Summer in the city can get expensive quickly. Fortunately, a favorite seasonal perk is returning to help you save a few bucks on your next family adventure.
NY Waterway has officially announced the return of its popular Kids Ride Free promotion. From Wednesday, July 8 through Monday, September 7, 2026, children can explore the city waterways without matching adult ticket prices.
How the free fare promotion works
The rules are incredibly parent-friendly. Children under the age of 12 can hop aboard the ferry for free when accompanied by a paying adult. There is a limit of two free children per adult, making it an easy way to plan a group outing.
Even better? You don’t need to stress over printing physical tickets for the kids. There is also no limit to how many free trips your family can take during the summer stretch. Just keep in mind that the promotion applies to all standard routes but excludes Metro-North routes.
Scenic views and free Manhattan shuttles
If you are looking for a traffic-free, breeze-filled way to experience New York City, this is the ultimate hack. Passengers can hang out on the open-air top decks to catch gorgeous panoramic views of the New York Harbor and the skyline.
Once you dock, the perks continue. NY Waterway offers free multi-route shuttles that loop through Manhattan, connecting you directly to popular neighborhoods and attractions. You can seamlessly track these buses in real-time by downloading the free NY Waterway App.
Terminals and how to get there
The summer deal applies to all 9 New Jersey ferry terminals with routes traveling to and from Midtown and Downtown NYC. This includes daily service from spots like Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken, Edgewater, and South Amboy.
If you plan on driving to the ferry, several New Jersey terminals offer low-cost parking options—and parking is completely free at the South Amboy terminal. For those skipping the car, you can easily reach the docks via the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Line, NJ TRANSIT rail and bus lines, or free NY Waterway connecting buses.
Ready to cruise? You can map out your terminal routes, look up timetables, and grab your adult tickets.