Honesty this was such a unique experience in the heart of a city! To take this random tram ride just to go over to Roosevelt island was really cool! The operators were so nice and we went at a really good time because it wasn't commuter hours so it wasn't crowded. I'm so glad that we went on TikTok and found out about this unique little adventure! read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway - Views - Public Transportation Near Me - New York, New York

The views are great and it's just a fun thing to do, especially in such a huge city. Each tram fits a bunch of people so probably not best for those who are claustrophobic, but it is a cool experience. Hopefully you get to stand near a window and can witness the awesome views! read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway What a nice simple tram with great views of the city and a cheap way to kill time and get some great views even if you go one way and hop back and just go back. Was a nice secret, but social media has made this draw alot m of people here read more

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I love the RI Tramway. It's beautiful. When I lived in the UES I used to take the Tram almost every night so I can enjoy the solitude of Roosevelt Island. The hours for the tram are very generous. It's always clean and steady in the cars. read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway - Public Transportation Near Me - New York, New York

A very inexpensive way to get an aerial view of NYC. I recommend this for the latter part of your visit to NYC rather than your first day, so you can appreciate this viewpoint more. Also recommend during sunset. Once you arrive to Roosevelt Island, there's not much to do there. A Starbucks by the other subway stop. read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway - Aerial view of Brooklyn Bridge to Roosevelt Island and back - Public Transportation Near Me - New York, New York

I'm normally scared of slow moving things like this with heights but this is actually really safe and cool. I have family at Roosevelt island and have taken this tram several times to visit them. It's safe and convenient read more

The Tramway is definitely worth. Riding the tram is a great experience, and you get amazing views of the city along the way. It's a fun and unique attraction that gives you a different views to the city, highly recommended. read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway - Public Transportation Near Me - New York, New York

What a beautiful way to see a different side and area of New York. Crossing over from Manhattan over the East River to Roosevelt Island. I highly recommend taking this both in the daytime and the evening if you can. I think this is a great thing to experience. The cost was $5.80 round trip. This is a way New Yorkers and guests get to Roosevelt Island. So please keep that in mind. It is not necessarily a tourist thing to do, it is a form of public transportation. We did not have too much interaction with the staff. The got in the tram car, and did their job. But, they did smile, always and added bonus. Nothing negative here. The car and the station were pretty clean. The car is a pretty good size. When we went it was a Saturday morning in mid October around 10am. It was not crowded at all. We were able to get the spot we wanted both trips. read more

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STEPH JUDGEMENT: Unique and fun way to cross the East River to Roosevelt Island. We'd never been to Roosevelt Island so wanted to check it out, and then we found out there was a tram (in addition to subway and bus), so of course we had to try it! We realized that we had seen the tram before, in the movie Problemista (a wonderfully wacky movie by Julio Torres with Cate Blanchett). At the time it didn't register that it was a real thing, lol. It was crowded with tourists like us on the morning of our visit, and only one car was working so we did have a wait, but it was so worth it! The cars were clean and well-maintained, and while it was a bit warm and stuffy when we first got on, once the tram got going air flowed in through the open windows and it was quite nice. It was clear and beautiful on the day on our ride, affording magnificent views of the river and the buildings on either side. Definitely worth the cost of admission, which was $2.90, as of this writing. read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway - Public Transportation Near Me - New York, New York

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One of my favorite things to do in NYC. Take the subway to 59th and 2nd. You then get on the tram the cost is the same as a subway ride. There you will get a nice view of the city. You can also get off and view the city. Near the Queensboro Bridge. My only gripe is that some of the windows are very dusty and dirty which makes viewing the city a little challenging. Best times to visit is 10-3pm. Avoid the rush hour times. read more

Is it a tourist attraction or public transit or both? While not as useful as the F-train MTA station on RI, the tram has been there for people and certainly has its charms. The views are nothing but spectacular, day or night. The tram frequency is decent. Seating is limited and it can get packed. Sadly, the Manhattan station is nowhere near anything interesting and there is no free transfer to any subway line. Nonetheless it's a must do for tourists visiting the island. read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway - Public Transportation Near Me - New York, New York

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Fun way to get on and off the island. Easy to enter and exit. Cool views if you are by the window Standing only, typically crowded. read more

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Why take the subway to Roosevelt Island, when you can take the tram? It's part of the MTA, so it costs the same as the subway or bus. We took the tram on a Sunday, and only had to wait one cycle. I imagine this could be a long wait during a weekday. Great views, so worth it. read more

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It's drizzling but we have to see Roosevelt Island via the Tramway so, we hopped into the ride to visit the landscape. Smooth ride for 2.90 each way the ride was smooth and the small jolts made it exciting and fun. The tram staff were nice and very helpful and it was also super clean and tidy. The ride was about 10 minutes but the experience seemed lifetime; the flowers were blooming, the streets were clean and peaceful and the restaurants were reasonable. read more

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Such a cool experience in the city although I do wish that they limited the amount of people that can get in more since it was just so crowded and then it gets hot in the summer. Tram was short and views were beautiful and just so cool to see New York that way. Super easy and efficient which was a plus. Would definitely prefer the tram over the subway to the island. read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway - Public Transportation Near Me - New York, New York

This is such a cool way to transport into Roosevelt Island. I love how cheap it is in price versus how great of an experience you get. This is definitely where you want to go and ride as a tourist. I went with my family and it was pretty fun.. You get great views of both sides. read more

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A great short scenic aerial tram ride to Roosevelt island. You'll soar over the East River and see fantastic views of NYC and the island. And it only costs $2.90! We had a Omni subway pass, so we were covered. A must do! read more

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We decided to ride the Roosevelt Island Tramway at night. It was a short ride, we were dropped off at Governors Island, stayed for a while, and then rode the tramway back. It's $2.90 each way, per person. You can pay with your phone as long as you have a digital wallet set up. Overall, cool experience. read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway - Public Transportation Near Me - New York, New York

Roosevelt Island Tramway is a great way to cross the East River from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. It makes for a good date night or solo trip to the island to dine, stroll, or simply engage in leisure activity. The tram runs every 7-15 minutes. For $5.80 roundtrip, you can't beat this deal. It costs just as much as the subway. Up to three children, 44-inches tall and under, ride for free on the tram when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. There are only two stops (59th & 2nd Ave and Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island). Passengers must exit at each stop, pay return fare, and re-enter the platform to return. Since the ride is only a few minutes, most of the space is standing room, with limited bench seating at both ends of the tram. The sunrise and sunset rides are perfect opportunities to catch epic shots of the NYC skyline. Virtually every vantage is a good one since the tram has 360 glass windows. However, there are times when the windows on the trams are filthy with bird droppings, making it difficult to view and take quality photos. Overall a very good experience. It would be even better if the windows were cleaned more frequently. read more

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Great views from the tram if you can get a good spot. Required a metro payment to get onboard. Very hot and cramped when we went in July. Also enjoyed Roosevelt Island and got some nifty pictures with part of the NYC skyline in the background. Definitely worth a go as a tourist if you have extra time! read more

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As most New York natives will tell you, the best way to experience the city is either by bike or from above, taking in the skyline. My cousin and I recently did the latter by visiting the Roosevelt Island Tramway. You can catch it on 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. It's a popular tourist destination, but as a local, I never found it particularly appealing. However, my cousin, visiting from South America, was eager to see it. To me, the tram is essentially just a glorified train ride--locals know it's comparable to the M and F trains that run in the area. But for her, it was more of an adventure. The ride itself is short--about six minutes round trip--and costs $5. It's really more of a photo opportunity than anything else. I will say the nighttime views are nice, with the city lights and traffic creating a scenic backdrop. However, the windows on the tram are dirty inside and out, which takes away from the experience. It's also quite crowded, so expect a tight squeeze. If you're trying to take videos or photos, you may need to maneuver around other passengers. Now, here's a heads-up: if you're taking someone like my cousin--or perhaps a girlfriend from out of town who's social-media-conscious and prioritizes cute, glamorous moments over practical planning--be aware that there's not much to do once you're on Roosevelt Island. The main attractions are open fields and some small shopping outlets that, honestly, don't compare to what you'd find in Midtown Manhattan. Would I recommend the tram for first-timers? Sure, especially for those unfamiliar with New York City culture or lifestyle. But if you're a local, it's not something you need to prioritize--it's more of a one-and-done experience. If you or she are photographers--not just people snapping selfies--and are interested in capturing unique aspects of the city, like the water, greenery, or some of the statues on the island, then it might be worth your trip. It's certainly quiet--arguably the most peaceful spot near Manhattan. read more

Absolutely a must for any nyc trip! This offers the best view of the city for only a single $2.90 ticket price. The tram will take you over the water to roosevelt island where you can walk around. Then you can ride it back on the other side and see the other buildings. It can get crowded so get on first! read more

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Took the tram on a Friday afternoon in the summer and it was surprisingly packed for the time of day. Tourists and commuters alike were cramming onto the tram when it arrived. It honestly felt like a hazard with how cramped it was in the waiting area. People love to push forward. The ride itself was quick but it does offer up some views of the city and the tram moves smoothly so it's not a very rough ride. read more

Pretty cool tram to Roosevelt Island! You can use your card to pay. Pretty good deal and you get to check out the island and roam around. It's pretty nice views of the city and bridges. I love checking out the bridges!! read more

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YOU HAVE TO TOTALLY DO THIS!!! We had no idea that this existed, happened to notice it on a show we were watching (ironically while we were in town). We paused the show and googled it and put it on our to-do list while we were in town. Easy to get on and off. You can purchase your pass when you get there (as of Jan 2025, $9). You'll want to be mindful of whether you're on the north or south side on your way there, then be on the other side on the return trip so that you can see everything. We went during the day but I imagine it's totally different at night. You need to do this. Like, really! read more

Fucking tourist trap! They fill the tram like a bunch of sardines. No room to take a photo or even enjoy the view!

I have not taking the Tram in a while. It is a cool way to get to Roosevelt Island from Manhattan and vice versa. You can see great views of the East River. I believe it costs the same as the buses and subways. Unless it changed and I don't know about it. There are not many seats on the tram so most people stand. Its a very short ride though. They have two bench like seating on either end of the tram. Great way to travel, though I do not think one should if they are afraid of heights. read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway - Public Transportation Near Me - New York, New York

This is a fun ride, especially if you're new in the city and with kids. We went on a cold day so there wasn't much to do on the island itself. But I enjoyed the ride on the tram just the same. The only downside were the dirty windows that obstructed the amazing view, but I understand that it's not possible to have them speck free all the time. But there should have more activities on the island to make it a better attraction. read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway - Public Transportation Near Me - New York, New York

This is yet one more way to travel around this fantastic city. The tram was pretty full on our visit both to and from the island. It is a pretty smooth ride with only one big sway or motion during the ride. The ride itself is just a few minutes long. It has some great views and photo opportunities if you are near the windows. I would definitely recommend taking the tram at least once. On the way over the engineer was friendly and kind of engaging. I wish they had more bathrooms in the actual station. I only saw one single stall and it was locked. read more

Roosevelt Island Tramway - Public Transportation Near Me - New York, New York

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Terrible- no longer has views of NYC because the windows are covered by tint and advertisements to dissuade visitors and reduce crowds- very long lines and crammed into tight cabin but no longer able to see anything- NOT worth it, avoid and save yourself the time and money read more

very nice and great veiws! for cheap! very crowded but would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to see a great skyline

On my list for years, on my 11th NYC visit I finally made it. It's great, try to go near sunset to enjoy the view over Manhattan. It is packed, hanging back to catch the next car can be advantageous if you want window seats facing front or rear. read more

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Even though we could have taken the subway, we opted to take the tram to Roosevelt Island because we wanted to try something different and enjoy the view, and at $2.75, it was the same price as taking the subway. Seating is minimal and it was quite crowded, but the ride is only about four minutes. While the tram ride isn't so special that I would take it on a regular basis unless it was the most convenient option, as a tourist, it was a nice way to get an inexpensive view of the city. I was fortunate to be able to stand near a window to get a view (which was the whole point of taking the tram), but there was what appeared to be a piece of snot smeared on the window -- gross! [Yelp collections: East Coast 2022; NY Summer 2022; Planes, Trains, and Automobiles] read more

It is still the most reliable transportation to get to Roosevelt Island in my opinion. The only train that goes there is the F train and usually, there is always a delayed. The Q102 goes to Roosevelt Island to LIC. It runs every 15-20 mins or so. I do like riding the RI tramway since the workers are professional and friendly. I always enjoyed my ride when I come to visit. You can use your metro card as well as an unlimited metro card to go through the turnstile. I do wish they upgrade their system so that you can use OMNY (tap phone/credit card). I know it can be useful for people, especially tourists, and locals. read more

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Such a rad experience. Was previously in town back in January and this was something we ran short on time of doing. Got to do this on 8-10-25 and it ended up being incredible great views nice summer sunny day. Super underrated. read more

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The place is easy to find, and you can pay $2.90 with a Metro card or OMNY/ credit card/phone. It gets really crowded, and not everyone can enjoy the view. Be fast to catch a good spot. Overall, the experience is incredible. The Roosevelt island itself has a nice park and a lot of places for pick-nick. There are a lot of geese there at this time, and later, lots of gducklings later. read more

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The Roosevelt Island Tramway is the perfect way to be able to experience Roosevelt Island. The ride over is very quick and it provides much better views than the subway would. It can be rather crowded on board but there are a few seats available. You can use your metro card and it costs the same as riding the subway. If you have an unlimited pass it will also work here! If you don't have a metro card you can buy one in person but there can be long lines to do that depending on when you arrive so if you are in a hurry then it is better to buy in advance and load the card beforehand. Would definitely recommend riding this at least once while you are in NYC! read more

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The view is amazing and it is a 4 min one way tramway. And you can use your metro pass to pay the ticket. But I went there is 3 pm, and it had a loft of people in it already. But on my way back it will be a long commute. read more

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This tramway is uniquely built to span the East river to connect people from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. Supposedly it was the first tramway built in the United States back in the 70s. My guess is that it's not as fast as a bicycle going downhill but it moves along at a good steady pace from the way it felt to me. The passenger cabs aren't small and I'd say there were over a hundred people in it. The trip is a bit over a half mile to cross. read more

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Want a jaw-dropping view of the New York skyline and the East River for the price of a subway ride? Take the Roosevelt Island Tramway. The tram runs every 7-15 minutes from 59th Street and 2nd Avenue in Upper East side Manhattan to Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island. I didn't have a metro card, but luckily the pay station accepts credit cards. Just note you can't use your iPhone to pay here, like you can at other subway stops. Mid-day on a cloudy weekday, the trams are pretty much empty. Stunning views available everywhere from inside the cabin. Wow! read more

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