Fare Structure & OMNY Tap-to-Pay Integration
The Roosevelt Island Tramway is fully integrated into the MTA fare system. The standard one-way fare is $2.90 per passenger.
Turnstiles at both the Manhattan station (East 59th St & 2nd Ave) and Roosevelt Island station accept contactless OMNY payments (smartphones, smartwatches, and contactless credit/debit cards) as well as traditional physical MetroCards.
- • One-Way Fare: $2.90
- • OMNY Contactless: Supported on all entry turnstiles (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Tap-to-Pay)
- • Fare Capping: Participates in MTA 7-day OMNY fare capping ($34 max per 7-day rolling window)
- • Transfers: Free transfers apply between MTA Subway / NYC Bus and the Tram when using the same OMNY payment method or MetroCard within 2 hours
- • Reduced Fare: Eligible seniors and people with disabilities pay $1.45 using designated MTA Reduced-Fare cards
Operating Hours & Cabin Frequency
The Tramway operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year with extended weekend hours. Two independent cabins (North and South) run simultaneously on parallel track cables across the East River.
Crossing duration is approximately 3.5 minutes, rising up to 250 feet above the East River with panoramic views of the Queensboro Bridge and Midtown Manhattan.
- • Sunday – Thursday: 6:00 AM – 2:00 AM
- • Friday & Saturday: 6:00 AM – 3:30 AM
- • Morning Rush (7:00 AM – 10:00 AM): Departs every 7.5 minutes (both cabins in continuous motion)
- • Evening Rush (2:30 PM – 7:00 PM): Departs every 7.5 minutes
- • Off-Peak & Late Night: Departs every 15 minutes
Peak Weekend Lines & Accessibility
Each cabin accommodates up to 110 passengers per crossing. During pleasant weekend afternoons (especially during cherry blossom bloom in April and May), lines at the Manhattan 59th St terminal can exceed 30 to 45 minutes.
Both terminals feature dedicated elevator access for wheelchair users, strollers, and bicycles. Bicycles and personal electric scooters are permitted inside cabins at no additional charge.