Spring is officially on the water. NYC Ferry kicked off its Spring 2026 schedule on April 8, and this weekend is your first full weekend to ride the expanded service. Meanwhile, MTA buses are keeping New Yorkers moving as subway disruptions push more riders onto surface transit. Here’s everything you need to know for getting around this weekend.
NYC Ferry: Spring 2026 Is Here
The NYC Ferry Spring 2026 schedule, which runs through May 17, brings meaningful improvements to weekend service across the system. If you haven’t ridden the ferry lately, this weekend is a great time to try it.
East River Route Splits Into A and B
The biggest change this season: the East River route now operates as two separate services all day on weekends. Both East River A and East River B stop at Wall St./Pier 11, DUMBO, and East 34th St.
- East River A additionally serves North Williamsburg and Hunters Point South (Long Island City)
- East River B additionally serves South Williamsburg and Greenpoint
This split means more frequent departures to Brooklyn’s waterfront neighborhoods and better connections for Queens riders at Hunters Point South. If your destination is one of these stops, check the app to confirm whether you need the A or B variant before boarding at Pier 11.
Rockaway–Soundview, Astoria & St. George: More Frequent on Weekends
The spring schedule increases weekend service frequency on the Rockaway–Soundview, Astoria, and St. George routes. For South Bronx and Queens riders, this translates to shorter waits and more flexibility for daytime trips.
Red Hook Weekend Shuttle
On select weekend days, a point-to-point shuttle operates between Red Hook/Atlantic Basin and Wall St./Pier 11, primarily to accommodate cruise ship-related demand. Early morning departures run from approximately 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Perfect if you’re heading to lower Manhattan for a Saturday morning appointment or want to beat the crowd coming back from a Red Hook brunch.
Fares & Where to Board
All NYC Ferry rides are a flat $4 fare regardless of distance. Use the NYC Ferry app or the ticket kiosks at each terminal to purchase before boarding. The Staten Island Ferry remains free and runs 24/7 with frequent weekend departures from Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and St. George Terminal in Staten Island.
MTA Bus: Weekend Tips as Subway Work Continues
With weekend subway disruptions affecting the 2/5, N/Q/R/W, G, and A lines, surface bus routes are seeing heavier-than-normal ridership. A few lines worth knowing:
- M15-SBS (1st/2nd Ave): A reliable spine for the East Side when N/Q/R stations are disrupted. Runs frequently throughout the day with Select Bus Service prepay to skip the fareboxes.
- B62 (Greenpoint–Downtown Brooklyn): Good backup for G train riders between Greenpoint and Downtown Brooklyn during CBTC signal work weekends.
- Bx12-SBS (Fordham Rd): East-west Bronx connector, useful for riders displaced by 2/5 service gaps; connects to the 4 train at Burnside Av and to Metro-North at Fordham.
- B61/B63 (Red Hook–Brooklyn): Main surface connection to Red Hook, which has limited subway access. Complements the ferry shuttle for weekend travel to and from that neighborhood.
Staten Island Ferry: Free, Frequent, and Often Overlooked
New Yorkers who’ve never ridden the Staten Island Ferry are missing one of the best free experiences in the city. The 25-minute crossing offers sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan’s downtown skyline, and New York Harbor. Weekend service runs roughly every 30 minutes during the day and every 30–60 minutes overnight. There’s no charge — walk on and enjoy.
Plan Your Weekend Trip
Check ferry.nyc for the full spring schedule and real-time departure boards. For bus schedules and service alerts: mta.info. And as always, tap OMNY at the farebox on any bus for contactless payment — no MetroCard required.
