Getting to Governors Island, New York City

The NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam is held at PICNIC POINT on Governors Island. Governors Island is only accessible via ferry. Picnic Point is about a mile (20 city blocks) from the ferry dock on Governors Island. There is a tour tram that can shuttle you to Picnic Point, or you can bring your bike to the island or rent a bike while there. You can also walk, of course!

The Governors Island Ferry is FREE for pedestrians and departs from Lower Manhattan at the historic Battery Maritime Building located at 10 South Street, adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry. This is the departure ferry for all show cars as well.

Spectators please note that ferry service on show day also runs from Brooklyn in various locations, and also from Queens. (No show cars on these ferries.) Visit the Governors Island website to access all pedestrian ferry schedules.

Subway Directions to Lower Manhattan Ferry (Battery Maritime Building)

Take the 1 or 9 train to: South Ferry Station
Take the 4 or 5 train to: Bowling Green station
Take the R or W to: Whitehall St. Station

Driving directions to Lower Manhattan Ferry (Battery Maritime Building)

Only registered show vehicles are allowed on the island on show day. For all other vehicles, there is garage parking across the street from the Battery Maritime Building, at 1 New York Plaza, for a fee.

  • Driving from the East Side of Manhattan:

    Take the FDR Drive to Exit 1, South Ferry. As you exit, stay in the left lane and turn left around the (left) u-turn at the end of the street in front of the Staten Island Ferry terminal. The Governors Island Ferry is the large green and pink historic building next to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.

  • Driving from the West Side of Manhattan:

    Take the West Side Highway/West Street toward the FDR Drive -- you will drive around the tip of Lower Manhattan and go through an underpass. When you emerge from the underpass, take the first exit, Exit 1, Staten Island Ferry. Stay left, and make a left-hand u-turn onto South Street going south. Stay to your turn left and make the (left) u-turn at the end of the street in front of the Staten Island Ferry terminal. The Governors Island Ferry is the large green and pink historic building next to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.

  • Driving local streets in Manhattan:

    Take Broadway south onto Whitehall Street. Turn left onto Water Street. Go one block and turn right onto Broad Street. Go one block and turn right onto South Street. Go to the left land, and make the (left) u-turn at the end of the street in front of the Staten Island Ferry terminal. The Governors Island Ferry is the large green and pink historic building next to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.

ARRIVING

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MAP OF GOVERNORS ISLANDGovernors Island Map

Download and print a complete Governors Island map (PDF) with amenities and other details.


TRAFFIC JAM SITE LOCATOR