1. December 2025
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Roosevelt Island Tramway

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Roosevelt Island Tramway

2.90 USD (one-way)
Roosevelt Island Tramway
4

Rating

 4.0/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Iconic public transportation (likely included in your subway ticket)
  • Great views of Queensboro Bridge and Manhattan

Flyctory.com Cons

  • May be very packed

There is a sheer countless list of reasons why one might want to visit New York City. The spirit of Manhattan, the interesting neighborhoods, shopping or the shows on Broadway are just a few of them. A comparably rare one is public transport. The NY Subway is serving the area rather well, but there are also some real icons of transportation. One of them is the Roosevelt Island Tramway, which is connecting rather small Roosevelt Island in the middle of the East River with Manhattan’s Upper East Side. I had a ride and take you there.

 

Roosevelt Island Tramway – Network and Tariff

The Roosevelt Island Tramway is an aerial tramway / cable car connecting Roosevelt Island with Manhattan. The Manhattan station is located at 60th Street / 2nd Avenue. The island stop is South of the subway station Roosevelt Island, served by the F line and is the best alternative to visit this place. The Roosevelt Island Ferry Terminal serving NYC Ferry is in short walking distance as well. There are also buses, connecting to Long Island.

A one way trip with the aerial tramway is 2.90 USD. You can pay by MTA MetroCard or by OMNY (credit card). The connection is part of the NYC public transport. Thus, if you have an Unlimited MetroCard, the ride is included in that.  There is no discount for a return trip. The typical operating hours are between 6:00 and 2:00 in the morning. On Fridays and Saturdays, there are even services until 3:30. Departures are typically every 15 minutes, in peak times every 7.5 minutes.

 

Roosevelt Island Tramway – Technology

The aerial tramawy is operated by the public-benefit Roosevelt Island Operating Coorporation. It has been opened in 1976 and had some updates in 2010, which also includes that the two carriers could run independently. The 960 meter connection is taken with a maximum speed of 27 km/h. The route is thereby right North of Queensboro Bridge, which you will see later in the later section multiple times. The ride is very popular among tourists and an essential public transport for the residents of the islands, so that major lines are not too uncommon. One carriage can transport up to 110 people.

 

Riding the Roosevelt Island Tramway

I had a ride in April 2024. The first pictures reflect the trip from Roosevelt Island to Manhattan. I recommend to try going for a seat in the front of the right window in direction of travel. The views of Manhattan are spectacular and being close to Queensboro Bridge is also memorable. As the first picture suggests, however, space in the car is limited and you might not reach that target. Especially when you reach Manhattan, the views of the bridge and all its traffic heading into Manhattan is really catching.

 

Views of the Roosevelt Island

Below are some views of and from Roosevelt Island, majorly taken in the tramway stop area. It is definitely worth spending more time there than I had to write the report.

 

Roosevelt Island Tramway – My View

The aerial tramway is a really iconic piece of transportation. Visiting the island and enjoying the views of the East Side of Manhattan is definitely worth the trip. Unfortunately, this one is getting very touristic, so I would try to stay out of peak times and out of the rush hour. I really liked this one.

 

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