
The Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan is a bustling hub for commuters and tourists alike. It's located at 4 South Street, Whitehall Terminal, New York, NY 10004.
The terminal is easily accessible by public transit, making it a convenient option for those without a car.
To get to the terminal by subway, take the R or W train to Whitehall Street-South Ferry Station or the 1 train to South Ferry Station.
History
The Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal has a rich history that dates back to the 1700s. Before the terminal was built, ferry service in New York Harbor was provided by individuals and private companies with their own boats.
Ferry service from South Ferry, Manhattan, to St. George, Staten Island, started operating in 1816. This route was later operated by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Staten Island Railway after 1860.
In 1901, a tragic incident occurred when a Staten Island ferry sank, resulting in the deaths of four passengers. This incident prompted New York City officials to acquire the ferry lines to Staten Island, but the B&O refused to sell their terminals to the city.
The city had to resort to using eminent domain to acquire the sites in 1904.
Design and Construction

The Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal's design and construction are a testament to modern engineering. The terminal is supported by 130 concrete caissons, which replaced the original wood pilings under the terminal building.
These caissons are H-shaped, with rebar reinforcement, and descend into the underlying bedrock, which varies from 25 to 35 feet below ground. The caissons are designed to be sturdy and long-lasting.
Some of the caissons were sheathed with two layers of steel sleeves to isolate them from the neighboring tunnels, including the Battery Park Underpass and three subway tunnels.
Design and Construction
The new terminal's foundation is a key aspect of its design, supported by 130 concrete caissons that replaced the original wood pilings.
These caissons are H-shaped, with rebar reinforcement, and extend down to the bedrock, which varies from 25 to 35 feet below ground.
The proximity of the Battery Park Underpass and subway tunnels required some caissons to be sheathed in two layers of steel sleeves, isolating them from the neighboring tunnels.
At points where the terminal building is directly above the tunnels, it's supported by hanging roof columns, which rest on horizontal girders above the tunnels' roofs.
The terminal building's glass curtain wall on three of its sides is supported by steel columns measuring 21 inches deep.
Revised Design

The revised design phase is where the project starts to take shape. The design team will review the initial design and make any necessary changes based on the project's requirements.
The revised design should take into account the structural integrity of the building, as discussed in the "Structural Design" section, where it's mentioned that the building's foundation will be a reinforced concrete slab.
The design team will also consider the building's aesthetic appeal, incorporating elements that meet the client's expectations, such as the "Architectural Style" section, which highlights the use of modern materials and sleek lines.
The revised design should also ensure that the building's systems, such as plumbing and electrical, are properly integrated, as mentioned in the "Building Systems" section.
The design team will work closely with the project's stakeholders to ensure that the revised design meets all the necessary requirements and regulations.
Operation
The Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal is a bustling hub of activity, with a rich history and modern amenities.
The terminal has undergone significant renovations, with a $5.75 million modernization program starting in January 1980. This project added elevators and escalators to improve accessibility.
City officials aimed to make the terminal a more welcoming space by adding stores, which they achieved by relocating turnstiles and demolishing a concession stand in 1981. The first store, a cookie shop, opened that June.
The terminal was planned to be replaced as part of the South Ferry Plaza project, announced in 1985. The developer would restore the adjacent Battery Maritime Building, an official city landmark.
Seven developers submitted proposals for the project, with the Zeckendorf Company selected in July 1986. The city would retain ownership of the terminals, leasing the site to Zeckendorf for 99 years.
Construction was delayed due to the need for multiple city agency approvals, which took two years to complete.
Getting to the Terminal
To get to the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal, you have several subway options. You can take the M20 or M55 from Lincoln Center or South Ferry, respectively, or the SIM5 or SIM35 from Eltingville or Port Richmond.
If you're already on the subway, you can check the line arrival times and updated schedules by clicking on the route.
To get to the terminal from the subway, simply take the Whitehall Terminal / Staten Island Ferry Exit at South Ferry or Whitehall Street. From Bowling Green, you can walk south on Slate Street to the terminal in just 5 minutes.
Here are the subway lines and nearest stations to the terminal:
How to Get to by Train
To get to the terminal by train, click on the train route to see step by step directions with maps. This will give you a clear visual guide to follow.
You can also check line arrival times and updated time schedules to plan your trip accordingly. This way, you'll know exactly when to expect the train and can plan your day around it.
To get to Staten Island Ferry - Whitehall Terminal station, you'll need to click on the train route to access the directions and maps.
Directions

To get to the Staten Island Ferry at the Whitehall Terminal, you can take the subway. There are several subway lines that can take you there, including the M20, M55, and SIM5. You can click on the subway route to see step-by-step directions with maps, line arrival times, and updated time schedules.
If you're taking the train, you can click on the train route to see the directions. However, it's not specified in the article, so we'll focus on the subway options.
The subway lines that can take you to the Whitehall Terminal are numerous, but here are some of the options: M20, Lincoln Center 66 St Via 8 Av, M55, South Ferry, SIM5, Eltingville - Lower Manhattan Express, SIM35, Port Richmond - Lower Manhattan Express, DOWNTOWN CONNECTION, Chambers Street, M15, East Harlem 125 St Via 1 Av, M15-SBS, Select Bus Service South Ferry Via 2 Av, QM7, Fresh Meadows - Downtown, QM8, Glen Oaks - Downtown, QM11, Forest Hills - Downtown, and QM25, Glendale - Downtown.
If you're already in the area, you can also take the subway from nearby stations. For example, you can take the 1 subway line from South Ferry station, which is just a 1-minute walk to the terminal. Alternatively, you can take the R subway line from Whitehall Street station, which is a 3-minute walk to the terminal. If you're coming from a bit further away, you can take the 4 or 5 subway line from Bowling Green station, which is a 5-minute walk to the terminal.
Here are the subway lines and their nearest stations:
From any of these stations, just follow the signs to the Whitehall Terminal / Staten Island Ferry Exit.
Bus Stops in Manhattan
If you're planning to take the bus to Staten Island Ferry - Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan, you'll want to know where to catch one. There are several bus stops near the terminal.
The closest bus stops to Staten Island Ferry - Whitehall Terminal are State St/Whitehall St, Water St & Broad St, and Water St/Whitehall St. These stops are all within a 1-3 minute walk from the terminal.
Here are the bus stops near Staten Island Ferry - Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan:
- State St/Whitehall St, 1 min walk, VIEW
- Water St & Broad St, 1 min walk, VIEW
- Water St/Whitehall St, 1 min walk, VIEW
- South Ferry Term/South Ferry Term, 2 min walk, VIEW
- Water St/Broad St, 3 min walk, VIEW
Public Transit
Getting to Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal is easier than you think. Moovit is a great resource to find the best way to get there with step-by-step directions from the nearest public transit station.
There are several bus options available, including the M15, M15-SBS, M20, M55, PORT LIBERTE - PIER 11/WALL ST, SIM5, and SIM35. You can also take the subway, which includes lines 1, 4, 5, R, W, N, J, and Z.
The PATH train is another option, and you can also take the Staten Island Ferry. The nearest stops to the terminal include State St/Whitehall St, Water St & Broad St, and Whitehall St-South Ferry.
Want to see if there's another route that gets you there at an earlier time? Moovit can help you find alternative routes or times. You can get directions from and to Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal easily from the Moovit App or Website.
Whitehall Terminal
The Whitehall Terminal is a major transportation hub in Lower Manhattan.

Located on the west side of Manhattan, it's a short walk from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the New York Stock Exchange.
The terminal serves as the southernmost stop on the Staten Island Ferry route.
It's open 24/7, making it a convenient option for those who need to travel late at night or early in the morning.
The terminal has been in operation since 1909, and it's undergone several renovations and expansions over the years.
With its modern amenities and historic significance, the Whitehall Terminal is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in New York City's transportation history.
Safety and Security
The Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal has top-notch safety measures in place to ensure a secure and enjoyable ride for all passengers.
Life vests and life rafts are readily available in case of an emergency.
Passengers are subject to thorough security checks before boarding the ferry, which includes bag inspections and random screenings.
Trained crew members are on hand to monitor the situation and respond quickly if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which terminal is the Staten Island Ferry?
The Staten Island Ferry departs from Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan. This terminal is located at the southernmost tip of Manhattan.
How long is the Whitehall ferry ride?
The Whitehall ferry ride takes approximately 25 minutes. The Staten Island Ferry operates daily, year-round, and is a free service.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staten_Island_Ferry_Whitehall_Terminal
- https://moovitapp.com/index/en/public_transit-Staten_Island_Ferry_Whitehall_Terminal-NYCNJ-site_19029630-121
- https://www.tourbytransit.com/newyorkcity/things-to-do/staten_island_ferry
- https://siferry.com/faqs-trip-tips/
- https://discovernyc.tours/staten-island-ferry-your-ultimate-qa-free-nyc-guide/
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