NYC Ferry is excited to announce that Rockaway Reserve tickets will once again be available for purchase in the NYC Ferry app on summer weekends starting 5/25/2024. See below for more details:
Rockaway Reserve Tickets
Starting May 25th, NYC Ferry riders can reserve a spot on any weekend Rockaway trips to the beach from 9am-2pm and back from 3pm-8pm. Reserved tickets cost $10 and are available for purchase up to 2 weeks before the date of each departure, so plan ahead and get your tickets early! Most spots on each vessel are un-reserved so riders paying a $4.00 regular fare, $2.75 as part of the ten-pack or $1.35 discount will be able to ride normally. Tickets for Memorial Day Weekend will be on sale starting Friday, May 17th. Reserved tickets can be purchased for departures at both Wall Street/Pier 11 and Sunset Park/Brooklyn Army Terminal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much is a Rockaway Reserve ticket?
A Rockaway Reserve ticket is $10.00 per passenger. Children under 44” ride free and a $0 ticket must be reserved for each child in advance when purchasing your Rockaway Reserve ticket via the NYC Ferry app.
Does my Rockaway Reserve ticket guarantee boarding?
Yes. A valid Rockaway Reserve ticket guarantees you a spot onboard the scheduled departure you selected when purchasing your ticket. Riders must be in the designated queue at least 10-minutes prior to boarding. Reserved tickets do not guarantee a specific seat on the vessel.
During which peak times can a Rockaway Reserve ticket be purchased?
- Riders can purchase tickets to reserve a spot on all Rockaway route departures from Pier 11 and Brooklyn Army Terminal between 9am and 2pm
- Riders can purchase tickets to reserve a spot on all Rockaway route departures from Rockaway between 3pm and 8pm
For complete schedule and reservation information, visit the NYC Ferry app or ferry.nyc.
When should I arrive for my Rockaway departure?
Riders must arrive at least ten minutes before their reserved trip. Boarding is only guaranteed for Rockaway Reserve ticket-holders who are in the correct line at least ten minutes prior to their ticketed Rockaway departure time when the boarding process begins. If you are not in the Rockaway Reserve line at least 10-minutes prior to departure, you may not be able to board on your planned departure. If you miss your departure, your Rockaway Reserve ticket may be used on any other NYC Ferry route (including the Rockaway route) but will not guarantee a spot on-board.
Do children need a Rockaway Reserve ticket to guarantee boarding?
Like all NYC Ferry routes, children under 44 inches in height can travel for free with a paying adult. To reserve a spot for children, a $0 ticket must be reserved for each child in advance when purchasing your Rockaway Reserve ticket via the NYC Ferry app. Height will be verified upon boarding. All children over 44 inches in height must have a full-price Rockaway Reserve ticket.
Can I bring my bike on-board?
Yes, but bike space is limited. To bring your bike on the Rockaway route, you must additionally reserve a $0 bicycle ticket in advance when purchasing your Rockaway Reserve ticket via the NYC Ferry app.
How do I purchase a Rockaway Reserve ticket?
NYC Ferry riders can purchase their Rockaway Reserve ticket(s) via the NYC Ferry app beginning Friday, May 17th. Tickets purchased via the NYC Ferry app cannot be printed out and used to board a departure. Riders must present a valid Rockaway Reserve ticket within the NYC Ferry app to board their ticketed departure.
Riders may purchase Rockaway Reserve tickets for multiple people on the same departure and activate them all at once, but the entire party must be present before boarding.
Will the Rockaway Reserve be a year-round program?
No. NYC Ferry riders will only be able to reserve a spot onboard during peak beach travel times on weekends and holidays between Saturday, May 25, 2024 and Monday, September 2, 2024.
Can I purchase a Rockaway Reserve ticket at the NYC Ferry ticket vending machines or Pier 11/Wall St ticket booth?
No. Rockaway Reserve tickets can only be purchased through the NYC Ferry app.
How far in advance can I purchase my Rockaway Reserve ticket?
Rockaway Reserve tickets will be available for purchase starting 2 weeks before the scheduled departure date. Rockaway Reserve tickets can be purchased up until 15 minutes before the scheduled time of departure, pending availability.
Can I use an unused Rockaway Reserve ticket for another scheduled Rockaway Reserve departure?
No. Purchasing a Rockaway Reserve ticket only reserves a spot on the trip you bought a ticket for. Your ticket does not guarantee you a spot onboard any other NYC Ferry departure. As a reminder, Rockaway Reserve ticketholders must arrive at least ten minutes before departure time to guarantee boarding.
Can I still use my regular NYC Ferry ticket to board the Rockaway route?
Yes! The majority of spots on all Rockaway departures are un-reserved and available for riders using regular tickets. Riders who wish to board using their regular NYCF ticket must line up in the regular Rockaway line. On high ridership days, riders who do not purchase a Rockaway Reserve ticket may be unable to board the departure of their choice.
Can I transfer to other NYC Ferry routes with my activated/used Rockaway Reserve ticket?
No. Rockaway Reserve ticketholders must purchase a separate base fare NYC Ferry ticket to use and transfer between other routes.
What if I miss the departure I purchased a Rockaway Reserve ticket for?
If you miss your reserved departure time, you may enter the unreserved Rockaway line and use your Rockaway Reserve ticket to board the next Rockaway trip; however, you will not have access to a reserved spot on any departure other than the one you purchased a ticket for. As a reminder, riders must be in the Rockaway Reserve queue at least ten minutes before their scheduled departure to guarantee boarding.
What if my scheduled Rockaway Reserve departure is cancelled?
If your scheduled Rockaway Reserve departure is cancelled by NYC Ferry, you will receive an automatic refund for the purchased Rockaway Reserve ticket(s) impacted by the cancellation. If your reserved trip is cancelled, you do not need to contact NYC Ferry to receive a refund.
Does my Rockaway Reserve ticket include round trip transportation?
No. A Rockaway Reserve ticket only reserves a spot onboard a single ferry departure. A separate NYC Ferry ticket must be purchased for an unreserved return trip, or a separate Rockaway Reserve ticket can be purchased for a reserved spot on your return trip.
What if it’s raining on the day I purchased a ticket for? Can I get a refund for weather or reschedule to another time?
No. Rockaway trips operate regardless of rain and Rockaway Reserve tickets are non-refundable. In the event of extreme weather, NYC Ferry may cancel ferry service; in that case, refunds will be issued to all Rockaway Reserve ticketholders whose trips have been cancelled.
Do I wait in the un-reserved Rockaway line to board with my Rockaway Reserve ticket?
No. Rockaway Reserve ticketholders must queue in a separate line at the Wall Street/Pier 11, Sunset Park/Brooklyn Army Terminal, and Rockaway landings. Riders with Rockaway Reserve tickets should report to the designated line. If you are confused on where to queue based on your ticket type, ask an NYC Ferry staffer at your landing.