FDR Four Freedoms Park opened in 2011. Cornell Tech followed five years later. As a result, interest in Roosevelt Island soared. Soon, the Tram, New York City’s cheapest big thrill, caught the attention too.
Courtesy of The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Roosevelt Island Tram Questions Answered
What does the Roosevelt Island Tram cost? Although not managed by the MTA, the Tram operates within the New York City Subway MetroCard and OMNY systems. Transfers are easy between systems, including MTA buses and NYC subways.
Swipe a MetroCard or tap OMNY and most credit cards at turnstiles in either Tram Plaza. Buy MetroCards from vending machines at either location.
Fares are currently $2.90 per single ride, the same as MTA Subways and Buses. That includes one free transfer within the MTA system.
The Tram to Roosevelt Island Is Fast But Ofter Overcrowded
Where is the Roosevelt Island Tram? The most popular access point is the Tram Plaza on 2nd Avenue, between East 59th and East 60th Streets. The closest subway access is from the N, R and W station one block west at 3rd Avenue. Also, one block farther west is the 4, 5 and 6 59th Street station on Lexington near Bloomingdales. Q32 and M102 buses also stop within a block of the Tram. Reach the Roosevelt Island Tram by F Train, one block north, Q102 Bus or NYC Ferry, both with stops adjacent to the Tram Plaza.
How long does the Roosevelt Island Tram take? The Tram glides alongside the Queensboro Bridge for roughly four minutes, although waiting in line may take much longer during tourist season. Times vary a little as the cabins speed up or slow down, depending on need and weather. Cabins rise 250 feet above the East River.
The city spreads out on all sides. Views are great anytime, but nighttime rides are spectacular.
When is the Roosevelt Island Tram open? First cabins sweep skyward at 6:00 a.m. and run at 15-minute intervals until 2:00 a.m. They run twice as often, every 7 1/2 minutes, during rush hours when demand is high and during special events.
If possible, visitors should avoid rush hours when cabins can be cramped, and you’re better off waiting for a better experience and view when local residents aren’t using the Tram to get to and from work.
RIOC Red Buses offer free rides to most Island locations.
Just a reminder…
It doesn’t happen often, but Tram travel is suspended during thunderstorms or high winds.
How do I get around Roosevelt Island? Roosevelt Island, from north to south between channels of the East River, is just two miles long, and it’s an easy walk to Shops on Main in the heart of town, numerous historical sites, the sprinkling of parks throughout the Island, FDR Four Freedoms Park and Cornell Tech.
As unique as the Tram, free, full-size RIOC Red Buses carry passengers to all points. Just watch for frequent red signs and catch a free ride. The buses, like the Tram, are operated by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.
Brief History of the Tram
The Roosevelt Island Tram was built and operating in 1976 as the modern community, envisioned as the City of Tomorrow, welcomed its first permanent residents, planned as a temporary solution until a subway connection was built.
But construction lagged, and by the time the local Subway Station opened in 1989, the Tram was a beloved local fixture. Residents put up a fierce fight, and finally, they won the battle. They saved the treasured system.
Eventually, New York State rebuilt the entire system, except the towers, replacing everything else with newer, more reliable technologies.
Tourists flock to the Tram, which doesn’t disappoint, but visitors’ experiences increase during off-peak hours. Residents rely on the Tram for commuting, and the cabins tend to crowd in rush hours.
Quick Tip: However you find your way to Roosevelt Island, smart visitors stop by the Historical Society’s Kiosk in the Tram Plaza on Main Street. Find souvenirs, maps and refreshments along with helpful suggestions and answers from knowledgeable staff.
The Roosevelt Island Daily News is independently owned and operated.
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You Can’t Be All Three
April 9, 2026, during the full board meeting of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation, Fay Christian said something that should have landed harder than it did. She wished RIOC were not responsible for the tram. Then she asked what it would look like if it were given to the MTA. That was not a passing comment.
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