Price of a Cruise in New York

You're planning a trip to New York and you know that some of the best views of the city are to be had from the water. Embarking on a cruise around Manhattan is a dream, buthow much is it going to cost you to fulfill it?

Don't worry, below you have a price list of all types of cruises in New York so you know exactly which option you can choose according to your budget.

The price of a cruise on the Hudson ranges from 30 ¤ to 180 ¤ on Hellotickets, depending on the itinerary, the type of boat and the duration of the itinerary.

For example, the cheapest one lasts an hour and a half and for just over 30 Euros will take you to see the Brooklyn Bridge and southern Manhattan and can go as far as Midtown, so you will get a closer look at even the Empire State Building.

The most expensive, which costs about 160 Euros, is a VIP experience aboard a fully glazed luxury boat that lasts 2 and a half hours and will take you around Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, all while being served a buffet style dinner to the rhythm of live music and under the light of the stars. A celebrity's dream.

Price comparison table

If you are on a budget but don't want to give up a cruise in Manhattan, the cheapest one costs only 32 €. Specifically, this itinerary lasts an hour and a half and will be a great way to see the main highlights of the city from the water.

Throughout the tour you will be listening to a guide on a recording that will explain the monuments and areas that you are crossing and covers the route between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty, which gives you a pretty good perspective of the Financial District and of course, the best view you can have of the Statue.

This cruise is from the Circle Line company, which has been plying the waters of the Hudson for dozens of years and has several boats that cross the Hudson one day after another in various directions.

If you allow me a tip, there is an option that for a little more budget (39 €) adds an extra hour of navigation and I think it has better value for money: it is the two and a half hour cruise of Circle Line that skirts Manhattan and also reaches the Statue of Liberty.

With an extra hour of navigation you will be able to see much better and closer some mythical skyscrapers such as the Empire State. In addition, by extending the trip you will have more time to relax on board, take more pictures, etc.

New York has proposals for all tastes and budgets: the most expensive cruise along the coast of Manhattan costs 179 € and will make you spend an evening of cinema. It features a three-course gourmet dinner, drinks, desserts and coffees are included and lasts three hours.

This is a true VIP experience to live at least once in a lifetime in New York, so if you want to celebrate a special occasion or say goodbye to Manhattan in style, this is a great way to do it.

The boat is totally luxurious and during the tour you will be accompanied by a musical group that will liven up the evening with relaxing live music. The huge windows of the boat will allow you to enjoy dinner without losing detail of the starry sky and the lights of New York.

If you are looking for something similar but this option is out of budget, another of the dinner cruises in New York offers a high quality gastronomic service but buffet style. You will sail for three hours around Manhattan in a luxurious macro-yacht and it will cost you 139 €, which will allow you to adjust the cost a little in an experience of such quality.

Yes, if you prefer to embark on a sunset cruise without having to spend a lot of money, there is a cruise on a classic sailboat for 44 € which will take you to discover the lights of the city for two hours.

The boat usually departs around 21:30 (although schedules can be adapted to the hours of sunshine depending on the time of year) and will allow you to see the lights of Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge illuminated and the Statue of Liberty shining in the middle of the night.

Although this option does not include drinks or food on board, it is a great value considering that the sailing takes place aboard a classic sailboat, which makes the experience more authentic, intimate and cozy.

Unfortunately there are no cruises or boats in New York that are free to enter. But as with everything, there are several ways to save when taking a cruise. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the experience without breaking the bank:

Always book online

Booking online allows you to compare prices, itineraries, companies and routes. This is the only way to get the best value at the lowest price. Otherwise you risk arriving at the pier and having to pay more for a similar or worse service.

Avoid holidays

There are days like New Year's Eve or holidays like the Fourth of July, when Americans celebrate Independence Day, when cruises increase in price exponentially: there are fireworks shows that make boat rides more expensive (and also places are so limited that it is almost impossible to find a spot).

If you are traveling with children, check if there is a reduced rate

There are some cruises (such as some of those that serve dinner) that do not allow children under 6 years of age to enter and do not offer discounts for minors. Before you book, check to see if you can get a reduced rate for the younger ones.

Take advantage of a visit to the Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island, the island where the famous Statue of Liberty is located, is only accessible by ferry. If you do not want to spend more than necessary, take advantage of the boat ride to enjoy the views and although the experience is not the same, you can get great views from the water.

Hop on the ferry

Many citizens use the New York ferry as a method of transportation to get to Manhattan (after all, it saves them a lot of traffic jams) and you don't have to be any less. If you don't have the budget to take a cruise, use the ferry to take to the river at the lowest possible price.

Take advantage of the river from land. Yes, you can, and for free!

Don't forget that the Hudson is a major attraction in New York itself. You can cross the multitude of bridges that reach all the way to Manhattan and enjoy incredible views. From Brookyn, the views of the Manhattan skyline with the water in between are spectacular and there are even little beaches where you can sunbathe.

In recent years there has also been a proliferation of green areas and parks where you can enjoy the river with your family, check out the Hudson River Park and the free events that are organized there.

Make the most of your tourist pass

If you have a card like the New York Pass, New York Explorer Pass or New York City Pass, you may have a discount or an included ticket for a cruise - make sure you take advantage of it! Read on and I'll tell you more.

If it is your first time in New York or you are traveling to the city with the desire to explore it to the fullest, it is very likely that it will be worthwhile to purchase a tourist card.

With these cards you can either pay for the number of days your trip lasts and in that period have access to all major attractions (it would be a kind of flat rate) or pay for the number of attractions you want to visit (and get a reduced price at each of them).

In addition to saving time (by skipping the lines and buying tickets separately) and of course, money, there are some that offer free access to the tour bus or a cruise on the Hudson. Some even offer access to a kind of cruise with free stops that works just like the tourist bus but on the water. Definitely a good way to get to know New York from the water without having to spend much more.

If you want to read more information, I recommend this comparative guide of New York passes where you can see what each one includes and of course, their prices.