liberty travel locations in manhattan

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Liberty Travel is a travel agency that offers a variety of travel services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. The company has over 125 locations around the world, including several locations in New York City. If you are planning a trip to NYC, here are some of the Liberty Travel locations you can visit.

Liberty Travel – 5th Avenue

The Liberty Travel location on 5th Avenue is located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, just steps from some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park. This location offers a range of travel services, as well as expert advice from experienced travel consultants.

Liberty Travel – Upper East Side

The Liberty Travel location on the Upper East Side is located on 2nd Avenue, just a few blocks from Central Park. This location offers a range of travel services, including flights, hotels, vacation packages, and travel insurance. The travel consultants at this location are knowledgeable about a wide range of destinations, from popular tourist spots to off-the-beaten-path locations.

Liberty Travel – Financial District

The Liberty Travel location in the Financial District is located on Broadway, just a few blocks from the New York Stock Exchange and the 9/11 Memorial. This location offers a range of travel services, including flights, hotels, cruises, and all-inclusive vacations. The travel consultants at this location are experts in business travel, as well as leisure travel.

Liberty Travel – Queens

The Liberty Travel location in Queens is located in the Forest Hills neighborhood, just a few blocks from beautiful Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. This location offers a range of travel services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. The travel consultants at this location are experts in travel to all parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and South America.

Liberty Travel – Brooklyn

The Liberty Travel location in Brooklyn is located in the Park Slope neighborhood, just a few blocks from beautiful Prospect Park. This location offers a range of travel services, including flights, hotels, cruises, and all-inclusive vacations. The travel consultants at this location are experts in travel to the Caribbean, as well as other popular vacation destinations.

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A Travel Agency Docks a Flagship in Midtown

By Jane L. Levere

• Nov. 20, 2012

While popular travel Web sites have led many brick-and-mortar travel agencies across the United States to shut down in recent years, FC USA, part of the global Australian travel company that owns Liberty Travel, chose to buck that trend and last month opened a 10,000-square-foot storefront on Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.

Since airlines reduced commissions paid to travel agents in the mid-1990s, a move that led agents to charge fees for their services and prompted the growth of online travel services, “the trend really has been consolidation, retrenchment, agencies retooling their business models,” said Douglas Quinby, senior director of research for PhoCusWright, a travel research company. Those that have survived, he added, “have transformed themselves from ticketing agents and resellers of travel suppliers to travel consultants and experts.”

The number of American travel agencies accredited to write airline tickets by the Airlines Reporting Corporation, a company that handles processing and settlement of airline ticket sales, dropped to 14,052 in 2011, from 18,261 in 2007. The new Midtown travel center of FC USA — the American subsidiary of Flight Centre, which is based in Brisbane — occupies a space at 269 Madison Avenue between 39th and 40th Streets once used by the National Bank of Commerce in New York, and, most recently, by Dallek Office Furniture.

The new storefront will house Liberty Travel and other Flight Centre brands and replaces Liberty Travel’s 2,000-square-foot storefront at 298 Madison Avenue, at the corner of 41st Street, where eight people were employed.

The new travel center has 40 employees. FC USA officials said this number would increase to 63 within the next six months. It is one of 23 Liberty Travel storefronts in the five boroughs, out of a total of 159 storefront agencies across 14 states. Founded in 1951, Liberty Travel is based in Ramsey, N.J., and was purchased by Flight Centre in 2008.

The window of the new Madison Avenue travel center contains a 10-by-10 screen that displays photos of destinations and a ticker with travel deals and other information. Upon entering, customers are greeted by a concierge, who can direct them to various sections within a 1,500-square-foot ground floor space. There are areas with agents specializing in airfares and cruises; another for Liberty Travel’s “myTime” free V.I.P. perks; and another for live presentations by representatives of destinations, hotels and cruise lines.

Armed with iPads, vacation experts roam the space to help customers; customers also have access to iPads intended for research (booking capability in most cases has been disabled.) Some brands in the travel center, including Liberty Travel, earn commissions from suppliers like hotels and airlines, while others charge clients service fees.

FC USA was trying “not just to create an office, but a 3-D travel planning experience, with iPads, content, experts, nice design and layout,” said Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst and co-founder of the Atmosphere Research Group.

“Liberty also is very much fighting for its life with this,” he added. “This is Liberty making a branding statement to consumers, airlines, hotels, cruise lines, other travel suppliers and online travel agencies that they’re still in business, that Liberty matters as a business and that they intend to remain in business.”

FC USA plans to open 10 more storefronts similar to the Madison Avenue flagship — as large as 8,000 square feet each — around the United States over the next five years, in cities with high foot traffic, a well-developed public transportation system and attractive rents. Potential locations include Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and San Diego.

Mr. Harteveldt predicted that the new Madison Avenue storefront “has a good potential for success,” in part because of its location, but warned there is “more than a little bravado” in FC USA’s additional expansion plans. “A critical part will be Flight Centre’s ability to acquire the real estate it needs at the right price,” he added.

FC USA’s expansion plans are not likely to be the beginning of an industrywide trend because the company is uniquely positioned to consolidate its various travel businesses in one location, said Arnie Weissmann, editor in chief of Travel Weekly. Dean Smith, president of FC USA, said his company — the 11th-largest travel agency in the country, according to Travel Weekly, with $7.9 million in net profit before taxes in the last fiscal year — drew inspiration from Apple Stores and the John Lewis department store chain in Britain, both of which create an interactive experience for customers.

“Customers can commence their research online, and the travel consultant can help them narrow their choices,” Mr. Smith said.

The new travel center is also based on similar storefronts that Flight Centre opened between 2008 and 2011 in Britain, two in London and one in Manchester; the New York storefront is the company’s largest.

The remaining 3,500 square feet of the travel center’s ground floor is used by employees of other Flight Centre brands that book luxury and corporate travel. The 2,000-square-foot balcony floor is occupied by employees of brands that handle event planning and entertainment industry travel, while the basement contains the 200-square-foot vault of the National Bank of Commerce in New York, which FC USA plans to use for events for small groups.Mr. Smith said he loved the center’s “huge window, so customers can see what’s happening in the store. We want to be very visible. We want people to look in and see that this is a vibrant, interesting place to do business.”

Another selling point of the new space is that FC USA is paying the same rent for 10,000 square feet here that it paid for 2,000 square feet at 298 Madison Avenue. Mr. Smith declined to quantify the rent, but brokers said it was from $600,000 to $650,000 a year.

FC USA is not the only travel agency to grow in Manhattan. Last month, Plaza Travel, an agency based in Encino, Calif., that does $55 million in sales annually, opened its first East Coast branch at 37 West 20th Street. This occupies 2,000 square feet of loft space, where six agents book travel for corporate clients and people in the entertainment industry.

Steve Orens, president of Plaza Travel, said he and his staff liked the neighborhood as well as the agency’s seventh-floor location, which he said offered good views.

He declined to discuss the rent Plaza Travel was paying, but brokers estimated it was around $40 to $50 per square foot, or about $80,000 to $100,000. Mr. Orens said he decided to open the branch because new staff members were joining Plaza Travel in New York. “Instead of putting them in remote home offices, we decided to open up a physical office, where they would have a community to work together, and where sales reps and clients could visit,” he said.

Aside from those in central urban locations like Midtown Manhattan, brick-and-mortar travel agencies that serve ethnic or immigrant groups, such as the Chinese and Indian communities in Lower Manhattan and Queens, also continue to thrive, said Sandra Soellner, vice president of the North American small business division of Sabre Travel Network, a global distribution system that is part of Sabre Holdings.

These agencies are steadily growing, Ms. Soellner said, because their customers frequently return to their home countries. She said customers found the favorable rates and special payment plans often offered by these agencies attractive. They also like doing business face to face, as they did with travel agencies in their home countries.

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Liberty Travel Journeys Into New, Bigger Spaces in Manhattan

By lauren elkies schram july 31, 2015 9:00 am.

Liberty Travel  is spreading its wings in Manhattan, with the expansion of its flagship location and a new retail space in the Union Square area, according to  Friedland Realty Advisors , which represented Liberty Travel in the deals.

The travel agency expanded its flagship onto the second floor at J.C. Dwight Management ’s 269 Madison Avenue between East 39th and East 40th Streets to 3,118 square feet. The asking rent was $55 per square foot. The company already has 10,000 square feet on the ground floor.

Liberty Travel secured a new space at Epic Realty ‘s  25 West 14th Street between Fifth Avenue and Avenue of the Americas. The ground-floor lease is 3,100 square feet and the asking rent was $175 per square foot. The location will open in the fall.

Gene Meer , the president of Friedland Realty Advisors’ New York City office, exclusively represents Liberty Travel. He brokered the two 10-year deals on the travel company’s behalf. Regency Realty Advisors ’  Jeffrey Zund and  Robert Mehlman represented the landlord in the Madison Avenue deal and  Sinvin Realty ’s  Christopher Owles represented the landlord on West 14th Street.

“This is an important moment for Liberty Travel here in the United States as they continue to expand, in New York as well as in other major cities around the country,” Mr. Meer said in a prepared statement.

The other brokers didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Liberty Travel New York Locations

New York, NY

1.212.620.3049

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Liberty Travel New York

Founded in 1951, Liberty Travel is a leading travel agency in New York City for customized vacation packages, vacation packages, guided tours & cruises and travel insurance worldwide. All-inclusive stays, cruises, flights, guided tours, group travel, reunions, girls’ getaways, business trips, destination weddings, honeymoons – whatever you can dream up, Liberty Travel can plan for you.

Destinations : Around the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Products : – Destination Wedding Planning – Free Personalized Vacation Planning – Group Travel Planning – Guided Tours and Cruises – Travel Insurance

Liberty Travel New York Locations :

Liberty Travel Union Square 25 West 14th St, New York, NY 10011 Phone : (212) 620-3049 Opening Hours : Mon – Fri : 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sat, Sun : 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Liberty Travel Madison 269 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 Phone : (212) 689-5600 Opening Hours : Mon – Fri : 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sat, Sun : 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Liberty Travel Park Slope 162 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215 Phone : (718) 230-4137 Opening Hours : Mon : 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tue, Wed : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thu : 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Fri, Sat : 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sun : Closed.

Liberty Travel Bay Ridge 565 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11209 Phone : (718) 921-1889 Opening Hours : Mon : 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tue, Wed : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thu : 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Fri : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sat : 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sun : Closed.

Liberty Travel Bensonhurst 2132 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11214 Phone : (718) 266-8444 Opening Hours : Mon : 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tue, Wed : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thu : 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Fri : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sat : 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sun : Closed.

Liberty Travel Forest Hills 107-15 71st Rd, Forest Hills, NY 11375 Phone : (718) 263-4200 Opening Hours : Mon : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tue : 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wed : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thu : 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Fri : 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Sat, Sun : 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Services Offered : – Free Personalized Vacation Planning – Exclusive Vacation Packages – Guided Tours & Cruises – Travel Insurance

Liberty Travel Parkchester 1370 Metropolitan Ave, Bronx, NY 10462 Phone : (718) 792-2214 Opening Hours : Mon, Tue, Wed : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thu, Fri : 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sat, Sun : 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Services Offered : – Free Personalized Vacation Planning – Exclusive Vacation Packages – Guided Tours & Cruises – Travel Insurance

Liberty Travel Richmond Avenue 2315 Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314 Phone : (718) 983-1000 Opening Hours : Mon : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tue, Wed, Thu : 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Fri, Sat, Sun : 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Services Offered : – Free Personalized Vacation Planning – Exclusive Vacation Packages – Guided Tours & Cruises – Travel Insurance

Liberty Travel Albany (Crossgates Mall) Address : 120 Washington Ave Albany, New York 12203 Phone : (518) 456-8691 Opening Hours : Mon, Tue : 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun : 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Liberty Travel Albany Address : 324 Colonie Center Albany, New York 12205 Phone : (518) 459-1300 Opening Hours : Mon : 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tue – Sun : 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

For more locations visit Website : libertytravel.com

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How To Visit the Statue of Liberty in 2024: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More

Brandon Shaw Last Updated: October 29, 2023

Did you know that approximately 4 million people visit the Statue of Liberty every year? It can get pretty hectic but there are some ways around the crowds . In this guide, we’ll help you plan ahead! Here’s everything you need to know about how to visit the Statue of Liberty from how to get tickets, to the best tours, what to see, and more!

Pro Tip: Planning your trip to NYC? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. See our guide to New York City for more planning resources, our best NYC tours for a memorable trip, and the top things to do in NYC .

Visiting the Statue of Liberty: What We’ll Cover

The Statue of Liberty was a gift to the United States—a symbol of friendly alliance and appreciation. Over the years since the statue took its place on Liberty Island in 1886, many marveled at the sight of this iconic monument as they sought a better life and it came to represent something more—the promise of freedom and the possibility for their dreams to come true. As you prepare for your visit to the Statue of Liberty, here’s what you need to know:

• Opening hours and tickets
• How much time to budget for your visit
• How to get there
• What to see at the Statue of Liberty
• Guided tour options
• Facts and history of the Statue of Liberty
• Where to eat inside and nearby

Statue of Liberty Opening Hours and Tickets

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island, so you’ll need to take a ferry to get there. When you purchase your ticket for the Statue of Liberty, it includes the ferry ride and access to the Ellis Island Museum. Here are the various ticket types:

Ticket Types:

Reserve Ticket : With this ticket, you have access to the grounds and audio guide. However, you cannot go inside the Statue of Liberty.

• Adult: $24.50
• Senior 62+: $18
• Child 4-12: $12
• Child 0-3: Free

Pedestal Reserve Ticket: You’ll get access to everything included in the Reserve ticket, plus access to the Fort Wood Section of the Pedestal.

• Adult: $24.80
• Senior 62+: $18.30
• Child 4-12: $12.30

Crown Reserve Ticket: You’ll get access to everything included in the Pedestal Reserve ticket, plus access to the Crown and Pedestal

There are two ports with departures to the Statue of Liberty. One is Battery Park in New York and the other is Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Statue City Cruises is the only authorized concessioner for ferries.

Battery Park Ferry Hours : 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, every 30 minutes

Planning a trip to see the Statue of Liberty in NYC? Skip the research and book a tour that will save you the guesswork. See our incredible tours and experiences including Lady Liberty.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  New York Guide for more resources.

How Long To Spend at the Statue of Liberty

Short Answer : 3 to 4 hours

When you purchase a ticket to see the Statue of Liberty, you’re actually buying three items: A ferry ride, Statue of Liberty Access, and Access to the Ellis Island Museum. Be sure to keep that in mind.

The Ferry Ride

You’ll start your adventure at either Battery Park in NYC or Liberty State Park across the bay in New Jersey. The ferry works like a hop-on, hop-off bus with stops at Liberty Island (where the Statue of Liberty is) and Ellis Island before returning to the port.

It takes around 15-20 minutes to arrive at each destination. So, there’s just enough time to enjoy some sea views without it being too long.

Liberty Island

Once you arrive at Liberty Island, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the Statue of Liberty. Depending on the ticket you have (see above), you’ll either just walk around the island or climb up the statue itself.

I last visited the area in May of 2021 and I’d say if you are not climbing up, give yourself about 2 hours. Why so long? You’ll want to enjoy the views from the various vantage points.

There’s also a cool little museum to visit where you can see the original torch that Lady Liberty held. There’s an audioguide included in the ticket, but you know how that goes…listen for 5 minutes before you put it in your pocket. We recommend taking a guided tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, which will make your time more memorable and definitely elevate your experience.

Ellis Island

If you’re thinking of skipping this section and just heading back to the city, I strongly urge you to reconsider. When I arrived at Ellis Island, I was very unprepared for the emotional aspect of the visit. My only exposure to the area previously was from the film “The Godfather”. I honestly found Ellis Island to be just as compelling as the Statue of Liberty!

Considering the size of the museum I would allocate 1.5 hours for your visit. The main area you’ll be visiting is all in one building, but it is quite big and it’s on two floors. You will learn all about the influx of immigrants from all over the world (mostly European) who came in search of a better life in America.

Location: Statue of Liberty

Most Popular New York Tours

Best Selling Tour

Before the Crowds Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour

Join us on an epic journey through American history! On this tour you will visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with roundtrip ferry transport included all with a local guide who will describe the city’s amazing history as you visit the picturesque monument.

Top Rated Tour

The New York Met Unveiled: Guided Tour

Visit the most visited art museum in America! You will find artwork from all the world from amazing sculptures to emotional paintings. Your local tour guide will also unveil the secrets of the artists themselves!

Not ready to book a tour? Check out how to spend 3 days in New York .

How To Get To the Statue of Liberty

Traveling to the Statue of Liberty is pretty simple, you’ll be departing from one of the ferry points located either in Battery Park or Liberty State Park. Before you leave, you should plan your journey to these locations. This way, you’ll be sure to get to Liberty Island early and avoid any unnecessary travel complications or stress along the way. 

Battery Park  

Battery Park is in Manhattan, at the southern tip of the city. It’s surrounded by the New York Harbor and the Hudson River. You can get there on the subway, bus, or train, and they’re super easy to access from different points around the city and even out of state.

 If you head to the MTA website, you can set the destination as Battery Park and add your current location for a display of the best route as well as how to purchase transport tickets (they can be purchased online or at the station kiosks). For a point of reference, from Times Square in New York City, you can take the train southbound from Times Square Station (1, 2, or 3) to the South Ferry Stop. From there, it’s a quick 5-minute walk to Battery Park.

The bus is another good option. From near Times Square, you can take the bus from the 5 Av/W 41 St. Stop to the South Ferry stop as well. The MTA website also provides a detailed schedule of bus routes and times from several different points around the city.

Liberty State Park

Liberty State Park is the other popular point of departure for the ferry that arrives at Liberty Island. This park is located in Jersey City, New Jersey, and similar to Battery Park in NYC, it’s easily accessible via public transport that’s provided throughout the state of New Jersey. Newark Penn Station is one of the most frequently used stations in the state and if you leave from there, you’ll have a relatively simple journey to the destination. 

 As suggested on the Liberty State Park Website, take the PATH subway to the Exchange Place stop in Jersey City. From there, you’ll take the Light Rail to Liberty State Park, followed by a short trip on the shuttle bus to the ferry slip. In addition to Newark Penn Station, you can also embark from Hoboken Station and Journal Square in Jersey City. If you’re interested in learning about alternative departure points, the New Jersey Transit website is a great resource to plan your route with ease. 

What To See at the Statue of Liberty

Once you’re on liberty island, there are a few spots that you should definitely visit. Some of these will depend on the ticket you purchased in advance, so keep reading to get an idea. For a more detailed explanation of each area, read our top things to see at the Statue of Liberty.

• Statue of Liberty Exhibit
• Statue of Liberty Museum
• Statue of Liberty Pedestal
• Statue of Liberty Crown (Get ready to walk up 190 stairs!)

Statue of Liberty Tour Options

Unless you’re planning a trip to NYC on a shoestring budget, you should definitely consider a guided tour of the Statue of Liberty. Besides the benefits of skipping the lines that you get when visiting with an expert guide, a tour will simplify your trip.

With round-trip ferry tickets taken care of and a convenient meeting point in Battery Park, you’ll have nothing to worry about except enjoying your time at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Here is our top guided Statue of Liberty tour with great reviews:

Join us on an epic journey through American history! On this tour you’ll visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with roundtrip ferry transport included all with a local guide who will describe the city’s amazing history as you visit the picturesque monument.

See tour itinerary, price, and description

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  Statue of Liberty Guide for more resources.

Facts and History of the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty has some impressive numbers. Here are some cool numbers about this amazing statue:

• Amount of copper used: 62,000 lbs. ( 31 tons).
• Weight of concrete foundation: 54,000,000 lbs. (125 tons).
• The thickness of copper sheeting: 3/32 of an inch, the thickness of two pennies placed together.
• Wind sway: 50 mph winds cause the statue to sway up to 3 inches and the torch up to 6 inches.
• Direction: It is facing southeast so people can see the statue when entering the harbor.
• The Tablet: It reads July 4th, 1776—the date of American Independence.
• The Torch: Is a 1986 replacement. It is copper, covered in 24k gold leaf.
• Height of the Statue of Liberty: 154 feet.

Statue of Liberty History

The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France. In 1865, Edouard de Laboulaye, an important French political thinker and supporter of Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War proposed to create a monument for the United States.

His reasoning was that the victory of the Union in the Civil War reaffirmed the United State’s ideals of freedom and democracy. As a result, honoring the United States would at the same time strengthen the causes for Democracy in France.

Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi was the man that made it happen. Bartholdi was a famous French sculptor, best known for his work on the Statue of Liberty. He was elected by Edouard de Laboulaye as the sculptor to build a monument that could commemorate the kinship between France and the United States as well as appreciation for President Abraham Lincoln’s work.

Bartholdi previously worked with Laboulaye in the designing of his bust and was excited to work on the project that came to life over the span of a few years. Thus, the Statue of Liberty was born. 

How was it built?

The construction of the statue began in France in 1876. Bartholdi enlisted a number of French craftsmen to help in the process of transforming his unique ideas into reality. The various parts of the statue were created separately and then shipped to the United States for assembly in 1885.

Upon visiting New York City, Bartholdi chose Liberty Island as its home because of the high level of visibility, which he described as the “gateway to America.” Most of us can agree that the location was a perfect choice, not only is the statue a signature attraction of the city, it’s a symbol of America and its core ideals. 

Once the statue arrived, assembly began very quickly along with the construction of the pedestal upon which it still stands tall today. The process was officially completed in 1886 and celebrated with a large dedication ceremony that was held shortly after. Around a million New Yorkers came out to revel in the unveiling of the statue, a part of a grand history that was yet to fully unfold. 

Interested in finding out more? Read our article on the history of the Statue of Liberty or join our expert local guides on a Statue of Liberty tour —by far the best way to learn more about this iconic NYC landmark.

Places To Eat Inside and Nearby

There are limited options to eat when you depart for the Statue of Liberty. If you go in the morning, I suggest eating in the city when you return. A picnic is also a great idea. Here are a few recommendations for places to eat:

On the Ferry: There are snack stands where you can purchase refreshments and healthy snacks

Crown Café : $$ | Quick Snacks —This is the only place on Liberty Island where you can actually get food. You can get burgers, pizzas, and even sushi in this cafeteria-style café.

Ellis Café : $$ | Quick Snacks —Same as the Crown Café, but on Ellis Island.

Have a Picnic : Liberty Island is actually considered a park, so there is lots of open areas. Grab some food from a local gourmet grocery store in New York and have a leisurely lunch in the sun.

Near the Statue of Liberty:

Hotdog Truck: A quick and easy way to eat like the locals. I’ve eaten from them hundreds of times and never gotten sick. You’ll find them all over the place. Go for it!

The Dead Rabbit : $$ | Irish Pub —Great pub food and strong drinks. What else could you ask for after sightseeing all morning long?

Where To Stay in NYC

New York City is the center of the universe to those who adore this iconic city. Choose the best neighborhood to stay in as you plan your upcoming trip to the Big Apple.

About Brandon Shaw

Brandon is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He left the States to travel the world at 18 and never looked back! As an official Tour Guide of Rome and Certified Sommelier, he loves to travel the world and share these experiences with his readers.

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Comment (1).

June 12, 2021

Hi Brandon. FYI, ferries from NJ are back open!

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How to Visit the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

March 22, 2021 February 22, 2021 | Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

Last Updated on March 22, 2021 by Sophie Nadeau

If there’s one place which is most well-known in NYC, it’s probably the State of Liberty on Ellis Island. Towering at 93 meters when including the base and torch, the colossal Statue dates back to the 19th-century and can be seen from all across New York Harbor. Here’s your ultimate guide on how to visit the Statue of Liberty, as well as what tickets to purchase and travel tips you should know about prior to your visit.

Editor’s note: If you are looking for the easiest way to visit the Statue of Liberty, in the least amount of time, then I highly recommend booking a guided visit. This will save you planning time, and a single price tag will cover the cost of a ferry, island visits, and all the timings will be planned for you. Book a guided visit of the Statue of Liberty here.

Otherwise, if you want to plan your own visit, then a simple ferry ticket for Liberty Island and Ellis Island can be booked here.

There are two places to take the ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island from the land. Ferries from Battery Park, New York stop at Liberty Island first and then at Ellis Island; meanwhile ferries departing Liberty State Park, New Jersey stop at Ellis Island first and then Liberty Island second.

Fun facts about the Statue of Liberty

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Before diving into exactly how to visit the Statue of Liberty, I thought it might at first be fun to cover exactly what the statue is and why it is where it is in the New York Harbor. Many visitors don’t know this, but the official name for the Statue of Liberty is actually “Liberty Enlightening the World”.

The Statue of Liberty represents the Roman goddess of freedom known as Libertas and was actually a gift to the United States from France in 1886. Indeed, several Statue of Liberty replicas can be found across the French capital city of Paris today.

Located on Liberty Island, New York City, the only way to visit the symbol of freedom statue is via a cruise run by Statue Cruises from Battery Park in New York City and from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. No other companies are permitted to take passengers to Liberty Island.

The cost of ferry tickets also cover the cost of a ferry ticket to Ellis Island, which was once the first port of call for around 12 million immigrants arriving in the United States of America. Today, Ellis Island operates as a museum.

The price of some Statue Cruises’ tickets give you access to ferries, the grounds, the museums, and audio guides on the island. If you are travelling with children, then kids between the ages 0-3 can visit the Statue of Liberty for free. Rather interestingly, Liberty Island is actually closer to New Jersey rather than New York state.

Before visiting, you should know that, as one of the most popular attractions in New York (third only to the World Trade Center Site and the Empire State Building) , the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are busy all year ’round, with Crown access tickets being booked out up to six months ahead of time (but more on that later).

The ferry to the islands can be breezy and so it’s essential that you wear layers. While the summer can be incredibly hot, and being the school holidays is also the busiest time of the year to visit, the winter can be bitterly cold. I personally think that the best time to visit the Statue of Liberty is in the late spring or early fall. This way, you’ll have better weather, albeit it with fewer crowds than those of the summer months.

Statue of Liberty Tickets: Standard, Pedestal or Crown Access?

First things first, if you want to visit the Crown of the Statue of Liberty, you should know that tickets for this are never available on the day itself and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are so popular for this Liberty Island activity that tickets can sell out up to six months in advance, especially for peak season (i.e. during the summer months).

In order to climb to the top of the crown, you will need to be able to climb up to the crown unassisted (there are approximately 393 steps to reach the top, which is approximately the height of a 27-story building) and children must be at least 4-feet tall to climb the crown on their own.

Only ten people are allowed inside the crown at a time. It’s also worth noting that there is no elevator access within the crown and some of the steps can be narrow in places. Visitors should also note that the temperature inside the crown can get very hot during the summer months and so you should bring along water for the climb. Purchase a crown ticket on Statue Cruises website here.

Unlike the crown access to the Statue of Liberty, there are usually some tickets available for purchase on the day of your visit from ferry offices for pedestal access. However, there are very few and these tend to sell out fast. as a result, I highly recommend booking your visit to access the pedestal up to three or four months before your planned trip.

The pedestal is directly under the statue’s feet, which contains a museum. There are 215 steps between the base of the statue and the top of the pedestal. Alternatively, there is elevator access. The Pedestal also rewards visitors with one of the most beautiful views of the New York City skyline to be found anywhere in the city. Purchase a pedestal ticket on Statue Cruises website here.

Standard Access is the cheapest option to see the Statue of Liberty and means that visitors can tour Liberty Island and Ellis Island but won’t be able to go inside the Statue of Liberty itself. These tickets are more readily available than crown access or pedestal access and won’t require planning several months out of your visit.

All visitors can visit the Statue of Liberty Museum, which has been opened since 2019, included in the price of their entrance/ ferry ticket. The standard access tickets are available as both timed ticket and flexible ticket, which will give you a little more flexibility when it comes to planning your visit.

Free audio tours are available to everyone with Standard access to the Statue of Liberty and come in various different languages. In order to get an audio guide for Liberty Island, you simply need to head to head to the booth as soon as you enter Liberty Island. Purchase a standard access ticket to the Statue of Liberty here.

There are pros and cons to both visiting the Statue of Liberty as part of a tour, as well as doing it by yourself (i.e. self-guided). Some of the greatest benefits of embarking on a tour of the Statue of Liberty include that it will be less planning on your part in terms of time and stress.

For example, booking a tour will ensure that you will have an expert guide with you who can answer any of your historical questions. Booking a tour can also be a good last-minute option if you want to visit the Islands but have left it until the last minute. With thing being said, going self-guided can save you money and will allow you to wander the islands at your own pace.

Statue of Liberty tours: which ticket should I buy?

If you’re looking to visit the Statue of Liberty with a tour, then you’ll find a list of tickets below, as well as the pros and cons of each ticket and option. If you’re planning to go the self-guided route for visiting the Statue of Liberty then read on as I cover how to visit the Statue of Liberty on a self-guided tour directly below. Otherwise, a large selection of Statue of Liberty tickets can be found here.

If you are looking for a visit to Liberty Island where all of the planning has been done for you, then you may well want to book this tour. Included in the price of a ticket is a guided walk of Battery Park (one of the best vantage points to see the Statue of Liberty), expedited access to the ferry, and ferry tickets to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Book your tickets here in advance.

If you are staying in Midtown Manhattan (which is where I suggest most first-time visitors to NYC stay at) , then booking this tour will save you from the stress of having to reach the ferry port terminal for yourself.

Included in the ticket price is VIP reserved access to the ferry, rerry tickets to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, a guided walk around Liberty Island (exterior of the Statue of Liberty), Ellis Island and the 9/11 Memorial pools, and bus transportation between midtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty ferry. Book your tickets here in advance.

Whether you prefer a more independent travel experience, want to save some money, or simply prefer to enjoy attractions at your own leisure, then visiting the Statue of Liberty as part of a self-guided tour may well be the best option for you.

In order to go on a self-guided tour, you’ll need to plan your voyage yourself, which can easily be done. Though you can purchase tickets on the day, you can also book your tickets in advance for the ferry (which includes Ellis Island and Liberty Island access), which can be done here.

The most important tip I would give anyone looking to visit the Statue of Liberty would be to book your tickets well in advance! It may come as a surprise to many visitors, but you’ll need to book pedestal and crown tickets months in advance, especially during busy times of the year (i.e. the summer).

Even during the off peak in NYC (winter), tickets can often sell out weeks in advance and so it’s best to plan well ahead of time if you want to be able to go inside the Statue of Liberty itself. As one of the most famous tourist attractions in the entirety of the USA, let alone in New York State, there are strict airport-style security protocols in place before you board the ferry.

You can’t bring along anything you wouldn’t be allowed to bring on an aeroplane so plan accordingly. Visitors who hold tickets to visit the pedestal and crown are also required to go through secondary screenings once on Liberty Island. You must also have a government issued ID which matches the name of your ticket.

If you want to make the most of your visit, then I recommend starting your day as early as possible. Indeed, tickets for ferries departing after 2PM in the afternoon don’t even allow visitors to stop on Ellis Island due to the fact that there is so much to see on Liberty Island itself!

Long lines are a given when you’re visiting one of the most visited attractions in the US and the Statue of Liberty is no exception. When picking a specific ferry time, plan to turn up at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time. Furthermore, if you are going to pick up your tickets on site, then you’ll need to factor in a further ten minutes. 

All ferries are wheelchair accessible, and service animals and authorised guides are also welcome aboard. There are bathrooms available on land as well as aboard all ferries. Ferries take around fifteen minutes between stops, and so if you want to visit both Ellis Island and Liberty island in one day, you’ll want to set aside at least four to six hours of your time. 

Though food options are available on the island, these can be a little on the pricier side of things (as is usual with touristic locations) and so I personally recommend packing along a picnic so as to save queuing time on the island, as well as some money! Be sure to also come prepared for the weather (i.e. sun cream in the summer and a warm jacket in the winter).

Though the animals which roam the islands are adorable (namely the squirrels and chipmunks), you should not feed them for health reasons. Do not bring oversized bags or suitcases as these are not permitted to be taken to the islands and do not bring any weapons.  

How to see the Statue of Liberty for free

When I first read that visiting Liberty Island is free, I was really happy. However, since you need to pay for the ferry to access Liberty Island and Ellis Island, this is not strictly true! However, if you’re planning to visit New York City on a budget, then you may well instead want to skip out on visiting Liberty Island itself and instead indulge in one of the best views the city has to offer of the Statue. 

One of the best views of the Statue of Liberty from New York can be found at Battery Park. 

If you fancy going onto the water via a ferry but a paid ticket is not within your trip budget, then you’ll be delighted to discover that the Staten Island Ferry is completely free. The ferry departs at regular intervals during the day from Whitehall Terminal and passes pretty close to the Statue of Liberty, offering beautiful views of the iconic landmark. Over 60,000 people ride this route on a daily basis!

Although this Statue of Liberty viewpoint isn’t technically free, if you’re not willing to pay to visit Liberty Island but would otherwise like to ascend one of New York’s other vantage points, then the One World Observatory offers one of the best and unparalleled views of the Statue that you’ll find anywhere in the city.

If you really want to visit the Statue of Liberty up close, and don’t want to opt for one of the free options, then there are still ways to save money during your trip to New York if you’re planning on visiting a lot of attractions.

There are several city-wide passes which include a number of popular destinations. One such pass is the New York Pass, which will save up to 45% on over 100 top attractions. Check prices and extra information for the New York Pass here.

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New York City Cruise Along the Hudson River

Unlock NYC aboard the Big City Tourism city tour! What better way to take in the Manhattan skyline than sailing along the Hudson River? Our New York City Cruise will have you floating past New York’s most iconic landmarks.

Hop aboard our quiet, eco-friendly boat where you can enjoy an open roof deck and witness the New York skyline in all it’s glory and get the perfect selfie with Ms. Liberty herself! If you prefer to experience your sail from indoors, the first floor deck is equipped with a full service concession!

Cruise Map Route

Freedom Tower

Statue of liberty.

Brooklyn Bridge

Empire State Building

Lower Manhattan

Hudson Yards & Vessel

Chelsea Piers

Little Island

Ellis Island

Governors Island

The Key Attractions

The Freedom Tower , officially One World Trade Center, stands as a symbol of resilience and strength. It was built at the World Trade Center site to commemorate the lives lost on September 11, 2001. The tower’s height, reaching 1,776 feet, not only pays homage to the year of American independence but also signifies the nation’s unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.

The Statue of Liberty is an iconic symbol of freedom and democracy, welcoming immigrants arriving in the United States. A gift from France, it stands proudly in New York Harbor. The statue’s torch, held high, serves as a beacon of hope, while the tablet she carries represents the law, highlighting New York City’s historical role as a gateway for millions seeking a better life.

The Brooklyn Bridge is a marvel of engineering and a defining feature of the New York City skyline. Completed in 1883, it was the first bridge to connect Manhattan and Brooklyn. Its graceful architecture and panoramic views of the city make it a beloved landmark. The bridge’s significance lies in its role as a symbol of unity, linking two boroughs and fostering economic and cultural exchange.

The Empire State Building is an iconic skyscraper that has dominated the Manhattan skyline since 1931. Its art deco design and impressive height were groundbreaking at the time of its construction. As one of the world’s most famous office buildings, the Empire State Building symbolizes New York City’s ambition and serves as a testament to its enduring influence on global culture and commerce.

Lower Manhattan is the historic and financial heart of New York City. Home to Wall Street, the Financial District, and landmarks like the Charging Bull, this area is a testament to the city’s economic power. It also holds the somber memory of the World Trade Center, making it a symbol of resilience and rebirth.

Hudson Yards , a state-of-the-art urban development, is home to the extraordinary Vessel. This interactive art piece and landmark comprises interconnected staircases, providing panoramic views of the city. The Vessel and Hudson Yards represent New York’s commitment to innovation and modern urban living.

The High Line , a former elevated railway turned public park, is a green oasis amidst the urban landscape. Its adaptive reuse showcases New York’s ability to transform industrial spaces into vibrant, recreational areas. The High Line serves as a testament to the city’s creativity and commitment to preserving its history while embracing modernity.

Chelsea Piers , a waterfront sports and entertainment complex, is a hub for recreational activities. Originally a passenger ship terminal, it has transformed into a dynamic space for sports, fitness, and entertainment. Chelsea Piers reflects New York’s dedication to providing diverse recreational opportunities within the city.

Little Island , a floating park on the Hudson River, is a whimsical addition to New York City’s green spaces. Supported by mushroom-shaped columns, it offers a unique experience for visitors seeking respite from the urban hustle. Little Island showcases the city’s commitment to fostering creativity and providing accessible public spaces.

Ellis Island is a historic immigration station that processed millions of immigrants entering the United States. It stands as a symbol of the nation’s immigrant heritage, capturing the hopes and dreams of those who sought a new life. The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration preserves this rich history, making it a poignant landmark.

Governors Island , once a military outpost and now a public park, provides a peaceful escape from the city. Accessible by ferry, it offers stunning views of Manhattan and serves as a recreational haven. Governors Island represents New York’s dedication to preserving open spaces for public enjoyment and cultural events.

DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is a trendy neighborhood known for its cobblestone streets and artistic vibe. Nestled between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, DUMBO is a hub for creativity, housing art galleries, tech startups, and unique boutiques. Its transformation into a cultural hotspot reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of New York City.

Amazing Views Of The Statue Of Liberty

Convenient location at lower manhattan, bar, refreshment and snacks, an outdoor experience, tradition, history and passion, nyc city cruises & tours, freedom liberty cruise.

Hop aboard our quiet, eco-friendly boat where you can enjoy an open roof deck and witness the New York skyline in all it’s glory and get the perfect selfie with Ms. Liberty herself! If you prefer to experience your sail from indoors, the first floor deck is equipped with a full service concession!

• Unmatched Views of NYC
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long is the freedom liberty cruise.

The Freedom Liberty Cruise is 80 minutes. We recommend arriving 30 minutes prior to your departure time.

What will I see on the cruise?

This unforgettable NYC city cruise takes you by some of the most iconic sites in New York, including the Statue of Liberty, Freedom Tower, Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Governor’s Island, the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

Does the cruise take you to the Statue of Liberty?

The Freedom Liberty Cruise, offers you the chance to cruise by the Statue of Liberty. This provides you with the ideal moment to capture the perfect moments with Lady Liberty; however, please note that the cruise does not include a stop on the island.

Where does the cruise pick you up?

The Freedom Liberty cruise picks you up at Pier 78, 455 12th Ave, New York, NY 10018.

Can I bring food or drink on the boat?

Yes. You are allowed to bring your own food and drink on the boat.

There is also a full-service concession on the first floor of the boat that serves alcoholic beverages, as well non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.

Is there a shuttle service to the departure location?

Yes! Take NY Waterway’s convenient multi-route shuttles to and from our Freedom Liberty Cruise tours! Get picked up and dropped off at major city bus stops so you can join our tours hassle-free.

Closest Subway

• 34th Street – Hudson Yards
• Times Square Terminal: Train 1, 2, 3, 7, N, R, Q

Closest Ferry

• World Financial Center Terminal and Pier 79

Closest Bus Stop

• Pier 78: 12 Av / W 40 St.

Franklin D Roosevelt

The Franklin D. Roosevelt (the FDR), built in 2020, is a 500-passenger catamaran operated by NY Waterway, a company with over 30 years of experience! This ferry includes state-of-the-art marine electronics to ensure the safest ride on the Hudson. This spacious vessel is 109 ft long and 32 ft wide and will ensure a comfortable ride with seating for 200 passengers on its expansive open roof deck and 300 passengers on its Art Deco-inspired lower deck. The lower deck includes large windows that can be opened, concessions, and a bar for an optimal sightseeing experience and NYC harbor cruise.

The FDR is a ferry built to ensure that our impact on the environment is minimized. Operating using the cleanest burning marine engine available in America, the FDR’s Twin EPA Tier 3 Compliant engines will provide you with a quiet ride to reduce both carbon and noise emissions. The FDR’s hull is made of 99% aluminum, further increasing fuel efficiency. Enjoy your NYC views knowing that your choice to sail with Big City Tourism will be a comfortable and environmentally friendly choice!

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Will AI deepfakes and robocalls upset the 2024 election?

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In the analog days of the 1970s, long before hackers, trolls and edgelords, an audiocassette company came up with an advertising slogan that posed a trick question: “Is it live or is it Memorex?” The message toyed with reality, suggesting there was no difference in sound quality between a live performance and music recorded on tape.

Fast forward to our age of metaverse lies and deceptions, and one might ask similar questions about what’s real and what’s not: Is President Biden on a robocall telling Democrats to not vote? Is Donald Trump chumming it up with Black men on a porch? Is the U.S. going to war with Russia? Fact and fiction appear interchangeable in an election year when AI-generated content is targeting voters in ways that were once unimaginable.

American politics is accustomed to chicanery — opponents of Thomas Jefferson warned the public in 1800 that he would burn their Bibles if elected — but artificial intelligence is bending reality into a video game world of avatars and deepfakes designed to sow confusion and chaos. The ability of AI programs to produce and scale disinformation with swiftness and breadth is the weapon of lone wolf provocateurs and intelligence agencies in Russia, China and North Korea.

“Truth itself will be hard to decipher. Powerful, easy-to-access new tools will be available to candidates, conspiracy theorists, foreign states, and online trolls who want to deceive voters and undermine trust in our elections,” said Drew Liebert, director of the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy , or CITED, which seeks legislation to limit disinformation. “Imagine a fake robocall [from] Gov. Newsom goes out to millions of Californians on the eve of election day telling them that their voting location has changed.”

The threat comes as a polarized electorate is still feeling the aftereffects of a pandemic that turned many Americans inward and increased reliance on the internet. The peddling of disinformation has accelerated as mistrust of institutions grows and truths are distorted by campaigns and social media that thrive on conflict. Americans are both susceptible to and suspicious of AI, not only its potential to exploit divisive issues such as race and immigration, but also its science fiction-like wizardry to steal jobs and reorder the way we live.

Russia orchestrated a wave of hacking and deceptions in attempts to upset the U.S. election in 2016. The bots of disinformation were a force in January when China unsuccessfully meddled in Taiwan’s election by creating fake news anchors. A recent threat analysis by Microsoft said a network of Chinese sponsored operatives, known as Spamouflage, is using AI content and social media accounts to “gather intelligence and precision on key voting demographics ahead of the U.S. presidential election.”

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One Chinese disinformation ploy, according to the Microsoft report, claimed the U.S. government deliberately set the wildfires in Maui in 2023 to “test a military grade ‘weather weapon.’”

A new survey by the Polarization Research Lab pointed to the fears Americans have over artificial intelligence: 65% worry about personal privacy violations, 49.8% expect AI to negatively affect the safety of elections and 40% believe AI might harm national security. A poll in November by UC Berkeley found that 84% of California voters were concerned about the dangers of misinformation and AI deepfakes during the 2024 campaign.

More than 100 bills have been introduced in at least 39 states to limit and regulate AI-generated materials, according to the Voting Rights Lab, a nonpartisan organization that tracks election-related legislation. At least four measures are being proposed in California, including bills by Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) that would require AI companies and social media platforms to embed watermarks and other digital provenance data into AI-generated content.

“This is a defining moment. As lawmakers we need to understand and protect the public,” said Adam Neylon, a Republican state lawmaker in Wisconsin, which passed a bipartisan bill in February to fine political groups and candidates $1,000 for not adding disclaimers to AI campaign ads. “So many people are distrustful of institutions. That has eroded along with the fragmentation of the media and social media. You put AI into that mix and that could be a real problem.”

Since ChatGPT was launched in 2022, AI has been met with fascination over its power to re-imagine how surgeries are done, music is made, armies are deployed and planes are flown. Its scarier ability to create mischief and fake imagery can be innocuous — Pope Francis wearing a designer puffer coat at the Vatican — and criminal. Photographs of children have been manipulated into pornography. Experts warn of driverless cars being turned into weapons, increasing cyberattacks on power grids and financial institutions, and the threat of nuclear catastrophe.

The sophistication of political deception coincides with the mistrust of many Americans — believing conspiracy theorists such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) — in the integrity of elections. The Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol was a result of a misinformation campaign that rallied radicals online and threatened the nation’s democracy over false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. Those fantasies have intensified among many of the former president’s followers and are fertile ground for AI subterfuge.

A recently released Global Risks Report by the World Economic Forum warned that disinformation that undermines newly elected governments can result in unrest such as violent protests, hate crimes, civil confrontation and terrorism.

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But AI-generated content so far has not disrupted this year’s elections worldwide, including in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Political lies are competing for attention in a much larger thrum of social media noise that encompasses everything from Beyoncé’s latest album to the strange things cats do. Deepfakes and other deceptions, including manipulated images of Trump serving breakfast at a Waffle House and Elon Musk hawking cryptocurrency, are quickly unmasked and discredited. And disinformation may be less likely to sway voters in the U.S., where years of partisan politics have hardened sentiments and loyalties.

“An astonishingly few people are undecided in who they support,” said Justin Levitt, a constitutional law scholar and professor at Loyola Law School. He added that the isolation of the pandemic, when many turned inward into virtual worlds, is ebbing as most of the population has returned to pre-COVID lives.

“We do have agency in our relationships,” he said, which lessens the likelihood that large-scale disinformation campaigns will succeed. “Our connections to one another will reduce the impact.”

The nonprofit TrueMedia.org offers tools for journalists and others working to identify AI-generated lies. Its website lists a number deepfakes, including Trump being arrested by a swarm of New York City police officers, a photograph of President Biden dressed in army fatigues that was posted during last year’s Hamas attack on Israel, and a video of Manhattan Dist. Atty. Alvin L. Bragg resigning after clearing Trump of criminal charges in the current hush-money case.

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NewsGuard also tracks and uncovers AI lies, including recent bot fakes of Hollywood stars supporting Russian propaganda against Ukraine. In one video, Adam Sandler, whose voice is faked and dubbed in French, tells Brad Pitt that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “cooperates with Nazis.” The video was reposted 600 times on the social platform X.

The Federal Communications Commission recently outlawed AI-generated robocalls, and Congress is pressing tech and social media companies to stem the tide of deception.

In February, Meta, Google, TikTok, OpenAI and other corporations pledged to take “reasonable precautions” by attaching disclaimers and labels to AI-generated political content. The statement was not as strong or far-reaching as some election watchdogs had hoped, but it was supported by political leaders in the U.S. and Europe in a year when voters in at least 50 countries will go to the polls, including those in India, El Salvador and Mexico.

“I’m pretty negative about social media companies. They are intentionally not doing anything to stop it,” said Hafiz Malik, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. “I cannot believe that multi-billion and trillion-dollar companies are unable to solve this problem. They are not doing it. Their business model is about more shares, more clicks, more money.”

Malik has been working on detecting deepfakes for years. He often gets calls from fact-checkers to analyze video and audio content. What’s striking, he said, is the swift evolution of AI programs and tools that have democratized disinformation. Until a few years ago, he said, only state-sponsored enterprises could generate such content. Attackers today are much more sophisticated and aware. They are adding noise or distortion to content to make deepfakes harder to detect on platforms such as X and Facebook.

But artificial intelligence has limitations in replicating candidates. The technology, he said, cannot not exactly capture a person’s speech patterns, intonations, facial tics and emotions. “They can come off as flat and monotone,” added Malik, who has examined political content from the U.S., Nigeria, South Africa and Pakistan, where supporters of jailed opposition leader Imran Khan cloned his voice and created an avatar for virtual political rallies. AI-generated content will “leave some trace,” said Malik, suggesting, though, that in the future the technology may more precisely mimic individuals.

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“Things that were impossible a few years back are possible now,” he said. “The scale of disinformation is unimaginable. The cost of production and dissemination is minimal. It doesn’t take too much know-how. Then with a click of a button you can spread it to a level of virality that it can go at its own pace. You can micro-target.”

Technology and social media platforms have collected data on tens of millions of Americans. “People know your preferences down to your footwear,” said former U.S. Atty. Barbara McQuade, author of “Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America.” Such personal details allow trolls, hackers and others producing AI-generated disinformation to focus on specific groups or strategic voting districts in swing states in the hours immediately before polling begins.

“That’s where the most serious damage can be done,” McQuade said. The fake Biden robocall telling people to not vote in New Hampshire, she said, “was inconsequential because it was an uncontested primary. But in November, if even a few people heard and believed it, that could make the difference in the outcome of an election. Or say you get an AI-generated message or text that looks like it’s from the secretary of State or a county clerk that says the power’s out in the polling place where you vote so the election’s been moved to Wednesday.”

The new AI tools, she said, “are emboldening people because the risk of getting caught is slight and you can have a real impact on an election.”

In 2022, Russia used deepfake in a ploy to end its war with Ukraine. Hackers uploaded an AI-manipulated video showing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ordering his forces to surrender. That same year Cara Hunter was running for a legislative seat in Northern Ireland when a video of her purportedly having explicit sex went viral. The AI-generated clip did not cost her the election — she won by a narrow margin — but its consequences were profound.

“When I say this has been the most horrific and stressful time of my entire life I am not exaggerating,” she was quoted as saying in the Belfast Telegraph. “Can you imagine waking up every day for the past 20 days and your phone constantly dinging with messages?

“Even going into the shop,” she added, “I can see people are awkward with me and it just calls into question your integrity, your reputation and your morals.”

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Jeffrey Fleishman is a senior writer at the Los Angeles Times. Previously, he was the foreign and national editor. A 2002 Nieman fellow at Harvard University, Fleishman was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in feature writing. A longtime foreign correspondent, he served as bureau chief for The Times in Cairo and Berlin, and was previously based in Rome for the Philadelphia Inquirer. He also was a writer on film, art and culture. Fleishman has been a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting and a finalist for the Center for Public Integrity’s Award for Outstanding International Investigative Reporting. He is the author of five novels, including “Good Night, Forever” and “Last Dance.”

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