it’s ticking.
The East River Route vs. The Rest
When you’re looking for a ferry to Williamsburg Brooklyn, you’re almost certainly looking at the East River Route. This is the workhorse of the fleet. It runs from Hunters Point South in Long Island City down to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan.
The views are stupidly good. You pass under the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Bridge. You get a face-full of the Empire State Building. It’s the kind of stuff people pay $100 for on a "sunset cruise," but you’re doing it for the price of a fancy latte.
But here’s the kicker: the schedule. On weekdays, boats come every 20 minutes or so during peak hours. On weekends? It can stretch to every 40 minutes. If you miss a boat by thirty seconds, you’re stuck staring at the water for a long time. Check the real-time arrivals in the app. The "scheduled" time is a suggestion; the "real-time" GPS tracker is the truth.
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What It’s Actually Like Onboard
The boats are modern. They have restrooms that are surprisingly clean—at least for New York standards. The lower deck is climate-controlled, which is a godsend in August when the humidity makes the city feel like a giant wet blanket.
But the upper deck is where the magic (and the windburn) happens.
Pro tip: if you’re sitting upstairs, hold onto your hat. I’ve seen at least a dozen expensive Yankees caps fly into the East River, never to be seen again. Also, the "New Construction" boats have a bar area called The New Stand. They sell snacks, coffee, and yes, beer and wine. There is nothing quite like sipping a local IPA while sailing past the Domino Sugar Refinery. It makes the $4.50 fare feel like a steal.
Bikes, Dogs, and Strollers
Williamsburg is the land of the "young professional with a French Bulldog," and the ferry caters to that. Dogs are allowed, but they technically have to be in a carrier or muzzled unless they are service animals. In practice? People bring their well-behaved pups on all the time, but don't be surprised if a strict captain calls you out on it.
Biking is another story. The ferry has bike racks in the bow. There’s a $1.00 surcharge for bringing your bike. It’s worth it. Cycling from the North Williamsburg landing through the Navy Yard to DUMBO is one of the best rides in the city. Just be prepared to lift your bike over a small ledge to get it into the rack.
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Strollers are welcome, and the crew is usually pretty great about helping you navigate the ramp. Since the boats are ADA-compliant, the ferry is actually a way better option for parents than the subway, where half the elevators are broken at any given time.
Winter Sailing: A Different Beast
In January, the East River is a dark, churning mess of ice chunks and gray water. Taking the ferry to Williamsburg Brooklyn in the winter requires a different strategy. The top deck is basically an icebox. You’ll want to huddle in the lower cabin.
The windows often fog up from the collective breath of a hundred commuters, so you won't see much. However, the ferry is rarely delayed by snow, unlike the G train, which seems to give up the ghost if a single snowflake hits the tracks. The ferry is the "Old Reliable" of the North Brooklyn commute.
Common Misconceptions and Mistakes
- "It goes to Governor’s Island." Not directly. You have to transfer at Wall Street/Pier 11.
- "I can use my MetroCard." Nope. Never. Don't even try to swipe it at the gate.
- "It’s faster than the subway." Usually no. The L train from Union Square to Bedford Ave is about 10 minutes. The ferry from 34th St to North Williamsburg is about 20. You take the ferry for the experience and the air, not the speed.
- "The South Williamsburg stop is the same as the Bridge." It’s near it, but it’s a specific pier. Don't go to the pedestrian walkway of the bridge looking for a boat.
The Secret "Commuter Move"
If you’re heading to Williamsburg from Midtown, the 34th Street landing is your gateway. But here’s the secret: the 34th Street stop is also a major hub for the Soundview and Astoria lines.
If the East River boat is packed (which it often is at 5:30 PM), look at the departures. Sometimes, an Astoria-bound boat stops at the same piers. People get tunnel vision looking for the "East River" label and miss the other boats that are going to the exact same place.
Actionable Steps for Your First Trip
- Download the App Now: Don't wait until you're at the pier. Set up your payment method and buy a "Single Ride" ticket in advance.
- Pick Your Landing: Look at a map. If you're going to Peter Luger Steak House, use South Williamsburg. If you're going to Brooklyn Bowl or any of the hotels (The Wythe, The Hoxton), use North Williamsburg.
- Check the Wind: If it’s gusting over 20 mph, the water gets choppy. If you get seasick easily, maybe stick to the train that day.
- Arrive 5 Minutes Early: The ferry doesn't wait. When the clock hits the departure time, the boat is moving.
- Scan and Sit: Once you're on, head to the back of the boat for the best views of the skyline as you pull away.
The ferry is easily the most "civilized" way to travel in New York. You aren't packed into a metal tube underground; you’re on the water, seeing the city from an angle that most people only see in movies. Whether you’re a tourist or a jaded Brooklynite, there’s a certain magic in seeing the Williamsburg Bridge loom overhead as you glide underneath it. Just remember to hold onto your hat.