A Cruisin’ Commute: New Jersey’s Top Ferry Towns

Traffic jams and canceled trains. They’re seemingly unavoidable pitfalls of commuting from New Jersey to New York. But there are less congested routes to Manhattan if you don’t mind cruising on the water.

Ferry commuting options are expanding in New Jersey. There are currently eight cities and towns that offer the service. The newest is South Amboy, which opened in late 2023 and added a new route in February to accommodate additional ridership. More established routes run from Hudson, Bergen and Monmouth Counties.

Proponents of ferry commuting say it is a smooth, stress-free way to get to work. Service providers are NY Waterway, Seastreak, and Liberty Landing. They operate from terminals on the Hudson River, Raritan Bay, and Sandy Hook Bay. Commuters can ride to Pier 11/Wall Street, Brookfield Place, and Midtown/W. 39th Street. NY Waterway and SeaStreak also offer free shuttle bus service to help riders get around Manhattan once their ferry arrives.

Here is a quick overview of the best places to catch the ferry in New Jersey:

Hoboken and Jersey City

These two cities topping the list come as no surprise. They each have a long history of ferrying people across the Hudson River. The use of steam powered ferries in Hoboken dates back to the early 1800s. In the modern era, NY Waterway launched service from Hoboken in 1989 and Jersey City in 1994. Ferries can be accessed from Hoboken Terminal and the 14th Street Pier in Hoboken, and Paulus Hook, the Liberty Landing Marina, and Port Liberté in Jersey City.

One drawback of ferry commuting can be the fixed schedule, but that is less of a concern in Hoboken and Jersey City where ferries run frequently and alternative transit options are available if needed.

Weehawken and Edgewater

The first trans-Hudson ferry route run by NY Waterway launched in 1986 at the Port Imperial ferry terminal. The company states that it was the first such service offered in 20 years. Today, the Port Imperial terminal is still going strong and commuters can also catch the ferry from Edgewater Landing at 989 River Road. Condos, apartment buildings and public walkways front the river near both locations and on-site parking is available at Port Imperial.

South Amboy

The newest ferry route in New Jersey launched in conjunction with a major development project that is revitalizing the South Amboy waterfront. Riders can expect about a 50-minute commute, depending on which NYC destination they are headed to. There is a free public parking lot next to the terminal.

Next door, The Pearl at Station Bay and Station Bay luxury apartment communities offer renters a chance to live just steps from the new ferry terminal, as well as the neighboring train station, and downtown shops and restaurants. Many of the rental residences have waterfront views and private outdoor space. The Pearl at Station Bay opened this June and offers 205 modern rental residences. Station Bay opened in 2022 and offers another 291 apartments.

Lifestyle amenities sweeten the deal. The Pearl at Station Bay offers residents access to social lounges, a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga/movement studio, golf simulator lounge, game lounge, co-working lounge, smart café, a private event suite, a swimming pool, BBQ grills and fire pits. Similarly, Station Bay provides residents with access to more than 37,000 square feet of amenity and social spaces. It’s part of a well-connected waterfront emerging in South Amboy, with the ferry terminal as a major focal point and The Pearl at Station Bay and Station Bay as the residential all-stars that are quickly attracting new renters to the city.

Belford, Highlands and Atlantic Highlands

Seastreak ferries make commuting from Monmouth County a breeze. Three terminals offer daily service to Manhattan and each one offers free parking. The commute can take as little as 40 minutes depending on the passenger’s stop. Ferries depart from terminals in Belford (Middletown Township), Highlands and Atlantic Highlands. For many residents of rail-connected towns in the area, like Red Bank and Long Branch, riding to work on the ferry is an attractive alternative.

Seastreak also offers seasonal routes. Ferries from Monmouth County directly to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are available in the summer. The service adds an extra layer of convenience for locals looking to get away for a few days. Overnight parking is allowed in select lots.

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