If you live on Staten Island and work in another borough, you already know the daily battle. The alarm goes off, and before your feet hit the floor, you’re already calculating: Is the Verrazzano backed up? Will the ferry be packed? Should I just call in sick?

We get it. This is the forgotten borough, at least when it comes to transportation infrastructure. While Manhattan has 25 subway lines and Brooklyn has more transit options than coffee shops, here you’ll find exactly one rail line—and it doesn’t go anywhere useful for most commuters.

But here’s the thing. Your commute doesn’t have to be a daily source of dread. This guide breaks down your options honestly, highlights the real trade-offs, and offers some alternatives you might not have considered. Whether you’re a long-time resident of Tottenville or you just moved to New Dorp, this is your roadmap to a smarter commute.

The Core Challenge: Getting Off the Island

Let’s start with the obvious: Staten Island is an island. Unlike the rest of New York City, there’s no subway connection to Manhattan, Brooklyn, or anywhere else. Your options for leaving come down to two chokepoints:

• The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge — connecting Staten Island to Brooklyn, but infamous for brutal rush-hour traffic on the Staten Island Expressway (I-278) leading up to it.
• The St. George Ferry Terminal — your gateway to Manhattan via the free Staten Island Ferry, but requiring additional connections once you land in Whitehall.

Every commuting option involves one of these two routes. Understanding their limitations and how to work around them is the first step to improving your daily travel.

Your Commuting Options: A Realistic Breakdown

There’s no single “best” way to commute from Staten Island. It depends on where you live, where you work, and what you’re willing to tolerate. Here’s an honest look at each option.

The Staten Island Ferry: Free, But at a Cost

The Staten Island Ferry is iconic, and the price is right: it’s completely free. For commuters heading to Lower Manhattan, it can be a reasonable option, especially if you live near St. George or don’t mind the Staten Island Railway connection.

The Upside:

• It’s free and you can’t beat that price.
• It’s scenic and relatively predictable.
• You can use the 25-minute crossing to read, work, or just decompress.

The Downside:

• Time adds up fast. The 25-minute ride is just the beginning. Add waiting for the ferry, walking to and from terminals, and connecting to the subway, and your commute can easily hit 90 minutes or more.
• Rush hour crowds are no joke, especially on the return trip.
• Off-peak frequency drops, so missing a boat can mean a long wait.

The Express Bus: The One-Seat Ride

For many Staten Islanders, the MTA’s express buses, routes like the SIM1, SIM3, SIM4, and SIM30 are the default choice. They pick up throughout the island and drop you directly in Manhattan.

The Upside:

• A true one-seat ride, no transfers required.
•  Comfortable seating; you’re guaranteed a spot.
• Multiple routes serve different neighborhoods (Annadale, Eltingville, Great Kills, and more).

The Downside:

• The cost. At $7.00 per ride, commuting by express bus can run you over $300 a month.
• Traffic on the Verrazzano and the Gowanus Expressway in Brooklyn can make commute times wildly unpredictable.
• You’re still at the mercy of whatever happens on I-278.

Driving: The Illusion of Freedom

Driving yourself seems like the ultimate flexibility—you leave when you want, in your own car, with your own music. But for Staten Island commuters heading into Manhattan or Brooklyn, that freedom comes with serious strings attached.

The Upside:

• Your own space, on your own schedule.
• Door-to-door convenience (at least on the Staten Island side).

The Downside:

• The Verrazzano toll. Even with an E-ZPass and the carpool discount, you’re looking at significant monthly costs.
• Parking in Manhattan can run $400–$600 per month, if you can even find a spot.
• The Staten Island Expressway and Gowanus are parking lots during rush hour.
• The stress of sitting in traffic isn’t worth underestimating.

A Better Way? Rethinking Your Commute

Here’s the good news: you’re not limited to the three options above. Some Staten Islanders have found smarter combinations or alternatives that cut down on stress, save money, or both.

The Hybrid Commute: Ferry + Private Car

If you work in Midtown or Uptown and dread the crowded subway connection from Whitehall, consider a hybrid approach: take the free ferry to Manhattan, then use a private car service to complete the last leg to your office. You avoid the subway crush, arrive at work composed, and only pay for the short crosstown or uptown ride.

The Group Commute: Vanpooling & Corporate Shuttles

If several of your neighbors or coworkers make the same commute, vanpooling can dramatically reduce costs and stress. A single vehicle picks everyone up at a designated spot, maybe the parking lot of your local supermarket or a park-and-ride, and drives directly to your workplace.

Many companies are now offering corporate commuter shuttles as an employee perk. A direct van service in Staten Island can pick up 10–14 people and deliver them straight to the office—no transfers, no subway, no fighting for a seat on the express bus. If your company doesn’t offer this yet, it might be worth starting the conversation with HR.

The Off-Peak Commute: If Your Schedule Is Flexible

If your job allows any flexibility, adjusting your schedule can make a world of difference. Leaving before 7:00 AM or after 10:00 AM avoids the worst of the Verrazzano congestion. The same applies on the return trip, leaving the office at 4:00 PM or after 7:00 PM means a dramatically faster ride home.

This won’t work for everyone, but even shifting your schedule by 30–45 minutes can shave significant time off your commute.

Commuting to Other Boroughs

Not everyone works in Manhattan. If your job is in Brooklyn, Queens, or even the Bronx, here’s what you’re dealing with and how a private service can help.

Commute	Public Transit Challenge	Private Service Solution
Staten Island to Brooklyn	Multiple bus/subway transfers; can involve going through Manhattan	Direct ride over the Verrazzano—30–45 minutes in light traffic
Staten Island to Queens	Can take 2+ hours via ferry and subway; no direct public transit option	Direct via Belt Parkway/BQE—avoids Manhattan entirely
Staten Island to The Bronx	A logistical nightmare; requires ferry + subway + transfer, or multiple buses	A straight shot, albeit a long one—but one vehicle, no transfers

FAQ for the Staten Island Commuter

What is the average commute time from Staten Island to Midtown Manhattan?

It depends heavily on your starting point and mode of transport, but plan for 75–90 minutes by express bus or ferry + subway during rush hour. Driving can be faster or much slower, depending on traffic.

Is the express bus worth the cost?

For many commuters, yes—the one-seat ride and guaranteed seating provide significant quality-of-life benefits. But at $7.00 per ride, it’s worth calculating your monthly spend and comparing it to alternatives like vanpooling.

Are there any discounts for the Verrazzano Bridge toll?

Yes. Staten Island residents can apply for the Staten Island Resident Discount Program, which significantly reduces the toll for E-ZPass users. Carpools with three or more occupants also qualify for additional discounts during peak hours.

How can I convince my company to offer a commuter shuttle?

Start by gauging interest among coworkers—if several employees live on Staten Island, there may be enough demand. Present it to HR as an employee retention and productivity benefit. Many transportation providers, including companies that offer corporate transportation in NYC, can work with employers to set up regular routes.

The Bottom Line

The Staten Island commute is tough, no sugarcoating that. But with the right strategy, it doesn’t have to define your day. Whether you optimize your current routine, combine options in creative ways, or explore private alternatives, small changes can make a big difference.

And if you’re tired of the daily grind? Get a quote for a private commuter van and see if it’s a fit for you and your colleagues. Sometimes the best investment you can make is in a better commute.