NYC expands reservation-only Rockaway ferry service this summer, hikes price
Rockway Line NYC Ferry. Photo: Benjamin Kanter/Mayoral Photo Office on Flickr
Riding the New York City ferry to the beach will be easier this summer, but it’ll cost more. NYC Ferry and the city’s Economic Development Corporation on Wednesday announced plans to expand the popular “Rockaway Rocket” and “Rockaway Reserve” programs, offering more reserved seats at a new price of $12 per ticket, up from $10. The expanded service will let beachgoers reserve spots on the crowded ferries in advance, a response to rising demand as the city’s public beaches saw 11.6 million visitors in 2024—an increase of over 230,000 people from the previous year, according to the city’s Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).
Running from Memorial Day weekend through September 7, “Rockaway Reserve” lets riders book seats on select morning trips to the Rockaways and afternoon return trips to Wall Street/Pier 11 and Brooklyn Army Terminal along the Rockaway Route.
From July 4 through Labor Day weekend, “Rockaway Rocket” will offer express, all-reserved service between Long Island City, Greenpoint, and the Rockaways, with two direct morning and evening trips each day.
Non-reserved seats for both services will remain available at the regular $4.50 fare, as well as $2.90 10-pack tickets and $1.45 reduced-fare tickets.
Additionally, weekday afternoon service on the regular Rockaway route will increase by 45 percent after Memorial Day compared to the rest of the year, providing more options for riders, according to Gothamist.
The announcement follows the release of a new NYCEDC report, “Beyond the Boardwalk: NYC Beaches as Economic Engines,” which highlights year-over-year increases in beach visitation, job growth, and nearly $80 million in annual spending driven by beachgoers.
In 2024, NYC Ferry recorded its highest-ever ridership with more than 7.4 million passengers. That summer also marked the busiest Rockaways route since the pandemic’s end, with over 167,000 riders boarding at Wall Street/Pier 11 and Sunset Park/BAT heading for the beach.
In 2025, the ferry service is seeing a five percent increase in ridership, with eight consecutive weeks setting new records to start the year.
“With summer 2025 just around the corner, New Yorkers are more excited than ever before to take advantage of everything the City has to offer in the warmer months,” NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball said.
“From NYC Ferry to the NYC beaches, we’re building on a strong year of ridership and economic data to ensure that we continue to make all five boroughs more accessible and spur economic activity across the City.”
NYC Ferry first launched the express “Rockaway Rocket” service as a pilot program in July 2022.
Learn more about NYC Ferry’s summer schedule here.
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