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 New York cruises on the Hudson River so you know exactly which option you can choose according to your budget.

The price of a Hudson River cruise ranges from $30 to $139 on Hellotickets, depending on the itinerary, the type of boat and the duration of the itinerary.

For example, the cheapest one lasts one hour and for 30 Euros will take you to see the Brooklyn Bridge, the south of Manhattan and Midtown, so you will see the Empire State Building closer.

The most expensive, which costs about 139 Euros, is a VIP experience aboard a fully glazed luxury boat that lasts 2.5 hours and takes you around Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, all while you are served a buffet-style dinner to the rhythm of live music and under the light of the stars.

Price comparison table

If you are on a budget, but don't want to give up a cruise in Manhattan, you can book the cheapest cruise in New York for only 30 €, a great way to see the main highlights of the city from the water.

Throughout the tour you will listen to an expert guide who will explain the monuments and areas you are crossing: Brooklyn, the Statue of Liberty and the Financial District.

New York has proposals for all tastes and budgets. If you can afford it, I recommend you to book the most expensive cruise that sails along the coast of Manhattan for 137 € and will make you spend an evening of cinema. It includes:

• Three-course gourmet dinner
• Drinks
• Desserts
• Coffees are included

This is a true VIP experience that lasts 2 and a half hours aboard a totally luxurious vessel and accompanied by a musical group that will be in charge of enlivening the evening with relaxing live music.

Yes, if you prefer to embark on a sunset cruise without having to spend a lot of money, I recommend you to book a night cruise on a classic sailboat in New York for 45 euros which will take you to discover the lights of the city for two hours.

The boat usually departs around 19:00 (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 ships 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

If you book online you can compare prices, itineraries, companies and routes. This is the only way to get the best cruise at the best 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 cruises increase in price exponentially because there are fireworks shows that make boat rides more expensive and because there is higher demand.

If you are traveling with children, check for discounted fares

There are some cruises (such as some of the ones that serve dinner) that do not allow children under 6 years of age to enter and do not offer discounts for minors. But on the rest, you can get a reduced price 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 can't afford to take a cruise, use the ferry to cruise 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:

• Pay for the number of days your trip lasts (and in that period have access to all the main attractions).
• Pay for the number of attractions you want to visit (and get a reduced price at each of them).
• In both cases you skip queues, save money, get free entrance to the tourist bus, include a cruise on the Hudson River...

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.