Roosevelt Island Tram Guide: How to Ride It and What to Do After
The Roosevelt Island Tram is most useful when the ride leads somewhere. Treat it as public transportation with a memorable view, then spend time walking the island instead of immediately riding back.
Easy to combine with Midtown East or Upper East Side.
Use current official fare information before traveling.
Waterfront paths make the trip more worthwhile.
The ride is short; the view is the point
The tram crosses the East River quickly, offering a high perspective of the river, Queensboro Bridge and Midtown East. Do not expect a long aerial sightseeing tour.
Continue on Roosevelt Island
Walk the waterfront and choose either a shorter central loop or a longer route toward the island’s northern or southern ends. The experience is more satisfying when the tram is the beginning of the visit, not the entire visit.
Use it as part of an East Side day
The Manhattan terminal works naturally with Midtown East and the Upper East Side. This makes the tram an easy scenic break without requiring a major cross-city detour.
Check service conditions before you go
Because the tram is working transportation infrastructure, maintenance or operating changes can affect service. Check the official operator before building a time-sensitive itinerary around it.