Roosevelt Island Tram in New York: Is it worth it?

December 5, 2024 New York Info Comments Off

The Roosevelt Island Tram in New York is a cable car that connects Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. This cable car takes you across the East River from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island in four minutes. During the crossing you have beautiful views of parts of Manhattan, the East River and Roosevelt Island. And in recent years, a cable car ride has become very popular with tourists, but is a ride on the Roosevelt Island Tram worth it? In this blog we will tell you all about that.

The Roosevelt Island Tram in New York

The Roosevelt Island Tram in New York was first put into service in May 1976. And the cable car has been part of public transport in New York since 2003, just like the subway and city buses. And although there is also a subway connection between Manhattan and Rooseveld Island, residents of the island still prefer to use the cable car, because it is still the fastest way to travel to and from Manhattan.

How Long is a trip on the Roosevelt Island Tram?

The journey on the Roosevelt Island Tram takes approximately 3 to 4 minutes and travels at a speed of 28 km/h (8 m/sec). And the highest point of the cable car is 75 meters high.

Is the Roosevelt Island Tram a tourist attraction?

No, the Roosevelt Island Tram is not a tourist attraction in New York. The cable car has been part of public transport in New York since 2003. And the cable car is used every day by residents of Roosevelt Island to go to school or to work in Manhattan. During peak hours it can also be very busy at the entrance to the cable car.

Where does the Roosevelt Island Tram leave from?

From Manhattan you can reach the Roosevelt Island Tram entrance at 2nd Avenue and 60th street. And the streetcar entrance on Roosevelt Island is just under the Queensboro Bridge.

What are the Roosevelt Island Tramway departure times?

The Roosevelt Island Tram runs every 7 to 15 minutes Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. And on Friday and Saturday between 6 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.

How much does it cost to ride the Roosevelt Island Tram?

A one-way ticket on the Roosevelt Island Tram costs $2.90. And in the past you could travel for free on the tram if you had an Unlimited MetroCard, but this will no longer be possible in 2021 because public transport in New York has switched to the OMNY system. With the OMNY system you can pay contactless on public transport with your credit card, telephone or the rechargeable OMNY card.

What are the best times to travel on the Roosevelt Island Tramway?

The Roosevelt Island Tram peak hours are 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM daily. It is therefore better not to travel by tram at these times. A gondola can hold 110 passengers and during peak hours every gondola is really full and you can’t really enjoy the view. So it is best to travel by tram at 6:00 AM if you want to enjoy a sunrise or otherwise between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

The view during your trip with the Roosevelt Island Tramway

If you travel on the Roosevelt Island Tram outside peak hours, you will have a great view of parts of Manhattan and Roosevelt Island when the tram is not busy. And during the journey of about 3 to 4 minutes you can take really beautiful photos and videos. In addition, during the ride you can also admire the architecture of the Queensboro Bridge, which connects the two boroughs of New York, Manhattan and Queens.

What should you pay attention to during your ride on the Roosevelt Island Tram

The Roosevelt Island Tram is not officially a tourist attraction, but part of public transport in New York. Many New Yorkers also travel by tram to and from Roosevelt Island every day to go to school or work. During your ride on the tram, try to keep in mind that you cannot just push everyone aside because you want to take a photo or make a video of the view.

Is a ride on the Roosevelt Island Tramway worth it?

Yes, a ride on the Roosevelt Island Tram is definitely worth it. You have beautiful views during the ride and you can take beautiful photos and videos of the Queensboro Bridge and parts of Manhattan and Roosevelt Island. In addition, a ride on the tram is not expensive and it does not take much time if you travel by tram outside peak hours.

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