new york tourist pass comparison

What Is The Best New York Pass For You In 2024? My Tips After 25 Visits!

How to find the best sightseeing pass for nyc.

With so many different sightseeing passes out there, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. This New York Pass comparison guide is here to help you easily spot the differences between all major New York attraction passes so that you can quickly determine the very best NYC pass for you.

You will also like:

• Try our NYC Attraction Pass Savings Tool
• New York on a Budget

I have visited New York more than twenty times and have tested every sightseeing pass multiple times on my many visits. None of the pass providers have paid me to write about them; my reviews of New York attraction passes and my experiences are 100% authentic. If you have any questions, always feel free to contact me at  [email protected] !

In my New York pass comparison, I’ll show you which attraction pass is the best for you. With it, you will not only save money but also time!

Attention, the prices will increase in March, make sure you get the cheaper February prices now!

Looking for a shortcut? Click here to  👉 compare the NYC attraction passes , 👉  see my personal recommendation  or 👉  calculate your savings with the New York Attraction Passes.

Don't know where to start? Then try THIS!

Want a New York trip that’s as unique as you are? Our New York Pass comparison tool is here to help. Answer two simple questions and I’ll show you the two best sightseeing passes to suit your needs. Make it easy for yourself and start planning your New York visit now!

Question 1: How many attractions are on your itinerary?

Depending on how many attractions there are, this limits the choice of the right passes considerably.

more than 10

Question 2: Would you like to spread your visit to the attractions over your entire trip? Or are you planning full days of sightseeing?

In the first case, attraction-based passes are ideal. They are valid for 2 to 12 attractions.

In the second case, day-based passes are better. With them, you can visit as many attractions as you like on 1 to 10 consecutive days.

I want to see it all and visit unlimited New York attractions each day.

I would like to visit my attractions flexibly on several days and also plan days without sightseeing.

1. Why should you buy a New York Attraction Pass?

Quite simply, they save you a ton of money ! There are nine different New York Sightseeing Passes available which are all slightly different, meaning that you will be able to find one that suits your specific needs. As you will see here, they can make your NYC trip much easier and help you save money & time.

Before my many trips, I often found it hard to know beforehand how much I would save with each of the attraction passes for the city and whether they would be worth purchasing. Here I will share my knowledge and experience with you so that you don’t have the same issues I had.

2. How do New York Attraction Passes work?

All New York Attraction Passes function identically . After you purchase a pass, you have 12 to 24 months to activate it, which will automatically happen when you visit your first attraction.

You can visit each attraction only once when using a pass; the only exception to this is the New York CityPASS . With this pass, you can visit the Empire State Building twice within the same day!

Once you purchase an NYC pass, you will be able to select from several delivery options. The easiest way to obtain your pass is the mobile pass, as it will be emailed to you right away. To use your pass, simply present it at your selected attraction . Attendants will then scan the QR Code and give you your ticket!

3. Comparison: Which New York Attraction Pass should you choose?

So, what is the best attraction pass for visiting attractions in New York City? Let’s find out by comparing them:

Which Museums are included in the New York Sightseeing Passes?

The New York City tourist passes are the best way to save money on entry fees at the NYC attractions. Many museums and exhibitions in New York City like The Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum , the 9/11 Memorial and even the Fotografiska New York are included in the different sightseeing passes. But which are the best museum passes for New York City? Here is a quick overview:

How can I make reservations at attractions with my New York Pass?

It depends on the attractions and your sightseeing pass. At the Empire State Building, you ALWAYS need a separate ticket (it’s free) because you must commit to a specific time and date. For most attractions, you just go to its location and you will receive the next free time slot. You can also choose the time slot that suits you best. From my experience, I have found that this is always in periods of 15 minutes to 4 hours.

• How to reserve with your New York Pass
• How to reserve with your Go New York Explorer Pass
• How to reserve with your Sightseeing DAY Pass
• How to reserve with your Sightseeing FLEX Pass
• How to reserve with your All-Inclusive Pass

4. My recommendations

I have been to NYC more than twenty times and have tested every attraction pass multiple times , so you can be sure that these are real and honest reviews from me!

My top picks

For those who want to visit many attractions and plan with a fixed budget, the New York Pass is the best day-based sightseeing pass. With it, you can visit as many attractions as you like and take as many tours as you want. It is the best “all you can eat” pass in my opinion, also providing the most ‘fast lanes’ and attractions.

👇 Don’t forget to use my promo code “NYP5LOVING” to get an extra 10% off 👇

BUY NEW YORK PASS

If you want to spread your visits to attractions out over several days, or you want to take a break from sightseeing for a day, the Explorer Pass New York is perfect. For me, it is the best attraction-based pass because it includes all the major attractions and tours in NYC!

Note: If you don’t want to take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, get the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass  – it will be much cheaper!

GET EXPLORER PASS »

5. How To Find The Best Sightseeing Pass

Finding the right New York attraction pass is not as hard as it looks. Due to the different makeup of each pass, each one serves a specific purpose!

It’s important to understand a key difference: some New York City sightseeing passes are attraction-based , meaning you choose the number of attractions you can visit beforehand, while others are day-based , meaning that you choose the number of days you can visit attractions beforehand. Besides the type and validity, other differences can be found when it comes to included attractions, advantages, pricing, and discounts.

Day-Based Passes

When purchasing NYC day passes, you will select the number of days you would like to go sightseeing in New York City. During the selected time frame, you can visit as many attractions as you want ! You could also say that these types of passes are all-inclusive passes.

If you want to see a lot in a short period of time, you should go for a day-based pass!

Please note that day-based NYC passes work on calendar days , rather than 24-hour periods, meaning that if you activate your pass at 7:00 pm, you only have five hours left on your first day. Your New York Attraction Pass will only be activated when you visit your first attraction.

• You can visit as many attractions as you want within the time frame you purchase, which may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 days.
• All costs are covered
• Huge savings are possible
• The days must be used consecutively.

These are all day-based NYC Tourist Passes that are currently available. For each, I’ll show you which attractions you can visit with it, how much it costs, and if the pass is worth it!

New York Pass

• Sightseeing Day Pass

New York All-Inclusive Pass

Attraction-based passes.

Attraction-based passes are sightseeing passes such as the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass, CityPASS, and the Go New York Explorer Pass . They allow you to visit up to twelve attractions and are very flexible in terms of time; from the first use, the passes are valid for up to 60 days.

If you want to be flexible and do your sightseeing spread out over several days, then this type of New York Attraction Pass is the way to go!

• Valid up to 60 days
• You do not commit to see any particular attraction, just the number of attractions you wish to see.
• Limited to the number of attractions you selected (3 to 12)

Here are all current attraction-based passes for New York City. For each, I’ll show you which attractions you can visit, how much it costs, and if the pass is worth purchasing!

• Sightseeing Flex Pass

Go New York Explorer Pass

You’re still not quite sure 🤔.

Then our New York Pass Savings Calculator is the answer to all your questions! It calculates instantly which New York Pass is the best for you – individually tailored to your sightseeing. He will also show you if a NYC pass is not worth it.

Try NYC Attraction Pass Savings Calculator

Extra tickets are required here

For these attractions, you must book a separate ticket and present it TOGETHER with your respective New York Attraction Pass at the ticket counter:

6. What is the best attraction pass for New York City?

If you are looking for a shortcut to the best NYC attraction pass right away, here is my list of the best, including alternatives:

#1 The best New York City Tourist Pass for first-time visitors

Especially if you are in New York for the first time and want to see as many of the attractions and sights as possible, the day-based passes are a good idea. My favorites are the Sightseeing Pass NYC and the New York Pass .

They are quite similar, and you will not go wrong with either one. The good thing about these sightseeing passes is that you can see as many attractions as you want!

#2 The best New York Attractions Pass for selected attractions

If you already know exactly what you want to do in New York City, then I recommend the Sightseeing FLEX Pass , New York Explorer Pass (now called Go New York Explorer Pass) or the CityPASS New York .

All three sightseeing passes are attraction based and you can choose exactly how many attractions you wish to see.

#3 The best NYC Pass for families

In my opinion, the best sightseeing pass for families is the Sightseeing FLEX Pass , which I have used several times with my family. With it, you can be flexible with your time, and it offers a 50% discount on children’s passes.

Still not sure? Calculate your savings here .

7. What are the day-based sightseeing passes for New York?

For each of the passes, I’ll show you which attractions you can visit with, how much it costs, and if the pass is worth purchasing! At the end of the section, you can compare which is the better pass for you in the New York Pass vs. Sightseeing Pass comparison.

NOTE: The newest observation deck SUMMIT One Vanderbilt , is not yet included with any attraction pass for New York. Tickets for the One Vanderbilt observation deck can be purchased here .

What attractions are included in the New York Pass?

The New York Pass includes an extensive list of attractions, museums, walking tours, bus tours, and cruises. The Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial Museum, The Edge at Hudson Yards and the One World Observatory are included.

Here is a small selection of the 110+ attractions:

• Empire State Building
• One World Observatory
• Edge Hudson Yards
• Top of the Rock
• Ferry to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
• Circle Line Cruises
• 1-Day Hop on Hop off with BIG BUS (valid for 24 hours)
• 9/11 Memorial Museum
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• American Museum of Natural History

You can find the full list of included attractions here.

How much does the New York Pass cost?

New York Pass prices start at $142 for the 1-day pass and go as high as $399 for the 10-day pass. You save more, the larger your pass is and the more attractions you visit.

Is the New York Pass really worth it?

Yes!  If you visit at least 2 attractions a day, the New York Pass will be worth the money. Compared to other passes, the New York Pass offers most fast lanes , including main attractions like the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock , MoMA, and Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises.

Just like the Sightseeing Pass, the New York Pass includes over 100 unique attractions and tours. The biggest advantage you’ll get when you buy the New York Pass is the access to fast lanes. It offers fast tracks for many of New York’s top attractions, such as the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock.

How to use the New York Pass?

The New York Pass is a great unlimited pass option, ideal for seeing a large number of attractions in a short period of time. Purchase the pass online to receive your mobile pass. You can then show this at the counter when entering the attraction in order to receive your entrance tickets – simple!

👇 Don’t forget to use my promo code “NYP5LOVING” to get up to 31% off! 👇

  BUY NEW YORK PASS

New York Sightseeing DAY Pass

On top of that, our promo code LNYOffer can save you up to an additional 40% !

What attractions are included in the New York Sightseeing DAY Pass?

This day-based pass also has a lot to offer; with it you can visit more than 100 of the most popular attractions. You can visit four observation decks, use the hop-on hop-off buses, and visit the American Museum of Modern Art or the Guggenheim Museum.

• The Edge Hudson Yards
• Hop on Hop off with BIG BUS (1 Day Classic Ticket, valid for 24 hours)

Here you can find the list of all attractions included in the Sightseeing DAY Pass .

How much does the Sightseeing DAY Pass cost?

Is the New York Sightseeing Pass worth it?

Yes!  The New York Sightseeing Pass can save you a ton of money, provides you with a lot of flexibility in terms of attractions, as well as removes a lot of the hassle from your NYC Sightseeing trip. As the pass with the best value for money of the lot, it is definitely worth it if you are planning on up to 10 days of consecutive NYC sightseeing.

In order to get the most out of your sightseeing pass, you should plan on visiting around 2-3 NYC attractions with your pass each day.

The longer you purchase the pass for the fewer attractions you need to visit per day to make sure the pass is worth the money. If you purchase a Sightseeing Pass for 6 days for example (~$334, you get unlimited sightseeing for ~$56 per day, which is below the price of many attractions tickets purchased on their own. This means that you only need to visit one attraction a day for 7 days to make this pass worth it! This is what makes this the best value for money pass of the bunch.

How to use the NYC Sightseeing Pass?

The NYC Sightseeing Pass is a piece of cake to use! After purchasing the pass online, you will receive an email with your pass. You can from here print the pass or save it to your phone. Once you are in NYC and ready to go sightseeing with your New York tourist pass, choose which attraction you want to visit on the go and head towards it with your Sightseeing Pass in hand. Choose as you go, simply show your Pass at each attraction for free admission; easy!

Buy Sightseeing Day Pass

New York Pass vs. Sightseeing Pass

I often get the question whether the New York Pass or the New York Sightseeing Pass is better. While there are differences, both passes are worth the money and you won’t go wrong with either of them.

For both New York Day Passes, the attractions and included tours are almost identical. You can visit all the major attractions, except for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and The Met. Both include a 1 Day Classic Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket and many of the boat and walking tours!

So, what are the differences between the two? New York Pass is a little better in terms of boat tours because it’s the only one that includes the Circle Line Best-Of Cruise (which takes you all the way around the island of Manhattan). The Sightseeing Pass is better in two aspects: first, it is cheaper than the New York Pass with our exclusive discount code (as you can see in the table), and it’s also available in a 6-day version!

The All-Inclusive Pass is managed by the same company as the New York Pass. It functions the same as the New York Pass in how it works, the available attractions and tours, and prices. Since it is quite new compared to the New York Pass, I would recommend the original.

8. What are the attraction-based sightseeing passes for New York?

Note: The newest observation deck,  SUMMIT One Vanderbilt , is not yet included with any NYC pass. Tickets for the One Vanderbilt observation deck can be purchased here .

New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass

It also gives you a large amount of flexibility since you do not need to decide on which attractions to visit beforehand. All that you have to do is show your Sightseeing Pass at the first attraction (included in your pass) that you wish to visit.

Attractions included in New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass

These are what I consider to be the top attractions and tours you can visit with the Sightseeing Pass FLEX (there are over 100 in total):

Here you can find the list of all attractions included in the Sightseeing FLEX Pass .

How much does the Flex Pass cost?

     BUY NYC SIGHTSEEING FLEX PASS

Is the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass worth it?

The NYC Sightseeing Flex Pass is most definitely worth it if you are looking to visit up to 12 NYC attractions on non-consecutive days, all while saving money and remaining flexible during your trip. If you visit all of the attractions you have purchased with your pass, it is definitely worth it alone for the amount of money you can save. It is however also extremely worth it because of the flexibility that the New York tourist pass gives you. Choose as you go, simply show your NYC Sightseeing Pass at each attraction for free admission, for as many attractions as you purchased!

Compared to the cost of tickets individually, you save over 40% with the Sightseeing Flex Pass for 10 attractions. This is quite relaxed possible, because you have 30 days to visit these attractions.

How to use the NYC Sightseeing FLEX Pass?

The NYC Sightseeing Flex Pass is super simple to use. Once you have purchased the pass you will receive an email with a QR code (that you can either print or save to your phone), which you can then scan at attractions to gain free entry.

Does the NY Sightseeing FLEX Pass include the NY Sightseeing Bus (Hop-On Hop-Off) Tours?

Yes! The New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass includes the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours (Uptown & Downtown Bus Loops) which count as just one choice and are valid for 24 hours.

Attractions included in Go New York Explorer Pass

With the Explorer Pass, you can visit many amazing attractions like the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, and the observation deck Edge Hudson Yards, as well as take walking tours, the hop-on hop-off bus tours, and boat tours.

Also included are major museums like MoMA, the Guggenheim, the 9/11 Memorial Museum, and the American Museum of Natural History. Here is a selection of the most popular attractions and tours you can visit with the Explorer Pass (there are over 110 in total):

• 20+ Walking Tours
• Hop on Hop off with BIG BUS (1 Day Classic-Ticket, valid for 24 hours)

Here you can find the list of all attractions included in the Go New York Explorer Pass .

How much does the Go New York Explorer Pass cost?

The prices depend on the number of attractions you want to visit with it:

Is the New York Explorer Pass worth it?

The Go New York Explorer Pass also pays off pretty quickly, in the example I spread 10 paid attractions over 3 days (and a few free ones too) – saving you $135 per person compared to the single tickets. You could also spread them over even more days, after all you have 60 days to use the Explorer Pass in New York.

How to use the New York Explorer Pass?

After deciding on how many attractions you would like to purchase the Explorer pass for, you can make the purchase online for your desired pass. You do not need to decide beforehand which attractions you would like to visit!

👇 Don’t forget to use my promo code “GO5LOVING” to get up to 31% off! 👇

GET EXPLORER PASS

New York CityPASS

You can choose 5 out of 8 attractions:

• Top of the Rock OR Guggenheim Museum
• Ferry to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island OR Circle Line Cruises
• 9/11 Memorial Museum OR Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

How much does the New York City Pass cost?

The New York CityPASS costs $138 for adults, meaning that you pay an average of $27 per attraction. For kids from 6 – 17 years, the CityPASS costs $118. A CityPASS is likely not worth it for kids younger than 6, as many attractions will be free for them anyway. Because the pass is already heavily discounted, there is no further New York City Pass promo.

Is the New York CityPASS worth it?

If you want to focus on museums, the New York CityPASS is an option for you. It is limited to the most important attractions and is also quite affordable. If you also want to do hop-on hop-off bus tours or more boat tours, then the New York Pass , Sightseeing Pass NYC and the Explorer Pass are better.

GET New York CityPASS

9. Other NYC attraction passes

In addition to the options mentioned so far, there are three other sightseeing passes that I’ll briefly name here for the purpose of being a comprehensive NYC Pass Guide. I can’t really recommend any of them, because they don’t offer you more than the New York Pass, DAY Pass, Explorer Pass, FLEX Pass and the CityPASS.

It is rather the other way around: with them you are less flexible, if you change your sightseeing program on the trip. The reasons can be manifold: maybe the weather is worse or better than planned or you spontaneously feel like visiting another sight!

C3 Pass by CityPASS

Recently, the company behind CityPASS New York has started offering two more options: the C3 Pass (limited to 3 attractions) and the C-All Pass, which lets you visit 10 attractions. The C3 Pass is – once activated in NYC – valid for 9 days. You can save up to 36% (depending on the attractions and tours you choose).

Attractions included in C3 Pass

You can choose 3 attractions from these 10:

• The Edge at Hudson Yards
• Top of the Rock Observation Deck
• Guggenheim Museum
• Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• City Cruises

How much does the C 3 Pass cost?

The C 3 Pass costs $96 for adults (13+), the price for children (5-12 years) is $74.

Is the C 3 Pass worth it?

It depends! If you select the attractions whose regular ticket price is the highest with the C3 Pass, you can save up to 36% with it.

However, I personally recommend another NYC Pass – either the Sightseeing FLEX Pass or the Go New York Explorer Pass . Why? Both have a much larger selection of attractions and the popular hop-on hop-off buses are also included. Plus, both alternatives are at least as reasonably priced.

If you’re not sure whether the C3, Explorer Pass or Sightseeing FLEX Pass is right for you, just try my free New York Pass savings calculator ! It will calculate in a few seconds which one will save you the most!

C-All Pass by CityPASS

The C-All pass is a bit of a cheat because its name is misleading. With this pass you can visit up to 10 attractions. You can choose from 11 attractions and boat tours, which are these:

Attractions included in C-All Pass

You can choose 10 attractions from these 11:

How much does the C-All-Pass cost?

The C-All Pass costs $212 for adults (13+), the price for children (5-12 years) is $157.

These Sightseeing Passes are better

As with the C 3 Pass, however, I recommend other NYC Passes for the same reasons.

With up to 10 attractions, both the day-based and attraction-based passes are an option for you. It’s best to try my free New York Pass savings calculator !

Are the New York City Attraction Passes worth purchasing?

I’ve put together two very common itineraries for a visit to New York City that will help you see if a New York sightseeing pass is worth purchasing, and which would be best.

New York City in Two Days

This itinerary includes seven attractions that I spread over two days.

Several of the sightseeing passes are worth purchasing – you can customize and recalculate here , and here is my itinerary for two days in New York City  in full detail.

New York City in Three Days

This itinerary includes eight attractions that I spread out over three days.

With a three-day itinerary, several New York passes are worthwhile – you can customize and recalculate here, and here is my itinerary for three days New York City in full detail.

Is the New York MetroCard included in the New York Pass?

In many cities, the discount passes also include free use of public transportation. Unfortunately, this is not the case with the New York Passes. They cover the tourist attractions and tours, but not fares for the subway and buses. For public transportation use, you need an OMNY account, the new digital version of the MetroCard.

What about fast lanes at attractions?

Attraction passes primarily focus on price, not on time. That being said, the passes do include a few fast lanes that allow you to skip the standard waiting line. However, there are not that many of them, and the CityPASS does not offer any fast lanes. You can, however, upgrade your tickets at the attractions for an additional cost.

Which hop-on hop-off buses are included with New York passes?

We often get the question which hop-on hop-off bus tour providers are included with the sightseeing passes and which loops you can take.

Since Covid, there is only one provider: BIG BUS! All sightseeing passes (except the CityPASS New York) include the 1 Day Classic Ticket. This allows you to do both the Uptown and Downtown loops within 24 hours. Taking both loops counts as one attraction, not as two.

Which New York passes are available in 2023?

There are six main sightseeing passes: the New York Pass, the Explorer Pass, the CityPASS New York, the Sightseeing FLEX Pass, the Sightseeing DAY Pass, and the New York All-Inclusive Pass. In addition, there are three more to choose from with the C 3 Pass, C-All Pass, and the Turbopass New York, but I can’t recommend them to you without some hesitation.

Which New York Pass is best to buy for one day?

Many may recommend the New York Pass for one day, and while it is a good option, I recommend its main competitor, the New York Sightseeing DAY Pass. With it, you can do just as much as with the New York Pass, but it is much cheaper ($129 compared to $142) with my discount code: LNYOffer!

You can buy the Sightseeing Pass for one day in New York cheap here.

Is the Sightseeing Pass for New York worth it?

Absolutely! The New York Sightseeing Pass is available in two options, suitable for every type of travel. The FLEX Pass is an attraction-based pass, which I have used on my last four visits to New York. The day-based version is the DAY Pass. With either pass, many major attractions and tours are included, and you can save a lot of money. With my exclusive discount code, LNYOffer, you can save even more!

You can buy the Sightseeing Pass for New York  here.

Where can you buy the New York Pass?

You can now only get the New York Pass online (with a discount!). I strongly recommend that you buy the New York Pass online in advance; on the official site, there are additional discount promotions that will help you to save even more.

Is a New York Pass worth it for you?

In general, the more paid attractions you want to visit, the faster a New York Pass will pay off for you. You can easily visit two to three attractions per day without any added stress.

Furthermore, the longer that the New York Pass is valid, the cheaper it will be for you. Most of the attractions cost between $30 and $60, and with a New York Pass valid for seven days or more, you only need to visit one attraction per day to make it worth your while. The most popular New York Pass is the New York Pass for five days, making each day cost just under $50.

My tip: Here you can calculate if and which New York Pass is useful .

Can I visit an attraction more than once with the New York Passes?

With the New York Pass, the Go New York Explorer Pass, the Sightseeing DAY Pass, and the FLEX Pass, you can visit each attraction exactly once. Only with the CityPASS New York can you visit the Empire State Building on the same day; once during the day and again in the evening.

Are the New York Passes activated at the time of purchase?

No; all sightseeing passes are not activated at the time of purchase. They will activate when you use them for the first time at one of the valid attractions and are valid for 1 to 60 days, depending on the type of NYC pass.

NYC Attraction Pass Savings Calculator

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New York Pass Comparison

Which city sightseeing pass should you buy.

Latest update: May 13, 2024

In a nutshell

• There are 4 city sightseeing passes with which you can save time and money.
• There are time-based passes (for as many attractions as you want in a limited amount of time) and attraction-based passes (for a certain number of attractions).
• If you want to see as many attractions as possible , we recommend the New York All-Inclusive Pass or the New York Sightseeing Pass .
• The All-Inclusive Pass or the New York City Pass are the best choice if you want to see the most important sights in a short amount of time.
• If you want to visit the major sights without any stress , you should pick the Sightseeing Flex Pass , Explorer Pass or New York City Pass.

In our article we’ll show you which New York passes are available, what advantages and disadvantages they have and which one is the best for you.

Our recommendation for those in a hurry: this is the best New York pass

In this article, we compare all of the New York passes in-depth and show you through detailed sample calculations which pass is the best choice for each type of traveller. If that’s too much information for you though, we can totally understand that.

That’s why, for those of you in a hurry, we’ll start right away with a very brief summary of the article and answer the question: which New York pass is the best?

#1 The best New York pass if you want to see as many attractions as possible:

Best choice: New York All-Inclusive Pass or New York Sightseeing Pass

If you’d like to see as many attractions in New York as possible, the New York All-Inclusive Pass is the best option according to our calculation.

But the New York Sightseeing Pass hardly does any worse here, so it’s worth comparing the included attractions and matching them to your personal agenda.

Depending on how many sights in New York you’d like to visit and how much time you have, you can save more than a hundred dollars with the New York All-Inclusive Pass.

You can buy the New York All-Inclusive Pass here You can buy the New York Sightseeing Pass here

#2 The best discount pass if you want to see the most important sights quickly (in 3 days):

Best choice: New York All-Inclusive Pass or New York City Pass

If you want to see the most important sights in a short amount of time, the savings aren’t very high with any of the passes.

In this case, you can think about whether you might want to buy your tickets individually instead. You’ll still have the most savings with the New York City Pass here, which we always like to use ourselves.

You can buy the New York City Pass here

If you’d like to use the Hop-on-Hop-off-busses as well and rent a bike in Central Park, then the savings with the New York All-Inclusive Pass and the New York Explorer Pass are the biggest.

You can buy the New York All-Inclusive Pass here You can buy the New York Explorer Pass here

#3 The best New York pass if you leisurely want to see the most important sights:

Best choice: Sightseeing Flex Pass, Explorer Pass or New York City Pass

If you want to give yourself a little more time (e.g. 5 or 7 days) and would rather visit the most important sights in New York a little more gradually, you also have the choice between three passes.

The differences of savings between these three passes are not very great. It really just depends on which sights you’d like to see the most. Simply take a look at what’s included in each pass and compare it with your personal to-do list.

You can buy the Sightseeing Flex Pass here You can buy the Explorer Pass here You can buy the New York City Pass here

#4 If you only want to see very few attractions

Best choice: buy individual tickets instead of a New York pass

If you’d only like to visit a very few selected attractions or want to decide what you’ll see on short notice and prefer to be flexible, a pass is generally not worth it.

To avoid having to stand in never-ending lines everywhere you go, we’d recommend that you always get your individual tickets online.

Now you know which passes are the best choice. If you also want to know exactly why that is, then keep reading the rest of our great New York pass comparison. If our brief summary was enough for you, we’re happy to have helped.

How do the New York passes work?

The New York passes are offered specifically for tourists. Maybe you’ve already seen something similar in other cities. These passes are often called City Cards as well.

You buy the passes for a certain amount and can then use them to visit different sights, museums and attractions . Besides that, you can take part in numerous guided city tours for free and take various bus and boat rides .

There are two types of New York passes:

#1 Time-based passes

There are passes that are valid for a specific amount of time , e.g. for 3, 5 or 7 days. In this time, you can go to all of the sights, tours and attractions that are included in the pass.

#2 Attractions-based passes

The second type are passes that can be used for a certain number of sights and attractions . So you buy these passes for 5, 7 or 10 attractions, for example, and are more flexible time-wise.

All of the New York passes now work on your mobile phone too. You used to have to pick up the passes somewhere, which was always a little time-consuming.

Today, you’ll simply get an email with a mobile pass after your purchase. You can then comfortably present it on your smartphone at all sights. You don’t necessarily need internet when on the go, as you can easily save your pass and then show it offline as well.

Alternatively, there’s also the possibility of printing out the pass yourself. Anyone who doesn’t have a smartphone or doesn’t trust their battery-life can choose this option. In any case, there’s no annoying pick up on-site.

What New York passes are there?

In most cities there’s only a single City Card. In New York, there are four offers to choose from. There are actually five, because one of the passes is available in two very different options. That doesn’t make it any less difficult, but that’s what our New York pass comparison is for.

In the following table, you’ll find an initial overview of the available passes. You’ll then find more detailed information about every pass, as well as the advantages and disadvantages.

#1 The New York All-Inclusive Pass

The New York All-Inclusive Pass is one of the most popular and extensive passes for New York.

What does the New York All-Inclusive Pass offer?

The New York All-Inclusive Pass enables access to more than 100 attractions , such as:

• Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory and Statue of Liberty
• The new observation deck Edge
• Around 30 museums
• 1 day Hop-on Hop-off busses with Big Bus
• Boat rides with Circle Line
• Numerous tours

What does the New York All-Inclusive Pass cost?

You can find the prices for the New York All-Inclusive Pass in the following table.

On the website of the New York All-Inclusive Pass, there’s a year-round sale. That means that you don’t actually have to pay the regular prices for the pass, there’s always around 20 to 30% discount on the regular price.

We’ve therefore written the reduced prices directly on the overview as well:

Beware of supposed discount codes for the New York All-Inclusive Pass: discount codes for the New York All-Inlusive Pass circulate on some websites that allow you to get a 20% rebate off the pass. This discount is only on the original price of the pass though. Because the prices on the site are always reduced anyways, sometimes you’ll pay more with a discount code than without.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of the New York All-Inclusive Pass:

• Very large selection of attractions
• The longer the pass is, the cheaper it is per day

Disadvantages of the New York All-Inclusive Pass:

• Only one day Hop-on Hop-off-Bus
• Slightly non-transparent pricing

Our verdict on the New York All-Inclusive Pass

The New York All-Inclusive Pass is especially worth it if you’d like to visit a lot of attractions or want to go on guided tours.

If you want to see only a few select museums and sights, it won’t get any cheaper with the New York All-Inclusive Pass.

But if you want to visit a ton of attractions, you can save over a hundred dollars with the pass.

You can buy the New York All-Inclusive Pass here

#2 New York Sightseeing Pass

Along with the New York All-Inclusive Pass, the New York Sightseeing Pass is the most extensive of all the New York passes.

What does the New York Sightseeing Pass offer?

More than 100 attractions are included in the New York Sightseeing Pass, such as:

• Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty and One World Observatory
• The new viewing platform Edge is included in the Sightseeing Pass.
• Almost 30 museums
• 1 day Hop-on Hop-off busses from Big Bus
• Large selection of boat rides

What does the New York Sightseeing Pass cost?

The New York Sightseeing Pass is the only pass that exists in two different variations :

1. The normal Sightseeing Pass, also called the Day Pass, which is valid for a certain number of days . On these days, you can use all of the attractions.

2. Alternatively, you can opt for the Flex Pass. With this, you decide how many attractions you’d like to visit with the pass beforehand. You then have 30 days to visit these attractions.

Advantages of the Sightseeing Pass:

• In all, the best offers of all passes
• Empire State Building and One World Trade Observatory are included
• All popular museums are included

Disadvantages of the Sightseeing Pass:

• The Sightseeing Pass is expensive
• The two different price models can be confusing

Our verdict on the New York Sightseeing Pass

The New York Sightseeing Pass is definitely the most extensive of all the passes , and with the two pricing schemes, the Day Pass or the Flex Pass, the pass is an interesting option for almost all travelers .

Anyone who’d like a little more flexibility and who doesn’t want to visit 3 attractions per day would be well advised with the Sightseeing Flex Pass.

You can buy the Sightseeing Pass over the booking platform GetYourGuide. It’s usually a little cheaper there.

Buy the Sightseeing Flex Pass from GetYourGuide Buy the Sightseeing Day Pass from GetYourGuide

#3 New York Explorer Pass

What does the New York Explorer Pass offer?

The New York Explorer Pass includes more than 95 attractions , such as:

• The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock and the Statue of Liberty
• 1 Day Hop-on Hop-off busses with Big Bus can be chosen as an attraction
• Various boat rides

What does the New York Explorer Pass cost?

With the New York Explorer Pass, you don’t decide on a certain number of days, but rather on a certain number of attractions , which you can visit within 60 days.

Advantages of the Explorer Pass:

• All major museums in New York are included
• Fair pricing: you only book as much as you need
• No time stress, since it’s valid for 60 days
• Empire State Building and One World Observatory are included

Disadvantages of the Explorer Pass:

• Hop-on Hop-off busses are only bookable as an attraction, but not part of the standard package

Our verdict on the New York Explorer Pass

The New York Explorer Pass is a good option for anyone who doesn’t want to visit countless sights and museums .

Through it’s simple pricing scheme , you can figure out very easily whether the pass is worth it for you. Almost all of the important sights are included in the pass, so you’ll be all set for your New York trip.

The Explorer Pass is very similar to the Sightseeing Flex Pass. The savings with each pass are often nearly the same.

Both passes are very good options. If you want to save every dollar you can, you should calculate exactly which pass is cheaper.

You can buy the Explorer Pass here

#4 New York City Pass

The New York City Pass is the smallest of the five New York passes , but it can still be worthwhile.

What does the New York City Pass offer?

8 attractions are included in the City Pass, of which you can visit 5 .

Two of them are set. For the other three attractions, you have a choice between two options for each:

• Empire State Building
• American Museum of Natural History
• Top of the Rock OR Guggenheim Museum
• The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island OR boat ride with the Circle Line
• 9/11 Memorial and Museum OR Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

What does the New York City Pass cost?

The pricing scheme of the New York City Pass is very easy. There aren’t any price scales, like with the other passes. The pass simply costs 121 dollars .

After you visit the first attraction with the pass, you have 9 days to see the rest of the sights and museums.

Advantages of the City Pass:

• Simple pricing
• Many important sights are included
• High flexibility because of the long validity period of 9 days
• The only pass with which you can visit the Empire State Building twice (day and night)

Disadvantages of the City Pass:

• No Hop-on Hop-off bus
• One World Trade Center and the Museum of Modern Art are not included

Our verdict on the New York City Pass

The New York City Pass is an ideal choice for anyone who’s looking for a simple and uncomplicated pass and doesn’t want to busy themselves with countless attractions and options.

Because the attractions are more or less fixed and only a few possible variations exist, it’s relatively easy to decide whether the pass is of interest.

If you want to visit all 5 attractions, the City Pass is a good option. If one of the attractions doesn’t interest you, the pass is generally still a good choice. If two or more attractions don’t interest you, then the City Pass isn’t for you.

You can buy the City Pass here

Differences of the New York passes

We’ve now introduced the different New York passes. Since that’s a lot of info to take in all at once, in this section, we’d like to sum up the significant differences and similarities of all the New York passes.

That way you’ll get a better impression of which New York pass you should buy and which ones aren’t worth it for you.

Difference #1: time-based or attraction-based

To start with, there are two types of New York passes:

• Passes that are valid for a specific amount of time. In this time, you can visit all of the attractions included in the pass.
• Passes that are only valid for a certain number of attractions.

Both types of passes have their advantages and disadvantages. You can see which pass works by which model in this summary:

Time-based passes:

• New York All-Inclusive Pass (1 to 10 days)
• New York Sightseeing Pass (1 to 10 days)

Attraction-based passes:

• New York Sightseeing Flex Pass (2 to 12 attractions)
• New York Explorer Pass (2 to 10 attractions)
• New York City Pass (5 attractions)

The time-based passes are especially worth it if you want to see as many attractions as possible . The longer the validity of the pass, the cheaper it becomes per day.

Besides that, these passes are a good choice if the additional offers , such as bike rentals, city tours or boat rides, are important to you. In these cases, you usually get away cheaper with a time based pass.

Those passes where you decide on a fixed number of attractions are especially recommended if you only want to visit the most important sights in New York and want to remain as flexible as possible.

Difference #2: included attractions

The New York passes don’t all include the same sights and attractions. For most travelers, the most important difference is surely the tickets for the famous lookout points in New York.

If you’d like to see very specific museums or do specific activities, it’s worth checking beforehand whether these activities are included in each of the New York passes.

So that you don’t have to do the strenuous work of searching for all this information, we will show you which attractions are included in the passes in the following table. Alongside the must-sees, we’ve also included other very popular attractions, so you can get a good overview.

As you can see, the Sightseeing Pass is something like the all-around worry-free package. All of the important attractions are included here.

Difference #3: Hop-on Hop-off busses

A significant difference between the passes is the use of the Hop-on Hop-off busses. Many travelers really like to use this mode of transportation to explore a city like New York.

The busses go along a fixed route and generally stop at all points relevant to tourists. With a ticket for the busses, you can get on or off at any time , so you can conveniently get from one sight to the next.

What’s more, there’s an audio commentary on the busses. So you can use these busses either for a classic city tour, or really just to get from one attraction to the next.

There are two big providers of these bus tours in New York: Big Bus and Grayline. Both companies each offer two different routes through Manhattan. Grayline also operates a further line that brings you to the most important places in Brooklyn.

If you’d like to use these busses, then we suggest the New York Sightseeing Pass , the New York All-Inclusive Pass , and the New York Explorer Pass . All three offer the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with two different routes, valid for one day

The City Pass does not offer any Hop-on Hop-off busses.

Which New York Pass is suitable for whom?

Now we of course want to answer the question of all questions: which New York pass is the best?

Needless to say, we can’t give the ultimate answer here, since not every New York pass is the best option for every person.

So we’ve put together three different types of travelers and our recommendation for the best New York Pass for each type of traveler .

These are the types of travelers:

• Those who want to visit as many ticketed attractions as possible
• Those who quickly want to visit the most well known sights
• Those who want to visit the most well known sights calmly

Traveler #1: as much as possible

Are you one of the travelers who wants to see as much as possible in New York? Then the time based New York passes are interesting for you.

A typical itinerary could look like this:

Empire State Building ($48) Top of the Rock ($44) One World Observatory ($45) Edge ($44) 9/11 Museum ($28) MoMA ($25) Guggenheim Museum ($25) Museum of Natural History ($23) Bicycle rentals in Central Park ($25) Hop-on-Hop-off-Bus tour ($60) Boat ride, for example with Circle Line ($35) 2 further attractions according to your interests (ca. $60) 2 guided tours ($70) Total price: $532

In total, that’s 15 attractions, which you can manage well over 7 days. For all of that, you’d have to spend around 530 dollars for individual tickets.

In the following table, you can see how much you’d save with one of the New York Passes.

Note : the New York City Pass isn’t made for this type of travel, since they both only include relatively few attractions. We’ve therefore not included it in this table.

If you want to see a ton of attractions in New York and also have enough time (in our example, 7 days), then the New York All-Incusive Pass is the best option for you.

The savings with the New York Explorer Pass and the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass is only a little lower, so it’s worth taking a look at the included attractions. Your own itinerary will probably look a little different than our example itinerary.

Traveler #2: quickly see the most important sights

If you’d like to visit as many attractions as possible in New York in as little time as possible, we’ve put together a small example itinerary that you can be done in three days .

If you’re really fast, you can probably even complete it in 2 days, but then it’d be really stressful. So we’d prefer to base it on 3 days.

For us, the following attractions are some of the highlights in New York:

Empire State Building ($48) Top of the Rock ($44) One World Observatory ($45) 9/11 Museum ($28) Two museums, for example Met, MoMA or Guggenheim ($50) Boat ride, for example with Circle Line ($35) Total price: 250 dollars

Optional: Bike tour through Central Park with a rental bike ($20) Optional: Hop-on Hop-off bus tour ($60) Total price with Hop-on Hop-off bus und bike rental: $330

In retail sales, you’d pay a total of 250 dollars for the most important sights if you don’t incude the Hop-on Hop-off busses and would rather explore Central Park by foot. If you’d like to use the busses and to go through Central Park on a bike, you’re up to 330 dollars.

Why isn’t the Statue of Liberty included? We find that the Statue of Liberty isn’t really worth it if you don’t have a lot of time in New York. The trip to the island is relatively time consuming. So we’d instead suggest a boat tour that also takes you very close to the statue. That’ll save time and is just as impressive.

In both of the following tables, we’ve listed how much you’d save for all passes – both with and without a bus ticket and a bike rental.

Savings without Hop-on Hop-off bus and bike rental:

Without the Hop-on Hop-off bus, the New York Explorer Pass , the New York City Pass and the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass are the best options.

Depending on which attractions are the most important to you, another one of the passes could be a good choice. The differences of savings aren’t so big here that we could make an ultimate recommendation.

Savings with Hop-on Hop-off bus and bike rental:

Note : The New York City Pass doesn’t offer the Hop-on Hop-off tours or bike rentals. We therefore haven’t factored it into this table.

If you’d also like to use the Hop-on Hop-off buses and would like to rent a bike in Central Park, then either the New York All-Inclusive Pass or the New York Explorer Pass  is the cheapest option.

Traveler #3: see the most important sights without any stress

We like to see all of the important attractions in a city, but we don’t like to do it in a rush.

We also sometimes enjoy just wandering through the streets and neighborhoods of a city, instead of rushing from one attraction to the next. Just the same, we of course want to see the major highlights.

So we would rather distribute the attractions mentioned above across a longer time period , for example, 5 or 7 days.

For this scenario, we’ve also created two tables in which we show you which pass is the best solution for you then.

Savings without Hop-on-Hop-off-Bus and bike rental:

With the unhurried options, the savings aren’t so huge , as with the fully packed 3 day itinerary. The City Pass , the Sightseeing Flex Pass and the Explorer Pass are very close to one another here.

Savings with Hop-on-Hop-off-Bus and bike rental:

Note : The City Pass isn’t taken into account in this table, since it doesn’t include buses or bicycles.

Because the Hop-on Hop-off tours and bike rentals are relatively expensive, the savings are higher again. The New York Explorer Pass or the Sightseeing Flex Pass are once again the most lucrative here. You can also save a couple of bucks with the New York All-Inclusive Pass .

In our example, the Explorer Pass was a little better than the Sightseeing Pass.

New York without a pass

Does there absolutely have to be a New York Pass? Of course not! You can also discover the best attractions in New York without a pass.

If you don’t plan on visiting a lot of ticketed attractions , we’d suggest that you do it without a pass. You can also jump the line for the ticket desk at most attractions, even without a pass, by booking your tickets online ahead of time. We’d definitely recommend doing that.

You do always save some money with the passes, but with just a few sights, the savings usually aren’t so high. It’s then better to stay flexible and go without a pass.

In the following table, we’ve shown you an overview of which ticket you can buy beforehand online, also without using any of the passes.

Frequently asked questions

To conclude, we’ve put together the answers to frequent questions about the different passes for you.

Do you have another question? Then just write a comment to us below and you’ll receive an answer from us very shortly.

Do the New York passes also work for the subway?

In many cities, you can also use the City Cards for public transportation. Unfortunately, that’s not the case in New York and actually not with any of the providers.

To use the subway in New York and public busses, you have to buy a separate metrocard.

Are there reduced passes for kids?

Yes, for all of the New York passes that were introduced here, there’s also a reduced option for kids. Little kids (usually up to 3 years) are usually free.

How do I get my pass after ordering it?

You used to have to pick up the passes in New York, which was time consuming. Luckily that isn’t so anymore. Nowadays, you receive your pass by email directly after your purchase.

You can then just show your pass on your smartphone at each attraction. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can also easily print out the passes.

Are the passes cheaper on site?

No, you always get the best prices online.

Can I visit individual sights more than once with the pass?

No, unfortunately that’s not possible. You can only visit each attraction once with your pass.

Only exception : with the City Pass, you can go up the Empire State Building twice in one day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

We drew a detailed conclusion at the very beginning of our New York pass comparison. So here’s just a very brief summary again:

Cheapest pass with as many attractions as possible:

New York All-Inclusive Pass New York Explorer Pass Sightseeing Flex Pass

Cheapest pass for the most important sights in 3 days:

New York All-Inclusive Pass New York Explorer Pass New York City Pass

Cheapest pass for a relaxed New York itinerary:

New York Explorer Pass Sightseeing Flex Pass New York City Pass

Info: Our New York pass comparison is updated regularly. Nevertheless, some things can suddenly change. It’s best to check the conditions and included attractions before you make the final decision to buy one of the passes. Thank you!

That was our New York pass comparison

We hope that we could make your search for the perfect New York pass a little easier. After we almost got desperate during our own search for the right pass, we’ve put extra work into this comparison to make it easier for you.

Do you still have questions or ideas? Then we’re happy to hear your comments!

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February 28, 2023 By Lyndsay

New York Passes Comparison: Which Pass is Right for You? (2024)

• 1.1 Overall Best NYC Pass
• 1.2 Best Pass for a First-Time NYC Tourist
• 2 How do New York City sightseeing passes work?
• 3 What are the benefits of using an NYC pass?
• 4.1 Day Pass
• 4.2 Attraction Pass
• 5 Is a New York City attractions pass worth it?
• 6.1 How much does the CityPASS cost?
• 6.2 What are the features of the CityPASS?
• 6.3 Pros of the CityPASS
• 6.4 Cons of the CityPASS
• 6.5 How to Use your CityPASS
• 6.6 Why should you choose a CityPass?
• 7.1 How much does the New York Pass cost?
• 7.2 What are the features of the New York Pass?
• 7.3 Pros of the New York Pass
• 7.4 Cons of the New York Pass
• 7.5 How to Use your New York Pass
• 7.6 Why should you choose a New York Pass?
• 8.1 How much does the Explorer Pass cost?
• 8.2 What are the features of the Explorer Pass?
• 8.3 Pros of the Explorer Pass
• 8.4 Cons of the Explorer Pass
• 8.5 How to Use your Explorer Pass
• 8.6 Why should you choose an Explorer Pass?
• 9.1 How much does the Sightseeing Pass cost?
• 9.2 What are the features of the Sightseeing Pass?
• 9.3 Pros of the Sightseeing Pass
• 9.4 Cons of the Sightseeing Pass
• 9.5 How to Use your Sightseeing Pass
• 9.6 Why should you choose a Sightseeing Pass?
• 10.1 How much does the Freestyle Pass cost?
• 10.2 What are the features of the Freestyle Pass?
• 10.3 Pros of the Freestyle Pass
• 10.4 Cons of the Freestyle Pass
• 10.5 How to Use your Freestyle Pass
• 10.6 Why should you choose a Freestyle Pass?
• 11.1 How much does the New York Tourist Card cost?
• 11.2 What are the features of the New York Tourist Card?
• 11.3 Pros of the New York Tourist Card
• 11.4 Cons of the New York Tourist Card
• 11.5 How to Use your New York Tourist Card
• 11.6 Why should you choose a New York Tourist Card?
• 12.1 What major landmarks are included in each pass?
• 12.2 What pass can you use at the best observation decks in NYC?
• 12.3 What popular New York City tours can you take with each pass?
• 13 Travel Tips for Visiting New York City with a Sightseeing Pass
• 14 What major attractions are not included in the best New York City sightseeing passes?
• 15 Which is the best New York pass to buy for my trip?
• 16 New York Attraction Pass Comparison: FAQs
• 17 NYC Pass Comparison: Wrap-Up

This post may contain affiliate links! I will receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase something recommended here.

If you’re planning a trip to New York City, you probably already know that it’s hard to find a decent deal on hotel accommodation, and even harder to organize the logistics of your itinerary.

You know all the sites you want to see, you might even know how to get there, but how will you plan out your days?

And, everything is so expensive, can you bundle entries for discounts?

Enter New York City sightseeing passes.

There are many different types of New York City sightseeing passes.

Some are good for a limited time period, while others are good for a fixed amount of days, or even a fixed amount of attraction options.

If you’re looking for a New York City attractions pass that allows you to save money on your excursions, you need to take a look at the variety of options. 

Take a look at my comparison guide to choose what’s best for you and your group!

Get your list of Free Activities in New York City

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase – the best things in life are free. Why not begin your adventures with this book of the best free activities in New York City!

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Editor’s Choices: New York Attraction Pass Comparison

Don’t have time to read the whole post? No worries, I’ve got my prime recommendations right here.

Although you can’t go wrong with any of these New York City sightseeing passes, here are my top choices.

Overall Best NYC Pass

With more than 90 major attractions, sites, and experiences, the GO City New York Pass offers the best passes for New York.

Best Pass for a First-Time NYC Tourist

With nine top choices in New York City of which you can choose six, the CityPASS offers the best “bang for your buck.”

How do New York City sightseeing passes work?

Although each discount pass has its own unique offers, they all basically work the same way. For a fixed price, you can access admission to a set of attractions that you choose.

What are the benefits of using an NYC pass?

There are several benefits to including a pass in your New York City sightseeing plans.

• Savings on time and additional costs – These passes save you time, since you’re purchasing a number of entries at once, and money since there’s a saving to bundling your admission to several locations.
• Flexibility with choices and offerings – You get to choose! Pick from the list of the pass’s participating attractions to customize your experience.
• Helps plan your New York City itinerary – You know of the big sites you want to see, but not sure of others? Use your sightseeing pass’s offerings and time limitations as a guide to planning your itinerary. Some passes even have sample itineraries on their websites to inspire you!

What New York City sightseeing passes are there?

There are six major New York City sightseeing passes to choose from:

New York Pass

Explorer pass, sightseeing pass, freestyle pass, new york tourist card.

But within the big five, there are two different types of passes–day-based passes and attraction-based passes.

With a day-based pass, you can visit multiple attractions (in some cases, unlimited attractions) over the course of a day based on its rules, but it will expire after a set number of days. 

Attraction Pass

With an attraction-based pass, you can visit multiple attractions per day or over the course of several days, but you can only visit a set number of attractions offered. 

Is a New York City attractions pass worth it?

Yes, a New York City sightseeing pass is a great way to see all the sights that you want without having to worry about paying for each attraction individually.

They’re also a good deal if you plan to visit multiple attractions during your stay.

Read on to figure out which one is the best New York pass to buy for your trip!

The New York CityPASS is a great attraction-based pass choice for you if you know which major sites you want to visit ahead of time.  

How much does the CityPASS cost?

The CityPASS costs $138 for an adult and $118 for children (aged 6-17 years.) The New York C3 costs $92 for adults and $72 for children (aged 5-12 years.)

What are the features of the CityPASS?

• Attractions : It offers eight iconic attractions from which you can use your pass for five. Each CityPASS comes with access to the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History. Then, you can select up to three more attractions from the following list: Top of the Rock® Observation Deck, Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial & Museum , Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and the Guggenheim Museum. With the C3 Pass, you can only choose three sites.
• Validity : This pass is valid for nine consecutive days once you activate it for the first time. Once you buy it, you can start using it at any time within one year from the date of purchase.
• Returns : If you can’t use your pass in that year, you can seek returns for it at any point within those 365 days—as long as you have not already activated it.
• Savings : You can save nearly 41% on expenses as compared to buying admission tickets individually from ticket booths at the attractions.

Pros of the CityPASS

• You can save a lot of money by buying this New York attractions pass for yourself. You will pay 41% less than what you usually would while buying individual tickets.
• You have the option of skipping long queues at some of the attractions if you possess this pass, allowing you to save plenty of time.
• It allows you to have an adaptable and workable schedule. You can visit the select attractions in the order of your choice. You also have nine whole days to cover all the places so that you don’t have to rush too much.
• You can use it for nine days at any point within the year of your purchase. If you cannot, you can easily get your money back.
• If the attractions of your choice match the attractions offered by this pass, you can simply opt for this pass and enjoy a flexible schedule.

Cons of the CityPASS

• If you want to visit attractions beyond the ones mentioned here, you will need to buy tickets separately.
• There might be some additional alterations depending on the location itself. For example, you might need to make a prior reservation beforehand for some attractions.

How to Use your CityPASS

You will first need to buy the tickets online, after which the tickets will be delivered to you digitally. Then, you can go ahead and make your reservations for the attractions and start visiting them.

Why should you choose a CityPass?

The CityPass is a worthwhile choice for your New York trip if you’re looking for ways to minimize your expenses and maximize savings.

The attractions are also fixed for you, so you don’t have to spend time figuring out where to go.

The GO City New York Pass is another great option when it comes to New York sightseeing passes.

These day-based all-inclusive passes allow you to visit as many popular attractions as you want to in a time period of your choice.

How much does the New York Pass cost?

There are several cost options for the New York Pass depending on the number of days you want to purchase the pass for. 

Check their website for any discounts available. 

What are the features of the New York Pass?

• Attractions : Purchasing this pass allows you entry to over 100 attractions using a single pass depending on how many days you buy the pass for. You can visit as many landmarks as you want within the given time period. 
• Validity : The validity of your pass depends on the length of pass you purchase. Remember, there are options that range from one day to ten days. However, once you activate it, you have to use it up within the time period. The New York Pass can be used at any point within two years of its purchase.
• Returns : There is a 90-day cancellation period, which means that you can return your inactive pass and get your money back if you request it within 90 days of purchase. If that return window isn’t long enough for you, you can purchase extra insurance.
• Savings : You can end up saving nearly 40% on your expenses or approximately $400 as compared to buying tickets individually.

Pros of the New York Pass

• There are multiple cost options that you can choose from depending on the length of your stay or visit. This allows you to manage your costs effectively as well.
• The pass is accompanied by a guidebook about the locations that can give you more information about them. It also comes in various languages such as English, French, German, Dutch, Mandarin, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.
• You can essentially get access to nearly all the major landmarks in New York City through this pass, allowing you to handpick your attraction choices while saving a ton of money.
• You can use it at any point within two years of its purchase. Once you activate it at your first location, you will have to use its days consecutively.
• You can skip long lines at a few of the locations, giving you an opportunity to save time and energy.

Cons of the New York Pass

• The 90-day free cancellation period is a bit limited. If your trip gets canceled or postponed beyond this period, you will not be able to get your money back unless you paid for extra insurance.
• Since you have the opportunity to choose between 100 locations, it can be a bit overwhelming to cover as much as you can within the limited number of days.

How to Use your New York Pass

You can buy the pass online and then download the app on which your tickets will be delivered. Either make reservations in advance or simply walk into the location to begin your sightseeing.

Why should you choose a New York Pass?

If you want to visit as many major New York City landmarks as possible in a given time period, going with a New York Pass is a fantastic choice which will grant you access to over a hundred locations.

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With a selection of attractions handpicked by experts, the Explorer Pass New York is a great attraction-based choice for thrifty and tech-savvy travelers.

How much does the Explorer Pass cost?

There are several cost options that you can choose from: 

 Discounts might be available separately on the website. 

What are the features of the Explorer Pass?

• Attractions : Depending on which number choice pass option you choose, there are over 90 attractions that you can visit.
• Validity : You can use this pass at any point within 60 days of activating it. Further, the pass itself is valid for two years, so you can choose to use it for 60 days at any point within the two years.
• Returns : You can cancel the pass and get your money back within 90 days of purchase as long as you have not yet activated it. This will, however, include a processing fee that you will need to pay.
• Savings : You can save up to 50% on your expenses if you opt for this pass as compared to buying at the regular ticket price for each attraction.

Pros of the Explorer Pass

• It is a highly flexible option since you can not only choose how many attractions to visit but you can also do so within 60 days, giving you plenty of time to carry out other activities as well.
• You can end up saving plenty of money and time with this pass since you only need to pay for a certain number of attractions that you know you want to visit.
• Since it is valid for two years, you get plenty of flexibility when it comes to choosing when you want to activate it.
• It comes with a booklet with information about the sites in various languages such as English, Spanish and German.
• You do not need to decide which locations you want to visit beforehand; you can simply decide as you go along.

Cons of the Explorer Pass

• While you can choose from over 90 locations, you can only visit a minimum of two and a maximum of ten in a period of two months.
• You cannot cancel or return the pass after 90 days of purchasing, which limits your timeframe in case of any cancellations or postponements.

How to Use your Explorer Pass

Once you purchase the pass online, you will need to download the app to access your tickets. You can then simply show your mobile ticket at the location. In some cases, you might need to make a prior reservation.

Why should you choose an Explorer Pass?

If you only have a limited amount of time to visit some of your favorite attractions in New York City, then an Explorer Pass is an excellent solution for you.

It also give you two whole months to explore after activating it.

From walking tours to interactive experiences, the Sightseeing Pass offers a diverse set of experiences, in addition to the standard attractions.

How much does the Sightseeing Pass cost?

The New York Sightseeing Pass is unique in that it has both a day-based pass and an attraction-based pass. There are two options to choose from:

With the Sightseeing DAY Pass , you choose the number of days you want the pass to be active for and once activated, there’s no limit to the number of fun attractions you can visit.

If they’re a partner of the Sightseeing Pass, you can visit it.

With the Sightseeing FLEX Pass , you choose a set number of attractions you want to visit throughout your trip. 

While a DAY pass expires at midnight on the last day of its cycle, a FLEX pass is active for 60 days after its first use. Both types of passes become active at the time of their first use.

Find available discounted rates on their website.

What are the features of the Sightseeing Pass?

• Attractions : With more than 90 attractions, you’re sure to find several that interest you. There are also 8 sites listed exclusively with the Sightseeing Pass–the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Intro To New York – Live Interactive Presentation & Prizes, LOL Times Square Comedy Club, LOL Times Square Magic, National Lighthouse Museum, NY Aquarium, and the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Tour’s Gold Pass.
• Validity : You can purchase this pass up to 24 months in advance. This pass is valid for nine consecutive days once you activate it for the first time. Once you purchase it, you can start using it at any time within a year.
• Returns : All unused passes are available for returns up to one year after purchase, as long as you’ve bought Sightseeing Pass insurance with it. 
• Savings : With a DAY Pass, you can save up to 70% instead of buying individual tickets, or you can find city attractions coming in as low as $22 per visit with a FLEX pass.

Pros of the Sightseeing Pass

• Both the Sightseeing DAY and FLEX passes have some of the best savings values compared to the other passes. 
• If you really love visiting observatories in NYC , they’re the only pass to include four options.
• With the FLEX Pass, you have an exclusive Product Voucher Option. You can use one of your attractions to receive a $40 credit to use at CitySightsNY.com .
• They have free maps and a guidebook that you can download on their website to help you plan your trip.

Cons of the Sightseeing Pass

• Since you can choose over 90 locations, it can be a bit overwhelming to cover as much as you can within a short period of time.
• With a DAY pass, you must use the pass in consecutive days once the pass is activated. 

How to Use your Sightseeing Pass

You can either use their app for a mobile pass or have a paper copy of your pass available at check-in.

Why should you choose a Sightseeing Pass?

The Sightseeing DAY Pass is great for first-time tourists who have at least 10 of the top headline attractions on their bucket list.

But if you’ve already been to New York City before for sightseeing, the Sightseeing FLEX Pass is perfect to catch some of those sites that you haven’t seen yet at a discount.

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The choice of attractions-based Freestyle Pass allows you to opt for a certain number of sites that you can then explore in a given period of time.

How much does the Freestyle Pass cost?

The cost differs based on the number of attractions you opt for:

What are the features of the Freestyle Pass?

• Attractions : You can choose from more than 50 attractions if you purchase this pass. Depending on the cost option you go with, you can get access to any three, five, or seven of this list of attractions.
• Validity : You will need to use this pass within 72 hours of activation. You can, however, activate it at any point for 72 hours within 14 days of purchase.
• Returns : You can redeem this pass within one year of purchasing it. However, this pass with online tickets is also non-refundable, which means that you will not be able to get your money back in case of cancelations or postponement.
• Savings : You can end up saving up to 40% on your expenses and is a lot more convenient than purchasing individual tickets from each attraction visit.

Pros of the Freestyle Pass

• You can hop on and off any of their tour buses as many times as you want within 72 hours.
• You also get access to a Night Bus Tour and a hop-on and hop-off ferry service.
• You have a pool of over 50 locations that you can choose from, depending on where you want to go and how many valuable attractions you want to visit.
• You can redeem the pass within one year of purchasing it, which allows for some amount of flexibility.

Cons of the Freestyle Pass

• You must use up the pass within 72 hours of activation, which might lead to a packed schedule without too much room for flexibility.
• There are no refund options available for this pass. Once you buy it, you cannot get your money back even if you cancel your trip. This can waste the money that you spend on buying it.
• Even though you receive an online voucher, you must visit one of their visitor centers to exchange the voucher for your tickets to then use at your chosen sites, which can be a hassle.

How to Use your Freestyle Pass

You can buy the pass online, after which you will receive a voucher.

Once you arrive in the city, you will need to exchange your voucher for tickets at any of their centers in New York.

You can then start exploring any of the attractions on offer based on how many tickets you have.

Why should you choose a Freestyle Pass?

If you only have a short trip planned but want to choose from multiple locations, then the Freestyle Pass is a great addition to your trip.

The New York Tourist Card is a basic but convenient pass that provides access to three popular attractions, the Empire State Building, the Museum of Modern Art, and a 1-hour Circle Line cruise of NYC. 

How much does the New York Tourist Card cost?

The New York Tourist Card costs $83 for adults, $81 for seniors (65+), $70 for youth (13-16), $59 for children (6-12), and $19 for children (3-5). Infants (0-2) are free.

What are the features of the New York Tourist Card?

• Attractions : You can visit three major landmarks in New York City–the main deck of the Empire State Building, the MoMA, and pass by the Statue of Liberty on a 1-hour cruise offered by Circle Line. You also receive access to an audio tour of NYC and a 10% discount for additional attractions. 
• Validity : When you purchase the pass, you will select the dates and times of your admission at check-out. The pass will only be active during that time. 
• Returns : This pass is non-refundable. Once you’ve scheduled your entry dates and times, you can not reschedule or postpone.
• Savings : The New York Tourist Card is the perfect pass for travelers who are looking to get a taste of the Big Apple without splurging. 

Pros of the New York Tourist Card

• You will receive access to an audio tour of NYC and a 10% discount on additional attractions.
• You won’t be wasting money on attractions you have no interest in visiting.
• The pass comes with an interactive map of New York City with more than 140 points of interest.

Cons of the New York Tourist Card

• You cannot reschedule your entry dates and times once they’ve been scheduled

How to Use your New York Tourist Card

Once you buy the pass online, you’ll be prompted to schedule your entry times for the three offered attractions.

Then, you’ll present the correct digital ticket on your day and time of entry to access the landmark. 

Why should you choose a New York Tourist Card?

The New York Tourist Card is the perfect option for travelers who want to experience a few of the most famous attractions in NYC without having to spend too much money.

Not only will you get access to three major landmarks in the city, but also an audio tour and discounts on additional attractions.

The pass comes with an interactive map of NYC with more than 140 points of interest, so you can easily plan your trip.

New York City Attraction Passes Comparison Charts

What major landmarks are included in each pass, what pass can you use at the best observation decks in nyc, what popular new york city tours can you take with each pass.

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Travel Tips for Visiting New York City with a Sightseeing Pass

• Utilize New York City’s public transportation – While it might be tempting to jump into a taxi, public transport is actually the fastest mode of transportation in the city! I have a whole guide to learning how to use the subway for you if you need help.
• Take note of individual entry instructions – Many locations require you to wear masks, show proof of vaccination, or have social distancing guidelines that need to be followed. Check online or ask when you arrive to make sure you comply with each site’s rules, and make sure to check hours of operation for each of your attractions in advance.
• Stay hydrated – It’s important to stay hydrated with all of the walking you’ll do. You should always keep a reusable water bottle on hand. If you can’t find a public refill station, you can “buy” filtered water at Starbucks for free! If you need more suggestions on what to add to your travel style, check out my top travel essentials list .

What major attractions are not included in the best New York City sightseeing passes?

👉 A MetroCard for the New York City subway – None of the five passes listed here include a MetroCard for you to get around the city.

However, since taking the subway is the best way to get anywhere, you need to consider what makes the most sense for your trip.

As I go over in my subway navigation guide , an unlimited weekly MetroCard costs $33 for 7 days of unlimited rides on the subway, but you can’t share the card with anyone else, which means that each person will need their own.

Since each swipe costs $2.75, if you plan on taking the subway at least 12 times (or 6 roundtrips), you break even.

Honestly, I highly recommend you take advantage of this flexibility when you’re using a New York attractions pass!

👉 Tickets to a Broadway show – One of the most iconic things to do in the city isn’t included in New York sightseeing passes!

Picking the right show for your trip is a very personal choice, based on you and your group’s interests and preferences, which is why you won’t find a pass adding show tickets anytime soon.

And, you need to choose a performance that fits into your schedule!

While I’ve shown up at a theater and purchased tickets 20 minutes before showtime before, if you only have a limited time in New York City, I would make sure to purchase your tickets in advance.

You can check Playbill for its updated weekly schedule of currently running Broadway shows .

Which is the best New York pass to buy for my trip?

Quite frankly, after comparing all of the New York City sightseeing passes, they each have their own unique benefits. They are each a great choice depending on your needs! However, these are my recommendations:

⭐️ The Overall Best Pass for New York City – With more than 90 major attractions, sites, and experiences, the GO City New York Pass offers the best passes for New York.

There are no limits to the number of attractions you can visit as long as your pass is active, and because there are so many different ways to see New York City, this pass gives you access to everything from walking tours to museums and experiences. 

⭐️ The Best Pass for a First-time Tourist to New York City : – With nine top choices in New York City of which you can choose six, the CityPASS offers the best “bang for your buck.”

It’s the least expensive option relative to the number of attractions included–and with major sites included like the Empire State Building Observation Deck, American Museum of Natural History, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, there are plenty of reasons why you should consider this pass.

⭐️ The New York Attractions Pass with the Most Observation Decks – Both the Sightseeing DAY Pass and Sightseeing FLEX Pass options include four observatories in New York City, more than any other pass.

New York Attraction Pass Comparison: FAQs

Yes, all of these New York passes are real and valid for access to what is advertised. They can help you save both time and money while getting the most out of your trip to NYC by providing you with a convenient way to access the most popular attractions in the city. The passes offer a variety of options such as the Intrepid Air & Space Museum Pass, Hop-off Bus Tour, Empire State Building Observation Deck, Guggenheim Museum, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and much more.

No, the New York Metro Card is not included in any of the New York Passes. Although these passes cover many of the popular tourist attractions and tours around the city, they do not cover fares for the subway or buses. For public transportation use, you will need to get an OMNY account, which is a digital version of the MetroCard. If you need more information, take a look at my guide on navigating the subway ! However, if your itinerary includes some of the more expensive attractions, such as the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island, then investing in a pass like the Explorer Pass could be worth it as it allows access to multiple attractions and can help you save up to 50%.

No, none of these passes will allow you to visit a landmark more than once. The only pass that allows you to access the same landmark twice is the CityPASS New York. However, you’re only permitted entry to the Empire State Building observation deck twice–once during the day and then again at night.

When it comes to getting the most out of your New York attraction passes, planning is key. Before buying a pass, map out your itinerary and list all of the attractions you want to visit, along with their estimated price. This will help you decide if purchasing a pass makes sense for your budget. Once you have your list ready, use this guide to compare New York passes to determine which one offers the best value for your money. For example, if you’re planning on visiting several expensive attractions like the Empire State Building or Ellis Island, then an all-inclusive Go New York Explorer Pass might be worth considering. Alternatively, if you want more flexibility and don’t want to commit to just one activity or attraction, then a Sightseeing DAY Pass or FLEX Pass could work better for you. Also make sure that whichever pass you choose covers all the major attractions that appeal to your family so everyone can enjoy their time in NYC. You can also look for discounts on admission fees for additional activities, such as boat tours and bike rentals, that aren’t included in some passes. With careful planning and research into what each pass offers, you’ll be able to get great value from your New York attraction passes!

Yes, you can visit all of the top NYC attractions without a pass! You just have to purchase each attraction individually, which can mean long ticket lines and extended wait times. However, now that you’ve read our full New York pass comparison of all the different options available, you know the benefits of purchasing a pass, even for one day of jam-packed sightseeing. You can visit some of the most expensive attractions in New York City with a cost-savings sightseeing pass.

NYC Pass Comparison: Wrap-Up

Sightseeing passes for New York City can be a great way to save money and time on your trip.

From the all-inclusive Go New York Explorer Pass, to the flexible Sightseeing DAY Pass and FLEX Pass, there are plenty of options to choose from that cater to different budgets and interests.

With the right research and preparation, you will be able to find the perfect New York City sightseeing pass that fits your needs.

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What’s the Best New York Pass: A Complete NYC Pass Comparison Guide to Pick the Best Tourist Pass

Wondering what tourist pass is the best for New York City? This blog compares Go City vs. New York CityPASS vs. Sightseeing Pass so you can decide what is the best New York City tourist pass. This NYC pass guide also shows you how much money you can save with a tourist pass and the best money saving strategies.

<Updated May 2024 to reflect the newest price increase on all the passes>

Visiting New York City and want to see the most famous attractions but worried about the costs? There are so much to do in New York City it can get a little overwhelming without even considering costs.

New York is by no means cheap to visit. Unlike London where museums are free, attractions in New York City cost money and sometimes quite a lot of money. On average each attraction costs between $30-$50 a person! That can add up quite quickly if you want to do multiple things in New York during your trip.

Although New York City can be expensive to visit, it certainly doesn’t mean you need to spend all that money on attractions! One of the best ways to save money while visiting New York City is to purchase an attraction pass.

Just like how there are so many things to do in New York , there are also seemingly a million different NYC tourist pass you can get. It doesn’t matter if you are visiting New York for Christmas or in the spring or fall , these New York Attraction passes can help save you a lot of money.

To save you the headache of trying to figure out what is the best New York City attraction pass, I will help you compare the most popular New York passes and explain how each of them work, what are the differences between these New York passes and help you to decide which New York attraction pass is the best pass for you.

In this post I will also show you examples of when you should NOT get a New York attraction pass and how to optimize the value of the pass you purchase.

This blog contains occasional affiliate links, where I receive a small commission on sales of the products/hotels that are linked at no additional cost to you. In addition, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases .

What are the New York Passes You Can Buy?

There are 7 New York City attraction passes on the market currently, each with its unique offerings and features:

• New York Pass (by Go City)
• Go City Explorer Pass (by Go City)
• New York CityPASS (by CityPASS®)
• New York C3 (by CityPASS®)
• New York C-All (by CityPASS®)
• Sightseeing Pass – Day Pass (By Sightseeing Pass)
• Sightseeing Pass – FLEX Pass (By Sightseeing Pass)

Quick Summary: What’s the Best New York Pass for Tourists?

If you are short on time and really do not want to read through my super detailed comparison guide to know every single difference between all the New York passes, then here is a super quick summary for you!

Best New York Tourist Pass Overall

My vote goes to the New York Explorer Pass for being the best NYC pass overall. It is flexible, easy to use, reasonably priced, has a large number of attractions and tours. It is perfect for both first time visitors as well as returning visitors and even locals.

Best NYC Attraction Pass for First Time in New York Visitors

If you are visiting New York City for the first time, then you have a limited number of days, and you want to see as many attractions as possible within those days.

The best NYC pass for first timers are either the New York Pass or the New York CityPASS .

The New York Pass (also called All Inclusive Pass) has the most number of attractions, so you can literally visit everything famous in NYC using this pass. On the other hand, the CityPASS covers the most essential tourist spots in New York City and you have 9 days to use it.

Best New York Pass When Traveling with Children

The Sightseeing Pass – FLEX Pass is the best NYC Pass if you are traveling with children. This pass includes the most famous zoos in New York City that no other pass covers.

When traveling with children, you know things always take longer than expected. So it makes sense to purchase the FLEX pass which is based on the number of attractions rather than days, giving you plenty of flexibility to take your time and enjoy everything with your famiy.

Best NYC Pass For a Relaxing Trip

To see the most essential New York City attractions without feeling rushed, then you should consider either the New York Explorer Pass or New York CityPASS . Both of these passes are valid for a longer time period than the all inclusive passes, therefore you can take your time to tour New York City.

The Cheapest New York Discount Pass

The cheapest pass is either the 2 choice New York Explorer Pass and the 2 attraction New York Sightseeing Pass and just by going to 2 observation decks in NYC you would already be saving money.

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How do the New York City Discount Passes Work?

Each of the New York attraction pass lets you pay upfront for either the number of days you will be using the pass, or the number of attractions you want to see. Once you have the pass, you will be able to visit a numbers of attractions, museums, city tours and sightseeing buses for free (usually within a certain time period). Is it as simple as that!

You don’t need a paper pass to enter attractions. Once you make a purchase, you will get a confirmation email, which allows you to download the pass or load it on your App (if you purchase a Go City Pass, you will use the Go City app for example). You can then present the QR/ Bar code when entering an attraction.

You do need to make a reservation (for free) at some of the most popular attractions in order to visit.

New York City attraction passes fall under two different types :

• Day Passes (all Inclusive)

Attraction Based Passes

New york attraction based pass vs. day passes (all inclusive passes), attraction based passes for nyc.

The attraction based passes give you a much longer time period to see a pre-determined number of attractions. You decide how many attractions you want to visit then purchase the pass accordingly (generally between 1 – 12 attractions).

Attraction based passes include the following:

Go City Explorer Pass

• New York CityPass

New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass

New york city day passes (all inclusive).

These All Inclusive passes allow you to visit a large number of attractions within a limited period of time. Generally restricted to 2 – 10 consecutive days, you can decide what (and how many) attractions you want to see within this time period.

All Inclusive (day based) passes include the following:

• Go City New York Pass

New York Sightseeing DAY Pass

Do you need a new york attraction pass.

The answer is yes and no. You never NEED anything, you can always pay for individual attractions at full price. But if you want to save a lot of money on New York City attractions then yes, you probably should get a New York attraction pass.

New York attraction Pass can help you save money and time when used correctly .

You can save up to 30-50% per person on attractions in NYC when you buy a New York attraction pass, if you plan well .

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Best New York City Attraction Pass: Comparisons in Detail

Below you will find my super detailed comparison of all the NYC Pass to understand what they each cover, cost, and their pros and cons. This will help you make the decision on what is the best pass for NYC for you.

New York Pass aka All-Inclusive Pass (by Go City)

The New York Pass by Go City is one of the most popular passes for New York City. It includes over 100 attractions, tours, museums, etc.

How does the New York Pass work?

New York Pass is all inclusive pass based on the number of consecutive days you plan to sightsee. New York Pass offers whole day passes for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 days.

If you are planning visit New York City for 3 days, you can buy the 3 day New York Pass and visit different attractions and tours included with the New York Pass for 3 days straight.

For each attraction you visit, you scan the QR code of the New York Pass on your app or print out confirmation. You also need to make reservations at some attractions (can’t just show up).

New York Pass activates the moment you visit your first attraction or when you book your attractions . If you buy a 3 day New York Pass and you visit your first attraction at 1pm on Monday, your 3 day New York Pass will be valid on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

It will stop working at midnight Wednesday. You can visit unlimited number of attractions each day, but you can only visit an attraction once (no repeats!)

You have a 2 years to get a refund for unused New York Pass.

What attractions are included in the Go City New York Pass?

New York Pass covers over 100 New York City tourist attractions and tours , so I will not list all of them here. You can see them on the website here .

New York Pass includes 4 major observation decks

• Empire State Building
• Top of the Rock
• One World Observatory
• Edge <– one hour access before it opens to the general public

It also includes some of the most famous tourist attractions and cruises in NYC

• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• Statue of Liberty Ferry
• Guggenheim Musem
• Circle Line Cruise
• American Museum of Natural History
• Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum
• New York Yankees Game Tickets
• Free beer from Brooklyn Brewery
• Big Bus 1 day Hop-on Hop-Off Tour (2 days of this until March 21st)

New York Pass also includes Madame Tussauds , Museum of Sex , New York Hall of Science , Central Park Bike Rental , Brooklyn Botanical Garden , New Museum , Whitney Museum of American Art , a number of walking tours, bike tours, and other museums and gardens.

The New York Pass also includes very local attractions such as Luna Park at Coney Island and Deno’s Wonder Wheel at Coney Island. Luna Park is the famous amusement park in New York City that you probably have seen in Movies such as Cloverfield.

Go City New York Pass cost

If you sign up on the website you can get an additional 5% off.

There are promotions throughout the year, but prices do change every month and they have been going up consistently. Therefore I would recommend purchasing ASAP (you can always get a refund and re-purchase if prices go down).

Sometimes it is cheaper to purchase the  New York Pass from Getyourguide , a third party seller. They don’t change their prices as often! So be sure to check both Get Your Guide and the  official New York Pass website to see which one is cheaper.

*6 day New York Pass is only available from Getyourguide .

Is public transportation included in the New York Pass?

Public transportation is not included in the New York Pass.

However the New York Pass provide you one day access on the hop-on hop-off bus with Big Bus Tour.

What are the pros and cons of the Go City New York Pass?

Pros of New York Pass:

• It offers A LOT of attractions and tours. It includes the most famous museums, observation decks, and tours in NYC as well as hop on hop off bus for one day
• Has a partnership with Stasher so you can store your luggage at a 15% discount.
• Generous refund policy

Cons of New York Pass:

• You are restrained on how many days the pass covers
• Not suitable for people who like to slow travel

You can see a full review of New York Pass here .

Do you save money with the New York Pass?

The more days you buy, the more money you can save with the New York Pass.

When you buy a 2 day New York Pass, it costs $214, averaging to $107 a day, that means you need to do at least 3 attractions to break even.

However when you buy a 5 day New York Pass, it costs $340, averaging to about $68 a day, that means you only need to do 2 attractions to break even.

Therefore if you can average 2-3 attractions a day (depending on how many days you buy), you can save money with the New York Pass.

Purchase your New York Pass here or here (sometimes cheaper).

Go City Explorer Pass and New York Pass both fall under Go City, so you can imagine they cover pretty much the same attractions and tours (although New York Pass covers a few more attractions than the Go City Explorer Pass).

How does Go City Explorer Pass work?

Go City Explorer Pass is an attraction based pass that let you access a specific number of attractions that you purchase. Go City Explorer Pass offers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 attractions for different price points. You can only go to each attraction once (no repeats)!

You have 60 days to use after activation; activation is when you enter your first attraction or when you book the attraction since some attractions require advanced reservation.

For example, if you buy a 3 attractions pass, you go to one attraction on June 1, then you have 90 days including June 1st to go to the other 2 attractions that are left on your Explorer Pass, pretty simple right?

New York All Inclusive Pass vs New York Explorer Pass, What’s the Difference?

The major difference between New York Pass and the Explorer Pass is that one is based on the number of days and the other one is based on the number of attractions.

What attractions are included in the Go City Explorer Pass?

Go City Explorer Pass covers over 100 New York City tourist attractions and tours. You can see them on the website here .

It covers the same major attraction as the New York Pass, but it also covers Spyscape and Secrets of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Walking Tour and Woodbury Commons Bus (if you love designer brands this is a MUST DO) that are not covered by the New York Pass.

Again, you get one hour access before the general public at the Edge.

Go City Explorer Pass cost

Read next : Complete Review of the New York Explorer Pass by Go City .

Is transportation included in the New York Explorer Pass?

Public transportation is not included in the New York Explorer Pass.

However the New York Explorer Pass provide you one day access on the hop-on hop-off bus with Big Bus Tour if you choose to use that as one attraction.

What are the pros and cons of Go City New York Explorer Pass?

Pros of New York Explorer Pass

• Flexibility: you have up to 60 days to go to al the attractions
• Generous Refund Policy: 1 year full refund policy
• Comprehensive Attractions: 95+ attractions are included
• Includes some unique attractions not covered by the New York All Inclusive Pass

Cons of Go City Explorer Pass

• Child Pass can be expensive: some attractions offer free admission for those under 6
• Not as child friendly as the All inclusive Pass (does not include the amusement parks on Coney Island and the New York Hall of Science)
• Certain museums are not included on the Explorer Pass (like the New Museum)

Buy your Go City Explorer Pass here or here (sometimes cheaper) .

New York CityPASS®

New York CityPASS is a very popular pass for first timers in New York City, as it covers the most essential attractions.

How does the New York CityPASS work?

New York CityPASS is an attraction based pass offers 5 attractions (Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) plus 3 attractions of your choice from a list of 6). You have 9 days to use it all after activation.

You have one year from purchase date to use the New York CityPASS before it expires. You can request a refund if you change your travel plan and will no longer need to use it.

You can only visit each attraction once with New York CityPASS except Empire State Building, where you can go up twice in one day with the AM/PM experience!

What’s the difference between Go City New York Pass and New York CityPASS?

New York Pass is based on the number of days and it has over 100 attractions and tours. New York CityPASS offers 5 attractions (you can pick 3 from a list of 6 plus Empire State Building and AMNH).

What attractions are included in the New York CityPASS®?

New York CityPASS® only include 5 attractions, and they are:

• Empire State Building (you can visit twice in one day!) ($64 value)
• American Museum of Natural History ($28 value if you are not a resident of NY, NJ or CT)

Then you can choose 3 of the following attractions

• Top of the Rock Observation Deck ($40 value)
• Guggenheim Museum ($30 value)
• Ferry access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ($24.5 value)
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises ($41 value)
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum ($33 Value)
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum ($36 value)

How much does New York CityPASS® cost?

Does the new york citypass include transportation.

New York CityPass does not include transportation such as the subway or the hop on hop off bus.

What are the pros and cons of New York CityPASS?

Pros of New York CityPASS

• Includes the most essential New York City attractions
• Cheaper than some of the other 5 attraction passes
• The only pass that includes AM/PM Experience at the Empire State Building

Cons of New York CityPASS

• Very limited in the number of attractions. There are no tours included
• Does not have Edge, One World Trade Center, MOMA, etc
• Does not include a hop on hop off bus
• You HAVE to go to the Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History

Purchase your New York CityPASS® here or here (sometimes cheaper).

New York C3 Pass

New York C3 Pass is run by CityPASS®, the same company that operates the New York CityPASS®.

How does C3 Pass work?

C3 Pass is also an attraction based pass that provides you access to 3 attractions in New York City from a list of 10. Unlike the New York CityPASS, the C3 Pass includes the Edge observation deck.

After activation, you have up to 9 days to visit the 3 attractions before the pass expires. Activation starts when you enter your first attraction.

What attractions are included in the New York C3?

New York C3 Pass includes 10 attractions you can choose from.

• Empire State Building ( only one entry instead of 2 entries) ($44 Value)
• Edge at Hudson Yards ($36 Value)
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum ($36 Value)
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) ($25 value)

How much does C3 cost?

Does the new york c3 pass include transportation.

New York C3 Pass does not include transportation; it does not include hop-on-hop-off buses.

What are the pros and cons of New York C3 Pass?

Pros of New York C3 Pass

• Cheaper than other 3 attraction passes
• Includes the most popular attractions and museums

Cons of New York C3 Pass

• Does not include hop on hop off bus or One World Observatory
• No tours are included
• You have to pick the most expensive attractions in order to save money

Purchase your New York C3 pass here .

New York C-All Pass

New York C-All Pass is also by CityPASS®, the same company that operates the New York CityPASS® and New York C3 Pass.

How does the C-All Pass work?

The C-All Pass is an attraction based pass that offers one-time admission to 10 attractions.

Once you purchase the C-All pass online, you have one year to activate the pass.

Activation starts when you visit your first attraction; then you have 9 days to visit all 10 attractions, which gives you plenty of flexibility.

What attractions are included in the New York C-All Pass?

New York C-All pass includes 10 attractions.

• Empire State Building ($44 Value)
• American Museum of Natural History ($28 Value)

How much does New York C-All Pass cost?

Does the new york c-all pass include transportation.

The New York C-All Pass does not include subway access or hop-on hop-off bus in New York City.

What are the pros and cons of New York C-all Pass?

Pros of C-All Pass

• Cheapest 10 attraction pass
• Includes some of the most popular attractions and museums

Cons of C-All Pass

• Very limited flexibility: you cannot choose your attractions
• You have a limited number of attractions
• Does not include tours or hop on hop off bus

Purchase your New York C-all Pass here .

How does the New York Sightseeing DAY Pass work?

The Sightseeing Day Pass is a day-based all inclusive pass, it works very similarly to the New York Pass by Go City.

The pass is based on the number of consecutive days you want to spend in New York and you can visit as many attractions as you like once within one day. Sightseeing Day Pass offers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 day passes.

Your pass activates when you use it at your first attraction. You can purchase the pass up to 12 months in advance and if you need to cancel an unused pass, you have 12 months to cancel from purchase date.

What attractions are included in the New York Sightseeing Day Pass?

New York Sightseeing DAY Pass offer very similar choices of attractions as the New York Pass. You can see all the attractions it offers on its official website .

New York Sightseeing DAY Pass offers a few unique tours and attractions the other passes do not offer , and these include:

• Bronx Zoo ($37.75 retail price)
• Central Park Zoo ($19.95 retail price)
• The Rink at Rockefeller Center ($65 retail price)
• One way share-ride transfer from NYC area airports to Manhattan Hotels ($45 value)
• HERO NYC: The Winter Forest of the Northern Lights ($35)
• LOL Times Square Comedy Club ($25.5 retail price)
• LOL Times Square Magic ($20 retail price)
• National Lighthouse Museum ($5 retail price)
• Museum of Broadway ($39 retail price)
• NY Aquarium ($32.95 retail price)
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral Tour – Gold Pass ($25 retail price)

How much does New York Sightseeing DAY Pass cost?

Prices are subject to change and there are seasonal discounts and special deals on either the off i cial website or on Get Your Guide , a partner website.

What’s the difference between the Sightseeing DAY Pass and Go City New York Pass?

The major difference between the 2 NYC passes is the number of attractions they each offer and sometimes the price.

As listed above, there are a number of attractions and tours that Sightseeing DAY Pass offers that are not included on the New York Pass.

Vice versa, there are also things that the New York Pass offers that Sightseeing DAY Pass does not offer, such as 911 Memorial and Museum.

Is transportation included in the New York Sightseeing DAY Pass?

Public transportation is not included in the New York Sightseeing DAY Pass.

However the New York Sightseeing DAY Pass provide you one day access on the hop-on hop-off bus .

It also includes a one way ride-share transfer from New York City Area airport to Manhattan Hotel. This is a great perk that no other passes offer. It saves you so much money by not having to take Uber.

What are the pros and cons of New York Sightseeing DAY Pass?

Pros of New York Sightseeing DAY Pass

• Offers some unique attractions and tours
• Very family friendly with zoos and children’s museums and the NY Aquarium
• Generous cancellation and refund policy
• Best for those traveling with children
• Offers discounts at some restaurants, luggage storage, Drunk Shakespeare and admission to attractions at American Dream

Cons of New York Sightseeing DAY Pass

• Check if your child needs to pay for tickets at attractions before you pay for children passes
• Can get expensive the more days you purchase
• Does not include 911 Memorial & Museum

Purchase your New York Sightseeing DAY Pass here or here (sometimes cheaper).

The FLEX pass and the DAY Pass are both from the same company. The FLEX Pass work exactly the same way as the Go City Explorer Pass mentioned above.

How does the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass work?

The FLEX Pass is based on the number of attractions instead of the number of consecutive days. You have 60 days to visit the attractions after activation.

New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass offers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, or 12 attractions (Go City Explorer Pass does not offer the 12 attraction option).

What attractions are included in the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass?

The Sightseeing FLEX Pass pretty much covers the same attractions as the New York Sightseeing DAY Pass. You can find the complete list here .

Both the Sightseeing DAY pass and FLEX Pass also offer discounts on certain shops and tours (tours that are not included in the attraction list that is).

New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass cost

Is public transportation included in the new york sightseeing flex pass.

Public transportation is not included in the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass.

However the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass provide you one day access on the hop-on hop-off bus with Big Bus Tour if you choose to use that as one attraction.

It also includes a one way ride-share transfer from New York City Area airport to Manhattan Hotel if you use that as one attraction.

What are the pros and cons of New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass?

Pros of New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass

• Includes exclusive attractions not found on other passes
• Includes many discounts for restaurants, attractions, Drunk Shakespeare, etc
• Best for those traveling kids or New York Locals

Cons of New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass

• Does not include Statue of Liberty Cruise

Purchase your New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass here or here (sometimes cheaper).

Read Next : Complete Guide to Visit the One World Observatory

Summary of Best New York City Attraction Pass Comparison (Go City New York Pass vs. New York CityPASS vs. Sightseeing Pass)

Here is the summary that shows major differences between the different New York City attraction passes.

Attractions Each New York City Tourist Pass Covers (or Not Cover)

The chart below shows you the difference in what attractions each New York City attraction pass covers so you can see the major difference between each NYC pass.

** American Museum of Natural History and the Empire State Buildings are mandatory with the CityPASS. You use it or you lose it. ** Passes from Go City let you visit the Edge 1 hour before it opens to the general public

Best New York Attraction Pass: What Else to Know

The more days/ attractions you purchase, the cheaper it is per attraction . Let me show you what I mean by this. A 1 day Go City New York Pass is $154 whereas a 5 day New York Pass is $339, averaging to be around $68 a day.

Therefore it is a lot more economical to buy the 5 day pass (assuming you are staying for 5 or more days and the tours/ attractions you go to actually cost more than $68 a day). It actually is pretty do-able, you just need to go to 2 Observation Decks a day or 2-3 tours a day.

None of the passes include SUMMIT One , the newest observatory in New York. Does this matter to you? Maybe, maybe not, but it’s something you should be aware of.

You can read my detailed guide on SUMMIT One .

None of the passes include the MET , which is probably THE museum you need to visit when you are in New York City.

Reservation is required for some attractions. Many tours and some attractions (like Empire State Observatory, Statue of Liberty, American Museum of Natural History, MoMA, etc.) require you to reserve a spot ahead of time whereas others do not. You will need to know which ones require reservation so you don’t just show up and get turned away.

NY, NJ, or CT Residents can get free or discounted tickets to some museums and attractions. So if you are a local, do some research on where you can for free (pay as much as you like) before deciding which pass to buy.

You may need to combine different New York attraction passes : no one pass covers it all even though some come pretty close to it. If you want to do a lot of sightseeing you may need to combine a day pass with an attraction based pass to see everything.

Best New York City Attraction Pass Money Saving Strategy

Based on the example above, here are some of my tips on picking the best tourist pass for New York City and how to save money.

• Map out all the attractions you want to visit in New York City (save them on Google Maps). For inspiration, take a look at my 4 Day New York Itinerary
• Use Google Sheets (or a Note Pad) to list the price of each attraction
• Sum up the total cost of all the attractions you want to visit and see if purchasing a NYC Pass makes sense
• If you plan to do fewer than 3 attractions and tours a day, you should consider getting the FLEX Pass or Go City Explorer Pass since a day pass is roughly the cost of 3 attractions
• Money saving strategy for All-Inclusive day passes : start early, pack your day, go to at at least 3 attractions, and spend no more than 2 hours on each attraction
• Money saving strategy for attraction based passes : go to the most expensive attraction (hop on hop off bus, tours, bike rental, cruises, the rink at Rockefeller Center, etc)
• If you get a day pass, make sure tourist spots you want to go to are included, therefore you don’t need to pay out of pocket
• If you do end up paying out of pocket, use your pass towards the most expensive tours, and pay the least expensive ticket yourself

What is the Best New York Tourist Pass for Who?

I get it, not everyone has the same travel style. Some like to cram everything in whereas others like to slow travel. Some want to plan a super detailed itinerary down to the minutes, whereas others just want to wing it.

So depends on the type of traveler you are, the New York attraction passes may or may not be a good fit for you.

All Inclusive Passes

Time based attraction pass:

• New York Pass
• Sightseeing Day Pass

Best for those who:

• Like to jam pack their days
• Have only a few days in NYC
• Want to do tours, observation decks and museums
• Good with planning routes to maximize the day

Attraction based attraction pass with longer expiration period:

• Explorer Pass
• Have more time in NYC
• Like to slow travel
• Prefer to spend more time in museums
• Just want to wing it since there’s more time
• Want to do tours, observation decks and an emphasis on museums

No Passes Needed

Don’t need a pass, can just buy individual tickets

• Not planning to do too many paid attractions
• New York City locals that want to do museums
• Kids under 4
• Only want to do SUMMIT One or the Met

Other Questions You May Have About Picking the Best New York City Tourist Pass

• Are New York City Attraction Passes legit? Yes, the passes are legit and I have used them myself. This is not a too-good-to-be-true scam.
• Can I buy the pass in person? Nope, you can only buy a New York attraction pass online.
• Can I repeat attractions with a NYC pass? Nope, each attraction can only be visited once, except the Empire State Building AM/PM offering with CityPASS.
• Do the New York Passes include public transportation? Public transportation is not included with any NYC pass, but Go City and New York Sightseeing Passes include an one day hop on hop off bus.
• Do I still need a reservation with a New York City tourist pass? Yes, some attractions (like the Empire State Building) requires you to make a reservation.
• Do I get skip the line privilege with a New York attraction Pass? Yes and no. For the attractions that you need to book ahead of time, you get a timed slot, which essentially allows you to skip the queue. But for attractions that you don’t need to book ahead of time, you don’t get a special skip the line privilege, unless it’s stated on the pass for that particular attraction. Keep in mind that some busy attractions actually have a separate line for New York attraction pass holders, helping you to get in faster.
• Do kids need a New York attraction Pass? Kids under 3 are generally free. For kids between the age of 4 to 12, there are usually discounts for each of the NYC pass. You need to do some calculation to see if your particular itinerary makes the attraction pass worth it for kids.
• Do I need a New York Tourist Pass? No, you can always buy individual tickets, especially if you don’t plan on visiting that many. New York City sightseeing passes are good for a particular type of traveler, so you don’t need to feel pressured to buy one.

Read My Other New York City Blogs

If you are planning a New York City trip, you should definitely check out all my New York City blogs and figure out the best things to do to maximize your New York passes.

As a New York City local, I pretty much explored all the popular touristy spots and hidden gems in NYC. If you want to plan a NYC trip like a pro, check out some of my New York City local guides.

New York City Itineraries & Things to Do

• 100+ best things to do in New York City
• New York City itineraries
• New York City observation deck guides (SUMMIT One, One World, Empire State Building)
• Pier 57 Market & Rooftop Park Guide

Christmas and Holiday Season in New York City

• Most Instagrammable Places in NYC during the holidays
• Most Festive Pop Up Bars and Restaurants in NYC during the holidays
• Best Holiday Markets in NYC
• Things to do with kids in NYC during the holidays
• NYC Winter Survival Guide

New York City Seasonal Articles

• Why You should visit NYC in the fall
• Best Fall Hikes in NYC
• What it’s like to visit NYC in March
• What to do in New York City in April
• Where to See Cherry Blossoms in New York City
• Apple Picking in NYC
• Best Sunflower Fields in NYC
• Where to Pick Strawberries near NYC
• Best Pumpkin Patches on Long Island

How to Save Money Traveling to NYC

• New York Pass Review: Is New York Pass Worth it?
• New York Explorer Pass Review

New York City Food Guide

• Best Ice Cream Shops in Lower Manhattan
• Best Brunch Spots in New York City
• Tim Ho Wan Restaurant Review
• Afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel
• Cutest Plants and Flower Cafes in New York City

Other New York City Guides

• Coolest Airbnbs in New York State
• Best New York Themed Gifts
• Unique Brooklyn Themed Gifts
• Cold Spring Day Trip from NYC
• Construction Themed Amusement Park near NYC

Like this post? Pin this New York Pass Comparison Guide to Pinterest!

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New York Pass Comparison 2024

Want to compare the different New York tourist passes and find out which New York pass is best for you ? Then you’ve come to the right place with my detailed comparison of New York passes !

In my comparison of the Sightseeing Pass NYC, the New York Pass, the Explorer Pass New York, the Sightseeing Flex Pass, the New York CityPASS and – brand new – the New York All-Inclusive Pass, you can see at a glance which attractions and visits are included and how much they cost (► here’s a quick overview ). Plus, you’ll find my personal tips and answers to frequently asked questions about New York City Passes.

My goal: that you have fun in New York and don’t overpay for the best sights, tours and attractions!

Which New York Pass should you buy?

Whereas for many other cities, I only have one favourite, for New York, I have two recommendations. Why? The 👉 New York Explorer Pass is the best New York Pass if you want to be flexible in terms of time and have planned a day without sightseeing (perfect for families with kids!).

» BUY EXPLORER PASS

The 👉 New York Pass is the attraction pass, with most of the main attractions and especially the boat tours (make sure you do them) – and it’s the best pass for those who want to get the most out of New York. You can visit as many attractions as you like for a super-fair fixed price, so you can plan your budget before your trip and there are no extra charges .

By the way: the two New York City Passes are almost identical in terms of portfolio, as they’re owned by the same company.

» BUY the NEW YORK PASS

Compare New York Passes

New York CityPASS vs Go New York Pass or New York Explorer Pass vs New York Pass: in my New York Pass comparison chart, you can see all the passes at a glance and compare which of the many New York City Passes best meets your wishes 👇.

Still not sure?

You can use my savings calculator to find out exactly which New York Pass is worthwhile!

» TRY IT OUT FOR FREE!

How do passes for New York attractions work?

Whether you choose the New York Explorer Pass, the New York CityPASS or the New York All-Inclusive Pass, the how it works is the same for all New York City Passes .

#1 Buy in advance, activate and use in New York

City Passes are a great way to save on your travel budget. If you’ve decided to buy a New York Pass, here are the next steps :

• Step 1: You’ll receive your booking confirmation by email.
• Step 2: You print it out (it’s already your pass) or download it directly electronically in the free app from the relevant New York Pass provider
• Step 3: When you arrive in New York, present it at the attraction ticket office (BEWARE: some will ask for your ID card or passport for verification the first time you use it)
• Step 4: You’ll receive your admission ticket or your New York Pass will be scanned and you’ll be ready to go!

#2 Savings on major New York attractions and tours

All New York City Passes work like a group ticket, as one ticket to many attractions at once . The fact that you don’t buy just one ticket, but several in the form of tourist passes such as the New York Explorer Pass, the Sightseeing Flex Pass, the Sightseeing Day Pass, the CityPASS New York or the New York Pass, makes it possible to visit New York attractions at a lower cost.

Savings of more than 20% are still possible, but savings of 30-50% are more likely!

#3 Easy to use

They’re comparable to prepaid phone cards : once you’ve bought them, you can use them for as many attractions or days as you “top up”. For example, if you bought the Explorer Pass New York for 4 attractions, you can use it as a ticket for exactly 4 attractions, whereas with the 2-day Sightseeing Day Pass, you can visit as many attractions as you like or can manage, but only for 2 days.

Travel plan for New York

Not sure which attractions to include in your New York itinerary? Here are some ideas on how I would plan my trip to New York with attraction passes :

My itinerary for New York in 4 days

» BUY THE NEW YORK PASS

My itinerary for New York in 5 days

Which is the best new york pass.

This is a tough question, as the answer depends on what you want to see in how many days and who you’re travelling with in New York. However, there are some attraction passes that are better than the other contenders:

#1 The best New York pass for first-time visitors to New York

If you want to see a full set of attractions, one-day attraction passes are the best choice for you. Why? For a fixed price, you can visit as many attractions as you like or can manage. With the New York Pass for 5 days or the Sightseeing Day Pass NYC for 4 days , you can choose from over 100 attractions, walking tours, boat tours and hop-on hop-off bus tours for 5 or 4 days respectively. The price doesn’t change whether you visit 10 or 20! Isn’t that great?

Two of the New York City Passes are recommended here, but for me, the New York Pass is slightly superior to the Sightseeing Day Pass NYC (especially as it includes the 9/11 Memorial Museum).

My advice: days count consecutively, so don’t leave a spare day in between or it will expire!

#2 The best New York Pass for families

Attraction-based New York City Passes like the Explorer Pass and Sightseeing Flex Pass are perfect for families with kids, as you can plan a day without sightseeing in between. Do the kids prefer to do something else during the day than what you wanted to do in the first place? No problem, just do it another day!

Here, you can buy the New York Explorer Pass and here the Sightseeing Flex Pass .

#3 The best New York pass if you’ve already been to NYC

Are you a repeat New Yorker? Perfect! Then you’ll have a much more relaxed experience of the city because you’ve probably already visited many of the famous attractions on your first holiday.

That’s why flexible attraction passes such as the New York Explorer Pass and the Sightseeing Flex Pass are ideal for families.

New York passes in detail

Short and simple: you can choose between these passes for New York attractions:

#1 New York Explorer Pass

With the New York Explorer Pass, you have total control over your trip to New York. Choose from over 90 attractions and tours, deciding how many you want to visit, from 2 to 10.

Whether you want to climb to the top of the Empire State Building, take a multi-stop bus tour or explore the Natural History Museum, you have the freedom to create your own itinerary.

This pass is perfect for you if you prefer a more relaxed pace and the flexibility to choose attractions as you go, without the pressure of having to visit them all in a few days. What’s more, it allows you to save up to 50% on the cost of normal tickets!

• Includes over 90 TOP attractions, including four observation decks, a boat tour of the Statue of Liberty and hop-on hop-off buses.
• 7 variants: bookable for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of the 10 attractions
• Savings of up to 40
• Flexible travel planning, as days can also be left free
• Perfect for first-time visitors and families
• Valid for 60 days from first use, no stress of sightseeing
• Simply print it out or download it to your mobile phone

» BUY THE EXPLORE NEW YORK PASS

You can find out more about the Explorer Pass New York here.

#2 New York Pass

With the New York Pass, you have the freedom to discover over 100 attractions in New York without worrying about single tickets. Imagine standing atop the Empire State Building, visiting the moving 9/11 Memorial and Museum or exploring the famous Museum of Modern Art – all with just one pass. Available for different durations, the pass fits perfectly into your travel plans.

One particular advantage: at many attractions, you have priority access, which allows you to avoid long queues. The New York Pass is ideal if you want to make the most of your visit to New York, saving time and money. It not only makes your trip more convenient, but also more comfortable and enriching.

• Includes over 100 TOP attractions, including four observation platforms, the Statue of Liberty boat tour and hop-on hop-off buses.
• 7 variants: bookable for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 days
• Save up to 60
• the best value for money if you want to see 2 or 3 attractions a day
• perfect for first-time visitors
• You can visit as many attractions as you like or as many as you can manage for a fixed price
• Easily printable or downloadable to your mobile phone

You can find out more about the New York Pass here.

#3 Sightseeing Day Pass NYC

The Sightseeing DAY Pass New York gives you unlimited access to over 100 attractions and tours for the number of days you choose, from 1 to 10 days. This pass is ideal if you want to explore as much as possible in as little time as possible.

With this pass, you can visit iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, take a bike ride in Central Park or discover the wonders of the Guggenheim Museum. It’s perfect for those with a busy itinerary who want to make the most of every day in New York.

What’s more, it offers the option of multi-stop bus tours, which are a great way to get your bearings and see the city in a comfortable and informative way.

• Includes over 100 TOP attractions, including four observation decks, the Statue of Liberty boat tour and hop-on hop-off buses.
• Saves up to 60
• 8 options: bookable for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 days
• Perfect for first-time visitors
• Easy to print or download onto your mobile phone

» BUY the Sightseeing DAY Pass

You can find out more about the New York Sightseeing DAY Pass here.

#4 Sightseeing Flex Pass NYC

The Sightseeing FLEX Pass New York gives you the flexibility to choose from over 100 attractions and tours, with the freedom to use it over a 60-day period. Choose the number of attractions you want to visit, from 2 to 12, and save up to 50% on entry costs.

This pass is ideal if you’re planning to stay in New York for a longer period or if you prefer a leisurely trip, deciding which attractions to visit as you go. It is also perfect for those returning to New York and wishing to explore new attractions at a more leisurely pace.

With the Sightseeing FLEX Pass, you have the freedom to completely personalise your New York sightseeing experience.

• Includes over 100 TOP attractions, including four observation decks, hop-on hop-off buses and various boat tours
• 8 variations: bookable for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 or 12 attractions
• Valid for 60 days, so no tourist stress

» BUY the Sightseeing Flex Pass

You can find out more about the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass here.

#5 New York All-Inclusive Pass

The New York All-Inclusive Pass by Go City grants access to over 100 attractions and experiences for a duration of 1 to 10 days.

Enjoy unlimited entry to sites like the Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and hop-on-hop-off bus tours.

This pass is perfect for those wanting to see and experience as much of New York as possible. It offers significant savings and the flexibility to choose attractions on the go, allowing you to explore New York’s diversity and energy at your own pace.

• Exactly like the New York Pass
• Over 100 attractions are included, including four viewing platforms, the Statue of Liberty boat tour and hop-on hop-off buses
• 7 variants: bookable for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days
• Savings of up to 60
• Great value if you want to see 2 or 3 attractions a day
• Perfect for first-time visitors to the city

» BUY the New York All-Inclusive Pass

You can find out more about the New York All-Inclusive Pass here.

#6 CityPASS New York

The CityPASS New York provides access to five top attractions at a reduced cost, including the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, and a choice of boat tours including the Statue of Liberty. Choose between Top of the Rock or Guggenheim Museum, and 9/11 Memorial & Museum or Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

Ideal for those wanting to see New York’s famous sites affordably, the pass offers nine days to visit all attractions, allowing for a relaxed vacation.

• Includes 8 attractions such as the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, 9/11 Memorial Museum and a boat tour
• Saves up to 40
• valid for 9 days, so no stressful sightseeing
• perfect for first-time visitors to the city
• Simply print or download to your mobile phone

» Buy CITYPASS NEW YORK

My recommendation: Even better than the CityPASS New York is the New York Explorer Pass (Go New York Card) and the Sightseeing Flex Pass .

More comparisons

In addition to the comprehensive comparison of the New York Passes, I have the most important comparisons for you here.

So you can see exactly which New York Pass is better for you.

New York Pass vs. CityPASS New York Comparison

The CityPASS and the New York Pass are well-established New York City passes. This comparison highlights the key differences between them.

Which attractions are included?

The New York Pass grants access to over 100 attractions, including four observation decks (Empire State Building, Edge Hudson Yards, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory), over 20 museums, seven boat tours, and five bus tours.

The CityPASS offers a choice of 8 attractions, including the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Intrepid Museum, Guggenheim Museum, and three Circle Line Cruises. You can visit five of these attractions within nine days of the first visit.

Both passes cover the CityPASS attractions, but the New York Pass includes additional options.

What are the cancellation policies?

Both the New York Pass and CityPASS offer free cancellation within 365 days of purchase, provided they haven’t been used or activated and no time slots at attractions have been booked.

How much do they cost?

The CityPASS costs $138 for adults and $118 for children (6 – 17 years). The New York Pass has 8 options (1-10 days), starting at $155.

New York Pass vs. CityPASS New York: Which is Better?

The New York Pass and CityPASS cater to different needs. The New York Pass offers a broader range of over 100 attractions, while the CityPASS focuses on 8 key sights, allowing visits to 5.

The CityPASS, priced at $138, is suitable for those focusing on major attractions like the Empire State Building and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. It also has a higher age limit for children (6 – 17 years), beneficial for families with older children or teenagers.

However, the CityPASS has a limited selection and excludes attractions like the One World Observatory, Edge viewing platforms, and hop-on hop-off city tours with BIG BUS, including city and night-time harbor tours.

For a more extensive selection and flexibility, the New York Pass is recommended.

For detailed information:

• New York Pass
• CityPASS New York 

New York Pass vs. Sightseeing DAY Pass Comparison

Both the New York Pass and the Sightseeing DAY Pass offer access to over 100 attractions in New York, but there are key differences to consider when choosing the right pass for your needs.

The New York Pass includes exclusive access to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Rockefeller Center Tour, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and popular boat tours like the Best of NYC Cruise and Harbor Lights Cruise by Circle Line. If these attractions are on your must-see list, the New York Pass is the better choice.

The Sightseeing DAY Pass uniquely offers the Woodbury Common Outlet shopping tour and the Museum of Broadway in Times Square.

The New York Pass allows free cancellation up to 365 days after purchase, provided it hasn’t been activated or used for booking tickets or tours.

The Sightseeing DAY Pass does not offer free cancellation unless you purchase additional insurance at the time of booking, which costs an extra 6%.

The pricing for both passes is similar, with regular discounts available on their respective websites. The New York Pass is recommended if your desired attractions are included in both passes, as it offers free cancellation and includes the 9/11 Memorial Museum and Rockefeller Center Tour, which are not available with the DAY Pass.

New York Pass vs. Sightseeing DAY Pass: Which is Better?

Both passes are competitive, but the New York Pass edges out slightly due to its free cancellation policy and a slightly better selection of attractions, making it the recommended choice.

• Sightseeing DAY Pass

Explorer Pass vs. Sightseeing FLEX Pass Comparison

Both the Explorer Pass and the Sightseeing FLEX Pass offer attraction-based options for exploring New York, but they have distinct features that set them apart.

The Explorer Pass offers a choice of over 90 attractions, while the Sightseeing FLEX Pass has just over 80. Both include popular viewing platforms like the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Edge at Hudson Yards, and One World Observatory, as well as city tours and BIG BUS day tickets.

Key differences: The Explorer Pass exclusively includes the 9/11 Memorial Museum and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry, making it a preferable choice for many. The Sightseeing FLEX Pass, however, uniquely offers the Woodbury Common Outlet and the Museum of Broadway.

The FLEX Pass allows booking up to 12 attractions, compared to 10 with the Explorer Pass.

The Explorer Pass offers free cancellation up to one year after purchase, provided it hasn’t been activated or used. The Sightseeing FLEX Pass requires additional insurance for cancellation, costing 6% extra.

Both passes have similar pricing structures, with regular discounts available. The choice between them often comes down to specific attraction preferences and pricing at the time of purchase.

Explorer Pass vs. Sightseeing FLEX Pass: Which is Better?

The Explorer Pass is generally better due to its inclusion of key attractions like the 9/11 Memorial Museum and the Statue of Liberty ferry. However, if these specific attractions aren’t on your list, the deciding factor may be the price.

• New York Explorer Pass
• Sightseeing FLEX Pass

New York Pass vs. Explorer Pass

Comparing the New York Pass and the Explorer Pass is intriguing as they cater to different types of travelers.

Both passes, offered by Go City, include major attractions, city tours, and boat tours, making them equally attractive in terms of options.

The New York Pass is ideal for those who want to pack as many attractions as possible into 1 to 10 consecutive days. The Explorer Pass, offering up to 10 attractions over 60 days, provides more flexibility for a spread-out itinerary.

Both passes offer the same cancellation terms: a full refund within 365 days, provided the pass hasn’t been activated or used for booking.

The New York Pass starts at $149 for one day, while the Explorer Pass begins at $79 for two attractions.

New York Pass vs. Explorer Pass: Which is Better?

The New York Pass is better for intensive sightseeing, covering all admission costs. The Explorer Pass suits those who prefer to visit a fixed number of attractions over several days.

What New York City Pass discounts are available?

These are the current New York Pass discount codes:

• New York Pass discount code: NYP5LOVING
• New York Explorer Pass discount code: GO5LOVING
• Sightseeing DAY Pass discount: LNYOffer
• Sightseeing FLEX Pass discount: LNYOffer

Can I use public transportation with the New York Pass, the Explorer Pass New York and the CityPASS?

No, the sightseeing pass for New York includes tourist attractions, but not tickets for public transportation.

Aktivieren sich die New York Pässe beim Kauf?

Do the New York Passes activate upon purchase?

Can I visit attractions more than once with the Attractions Passes for New York?

No – you can visit each attraction exactly once. The only exception is the CityPASS: here you can visit the Empire State Building both during the day and in the evening of the same day.

I'm Steffen and over the years I've been able to help over 100,000 travelers easily save money on vacation. You can find the best tips for the most beautiful cities and regions worldwide here on this page. Whenever you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!

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The Ultimate Guide to New York City Attraction Passes + Prices

Home | Travel | North America | United States | New York | NYC | The Ultimate Guide to New York City Attraction Passes + Prices

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You’ll never run out of things to do in this city, so if you want to save money and see as much as possible, consider a New York City attraction pass . Whether you’re visiting for a day, a week, or long term, there is an NYC pass for you.

The options range from one-day and multi-day passes that let you see unlimited attractions, to longer-term passes that cover a specified number of activities. There are even shorter-term cards that let you see some of NYC’s most popular and expensive attractions at a discounted rate.

This guide will help you find the New York sightseeing pass that best suits your trip and preferences. I’ll tell you each card’s time limit, included attractions, advantages, and disadvantages so you can easily compare these options:

• The New York Pass
• GoCity New York Explorer Pass
• New York Sightseeing Day Pass
• New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass
• New York CityPass
• New York C3 Pass

At the end of this guide, I will also give you some tips to make the most of your NYC pass. But, while each of these NYC attraction passes help you save money, if it’s your first time here, we recommend the New York Pass , which includes over 100 activities and validity for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10 days.

What is a New York City attraction pass?

A New York attraction pass can help you make the most of your time in the Big Apple by saving you money on all kinds of activities, attractions, sites, NYC museums , and tours. Most New York City sightseeing passes have a digital option or mobile app, so you can quickly scan your pass and skip the ticket line.

An attraction pass is ideal for families, groups, and first-time visitors, and there are several options available. The New York Pass and the NY Sightseeing Day Pass allow you to visit unlimited attractions for several consecutive days. Meanwhile, the GoCity New York Explorer Pass and the NY Sightseeing FLEX Pass are valid for a longer period of time but limit the number of attractions you can visit. Finally, the New York CityPass and NEW YORK C3 Pass are good if you only want to visit a few specific premium attractions.

In this article, I’ll review each New York attraction pass , comparing their pricing and included attractions, so you can choose the best card for your needs .

1. The New York Pass

The New York Pass is a digital pass for over 100 NYC attractions. Not only does it include several New York museum passes , but you’ll also have access to all kinds of tours, NYC observation decks , the Big Bus Tour (one of the best hop-on hop-off bus tours in NYC ), and more. You can purchase a pass for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10 days, but you must use it for that specific number of consecutive days. It’s the best NYC pass for first-time visitors since it includes lots of touristy activities, so we recommend it if you want to see some of the best attractions in NYC during your 2-day itinerary or 10-day itinerary to NYC .

Attractions included

• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• 9/11 Museum Workshop: Hands-On 9/11 Tour
• American Museum of Natural History
• Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour in Williamsburg
• Best of NYC Cruise by Circle Line
• Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off: 1-Day Classic Ticket
• Broadway and Times Square Tour
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden
• Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rentals by Blazing Saddles
• Brooklyn Bike Rental by Unlimited Biking
• Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tour
• Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Neighborhood Tour
• Brooklyn Museum of Art
• Catacombs by Candlelight Tour
• Central Park Bike Rental by Unlimited Biking
• Central Park Bike Tour by Unlimited Biking
• Central Park Sightseeing Walking Tour
• Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour
• Christmas Lights Walking Tour of Brooklyn
• City Rambler – A Walk Through History
• Clipper City Tall Ship – Statue of Liberty Cruise
• Colonial New York Retold Walking Tour
• Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
• Deno’s Wonder Wheel
• El Museo del Barrio
• Empire State Building Observatory
• Escape Virtuality
• Food on Foot Tours
• Fotografiska New York
• Fraunces Tavern Museum
• Ghosts of Greenwich Village Tours
• Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour of Brooklyn
• Greenwich Village Walking Tour
• Greenwich Village at Night Walking Tour
• Hamilton Tour
• Harbor Lights Cruise by Circle Line
• Harlem Bike Rental by Unlimited Biking
• Harlem Gospel Tour by Inside Out Tours
• Harlem Highlights Bike Tour by Unlimited Biking
• Harlem Jazz Series
• Harlem Walking Tours
• High Line Chelsea Meatpacking Tour
• Holiday Markets & Lights Tour
• How Money Was Made: Wall Street Walking Tour
• International Center of Photography Museum
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center – Westchester
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center New Jersey
• Landmark Cruise by Circle Line
• Liberty Cruise by Circle Line
• Liberty Super Express Cruise
• Madame Tussauds Admission + MARVEL Universe 4D
• Marvel & DC Superheroes Tour
• Masters of the Camera
• Museum at Eldridge St.
• Museum of Arts and Design
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• Museum of Sex
• Museum of the City of New York
• NYC Bus Tour of Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens
• NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour
• NYC TV & Movie Bus Tour
• New York Botanical Garden
• New York City News Media Walking Tour
• New York City Sketching Art Tour
• New York Hall of Science
• New York Historical Society
• One World Observatory
• Pride Walking Tour
• Rockefeller Center Tour
• SEA LIFE Aquarium New Jersey
• Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
• SoHo, Little Italy, & Chinatown Walking Tour
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
• Patrick’s Cathedral Tour
• Staten Island Children’s Museum
• Staten Island Ferry Audio Guide & Empire Outlet Coupons
• Staten Island Museum
• Staten Island Zoo
• Statue of Liberty Ferry and Ellis Island Immigration Museum
• Surrey Rental on Governors Island
• Tastes of the Lower East Side Walking Tour
• The Cathedral of St. John the Divine
• The Museum of Chinese in America
• The Official Chinatown Walking Tour
• The Official Little Italy Walking Tour
• The Paley Center for Media
• The Skyscraper Museum
• Top of the Highline and Vessel Tour
• Top of the Rock Observation Deck
• Whitney Museum of American Art
• Yankee Stadium Tours
• Best for : First-time visitors, families
• Pros : 365-day money-back guarantee, variety of passes, number of attractions
• Cons : You must use the pass in the consecutive days

2. GoCity New York Explorer Pass

Another New York City attraction pass you may like is the GoCity New York Explorer Pass . It works at over 100 attractions, and you have 60 days to use it, so it’s a good option if you’re going to be in the city a few times over the next couple of months or staying long term. Simply download the mobile app and pick the activities you’d like to do as you go. This GoCity New York Explorer pass has a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10-attraction option, so it’s best for people who know specifically what they’d like to see.

• Best of NYC Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing
• Broadway & Times Square Walking Tour
• Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rental by Unlimited Biking
• Brooklyn Bridge Guided Bike Tour by Unlimited Biking
• Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Walking Tour
• Brooklyn Museum & Brooklyn Botanic Garden Combo
• Central Park Walking Tour
• Circle Line NYC Landmarks Cruise
• Clipper City Tall Ship: Daytime or Sunset Statue Sail
• Empire State Building
• Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour in Brooklyn
• Guggenheim Museum
• Guided Harlem Highlights Bike Tour by Unlimited Biking
• Harbor Lights Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing
• Harlem Gospel Tour (Sunday Service)
• High Line – Chelsea – Meatpacking District Neighborhood Walking Tour
• Holiday Markets & Christmas Lights Walking Tour
• Liberty Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing
• Masters of the Camera NYC Rooftop Photoshoot
• NYC Slavery & Underground Railroad Walking Tour
• New York Historical Society Museum
• Perfect Picnic
• Secrets of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island – Walking Tour
• SoHo – Little Italy – Chinatown Neighborhood Walking Tour
• Patrick’s Cathedral Tour with Express Entry
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry
• Surrey Bike Rental on Governors Island (2 hours)
• The Museum of The City of New York
• The New York Botanical Garden: Garden Pass
• The Whitney Museum of American Art
• Top of the Rock Observatory
• Woodbury Common Bus Tour (Round Trip + VIP Coupon Book)
• Yankee Stadium – Classic Tour
• Best for : People who know exactly what they want to see
• Pros : You can choose the attractions as you go, you have 60 days to use it
• Cons : You’re limited to a specific number of attractions

3. New York Sightseeing Day Pass

With a mobile app and access to over 150 attractions, the New York Sightseeing Day Pass is another solid choice. Select a New York sightseeing pass for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 days, and do as many activities as you want during that time. You’ll get access to popular attractions like observation decks and museums, as well as premium tours. The card has a 1-year money-back guarantee, and you can get a refund for your non-used pass if you purchase Sightseeing Pass insurance.

• 9/11 Ground Zero Museum Workshop
• 9/11 Tribute Museum
• Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour – Brooklyn Unplugged
• Big Bus NY Classic Tour – 1 Day
• Bowlmor Times Square
• Brooklyn Children’s Museum
• Brooklyn Christmas Lights Tour (at Dyker Heights) – Brooklyn Unplugged
• Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine – General Admission
• Central Park Bike Tour or Rental by Fancy Apple
• Central Park Zoo
• Circle Line Landmarks Cruise
• Circle Line Liberty Cruise
• City Sightseeing/Hornblower Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Cruise
• El Museum del Barrio
• Escape Game New York
• ExperienceFirst – Greenwich Village Walking Tour
• ExperienceFirst – High Line and Chelsea Walking Tour
• ExperienceFirst – Inside Broadway Walking Tour
• ExperienceFirst – Lower Manhattan walking Tour
• ExperienceFirst – Secrets of Hudson Yards, High Line & The Vessel Tour
• ExperienceFirst – SoHo and Little Italy Walking Tour
• Food on Foot Tours – Midtown Mix Guided Food Tour
• Fotografiska NY
• Gray Line CitySightseeing Best of Manhattan Tour
• Gray Line CitySightseeing Brooklyn Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Gray Line CitySightseeing Downtown Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Gray Line CitySightseeing Night Tour
• Gray Line CitySightseeing Uptown Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
• Hamilton Happy Hour Tour
• Hornblower Cruises – Alive After Five
• Hush Tours – Walk This Way Thru Harlem Tour
• International Center of Photography
• LOL Times Square Comedy Club
• LOL Times Square Magic
• Macy’s Historical Tour
• Madame Tussauds New York
• Madison Square Garden All-Access Tour
• Manhattan and Beyond Tours – Central Park Walking Tour
• Manhattan by Sail – Clipper City Daytime Statue Sail
• Manhattan by Sail – Shearwater Statue Sail
• Museum at Eldridge Street
• Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
• National Lighthouse Museum
• New York Historical Society Museum and Library
• Northlandz Miniature Wonderland
• NY Aquarium
• NYC Fashion Window Walking Tour
• On Location Tours – Central Park TV and Movie Sites Tour
• On Location Tours – NYC TV and Movie Tour by Bus
• Queens-Flushing Meadows International Food Excursion
• Radio City Museum Hall Stage Door Tour
• Scavenger Hunts – New York
• South Street Seaport Museum
• Spirits on Foot – Beer, Spirits & Wine Crawl
• Patrick’s Cathedral Tour – Gold Pass
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Roundtrip Ferry Tour
• Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
• Best for : First-time visitors, families with kids
• Pros : Variety of attractions and day passes
• Cons : You must use the pass for the number of consecutive days

4. New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass

If you have a few top attractions that you’d like to see during your trip, consider the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass . Choose from over 100 attractions, including bus tours, shows, and meals. Depending on the New York FLEX Pass you select, you’ll get access to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, or 12 activities. Plus, this pass is valid for 60 days, so it’s convenient if you’re going to be in NYC sporadically over the next couple of months.

• Buffalo Wild Wings – Brooklyn
• ExperienceFirst – Lower Manhattan Walking Tour
• Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour
• Sea Life Aquarium American Dream – New Jersey
• Best for : Seeing the most popular attractions; people who have limited sightseeing time during a long-term stay
• Pros : You have 60 days to use your pass

5. New York CityPass

The New York CityPass is valid for nine days and saves you 40% at five of the top NYC attractions. This NYC pass includes admission to the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History. Then, you can choose between the Top of the Rock or the Guggenheim; a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise; and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum or the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

While it’s a bit more complicated, it’s a good New York attraction pass if you want to see a few of these premium sites and you have a longer stay in the city.

• Top of the Rock Observation Deck or Guggenheim Museum
• Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum or Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• Best for : People who only want to do NYC’s top activities and visit the best observation decks and museums for the cheapest price
• Pros : 365-day money-back guarantee, you have 9 days to use it
• Cons : It only includes 5 attractions, you don’t have a wide selection

6. New York C3

The New York C3 Pass can help you save up to 34% on some of NYC’s most exclusive attractions, and it has a 365-day risk-free return policy for unused cards. The New York C3 pass is valid for nine days and grants you access to three premium attractions. There is a mobile pass option, which is especially convenient for large groups. On the downside, the C3 card only gives you 11 attractions to choose from.

• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• City Cruises
• Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• Best for : Visitors who are short on time or on a budget
• Pros : Great savings on some of NYC’s most iconic attractions
• Cons : You must use the pass within 9 days of activating it, there are only 11 attraction options

Which New York City discount pass is best?

If you’re not sure which card to choose, here is a New York City attraction pass comparison chart so you can see which ones include the activities and attractions you definitely want to see. The prices in parentheses show the regular admission price, so you can calculate your savings with each card.

Looking at all the options, my top recommendation is the New York Pass if it’s your first time in the Big Apple or you plan to do a lot of sightseeing . Specifically, the three-day card will give you plenty of time to see the most popular attractions.

If you aren’t planning to see that many things, and saving on prime attractions is what you’re after, then grab a pen and a piece of paper and run this quick calculation:

• Choose which of the starred attractions in the chart you want to visit no matter what.
• Add up the ticket prices of those attractions.
• Check the price for each of the tourist pass options (take into account the days you want to spend visiting those attractions or the number of attractions you want to see.)
• Check if all the passes include the starred attractions you want to visit. If not, add up the prices of those attractions to the cost of that pass to have the total cost per option.
• Compare the total cost of visiting your favorite attractions without a pass with the total cost per tourist pass (cost of the passes + cost of attractions not included.)

At this point you should know which is the cheapest option for you, but if you’re still unsure and are deciding between two options, repeat the calculation with other non-starred attractions you want to visit, too. If the difference is not that much, I recommend getting an all-inclusive pass, like the New York Pass or the New York Sightseeing Day Pass .

Tips to make the most of your NYC pass

With a bit of planning, your New York City sightseeing pass will pay for itself. Be sure to take the time to see which attractions are close to each other so you can maximize your time and savings. To help you out, here are some examples of how to use your NYC attraction pass for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days to make the most of your time.

Best New York citypass for a 2-day itinerary

• Recommended pass : 2-Day New York Pass
• Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Ticket (regularly $60)
• Central Park Bike Tour (regularly $52)
• Museum of Modern Art (regularly $25)
• Empire State Building (regularly $48)
• Ferry to Liberty & Ellis Islands (regularly $25)
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum (regularly $28)
• One World Observatory (regularly $45)
• Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Tour (regularly $35)
• Harbor Lights Cruise (regularly $44)
• Total cost without pass : $365
• Total cost of 2-Day Pass : $189
• Savings : $176

Best New York citypass for a 3-day itinerary

• Recommended pass : 3-Day New York Pass
• Bronx, Brooklyn & Queens Bus Tour (regularly $79)
• THE EDGE at Hudson Yards (regularly $44)
• Total cost without pass : $488
• Total cost of 3-Day Pass : $219
• Savings : $269

Best New York citypass for a 4-day itinerary

• Recommended pass : 4-Day New York Pass
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (regularly $33)
• High Line & Chelsea Walking Tour (regularly $39)
• Lower East Side Food Tour (regularly $35)
• Total cost without pass : $595
• Total cost of 4-Day Pass : $249
• Savings : $346

Best New York citypass for a 5-day itinerary

• Recommended pass : 5-Day New York Pass
• American Museum of Natural History (regularly $23)
• Guggenheim Museum (regularly $25)
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art ($25. Not included in this pass)
• Patrick’s Cathedral Tour (regularly $25)
• Total cost without pass : $693
• Total cost of 5-Day Pass : $279 + $25
• Savings : $389

Please, take into account that these aren’t the itineraries I recommend for 2, 3, 4, and 5-day trips. It’s just an example to show you how much you can save by using a tourist pass. Apart from attractions and tours, I recommend booking some time to just walk around the city by yourself and take in the views; it’s one of the best free things to do in NYC.

Are these NYC passes worth it?

As you can see from the New York City tourist attraction pass comparison chart and the sample itineraries, an NYC CityPass is worth it , especially if you want to do a lot of sightseeing or you’d like to experience some of the more expensive attractions. As long as you run the calculation above and make sure you purchase the right pass for your trip, you’ll save money while enjoying the best places to visit in Manhattan !

I hope you found an NYC pass you’d like to use during your trip. If you have any questions or are still unsure about which NYC pass is best for you, feel free to leave me a comment below. Have a great time in New York City!

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Ascen Aynat

6 replies on “ The Ultimate Guide to New York City Attraction Passes + Prices ”

We were disappointed to learn the site seeing pass does not include the 9/11 museum.

Hi James, Yes, the New York Sightseeing Pass is the only NYC card that doesn’t include the 9/11 Museum (although it does include a 9/11 walking tour).

Hi Karen I’m bamboozled by all the options! If you buy the passes, is entry free to the sites or discounted?

Hi Niamh, Typically, entry is included (free) if you have the attraction pass. However, different passes include different attractions, so take a look at the chart in this article to see which attractions are included in each pass.

Hello Ascen,

My husband and I are taking our son and 10 year old grandson to NYC for a 3-day visit in June. We are considering either the 3-day NYC pass or the Sightseeing Day pass. We would like to upgrade the Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty visit to include the pedestal access and possibly the crown. We would also like to upgrade the Empire State building 86th floor ticket to include the 102nd floor viewing. Do either pass include the upgrade, or would we need to purchase a ticket upgrade when we arrive at the attraction? Would it be best to purchase tickets before we go for specific days? Can we purchase the passes this early and do we need to specify which days we want to use them for? If we don’t specify days, could the attraction be full for the day? Thank you for your information. So helpful!!

Hi Karen, You can get the 3-day pass and upgrade your ticket once you reach the attraction.

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New York Pass Comparison (+ Discount)

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: August 29, 2022

Attraction passes are a great way to save money when visiting new places. And it’s a really simple concept; the more days or attractions you bundle, the more money you’ll save. We’ve used attraction passes in cities all around the world, and we truly believe that New York is the one city that works the best with a pass because there’s so many iconic things to see and do.

In this New York pass comparison guide we show you the 4 major NYC passes with pros and cons for each pass to help you decide which is the perfect fit for your plans. (Are you interested in saving even more money? We have an exclusive discount for our readers with our favorite NY pass, so keep reading to take advantage!)

Disclosure : We received New York Sightseeing Pass and New York CityPASS tickets in order to share our opinion about these products but this is not a sponsored post.

Our NYC Experience

What do we know about visiting NYC? Well, Kristen is a New York state native, we’ve visited countless times and  we even lived in NYC for 4 months in 2021 . We explored Manhattan and Brooklyn non-stop for a third of a year, so we’ve done everything there is to do in the touristy areas. And more importantly, we actually used the attraction passes, as you’ll see in our photos. Read more  about us .

So far in New York we’ve used CityPASS , C3 Pass and Sightseeing Pass . (Look for the captions underneath our photos in this guide to see which pass we used at each attraction.) We’ve also used the Go City Pass in Rome , London and Paris so we’re definitely familiar with how these passes work!

You probably have lots of questions about the passes (just like we did), and reading this comparison is the perfect place to find your answers. We’ve got lots of tables and charts to help you understand the passes, and by the end you’ll know exactly which pass to buy and how to use it. Let’s begin!

Travel Tip : We do our best to keep prices and attractions up to date, but they’re constantly changing on each pass. Use the official links in our guide below to always see current prices.

What You Need To Know

1. There are four passes available for your visit to New York: Sightseeing Pass, CityPASS, Go City and New York Pass (same company as Go City).

2. Each company offers different types of pass based on number of days or number of attractions . You have a total of 7 New York passes to choose from, but we’ll break them down so it’s easy to understand.

3. A NY pass will give you instant access to the most iconic landmarks, museums, observation decks, walking tours and boat cruises at a heavily discounted price. The more attractions you visit, the more you’ll save.

4. You’ll receive an email with the pass after buying, and you’ll have 12-24 months to activate it. You can download the pass to your phone or print it so you have a hard copy. We typically download them to our phones and always keep the batteries charged!

5. Your pass is considered active once it has been scanned at the first attraction via a QR code.

6. Major attractions often require timed reservations, so you’ll have to show your timed entry reservation along with your New York pass.

Travel Tip : Some attractions have “required” or “recommended” reservations. Our advice is to always make reservations (even if they only say recommended) because you’ll guarantee entry, especially if you plan to visit in summer.

Days Or Attractions Pass?

Before you choose which company offers the best pass for your plans, you need to decide whether you want a pass based on days or attractions. Let’s take a quick look at both:

A day based pass basically means you have unlimited access to attractions for a specific amount of days (1-10). The more days, the more attractions you can fit and the more you’ll save. It works better if you plan to see and do as much as possible in NYC.

Here are the 3 New York DAY Pass options with pros and cons :

• NY Sightseeing DAY Pass
• Go City New York All-Inclusive Pass
• New York Pass by Go City
• Unlimited amount of attractions so you can do as much as you want
• Better value for money as long as you’re quick and plan well
• Best suited for a 1-5 day trip
• Must be used in consecutive days
• You might feel obligated to rush around to make the most of your money

An attractions based pass basically means you specify exactly how many attractions you want to see. Now, just when you thought it was getting easier to understand, we have to throw a wrench in the works! There are two different types of attractions based passes:

• You choose a specific number of attractions and the price increases incrementally based on the number (ie. 3 attractions costs $80, 4 attractions costs $100 etc).
• You choose a pass with a specific number of attractions and a specific price (ie. a 3-attraction pass costs $80, you then have to choose those 3 attractions).

Here are the 4 New York ATTRACTION Pass options with pros and cons :

• NY Sightseeing FLEX Pass

New York CityPASS

• New York C3 Pass
• Go City New York Explorer Pass
• You have between 9-60 days to use up your attractions (depending on pass)
• Better for longer trips because you can space out attractions
• Does not have to be used on consecutive days
• Only pay for what you definitely want to see or do
• Set number of attractions limits how much you can visit
• Not as much savings as a DAY based pass

What Is The Best New York Pass?

In this comparison of the New York passes we’re going to show you tables, price lists and a complete breakdown of attractions. It’s well worth reading so you understand the finer details, but if you’re in a hurry and you just want our top recommendation, it’s the New York Sightseeing Pass .

We’ve dealt with all the companies offering passes, and we had the best experience with Sightseeing. They also have exclusive attractions, lots of flexibility and great value for money. And the best part is we’ve teamed up with Sightseeing Pass to offer our readers an exclusive 5-10% discount on any attraction pass.

Want to save money in NYC?

Click the button below to automatically apply a genuine 5-10% off any NY Sightseeing Pass.

It doesn’t matter if Sightseeing Pass are running a seasonal promotion, you’ll always save an additional 5-10% on top of the promotion by clicking our links in this guide.

While we personally think Sightseeing Pass is the best company to work with, it might not suit your needs. So continue reading to see the how the other passes compare.

Is There A Catch?

There’s no catch with our discount or buying the passes in general. But like all things that save you money, there are some minor catches to be aware of:

• You have to put a little bit of effort in to get the most out of your pass.
• You can’t reserve time slots in advance for every attraction.

The purpose of a pass is to save money by bundling attractions, and it will save you money. But in return, you’ll need to get organized by booking time slots in advance where possible and arriving to attractions at times of day when they won’t be packed full of tourists.

We used our 3 day Sightseeing Pass during our trip to New York in April and we never had to wait in lines. But if you visit in July or August, it will naturally be busier so you can’t arrive at Top of the Rock at 5pm expecting to get straight up for sunset. There will be a long line, whether you buy a pass or an individual ticket.

So another way to look at this is: You’ll save time and money by using a pass and being organized .

If you read reviews about attraction passes online, you’ll find either 1 star or 5 star reviews. The 1 star reviews are from people who didn’t plan or read the fine print . The 5 stars reviews are from people who properly planned and saved a bunch of money . And we’re going to show you exactly how to make the most of your New York attraction pass.

Money Saving Example

Let’s take a look at how much money you can save using a New York Sightseeing Pass with our exclusive discount versus paying for individual attractions. Below is an example of how you can plan attractions for a 4 day NYC itinerary (with general admission adult prices from the official websites):

Travel Tip : If you’re visiting New York City from abroad, keep in mind you’ll have to add sales tax and/or processing fees onto some attractions.

• Statue of Liberty Ferry = $24.50
• Madame Tussauds: $38.99 + $3.46 tax = $42.45
• Empire State Building 86th floor: $44.00 (+ $5.00 processing fee + $4.35 tax) = $53.35
• Circle Line Landmarks midweek sailing: $35.00
• MoMA: $28.00
• One World Observatory: $44.00 (+ $5.00 processing fee + $3.91 tax) = $52.91
• American Museum of Natural History: $28.00
• SPYSCAPE: $44.00 (+ $3.91 tax) = $47.91
• Edge at Hudson Yards 10:00am visit: $41.00 (+ $3.64 tax) = $44.64
• Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum: $36.00
• New York Botanical Gardens: $35.00
• Top of the Rock sunset visit: $52.00 (+ $4.88 tax) = $59.88

The total cost of this 4 day itinerary is $485.64 . Now let’s compare this price to the cost of a NY Sightseeing Pass with our discount:

• Total cost of 12 attractions with no pass: $485.64 .
• A NY Sightseeing DAY Pass for 4 days with our discount is $274.55 .
• A NY Sightseeing FLEX Pass with 12 attractions and our discount is $291.12 .

And there you have it, you can save $211.09 with the DAY pass or $194.52 with the FLEX pass .

Need help planning your visit to NYC?

Where Are Those Morgans popular New York City travel guidebook will help you with planning every aspect of your trip, including airport links, subway, attractions, itinerary ideas, restaurants, hotels and map!

The 4 New York Attraction Passes

As we mentioned earlier, there are four New York attraction passes, and two are run by the same company (Go City). Here they are again:

• NY Sightseeing Pass
• Go City New York
• The New York Pass by Go City

Between the four companies, you have 7 pass options. One of our biggest frustrations (especially when writing this guide!) is that the names are so similar and it’s easy to get confused by all the jargon. But once you take a deeper look into each option, you’ll notice subtle differences.

Below is a chart we created to show you an overview of each New York pass compared against each other. By looking at the information in this way, it’s easier to see the differences with each pass.

We’ll discuss all of these passes in detail throughout the rest of this guide, but it’s important to consider which attractions are included on each because each pass offers different options.

Popular NYC Attractions

New York City is one of the most sought after travel destinations in the world and there’s so much to do as a first time visitor. Here’s what we consider the major attractions in the city:

• 9/11 Memorial and Museum
• American Museum of Natural History
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• Edge Hudson Yards
• Empire State Building
• Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island
• Guggenheim Museum
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• Modern Museum of Art (MoMA)
• One World Observatory
• Top of the Rock

We created the chart below to help you easily identify which attractions are included on each pass:

As you can see, many of the top highlights are included on most passes. But if you want to visit a specific attraction, you have to make sure it’s included on the pass you wish to buy.

There’s also a few important updates for 2024 you need to know about:

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) is no longer included on any attraction pass. However, NY State residents or students based in NY, NJ or CT will receive free admission with a valid ID.
• The 9/11 Museum is no longer available on the NY Sightseeing Pass, but you can book a 9/11 Ground Zero Walking Tour instead. Then, you can reserve a timed entry ticket for 9/11 separately on its official website or with Get Your Guide , Viator or Tiqets .
• New York’s newest observation deck SUMMIT One Vanderbilt features immersive exhibits and stunning views over Manhattan, but it’s not currently available on any NY pass. You can book tickets on the official website or with Get Your Guide , Viator or Tiqets .

More Highlights

Even if you’ve already seen the top attractions, a New York City attractions pass can still be a good option for you because there are lots of lesser known museums and unique activities included.

Below is a comparison graph featuring museums in New York City , including which ones are available on each individual pass:

This graph does not included the full list of options, but it gives you a good idea about which pass you should purchase if you plan to visit several museums.

READ : Our 10 favorite museums in New York City

What’s The Cheapest Pass?

Earlier we told you we think the NY Sightseeing Pass offers the best deal with the most flexibility and biggest savings. This is our conclusion after personally using the passes ourselves.

But we’re scientists by trade and we always use data to prove our conclusions. So we’ve created two more charts for you to easily see the financial benefits of the NY Sightseeing Pass when used in conjunction with our additional 5-10% discount .

This is what you can instantly see:

• NY Sightseeing Pass and The New York Pass offer the most day options
• Go City and The New York Pass are always a few dollars more expensive
• Your savings will exponentially increase as you add more days
• Our discount with the Sightseeing Pass yields the cheapest prices every time

>> Buy the NY Sightseeing DAY Pass here

We think the day based attraction pass offers the best value, but if you only want to visit a few attractions, an attraction pass is better suited for you. Here are the prices:

• NY Sightseeing Pass offers the most attraction options
• An adult New York CityPASS is slightly cheaper, but you can only choose between certain attractions
• A NY Sightseeing FLEX option for 5 attractions is the cheapest price for children
• Your savings will exponentially increase as you add more attractions

>> Buy the NY Sightseeing FLEX Pass here

Travel Tip : According to our statistics and hundreds of bookings, the NY Sightseeing 3 DAY Pass is the most popular option.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each pass individually!

New York Sightseeing Pass

This pass offers both a day and attraction based option for New York visitors. You can purchase the DAY pass or the FLEX pass which features a certain number of attractions. Here is a quick overview (prices include our 5-10% discount):

• 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 day validity
• Visit as many attractions as possible
• 115 attractions
• Adult prices range from $141.55 to $379.05
• Child prices range from $98.10 t0 $255.50

>> See full prices for the DAY pass here .

FLEX Pass :

• Visit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 or 12 attractions
• 60 day validity
• 121 attractions
• Adult prices range from $75.05 to $291.65
• Child prices range from $62.10 to $225.00

>> See full prices for the FLEX pass here .

We like NY Sightseeing because it offers the most attractions compared to other New York passes. Here are the popular attractions included:

• Circle Line Landmarks Cruise
• Statue of Liberty Ferry ( DAY pass only )
• Big Bus New York

This pass also has exclusive attractions including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, New York Aquarium, Museum of Broadway, National Lighthouse Museum and Go Airlink airport shuttle. These attractions are great for kids or visitors who want to experience something unique.

But that’s not all. This pass features special discounts on popular experiences such as Edge City Climb and Charm Manhattan Helicopter Tours . These must be purchased at time of checkout and sell out quickly so we recommend booking as soon as possible.

To see the full list of attractions, click here to visit the official NY Sightseeing Pass website.

READ : How to find the best NYC helicopter tour

How To Choose Between DAY Or FLEX

Before purchasing this pass, you’ll have to decide between a day or attraction option . If you want the most flexibility, buy the DAY pass. If you only want to visit a few attractions or are planning to visit New York for a longer period of time, buy a FLEX pass because you have 60 days of validity.

We loved using our DAY pass to run around the city and check off many top attractions because it was a fun way to explore. At checkout, you’ll choose between 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 days . Remember, to get the most of out this pass you’ll need to make reservations and plan your days out.

The FLEX option is good if you’d rather take your trip a little slower and visit NYC with less pressure. During checkout, you’ll decide between 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 or 12 attractions . No matter how many attractions you purchase, you then have 60 days to visit all of them once your pass is activated.

Is The NY Sightseeing Pass Worth It?

Yes, we think the NY Sightseeing Pass is worth it because you get a lot of bang for your buck, especially with our additional discount thrown in for good measure. It has lots of top attractions but it also has unique activities like the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium which are great for the kids.

One more important thing to note is that transportation is included on the NY Sightseeing Pass. In addition to walking tours or bout tours, you’ll also have access to the Go Airlink Airport Shuttle and Big Bus New York with hop-on hop-off option. All this is covered on the attraction page here if you want to read more.

READ: Our NY Sightseeing pass review

We’ve used CityPASS in major cities across the United States including Seattle , Denver , San Francisco and New York City. This pass is different from the others because it offers specific attractions at a set price point .

You can choose between the New York C3 Pass or the New York CityPASS which offer 3 and 5 attractions respectively. It’s often a cheaper option , but the catch is you’ll be limited to choosing between a very small number of attractions. Here’s a quick overview:

• 9 day validity
• With CityPASS, you choose 5 out of 8 attractions but 2 are non-negotiable
• With the C3 Pass, you choose 3 out of 10 attractions
• Adult prices range from  $96 and $138
• Child prices range from  $74 and $118

>> See a full price list for the New York CityPASS here .

We like CityPASS because it’s a basic option offering the top attractions in the city. Below you’ll find a chart we created to help you easily understand your options with CityPASS.

To summarize, these are the popular attractions included with the New York CityPASS:

• 9/11 Museum 
• Circle Line Cruises
• Intrepid Museum
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island 
• Edge at Hudson Yards
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

The New York C-All Pass allows you to visit these 10 attractions at a good price. But if you compare this to the other options, we think your money will be better spent on the other NY Sightseeing or Go City options because you’ll be able to pick from 100+ attractions instead of just the 10 listed above.

How To Choose Between A C3 Or CityPASS

Before buying this pass, you’ll have to decide how many attractions you want to visit . If you want to visit 5 attractions, buy the CityPASS. If you want to visit 3 attractions, buy the C3 Pass. And if you want to visit the Edge or the Modern Museum of Art (MoMa), you’ll need to buy the C3 Pass.

But no matter which pass you purchase, you’ll have 9 days to visit all attractions . We’ve used both the C3 and CityPASS in NYC, and both worked out great for us because we wanted to see those exact attractions.

READ : Tips for visiting Edge at Hudson Yards

Is The New York CityPASS Worth It?

Yes, we think the New York CityPASS is worth it if you want to see 3-5 top attractions in the city and nothing more. CityPASS is unique because it focuses only on the most popular NYC attractions, which might suit you more.

The New York CityPASS is our second favorite option because you can see top attractions at a cheap price point. While there are only a few attractions on this pass, we like the simple concept and their user friendly website.

Remember, you must visit the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History with a CityPASS. However, you can visit the ESB twice in the same day and you’ll also receive entry into both the permanent and special exhibits inside the history museum.

>> Buy the New York CityPASS here

The C3 Pass is great if you only want to see 3 attractions that are included in the 10 available. It also helps to save by bundling with MoMA or Edge .

>> Buy the New York C3 Pass here

There are no additional transportation offers with this pass, but you’ll have access to Circle Line Boat Cruises and the ferry to the Statue of Liberty . You can also score deals on Broadway musicals or plays. Head to the official website here to learn more.

READ: Our New York CityPASS and C3 Pass review

Go City New York Pass

Go City offers attraction passes in major cities around the world. We’ve used them in Paris, London and Rome so we know how they work. The Go City New York Pass is set up very similar to the NY Sightseeing Pass. There’s a day based option called the All-Inclusive Pass and an attraction based option called the Explorer Pass . Here’s a quick overview:

All-Inclusive Pass :

• 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 day validity
• 103 attractions to choose from
• Adult prices range from $150 to $401
• Child prices range from $110 to $286

>> See full prices for the All-Inclusive pass here .

Explorer Pass :

• Visit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 attractions
• 92 attractions to choose from
• Adult prices range from $80 to $280
• Child prices range from $70 to $232

>> See full prices for the Explorer pass here .

We like Go City because it offers a large amount of activities . Here are the popular attractions included:

• Circle Line Sightseeing
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island  
• Modern Museum of Art

Another feature of this pass is the exclusive attractions including Yankees tickets . All of the other attractions are the same as the NY Sightseeing Pass with the exception of the 9/11 Museum . And there are also no special discounts on other experiences in the city.

READ : Top of the Rock vs Empire State Building

How To Choose Between All-Inclusive Or Explorer

Similar to the NY Sightseeing Pass, you’ll have to decide between a day or attraction option. If you want the most flexibility, buy the All-Inclusive pass. If you only want to visit a few attractions or are planning to visit New York for a longer time period, buy the Explorer pass because you have 60 days of validity.

The All-Inclusive Pass will give you the most options because it features 103 attractions, but you’ll be limited by time. During checkout, you’ll choose between 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days . We highly recommend you make reservations and plan out your days to make the most of this pass.

The Explorer option is good for those visitors who only want to see some of the top attractions. At checkout, you’ll pick between 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 attractions , but then you have 60 days to visit all of the attractions on the pass.

Is The Go City New York Pass Worth It?

Yes, we think the Go City New York Pass is worth it because you can choose from numerous attractions and it will save you money. However, Go City are typically higher priced passes and they don’t offer as much choice as the NY sightseeing Pass with the exception being the 9/11 Museum.

The Go City New York Pass is our least favorite option because it can be expensive. However, compared to the New York CityPASS, you have more attraction options. We also don’t like how Go City inflates attraction prices on their website.

An All-Inclusive pass would be good if it’s your first visit and you want to see as much as possible or you’re visiting with children. This pass is very similar to the NY Sightseeing DAY Pass and The New York Pass so be sure to compare prices and attractions.

>> Buy the Go City New York All-Inclusive Pass here

An Explorer pass would be good if you want to see select attractions or you’re interested in museums. We think it’s also good for returning visitors who want to see unique attractions. This pass is very similar to the NY Sightseeing FLEX Pass so compare prices and attractions before purchasing.

>> Buy the Go City New York Explorer Pass here

If you’re looking for the Big Bus New York  with hop-on hop-off option, it’s included on the Go City New York Pass. This will help you travel through Manhattan’s Uptown and Downtown loops. But be sure to read our tips at the end of this guide regarding the Big Bus tour.

The New York Pass

This last pass is essentially the same as Go City’s All-Inclusive pass because it’s owned by Go City. Prices and attractions are identical to the pass we just discussed and there are no attraction based options available. Here’s a quick overview:

• 105 attractions to choose from
• Child prices range from $110 to $288

>> See full prices for the New York Pass here .

Personally, we’d purchase the NY Sightseeing Pass over this option because it’s a cheaper price with more flexibility and attractions. But if you want to visit the 9/11 Museum as one of your attractions, this might be a good option for you.

Here’s a summary of everything we discussed:

• NY Sightseeing DAY Pass – Best for first time visitors, returning visitors or families with children who want to see it all. This is the cheapest day option with the most flexibility, but if you want to visit the 9/11 Museum, you’ll have to purchase tickets separately (active and retired military visit for free). Buy it here .
• NY Sightseeing FLEX Pass – This pass is great for visitors who want to visit 1-12 attractions with the most flexibility or those who want to visit numerous museums. However, the 9/11 Museum and Statue of Liberty Ferry are not included. Buy it here .
• New York CityPASS – Good for those who want to visit 5 of the top attractions, but you’ll be limited to a total of 8 attractions with 2 non-negotiable options. Buy it here .
• New York C3 Pass – Good for visitors who only want to see 3 of the top attractions. Very limiting compared to other passes, but it comes at a cheap price. Buy it here .
• Go City New York All-Inclusive – Similar to NY Sightseeing DAY Pass, but more expensive with less attractions and no 6 day option. The Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium are not included. Buy it here .
• Go City New York Explorer – Similar to the NY Sightseeing FLEX, but more expensive. You can purchase up to 10 attractions on this pass. The Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium is not included. Buy it here .
• The New York Pass – Essentially the same as the Go City All-Inclusive option run by the same company. Buy it here .

READ : Famous New York City quotes

Our Top Tips

• We don’t recommend using Big Bus as your means of transportation around the city if you have a day pass because you’ll be limited by bus schedules and traffic. You should use the subway to make the most of your time. Walking tours, bike rentals or boat tours would also be a good option.
• Some passes offer special offers and discounts so read the fine print . There are additional benefits to be had that could save you extra money on experiences, shops and restaurants.
• We typically average about 3-4 attractions per day by using the subway and visiting attractions that are located close to each other. Keep in mind, most attractions are open from 10:00am-6:00pm with a few exceptions such as the New York city observation decks .
• Verify attractions on the official websites with our links . New York City is always evolving and new attractions open every year so head over to the official websites for current information.
• Always make reservations when possible , especially if you visit in the peak summer season. New York is a very busy place and if you don’t make reservations, you’ll be waiting in long lines.
• Visit the expensive attractions to get the most out of your pass . This includes the Empire State Building, Edge, One World Observatory, Big Bus, various walking tours and so many more fun attractions.
• You can find seasonal activities such as the Rink at Rockefeller Center and Dyker Heights Christmas lights tour on NY Sightseeing and Go City options.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding New York City attraction passes.

What About Fast Track Or Skip The Line?

In our experience using these passes, we never had to wait in line for any attraction because we made advanced reservations and avoided peak times . The most popular attractions will require a timed entry ticket therefore fast track or skip the line are a moot point. If you can’t make a reservation, you should plan to visit that attraction early in the morning at opening time before it gets busy. However, you might have to wait in a security line which is unavoidable.

How Much Money Can You Save?

Depending on the pass you purchase, you can save 20-60% . But be sure to shop around to find the pass that better suits your needs such as a day or attraction based option.

What Is The Best Way To Buy A New York Pass?

You should buy your attraction pass online because you’ll receive the pass instantly via email. This way you can start making reservations for your attractions straight away. Always buy the passes from the official websites (links in this guide) or reputable third parties like Get Your Guide and Viator .

Are NY Passes Legit?

Yes, the New York passes are legit. We’ve personally used Sightseeing and CityPASS in New York, and we’ve also used other passes around the world. You will save both time and money if you take the time to plan your trip.

More New York Guides

• Best things to do in New York City
• Tips for visiting New York in April
• Where to stay when visiting New York
• Which NYC observation deck is the best?
• How to plan a 4 day NYC itinerary
• Best things to do in Lower Manhattan
• Epic New York City photo locations
• How to find the best pizza in NYC
• Guide to the best NYC bagels

Want more New York content? Head over to our New York Travel Guides to explore the Finger Lakes, Adirondacks and the best of NYC.

We hope this detailed comparison of the various New York attraction passes helps with planning your trip to NYC!

Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

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Note : This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

8 thoughts on “New York Pass Comparison (+ Discount)”

Hello, this is an awesome article, thanks! However, it seems like the NY Sightseeing have changed their prices, as they are not the same as found in your article… Could it be that they have updated them not long ago? We will be staying from the 12th to the 17th of August and I want to show my kids the most interesting vistas and neighborhoods. Is there a coupon code that can be used as the links don’t seem to work? Thanks

Hi Oli, We recently updated this guide with 2023 summer prices mid-June, but now that we are in the middle of summer, unfortunately prices will be at their highest. The prices fluctuate throughout the entire year so our prices are only meant to be a guideline to show how much you can save. That being said our links will always give you 10% off the current price.🙂 You will need to use our links to receive the 10% discount. We just checked our links and can confirm they are working so we recommend you clear the cookies on your browser and try again. Since you will be visiting in August, we also recommend you make reservations for attractions when possible and for the attractions you can not reserve, try to arrive early in the day when the attractions open so you make the most of your trip. Hope you have an amazing time in NYC with your kids!

Hello! Thank you for the planning advice. What is the promo code to receive your extra 10% discount.

Hi Nicole, thanks for reading! Any NY Sightseeing link or button in this guide already has the 10% discount applied 🙂 You must use our links to receive the discount. Have a great time in NYC!

Hi! I love your posts. You helped me a lot with my out west trip 2 years ago. We are going to NYC -5 of us in June. Debating the passes. Can you help me understand which of the NY sightseeing pass I should get – flex or day – want to do 9/11 museum for sure and I read about the issue with this pass. With either- do I need to book 9/11 directly with the museum ? We will be there 6/7-11. Any thoughts on which pass you would buy ? Want to do the bus hop on and off tour, 9/11, Statue of Liberty, Empire State , top of rock and possibly a boat tour. Also a Broadway show. Debating lion king , wicked and Hamilton. And a Yankees game. Would love any help !

Thank you so much. Jenny

Hi Jenny, we just sent you an email with our recommendations and have a wonderful trip to NYC! 🙂

Hi. I have clicked the link to purchase the NY pass with your 10% discount but this doesn’t seem to be applied. Can you please help?

Hi Sophie, We just sent you an email regarding the discount 🙂

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Pass Comparison

Which Sightseeing Pass is right for you?

• Select the number of days you are in New York : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 days.
• Visit as many attractions as you like .
• Activated when used at its first attraction, then expires at midnight of its last valid day.
• Hop-on Hop-off bus tours valid for 24 hours.
• Ideal for first time visitors and visitors with a plan, to see it all in New York.
• Great choice if you are planning to use the Pass in more than 10 places.

Prices from $35 per day .

• Select how many attractions you would like to see: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 or 12.
• Choose as you travel from any of the 100+ Attractions .
• Valid for 60 days from activation date.
• Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Bonus: Uptown & Downtown Bus Loops - valid for 24 hours.
• Recommended for visitors who may have already been to New York and want to visit only a few most popular attractions.
• Best for those on a business trip, with limited time for sightseeing.

As low as $22 per attraction visit.

• Select how many attractions you would like to see: 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30.
• Choose as you travel from 300+ attractions across the USA .
• Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tours in 10 USA cities.
• Best for visitors travelling to at least 2 USA Destinations.

As low as $17 per attraction visit.

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Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

New York City Attraction Passes: Which Pass is Best for You?

Last updated: April 18, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 6 Comments

New York City is not what you might call a budget destination. Whilst there are many free sights and attractions in the city, most of the popular locations charge an entry fee, and this can be quite high. In our experience, attraction fees are one of the main costs of travel in the USA .

The good news is that if you plan on visiting a number of attractions in New York, you can take advantage of one of the various New York city attraction passes that are available.

If you take advantage of these passes, you can end up saving a lot of money. However, you will have to decide if each pass is worth it for your visit, based on the attractions you really want to see.

In this post, I’ll go through and compare the main attraction passes you can choose from when visiting New York City, to give you an idea of what’s on offer. I’ll also share an idea of how much you can save with each pass, based on some suggested itineraries for a visit to New York City.

By the end of this post, you’ll have an idea of whether a city attraction pass makes sense for your visit to New York, and which New York attraction pass is going to be the best option for your trip.

Prices are correct as of time of writing, and as with all our content, we’ll do our best to keep them updated.

Note that pass prices usually increase in April each year. However, the passes are normally valid for one or two years from purchase, so you can save by investing in advance!

Overview of the Main New York Attraction Passes

There are a number of attraction passes available for visitors to New York City. They each offer different things and are available at different prices.

Below, you’ll find an overview of the main passes you can choose from, and what they offer. There are two main types of pass – those which include a larger number of attractions (around 100) over a shorter time period (usually 1-10 days), and those which offer a limited number of attractions (2 – 10) over a longer period (30 – 60 days).

Which will work for you will vary very much depending on your trip and travel style, and what you hope to see.

If you are visiting for only a couple of days and want to fit in as much as possible, then a pass that lets you visit a lot of attractions can be a good idea. Many New York attractions are open fairly late, so you really can see a lot if you have the stamina for it.

On the other hand, if you want to go a bit slower and just see a few attractions, or you plan to sightsee over a longer period of time, then a pass that offers fewer attractions over a longer time period might be best.

We’ve included both types of attraction pass in this round-up so you can get an idea of what’s available.

The New York Pass

If you want a pass that has pretty much everything included, the New York Pass is an excellent option. This is our favourite pass for sightseeing in New York City, simply because it offers so much.

In fact, at the time of writing, the New York Pass offers free entry to over 100 attractions across the city. These include a lot of high value and popular attractions like the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Hop on Hop Off Bus, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial Museum, One World Observatory, and many many more.

The card also includes walking tours, bike rentals, boat cruises – even a Yankees stadium tour!

Of course, all of these attractions come at a price, and the New York Pass is definitely one of the more expensive passes on our list. A 2 day pass, such as you might need for our two day New York itinerary , costs $232 per person as of April 2023.

However, if you were to visit all the paid attractions in that itinerary, including taking the Hop on Hop Off bus tour, you would be looking at around $325 in attraction entry costs. So straight away the New York Pass would save you almost $100!

See further on in the post for some suggested itineraries and examples of cost savings for each of the passes in this guide.

What we really love about the New York Pass is just how much it includes. When we use an all-inclusive pass like this, we find that it means we often end up doing things we might not have done, just because they are included. So we don’t need to think twice about adding a museum or two to our tour, or taking a walking tour, or hiring a bike.

It also includes skip-the-line access at a wide range of attractions so in addition to saving you money, the pass can also save you time.

Finally, the pass also includes discounts, which include shopping, theatre tickets and dining options.

Overall, if you plan on visiting many of New York’s top attractions, we can highly recommend the New York Pass to save money.

The pass is available either as a physical pass or as a mobile pass. You can check prices, and buy yours in advance of your trip from the official site here .

We also recommend checking prices on GetYourGuide as sometimes they have better deals. Check prices for the New York Pass on GetYourGuide here .

Passes can be activated up to 24 months from purchase.

New York Explorer Pass

If you aren’t sure you want to commit to a pass that includes most of the attractions in New York, then you might instead consider the New York Explorer Pass from GoCity.

This pass has you choosing how many attractions you want to visit in New York. You can choose 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 attractions, and the pass is priced from $92 to $400 depending on how many attractions you choose.

The pass actually covers over 90 attractions in New York. However, you can only visit the number of attractions you pick. You don’t need to pick the exact attractions in advance – just the number you want to visit.

The pass is also valid for quite a long time—up to 60 days in fact. So if you are in New York City for a little bit longer, you don’t need to feel quite so rushed to see everything in two days.

To get the most value out of the New York Explorer Pass you will want to make sure you use it for the highest priced attractions that you want to visit. In addition, the more attractions you choose, the greater the savings.

It’s possible to save up to 50% on attraction entry using the pass. However, this will require you to think carefully about exactly which attractions you want to visit, and plan your use of the pass accordingly.

We think the New York Explorer Pass is a good option if you are a well organized traveller who likes to plan carefully. It’s also a good option if you have a little bit longer in the city, as you can spread out your sightseeing over a bit more time.

The New York Explorer Pass is only available for purchase as a digital product, which you display on your phone. However, you do have the option to print the pass if you prefer a physical pass to carry with you. We would advise this as a good idea anyway, so you don’t have to rely on your phone battery for a long day of sightseeing.

You can check prices for the New York Explorer Pass, and book yours in advance from the official website online here .

We also recommend checking prices on GetYourGuide as sometimes they have better deals. Check prices for the New York City Explorer Pass on GetYourGuide here .

New York CityPASS

We haven’t used the New York CityPASS , but we have used CityPASS products in a number of other cities in the United States, and find they offer great value for money.

The CityPASS products generally offer admission to a specific set of attractions, which are usually the most popular attractions in a city.

The standard New York CityPASS for example, offers the following:

• Empire State Building
• American Museum of Natural History
• Top of the Rock Observation Deck OR Guggenheim Museum
• Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island OR Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum OR Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

The pass comes in three versions. There’s the standard CityPASS which offers five attractions as outlined above. This costs $138 for adults and $118 for children.

There’s also a C3 version , where you can visit 3 attractions. This additionally includes the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), City Cruises, and Edge at Hudson Yards, as well as the options on the 5-attraction version. The 3 choice C3 Pass retails for $96 for adults and $74 for children.

Finally, there’s a C-All version . This includes everything with the exception of the American Museum of Natural History, and means you can visit 10 attractions. This 10 choice pass retails for $194 for adults and $144 for children.

Obviously, to take full advantage of the pass savings for either pass you will need to visit five attractions on the CityPASS, three attractions on the C3 Pass and all ten attractions on the C-All Pass.

For the CityPass and C3 Pass this shouldn’t be too hard if you have at least 2 or 3 days in the city, however we’d recommend the C-All Pass for those with at least 3 or 4 days in the city to be sure you have time to do everything.

The passes are valid for nine days from first use, so you will have plenty of time do so. If you visit all the attractions, you can definitely make significant savings. This pass does cover many of the most popular paid attractions in the city, but it is obviously limited to just these attractions.

Passes are available either as a booklet or as a mobile pass. You can check prices, and buy your New York CityPASS online in advance from the official site here , and here for the C3 pass .

The New York Sightseeing Pass

The Sightseeing Pass company offers two types of passes for New York. They have an all-inclusive attraction pass where you choose how many days validity you want, and they have a pass where you can choose from a number of attractions you want to visit. You can compare these two passes here .

For most visitors, we’d say that the day-based pass would make the most sense. It includes access to over 80 attractions in New York, so should cover the majority of attractions most visitors will want to visit in NYC.

It also includes walking tours, Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus tours, and more. You can see the full list of included attractions and activities here . Note that as of April 2023 it does not include the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

It also has some exclusive inclusions, like the Bronx Zoo. Passes range in price (as of April 2023) from $159 – $509 for an adult, and passes can be activated up to two years from purchase date, giving you plenty of time to use one.

One advantage of this pass over the New York Pass is that they offer a six-day version, which the New York Pass does not.

The New York Sightseeing pass is a digital only product, however you can print out the pass at home if you prefer a physical pass you can use at attractions.

You can check prices and buy your New York Sightseeing pass in advance from the official site here .

We also recommend checking prices on GetYourGuide as sometimes they have better deals. Check prices for the New York Sightseeing Pass on GetYourGuide here .

Which New York Attraction Passes Include Transport?

Many attraction passes around the world actually include public transport.

For New York, none of the attraction passes we are aware of include any public transport. The good news is that public transport in New York is not expensive. See our guide to getting around New York here for more information.

However, most of the New York attraction passes do include Hop on Hop off bus tours, airport shuttles, boat tours, and bike rental. So you still have options to get around with the pass, even if it’s not by public transport.

Which New York Attraction Passes are Family Friendly?

If you’re travelling as a family, you will no doubt already be aware that visiting attractions can quickly become a costly exercise. The good news is that many attractions offer lower prices for those travelling with children. However, free admission and child discounts vary a lot in terms of age requirements from attraction to attraction.

For example, the Empire State Building offers free admission for those under 6 and discounted admission for those age 6-12. Those age 13 and older pay the same adult admission price.

Some passes might make less sense for families, depending on the child’s age and the specific attractions you want to visit. In terms of pass availability for children, they are as follows:

• The New York Pass – child pass available for children ages 3-12 inclusive.
• New York Explorer Pass – child pass available for children ages 3-12 inclusive.
• New York CityPASS – child pass available for children aged 6-17 inclusive.
• New York Sightseeing Pass – child pass available for children ages 3-12 inclusive.

As you can see, the New York CityPASS might be a good deal, depending on the age of your child as the age range it considers as a child is wider. So if you are travelling as a family, definitely keep this in mind when planning your trip. Many attractions in New York are free for those aged 5 and under, so a pass wouldn’t make sense in these cases.

If you are travelling with a child, or anyone else who qualifies for any kind of discount, make sure to have ID or other proof so you can prove eligibility if required.

Comparison of New York Passes: Prices & Features

Here’s an overview of each pass, and some of the highlights it includes, as well as the price range.

Of course, an attraction pass is no good if it doesn’t cover the attractions you want to visit.

Here’s a list of the main attractions passes for New York along with the top ten most visited paid attractions in the city.

As you can see, most passes cover the most popular attractions, with the CityPASS having a few exceptions. The New York Sightseeing Pass does not currently include the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

Also note that the Metropolitan Museum of Art was removed from all the passes we are aware of in April 2022. The CityPASS includes the Museum of Modern Art on the 3 and 10 attraction versions only.

Choosing the right pass for you will likely be a question of which attractions you really want to visit, and ensuring your pass includes those attractions.

It’s also worth noting that whilst the passes include entry to many attractions, some attractions like the Empire State Building for example have multiple ticket types. So you will want to check exactly what is included when purchasing your pass.

As an example, standard entry to the Empire State Building is included, but if you wish to visit at sunset there is a small additional fee to pay as these tickets are more expensive. You pay this when reserving your timeslot.

Finally, I wanted to provide a comparison specifically of the New York Pass and the New York Sightseeing Pass , as these are the two most comparable passes on the list. These both offer a similar set of attractions and work in a similar way. The New York Pass has a few more attractions, including the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

Here’s how they compare as of April 2023. Note that these are the full retail prices, and do not include any promotional pricing. Both passes do run deals from time to time, so always check their websites for the most recent prices.

I’ve highlighted the lower cost passes in bold above. Again, you will want to compare prices when you book.

At the time of writing, the New York Pass offers lower prices for nearly every option. It also includes the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

2 Day New York Itinerary Price Saving Example

Understanding which pass works for you might be easiest if you look at a sightseeing itinerary for the city. I’ll base this on our 2 day New York itinerary , which has you visiting the following:

• Day 1: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, World Trade Center Station, Brooklyn Bridge, Boat Tour, Times Square, Top of the Rock
• Day 2: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum, Central Park, Museum of the City of New York, Grand Central Station, New York Public Library, Empire State Building

Obviously, some of these attractions are free. However, you have to pay for the following. Prices are correct as of April 2023, but they can vary so do always check when making your own calculations.

We’ve tried to ensure we include the full price you pay including any taxes or service fees to make it as accurate as possible.

• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island – $24.5 USD
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum – $33 USD
• Boat Tour – $49 USD
• Top of the Rock- $43.55 USD
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art- $30 USD
• Guggenheim Museum – $25 USD
• Museum of the City of New York- $20 USD
• Empire State Building- $51.17 USD

I think this is a fairly representative set of attractions that covers the highlights that most visitors to the city would be interested in.

I will also add that this is a very busy itinerary, and whilst achievable, some visitors will likely want to take a slower pace. When considering the value of a pass, you definitely need to weigh the cost against a reasonable list of attractions that you plan to visit.

However, assuming you do follow our itinerary, let’s see which pass offers the best cost savings. I’ll base this on 2 adults visiting.

The total attraction price for all the above would be $276.22 USD per person, or just over $500 for two adults. Let’s look at the prices for each pass we recommend and the associated savings. Specifically, for these attractions you would need:

• A 2 Day New York Pass
• A 7 Choice New York Explorer Pass
• A standard CityPass + individual attraction tickets
• A 2 Day New York Sightseeing Pass

As you can see, in this scenario two of the passes offer cost savings.

For the CityPASS, you have to pick and choose between some of the options, in which case I opted to use the pass for the higher priced option if both were on the itinerary. It offers the greatest savings for this specific example.

The all includsive New York Pass come next in terms of savings. The day-based New York Pass would be my pick in general as it offers good savings and I have the option of visiting an extra attraction.

The New York Sightseeing Pass doesn’t offer savings on this itinerary, largely because it doesn’t currently include the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

I would suggest that for this 2-day itinerary, either the New York CityPASS or the New York Pass would be my pick. If I wanted the flexibility of being able to add on more options, then I would definitely go with the New York Pass.

As always, there’s no one size fits all – savings are always going to come down to your own itinerary and what you plan to see.

3 Day New York Itinerary Price Saving Example

Let’s look at a longer trip now, and a 3-day itinerary example. What we’ll do is take our 2-day itinerary and add some sights.

Of course, you can change this itinerary around to suit, but I think visiting these attractions in three days would work for most visitors to the city who don’t mind a busy time sightseeing.

We also have a 3 day New York itinerary if you’d like some more ideas.

• Day 3: American Museum of Natural History, Whitney Museum of American Art, Hop on Hop off bus tour, Walking Tour

The prices for all the above paid attractions are as follows (as of November 2022):

• Guggenheim Museum- $25 USD
• American Museum of Natural History – $28 USD
• Whitney Museum of American Art – $25
• Walking tour – $35 (varies but this is an average)
• Hop on Hop off bus tour – $80 (also varies depending on company)

In total you are now looking at $444.22 per person, or $888.44 for two adults. That’s a lot of money for three days of sightseeing!

Let’s look at the prices for each pass we recommend and the associated savings. Specifically, for these attractions you would need:

• a 3-day New York Pass
• A 10 Choice New York Explorer Pass
• A CityPass + individual attraction tickets
• A 3-day New York Sightseeing Pass

When we add in the extra day and some additional attractions, things change up a bit. The 3-day New York Pass offers the best savings for this specific itinerary, whilst the New York CityPASS offers the lowest savings.

The savings are high enough for some of these passes that even if you skip quite a few attractions for a more leisurely visit, you will still save a considerable amount.

Of course, your savings will vary depending on what you choose to visit, so it is well worth doing a little research to check for your planned attractions.

So Which New York Attraction Pass is Best?

The bottom line is that most visitors will save money with an attraction pass if they plan on visiting a number of attractions in New York city.

However, there is no one size fits all answer. As this post has hopefully shown, it depends on the type of trip and how much sightseeing you want to do.

If you are visiting New York for 2 or 3 days, and plan on seeing 3 – 4 paid attractions each day, then I would normally recommend the New York Pass as in our experience it offers the greatest flexibility and most inclusions.

You will just want to check to be sure that what you want to see is included. I’d also add that all the passes regularly run special offers, so just see which has the best offer for your trip.

If you plan on visiting fewer paid attractions each day, or are visiting the city for longer and want to spread out your sightseeing, then you will probably find that the New York Explorer Pass or New York CityPASS is a better choice. You may have to pay for some additional attractions, but the total cost saving will probably be better.

Finally, if you are planning on visiting a number of cities during your time in the USA, consider the Sightseeing USA pass . This lets you choose from 5 to 30 attractions (from a list of 300) across a number of cities in the USA, so might work out to be a good option for you depending on your overall itinerary.

Further Reading

Hopefully this guide to New York attraction passes has given you some ideas on how to save money on your next trip to the city.

We also wanted to share some more content we’ve written on visiting New York City and travelling in the USA in general, to ensure you have all the information you might need. We’ve also got a few third party resources to recommend that we think you might find helpful for your trip.

• To help you plan, we have a guide to spending 2 days in New York City and 3 days in New York City
• We have a detailed guide to getting around New York , which should help you plan your transport in the city
• We have a complete guide to visiting the Empire State Building
• If you enjoy walking tours, check out our  review of some of the Take Walks New York walking tours
• Wondering how much to budget for your trip? We have a guide to  how much it costs to travel in the USA  to help you plan
• If you’re heading on from New York and thinking of hiring a car, take a look at our  tips for driving in the USA
• If you’re looking for a guide to New York, we can recommend the  Frommer’s EasyGuide to New York City .

And that’s it for this guide! As always, if you have any feedback, comments or questions, just pop them in the comments section below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Safe travels!

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There are 6 comments on this post

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18th April 2023 at 6:57 pm

Hi Laurence, thanks so much for the extra info and advice – much appreciated, and thanks we’re really looking forward to visiting NYC for the first time!

Laurence Norah says

18th April 2023 at 7:11 pm

Hey Lisa, it’s my pleasure! If you have any more questions as you plan feel free to reach out. NYC is an awesome city, you guys will have a great time!

18th April 2023 at 6:16 pm

Thanks so much for the amazing level of detail – will be visiting NYC in a couple of weeks and this info is invaluable. If booking observation decks (like Summit, ESB etc) using a pass – is there an additional cost if we wanted to visit during Sunset (I can see booking directly that charges increase at sunset). Thanks!

18th April 2023 at 6:50 pm

My pleasure! So this is a great question. The answer is yes, depending on the attraction. For the Empire State Building for example there’s a $10 fee (+ tax) for booking the sunset when using the New York Pass, which I think would also apply to other passes which include the ESB.

I’d also advise when planning to visit any attraction which requires a reservation to check availability for the time you want to go before purchasing the pass if possible, and booking your reservation as soon as you can. The reservation page is here for New York Pass holders: https://reseller.esbnyc.com/WebStore/landingPage?cg=LPMakeReservation86 for example (you can go through this before purchasing a pass to check availability and any extra fees.

For the New York Pass you can see booking instructions for every attraction which requires booking here .

I’ll also update the post to include this info. Have a great time in New York!

Mary Grehan says

4th January 2023 at 9:17 pm

Thanks for the excellent info

5th January 2023 at 8:30 am

My pleasure Mary, have a great time in New York City!

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• State of New York
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New York City Attractions Passes Price Comparison Guide

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New York is one of the world’s leading metropolises that has earned its name as ‘The City That Never Sleeps’ because of its electrifying, infectious energy- all day, all night! Also, renowned as ‘The Big Apple’, New York is home to stunning skyscrapers in all five boroughs, mash-up of global cuisines, and unparalleled magnum opuses from the internationally acknowledged artists, to name a few!

There is no doubt that ‘The Concrete Jungle’ is an absolute wanderer’s delight as it spreads an irresistible feast for all to savor and not get tired of it. From experiencing the propulsive beat to which the city marches, to marveling the gigantic beauties to encountering a dizzying list of trendsetting ideas, New York proffers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to every travel.

And in order to help you enjoy the most budget-friendly and hassle-free way to explore the city, we’ve carefully compared the attractions passes that will help save you quite some dollars.

How to select the best New York Pass?

1. sightseeing pass, 2. the new york pass, 3. new york explorer pass, 4. new york city pass, 5. sightseeing flex pass.

• Price comparison
• Attractions comparison
• Where to book a NYC attraction pass

There are multifarious attractions passes that bless you with instant access to major tourist hubs in the city which cuts down the inconvenience of queuing up for hours and exchanging currency every now and then. As there many kinds of passes, it becomes quite a time-consuming task to decide which pass fits the bill so you can enjoy it without worrying about spending a lot of cash.

To not make the decision complex, you can first decide what category of pass you are looking for. While there may be some similarities, each pass has its own benefits that make it popular among the visitors. In fact, most of these magic passes fall under three categories- ‘all-inclusive pass’, ‘pick your attractions’ and ‘build your own’.

Get an all-inclusive pass

The first category is considered to be the most extravagant out of the three classifications. But the good news is using this kind of pass you can also save the most amount of money while you take selfies with your favorite celebrity’s wax statue at Madame Tussauds or revel in a hop-on-Hop-off bus tour.

Moreover, this group of passes can be compared to the buffet where you pay a limited price to devour unlimited food. Yes, you read it right you get a card for one set of the price for certain days and enjoy hassle-free entries to as many attractions, itineraries, and experiences that you would like to be a part of. Sightseeing pass and The New York Pass are the most widely used all-inclusive passes in the Big Apple.

• Sightseeing Pass official website
• The New York Pass official website

P.S. With all-inclusive passes you will be blessed with the skip-the-line privilege and also enjoy discounts at various shops and restaurants.

Pick an attractions pass

This pass is for the visitors who have already made up their minds to visit certain tourist attractions and tours. You will have a plethora of options to choose from in a set of 3, 5 or more as per your preference. What’s the best part about this pass, you may ask? The answer: you will straightaway save 50% on the retail cost of each attraction.

Furthermore, with convenient flexibility to enjoy you can make the sets as per the attractions that have always lured you. Also, with this pass, you will be successful in saving more if you purchase the pass with more number of hotspots to visit. New York Explorer Pass and Sightseeing Flex Pass are the prevalent ‘pick your attraction’ passes that let you enjoy the crème de la crème of New York City.

• NYC Explorer Pass official website
• Sightseeing Flex Pass official website

P.S. You will enjoy the fast track entry by skipping the lines at the chosen attractions that will save you a lot of your invaluable time and energy.

Booklet pass

‘Booklet pass’ offered by New York CityPass is a booklet of 6 tickets that grant you admission into 6 of the most famous NYC attractions. Therefore you don’t need to worry about paying for tours and attractions that you don’t use. You can choose from 9 top attractions.

This is the pass you should go for in order to make your presence felt in the selected attractions. The pass allows you plenty of time to visit the chosen ones and make the most of your holiday with your near and dear ones.

• CityPass official website

P.S. The pass is valid for 9 days from the day of activation.

Now that you are well-versed in the fundamental categories of the passes, have a detailed look at each pass in the given classifications. A piece of in-depth information will make your life a bed of roses when it comes to deciding what pass fits your bill.

Also, there are a number of resellers that make discounts on the passes. TourScanner lists over 20 resellers in a easy way for you to compare their prices. Check the page linked here and use the filters to select the pass that you prefer.

• NYC passes on TourScanner

Popular New York passes

 Sightseeing Pass is one of the most budget-friendly passes that will let you marvel at unlimited tourist hotspots of the Big Apple in a convenient way. Depending upon the duration of your stay in New York City you can plan to purchase a pass for 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 or 10 days, and visit over a hundred featured attractions and tours that you have listed on your bucket list for eons.

Moreover, with the passes starting at an economic price of only $129 for adults and $99 for children you can have a savings of up to 70% on regular admission prices when you visit 3 attractions in a day. In fact, you will be able to save over $800 in the admission costs of the attractions by getting a weekly sightseeing pass.

P.S. When you purchase this pass you get a credit of $40 that allows you to visit one more attraction like Broadway shows and dinner cruises which otherwise would not be included in the Sightseeing Pass.

The top attractions you can visit with the pass include:

Attractions

• Empire State Building
• One World Observatory
• Top of the Rock – Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center
• 9/11 Memorial Museum
• Gray Line CitySightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour (Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn & Night Tour)
• Madame Tussauds New York
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden
• Brooklyn Unplugged – Street Art Workshop
• Central Park Zoo
• Go Airline airport shuttle – LaGuardia, JFK, or Newark
• Ground Zero Museum Workshop
• LOL Times Square Comedy Club
• LOL Times Square Magic
• New York Botanical Garden
• Riddle Me Out – Escape Rooms
• Ripley’s Believe it or Not
• Snug Harbour Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
• The Downtown Experience
• TimeLooper – Virtual Reality Experience
• Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
• Trolls the Experience
• 9/11 Tribute Musem
• American Museum of Natural History
• Brooklyn Historical Society
• El Museo del Barrio
• Fraunces Tavern Museum
• Gulliver’s Gate
• International Center of Photography
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• Museum at Eldridge Street
• Museum of American Finance
• Museum of Jewish Heritage
• Museum of the City of New York
• National Geographic Encounter – Ocean Odyssey
• National Lighthouse Museum
• New-York Historical Society Museum and Library
• Guggenheim Museum
• Staten Island Children’s MuseumStaten Island Museum
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
• The Chocolate Museum & Experience with Jaques Torres
• The Met Breuer
• The Met Cloisters
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Whitney Museum of American Art

Bike Tours & Rental

• Bike and Roll – Inside Central Park Tour
• Bike Rent NYC – Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rental
• Bike Rent NYC – Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour
• Bike Rent NYC – Central Park Bike Rental
• Bike Rent NYC – Central Park Bike Tour

Walking & Bus Tours

• Brooklyn Unplugged – Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour
• Brooklyn Unplugged – Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour of Brooklyn
• Food on Foot Tours – East Village Variety Food Tour
• Food on Foot Tours – Go West Food TourFood on Foot Tours – Midtown Mix Food Tour
• Food on Foot Tours – Midtown Winter Food Tour
• Grand Central Terminal Audio Tour
• Gray Line CitySightseeing Best of Manhattan Experience
• Inside Out Tours – Bronx’s Little Italy & Arthur Avenue Tour
• Inside Out Tours – NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour
• Macy’s Historical Tour
• Madison Square Garden All Access Tour
• NewYorkTour1 – Greenwich Village Walking Tour
• NewYorkTour1 – Inside Broadway Walking Tour
• NewYorkTour1 – Lower Manhattan Walking Tour
• NewYorkTour1 – High Line and Chelsea Walking Tour
• NewYorkTour1 – SoHo and Little Italy Walking Tour
• On-Location Tours – Central Park TV and Movie Sites Tour
• On-Location Tours – When Harry met Seinfeld Bus Tour
• Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour
• Tour Central Park – Central Park Walking Tour
• Urban Oyster Tours – Hamilton Happy Hour Tour
• Wall Street Walks – Secrets of Downtown Walking Tour
• Wall Street Walks – Wall Street Walking Tour
• CitySightseeing New York Hop-On Hop-Off Ferry Tour
• Manhattan By Sail – Clipper City Daytime Statue Sail
• Manhattan By Sail – Craft Beer Tasting Sail aboard Clipper City Tal Ship
• Manhattan By Sail – Clipper City Jazz Sail
• Manhattan By Sail – Shearwater Daytime Statue Sail
• Hornblower Cruises – Alive After Five
• RIBNewYork – High-Speed Harbor Tour

Restaurants

• Buca di Beppo Restaurant – $15 Towards Lunch
• Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant (Times Square) – Prix Fixe Menu
• Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant (Harlem) – Prix Fixe Men
• Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant (Brooklyn) – Prix Fixe Menu
• Planet Hollywood Restaurant – $15 Towards Lunch
• Bella Napoli – Receive a free entrée, with pasta or salad, soda, and garlic bread

Does the Sightseeing Pass include the Hop-on Hop-off bus tours?

The pass offers quite a number of hop-on hop-off bus tours to get around the city like a tourist.

Will I get a refund if I do not use the Sightseeing Pass?

With the purchase of the pass from www.sightseeingpass.com you will get an assurance that if you are unable to use the pass for some unexpected reasons, you will receive a full refund without any hassle.

How does the Sightseeing Pass work?

To make it more convenient for the visitors of the Big Apple, the pass can be collected in physical as well as digital form. Once you purchase the pass online you instantly receive the email with the pass in your name which you can keep as a digital pass, printable QR code, and even plastic card. You also get a complimentary map and guidebook with the purchase of every pass.

When does my Sightseeing Pass get activated?

The pass gets activated when you use it at the first attraction and lasts till midnight of the last valid day.

How do I make the most out of the Sightseeing Pass?

In order to save as much money as you wish to, plan to visit two to three attractions every day. Also, the more the number of days you have bought the pass for, the lesser number of hotspots you can visit per day at your leisurely pace!

Is there any limitation while using the Sightseeing Pass?

Nope! You can use the pass for entry at the attractions once every hour. However, you can visit each included attractions just once by using one Pass. In the case of the bus tours, once the pass is scanned and you have the tickets, you can enjoy as many bus tours as you want during their route times.

• Visit official website

Get free admission to over 100 amazing NYC’s remarkable attractions and a 1-day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour with a purchase of the ultimate New York Pass. With this great resource, you are in for a treat as you take delight in having access to unlimited attractions for the preferred number of days and soak in what the five boroughs have to offer.

You can purchase the pass for the length of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days and save up to a whopping 70% compared to the price of the tickets at each attraction and get a 230-colored guidebook which is available in several languages. With the popular bus, bike and boat tours, the pass allows you to take delight in exploring the city in different ways.

All you have to do is choose the duration that fits your visit, purchase the pass starting at $134 for adults and $99 for kids, and get physical or instant mobile passes at your disposal. While the money you save differs as per the duration of the pass and the number of attractions that you visit, visitors can easily save up to $400 or more.

P.S. You can save Big in the Big Apple of over 50% off the retail price if you visit 3 attractions per day.

The pass that ranks near the top of the value scale includes top attractions like:

• Top of the Rock Observatory (Fast Track Entry)
• 1-day Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus New York Bus Tour
• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum – Ferry Ticket
• Madame Tussauds New York (Fast Track Entry)
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• Luna Park at Coney Island
• Deno’s Wonder Wheel
• The Cathedral of St. John the Divine
• Fraunces Tavern
• Staten Island Yankees Game
• Staten Island Zoo
• Snug Harbor Botanical Garden in Staten Island
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Center
• 9/11 Tribute Museum: Gallery Admission
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (Fast Track Entry)
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) (Fast Track Entry)
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and Space Shuttle (Fast Track Entry)
• Guggenheim Museum (Fast Track Entry)
• Ground Zero Museum Workshop: Hands-On 9/11 Tour
• Museum of Sex
• The MET: Cloisters (Fast Track Entry)
• New-York Historical Society Museum
• Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
• Museum of Arts and Design
• International Center of Photography Museum
• South Street Seaport Museum
• Brooklyn Museum of Art
• New York Transit Museum
• Museum of Jewish Heritage-A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
• Museum at Eldridge St.
• New York Hall of Science
• The Skyscraper Museum
• Staten Island Museum
• Staten Island Children’s Museum
• Central Park Sightseeing Bike Tours & Rentals
• Brooklyn Bridge Sightseeing Bike Tours and Rentals
• Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals & Tours
• Harlem Bike Tours
• Harlem Bike Rentals
• Hudson River Sightseeing Bike Rentals
• The Paley Center for Media
• Madison Square Garden: MSG All Access Tour
• Radio City Music Hall: Stage Door Tour
• Rockefeller Center Tour (Fast Track Entry)
• Inside Broadway Walking Tour
• Fashion Windows Walking Tour
• The Downtown Experience: Virtual Reality Bus Tour
• Food on Foot Tours
• Hamilton Happy Hour Tour
• Harlem Gospel Tour (Sunday Service)
• Yankee Stadium: Classic Stadium Tours
• Central Park Sightseeing Walking Tour
• Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour
• When Harry Met Seinfeld Bus Tour
• Greenwich Village Walking Tour
• High Line-Chelsea-Meatpacking Tour
• SoHo – Little Italy - Chinatown Walking Tour
• The Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Neighborhood Tour
• Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tour
• Catacombs by Candlelight Tour
• Great Women of New York Walking Tour
• NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad
• Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour of BrooklynBest of Brooklyn Walking Tour in Williamsburg
• Wall Street Walking Tour
• Harlem Gospel Tour: Wednesday Service
• Wall Street Tour: Tour the New York Financial District
• Carnegie Hall Tour
• Gospel Walking Tour of Brooklyn
• Bronx’s Little Italy and Arthur Avenue Walking Tour
• Secrets of Downtown: Lower Manhattan Walking Tour
• Highlights of Midtown Architectural Tour
• Alternative Street Art Tour of the Lower East Side
• Harlem Cultural Walking Tours
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (Fast Track Entry)
• Hop-On Hop-Off Water Taxi: All Day Access Pass
• Downtown Liberty Express Cruise by Circle Line Downtown
• Clipper City Tall Ship Cruises
• Shearwater Classic Schooner Cruise
• Surrey Rental on Governors Island

Does The New York Pass include the Hop-on Hop-off bus tours?

The New York Pass comes with a 1-day Hop-on Hop-off bus tour so that you can cover the ground of the massive New York City quickly. This includes Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn and Harlem Loops.

What is Fast Track Entry that’s included in The New York Pass?

The major tourist hotspots are well-known to have an unbelievably long queue for entrance. The Fast Track Entry feature of the pass allows you to skip past the line at fifteen attractions and saves your invaluable time when traveling.

Will I get a refund if I do not use The New York Pass?

When making the purchase you can pay an additional 4.5% of the cost of the pass to get money back guaranteed insurance. This ensures hassle-free insurance if you are unable to use the Pass because of some circumstances.

How does The New York Pass work?

Once you purchase the pass online you will immediately receive an email with the mobile pass which you can also download on your smartphone and show it at the entrance of iconic places. You can also choose to get the card delivered at your address if you are dubious about the functioning of the phones.

When does my New York Pass get activated?

The pass instantly gets activated as soon as you swipe the card or show the mobile ticket at the first attraction.

How do I make the most out of The New York Pass?

To reap benefits out of the pass you can plan to purchase the card for more days and visit as many attractions as you possibly can. While the Pass is comparatively expensive, you can save a huge amount of money swiping the cards at various destinations. A 3, 5, and 7-day passes are the most popular passes among the visitors to take the utmost advantage of the pass.

Is there any limitation while using The New York Pass?

The pass allows entry to each attraction just once. If you wish to visit the same place twice, you will have to pay the admission ticket cost. For this reason, it also cannot be shared between two people.

Does The New York Pass have an option to add public transportation to the card?

The only glaring omission that can be mentioned is the pass doesn’t have an option to add public transportation to the card. This addition would be cherry on the cake to the already perfect Pass for the first-time visitors in the Empire City.

 The New York Explorer Pass is a one-stop-for-all pass that allows the visitors to visit more than 90 tourist destinations for free, as well as enjoy highly discounted rates at some of the restaurants. Higher the number of attractions you choose to visit, the more savings you will have! The pass is perfect for those who have already made up their mind to visit a handful of destinations.

With the validity of 30 days from the moment the pass gets activated, you have enough time to explore the attractions. You can choose to pay one flat price for 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 different hotspots and you could potentially save from 30% up to as much as 50% off of retail prices. The starting price of the 2-attractions Pass for an adult is $65 while for children, aged 3-12, the cost is $51.

P.S. The New York Explorer Pass also includes skip-the-line privilege which saves a lot of your time by avoiding potentially long queues.

The attractions you can choose to visit from the pass include:

• 9/11 Tribute Museum & Center
• Top of the Rock Observatory
• Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus New York: Classic 1-Day Tour
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Immigration Museum – Ferry Ticket
• Ripley’s Believe It or Not!® Times Square
• Woodbury Common Bus Tour (Round Trip + VIP Coupon Booklet)
• Luna Park at Coney Island: All-Day 24-Ride Wristband
• 9/11 Tribute Museum & Guided Memorial Tour
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• The MetIntrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and Space Shuttle
• National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey
• Gulliver’s GateThe Whitney Museum of American Art
• Brooklyn Museum & Brooklyn Botanic Garden Combo
• Central Park Bike Rental: Full Day
• Central Park Bike Tour
• Brooklyn Bridge: Full-Day Bike Rental
• Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour
• Harlem Full-Day Bike Rental
• Harlem Bike Tour
• Hudson River Sightseeing: Full-Day Bike Rental
• Radio City Stage Door Tour®
• Madison Square Garden®: All Access Tour™
• Night Tour by Big Bus New York
• Rockefeller Center Tour
• Secrets of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: Walking Tour
• The Downtown Experience by THE RIDE
• Spirits On Foot: Beer, Spirits & Wine Crawls
• Food On Foot Tours
• Yankee Stadium: Classic Tour
• Gossip Girl Sites Bus Tour by On Location Tours
• Central Park Walking Tour
• NYC TV & Movie Bus Tour by On Location Tours
• High Line – Chelsea – Meatpacking District Neighborhood Walking Tour
• SoHo – Little Italy – Chinatown Neighborhood Walking Tour
• Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Walking Tour
• Great Women of New York: Walking Tour
• Alternative Street Art Walking Tour of the Lower East Side
• NYC Slavery & Underground Railroad Walking Tour
• Highlights of Midtown Architectural Walking Tour
• Lincoln Center Tour
• Secrets of Downtown Walking TourGraffiti & Street Art Walking Tour in Brooklyn
• Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour in Williamsburg
• Sopranos Sites Bus Tour by On Location Tours
• When Harry Met Seinfeld Bus Tour by On Location Tours
• Landmarks Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing
• Best of New York Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing
• Lady Liberty Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing
• New York Water Taxi: All-Day Access Pass
• Statue by Night Cruise by Circle Line Downtown
• Downtown Liberty Express Cruise
• Shearwater Classic Schooner: Daytime Statue Sail, or City Lights Sail
• Clipper City Tall Ship: Daytime Statue Sail
• Best of NYC Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing
• Harbor Lights Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing

Does the New York Explorer Pass include the Hop-on Hop-off bus tours?

A 1-day hop-on hop-off bus tour ticket is included in the New York Explorer Pass which you can use as one of the attractions on the pass.

What is a skip-the-line privilege that’s provided by the New York Explorer Pass?

Visiting the internationally famous sites in New York City is a dream come true for many globetrotters. However, they dread the nightmare of queuing for hours at the entrance of the major destinations. The pass helps you overcome the nightmare with the skip-the-line privilege which lets you enter the destinations of your choice.

Will I get a refund if I do not use the New York Explorer Pass?

If you doubt what happens when the pass remains unused after you have already paid for it, you don’t have to worry about it. Why you may ask? The answer: buyers can get a full refund for the non-activated pass at any time within the first 30 days of purchase.

How does the New York Explorer Pass work?

The easiest way to purchase the pass is by buying it online and getting a confirmation email which you can print to have a hard copy or download it in your phone as a soft copy. After this, all you have to do is show the pass to be scanned for admission at every attraction you have hand-picked to make your stay a memorable one.

When does my New York Explorer Pass get activated?

As soon as you use the pass to go inside the premise of the first attraction, the pass gets activated with a validity of 30 days from the very moment of activation.

How do I make the most out of the New York Explorer Pass?

If your stay at the Big Apple is more than that of a week and you have already made up your mind to visit exclusive destinations at a leisurely pace, this pass will be the best deal for you in the market.

Is there any limitation while using the New York Explorer Pass?

With New York Explorer Pass you can enter one attraction just once as multiple entries are not permitted. Also, you have a year’s time to download the voucher from the day of the purchase and once activated the Pass ought to be used within 30 days.

Does the New York Explorer Pass get activated if I make advanced reservations at certain attractions?

When you decide to visit selected attractions, it’d be wise to check each attraction’s official page to find the relevant information regarding the reservation. You may require an advanced reservation but it will not activate the pass.

Immerse yourself in the aesthetic beauty of New York’s top six attractions with one of the most economic passes – the New York City Pass! Due to the validity of a good nine days, you won’t have to rush into hitting all the biggies in the city and spend as much time as you wish to in each hotspot. With the price of the pass starting at $138 for adults and $108 for children, you easily save 44% of the retail price at the attractions which otherwise would cost $235.39 for adults and $216.89 for the kids.

To increase your convenience three out of six attractions are already selected for you. The choice of the next three attractions is completely up to you and you can select between the two options that are provided. And with the skip-the-line treat, you won’t have to kill the excitement of the visit by queuing for hours for admission.

Buying the pass is a piece of cake! All you have to do is purchase the City Pass ticket online and get it either printed or delivered to your smartphone, and wait for the day to swipe the card at the first attraction.

P.S. The admission to the iconic Empire State Building encompasses two visits that allow you to make one trip during the day and the other at night.

Three attractions are included in every New York City Pass are:

• Natural History Museum
• Metropolitan Museum of Art

You can choose one of each of the following options:

• 9/11 Memorial & Museum – OR – Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island – OR – Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• Top of The Rock – OR – Guggenheim Museum

Does skipping one attraction in the optional group allow me to visit both destinations of the other option?

Unfortunately, you cannot skip an attraction and get access to visit both hotspots in another group. The best part is you do not have to make a quick decision and choose the destinations while buying the pass. You are free to decide as you start the exploration of the Empire City.

How do I make the most out of the New York City Pass?

In order to enjoy the maximum utility of the pass, you should plan the visits to all six destinations. You can make an itinerary so that you can explore the mains of the city without any hurry.

How do I use the New York City Pass?

After you buy the pass online you get a QR code that you can print or save it on your phone. You will have to show the code at the entry point in one of the listed attractions and get a New York City Pass booklet which includes the coupons for other highlights with important details.

Is the hop-on hop-off bus tour included in the New York City Pass?

While New York City Pass is one of the simplest passes that you can buy, it does not incorporate New York Sightseeing Bus Tours like a hop-on hop-off bus to facilitate commuting for the visitors.

How can I save time by avoiding the long queues?

This pre-selected pass comes with the line bypass privilege which lets you jump the queue and enjoy the highlights without wasting much time.

Will I get a refund if I do not use the New York City Pass Booklet?

You can get a full refund if you make a cancellation at least 24 hours prior to the starting date of the experience.

What is the perk of purchasing the New York City Pass?

The CityPass ticket booklet you get at the first attraction encompasses other highlights, insider tips, a map, transportation details, directions, and money-saving coupons.

Sightseeing Flex Pass is the discounted voucher that lets you select a certain number of highlights from an extensive list of 100+ options in the Big Apple. You can get the pass that includes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 or 12 highlights of the New York City and that’s valid for 30 days after it gets activated at the first attraction.

You can get the maximum discount if you choose to buy the pass with more number of attractions- the more, the merrier! With the Pass, you can have a saving of up to 50% at each attraction and also fast-track entry to several attractions.

P.S. With the purchase of every Sightseeing Flex Pass one of your preferred attractions can be a $40 voucher which lets you get the thrill of experiences like helicopters, flights or musicals.

The attractions that you can visit with this very flexible pass in your possession are:

• Ripley’s Believe it or Not (Fast Track Entry)
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (Fast Track Entry)

Bike Tours & Rentals

• Food on Foot Tours – Go West Food Tour
• Food on Foot Tours – Midtown Mix Food Tour
• Manhattan By Sail – Clipper City Daytime Statue SailManhattan By Sail – Clipper City Jazz Cruise
• Manhattan By Sail – Craft Beer Tasting Sail aboard Clipper City Tall Ship
• Buca di Beppo Restaurant – $15 Towards Lunch (Fast Track Entry)
• Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant (Times Square) – Prix Fixe Menu (Fast Track Entry)
• Buffalo Wild Wings Restaurant (Harlem) – Prix Fixe Menu (Fast Track Entry)
• Planet Hollywood Restaurant – $15 Towards Lunch (Fast Track Entry)

Does the Sightseeing Flex Pass incorporate hop-on hop-off bus tours?

Yes, the pass includes a hop-on hop-off bus bonus that has a validity of 72 hours which lets you take delight in Uptown & Downtown Bus Loops. And the best part is the fact that this is counted as just one of the numbered choices you make.

How do I use the Sightseeing Flex Pass?

After the purchase of the pass, you will receive an email with a QR code that is scanned for admission at your first attraction, bus tour or restaurant it gets activated. Once the voucher is redeemed you will just have to show the card at each entrance of the attractions. However, you will have to remember to wait for an hour before you visit another destination.

Will I get a full refund if the Sightseeing Flex Pass is left unused?

If you have purchased the pass and it’s been left unused for a year from the day of the purchase, you can receive a full refund. In case you have activated the pass and left it unused, then it is non-refundable.

Do I have to premeditate the attractions when I buy the Sightseeing Flex Pass?

It gets overwhelming to plan the destinations beforehand so you do not have to decide the attractions while purchasing the Pass. You can pick the attraction, show the Pass and you are set to marvel at the amazing highlights of the Empire City.

What’s the perk of buying the Sightseeing Flex Pass?

This is the only ‘choice’ pass that includes a visit to the One World Observatory. Also, you get various offers in several restaurants like Buca di Beppo, Buffalo Wild Wings and many more.

How much do New York City attractions passes cost? Price comparison

With each pass having its own unique selling points; it becomes quite an uphill task to decide which pass you should purchase to explore the incredible highlights of the city. So it boils down to the monetary aspect i.e., weighing all your options and streamlining the one that is not just highly economic but also lets you visit the hotspots you wish to. Considering this in mind New York Pass becomes the choice of many visitors.

With a maximum saving of up to 70%, you will save a fortune with New York Pass and choose the places of your preference, as every new day unfolds, from 100+ attractions the pass has to offer. If you have One World Observatory to visit in your mind then you definitely should go for either Sightseeing Pass or Sightseeing Flex Pass. While the former one lets you buy the pass as per the number of days, the latter one lets you pick certain highlights to visit.

New York City Pass would be your go-to-choice if you can manage to spare some to marvel at the incredible hotspots during your stay in the Big Apple. New Explorer Pass is going to be the choice of the visitors who have already decided to visit a definite number of attractions. To assist you in your decision-making process we have categorized different passes as per their cost for visiting a fixed number of highlights or unlimited hotspots for a limited time.

Price table of each New York attraction pass for adults

Price table of each new york attraction pass for children, what new york city attractions passes include the best attractions inclusions comparison.

If you already know which NYC attractions you wish to visit, check the table below so you can easily compare what pass is best for you.

How to book a NYC attraction pass? Are there any discounted passes?

All the aforementioned passes can be booked and purchased both on-site and online to maximize the visitor’s convenience. When you land in New York and begin your much-awaited itinerary to explore the city’s major tourist destinations you will come across numerous vendors who sell the passes on-site. While this may seem like an easy option, this is not recommended because you will not be to avail any discount.

Compare prices on official websites & online travel agencies

Booking and buying passes online via official websites or any reliable travel agency has numerous perks. All you have to do is visit the website, book the ticket for the day you wish to start marveling at the major attractions of New York City and make an online payment.

Doing this will not only assure you a good discount but also give an assurance of a refund if you pay some amount for travel insurance. So if you are unable to use the card due to any reason you can get the cashback without any hassle. Moreover, you will also be able to make a comparison of all the available deals on TourScanner and find the one that suits you the best.

While each has its own perks, you should give it thoughtful consideration and then make the call to buy the one that fits your bill. It is always best to double-check the offerings of each pass as they are updated on a regular basis. This way you won’t get any last-minute unpleasant and disappointing surprise to spoil your vacation.

Don’t hesitate to comment below if you have any questions.

We wish you an excellent visit to New York. Have fun 🙂

Compare All the New York Tourist Passes

No matter how familiar you are with the idea of an attraction pass, it can be daunting to try and pick one that’s just right for you. This is especially the case in a market like New York City, where you’ll find many different options available. That’s why we’ve put together this webpage comparing all the New York attraction passes out there today. Maybe you’ll be spending only a couple days in New York City, so you’ll need to do as much as you can in a really brief period of time. Or perhaps your schedule will let you take things slow, and you’ll be able to see whatever attractions you want without worrying about fitting everything into a tight time frame. 

Regardless of what you want out of an attraction pass, there’s a New York City attraction pass that’ll suit your needs. Below you’ll find a summary of each attraction pass that contains basic background information, pros and cons about the pass being profiled, and a rundown of how much you might be able to save when using the pass in question. There’s even a pass-by-pass comparison at the very bottom of the page that’ll help you make your decision. The less time you spend stressing over picking that perfect attraction pass, the more time you can spend preparing for your New York adventure!

What’s an All-Inclusive Pass?

One type of attraction pass you’ll encounter as you research the New York City attraction pass marketplace is an all-inclusive pass. An all-inclusive pass covers your entry into however many attractions you want to visit for as long as the pass is good. When you buy an all-inclusive pass, you’re buying an attraction pass for a specific number of days. This allows you to tailor your attraction pass to the timetable of your New York City visit. It’s worth considering if you prefer to see and do as much as possible for however long you’re in New York without worrying about counting attractions.

• New York Pass
• New York Sightseeing Day Pass
• New York Turbo Pass
• Compare the All-Inclusive New York Passes

What’s a Flex Pass?

Another type of attraction pass available throughout New York City is the flex pass. A flex pass is a travel pass that is valid for admission to a specific number of attractions. Depending on the particular flex pass you buy, you’ll have a generous number of days to see however many attractions your pass covers—which typically ranges anywhere from 2 to 12 attractions. It’s worth considering if you have an idea of exactly how many attractions you want to visit during your time in New York City, and you’d like to save money on entry fees by paying for your admission in advance.

New York Explorer Pass

• New York Sightseeing Flex Pass

New York CityPASS

New york c3.

• Compare the Admission Based New York Passes

Use the chart below to quickly compare included attractions on each pass. Use the pulldown menu if you want to refine the type of attractions you want to compare. You selections will appear below the pulldown menu. You can click on any of them to delete a selection. Also note that only the first 30 tours and attractions are show at first. You can choose to see them all at once or click the next/previous buttons to see more.

Available New York City Attraction Passes

Those visitors to New York interested in an attraction pass will find over half-a-dozen options to choose from. Seven popular attraction passes on the market today are the New York Explorer Pass, the New York CityPASS, the New York C3 Pass, the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass, the New York Sightseeing Day Pass, Turbopass New York, and the New York Pass. All these attraction passes share a number of characteristics, but they have their differences, too. Understanding the distinctions from pass to pass will help you decide which pass is perfect for your dream trip to New York.

THE ALL-INCLUSIVE DAY PASSES – Set Number of Days

The new york pass.

The New York Pass is another all-inclusive travel pass option. It is accepted at over 90 attractions throughout the greater New York City area, and is available for purchase as a pass valid for your choice of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10 consecutive days. If there’s a big-name New York attraction you want to visit, it’s almost definitely covered by the New York Pass. Beyond that, though, the New York Pass also grants you admission to a number of excellent guided tours, small museums, water cruises, and botanical gardens.

NY Pass Attractions

You name any of the most famous New York attractions out there, and you can visit it while paying nothing out of pocket with the New York Pass. That includes legendary attractions like the Statue of Liberty, the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, and the Museum of Modern Art, as well as popular local sites such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the New York Botanical Garden, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The New York Pass is also good for booking your spot on a whole bunch of unique walking tours, sightseeing cruises, and cycling adventures.

NY Pass Strengths

The New York Pass is notable for being the only all-inclusive pass to provide admission to a variety of popular local attractions. These exclusive partnerships include highlights like The Ride, THE TOUR, the Museum of Sex, and more.

The New York Pass is also known for featuring a particularly outstanding selection of walking tours and biking tours. These include such popular options as the High Line Chelsea Meatpacking Tour, the NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Tour, and the Catacombs by Candlelight Tour—just to name a few.

NY Pass Savings

As with any all-inclusive attraction pass, be certain to use your New York Pass first and foremost at the attractions with the most expensive ticket prices. This way, if time runs out on your pass and you find yourself still wanting to do more, you can pay out of pocket at attractions with cheaper admission prices.

The New York Pass website lists some sample itineraries that you might find useful as you plan your excursion. There are many different ways to organize a cost-effective New York adventure, but one 5-day New York Pass itinerary they present in detail would save you roughly $300.

New York Sightseeing DAY Pass

The New York Sightseeing Day Pass is an all-inclusive attraction pass granting admission or providing access to over 150 unique attractions and discounts. You select how long you want your pass to be valid for—your choice of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 days—and for the duration of your pass you can experience as many attractions as you want. You pay one flat rate for your New York Sightseeing Day Pass up front, then pay nothing out of pocket at any attraction you visit.

Sightseeing DAY Pass Attractions

It’s hard to summarize an attraction list that covers approximately 150 items, but in short, the New York Sightseeing Day Pass has something for just about everyone. All the usual favorite are here, of course—including four different observation decks and five distinct guided bus tours, as well as icons like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Central Park Zoo.

Beyond those heavy hitters, though, you’ll find the New York Sightseeing Day Pass has a whole host of diverse tours (biking, walking, cruising), museums, gardens, dining discounts, happy hours, comedy shows, and more.

Sightseeing DAY Pass Strengths

It’s hard to beat the New York Sightseeing Day Pass attraction list for size, scope, and diversity. Not only does it feature approximately 150 attractions and deals, it has several exclusive arrangements with popular attractions. For instance, it’s the only all-inclusive attraction pass offering a tour of Madison Square Garden and admission to SPYSCAPE.

In addition to its massive attraction list, the New York Sightseeing Day Pass also provides with an assortment of perks like discounted tickets to Broadway shows, special sales at Hudson Yards stores, and deals on rental cars at local airports.

Sightseeing DAY Pass Savings

The best way to make sure you’re maximizing your savings with a New York Sightseeing Day Pass is by going to their official website and studying the sample itineraries they’ve posted there. No matter the duration of the pass you’ve purchased, they’ve got you covered. You’ll find examples of trips planned out day by day, attraction after attraction—and the savings are tremendous. One sample 6-day itinerary they propose would see you saving almost $400 per person!

Turbo Pass New York

Turbopass New York is an all-inclusive, multi-attraction pass valid at over 100 different New York-area attractions. You purchase a 1-day pass, 2-day pass, 3-day pass, 5-day pass, or 7-day pass, and for the duration of your Turbopass you’ll pay nothing out of pocket at whatever attractions you choose to visit. Instead, you’ll simply get your Turbopass scanned and set about enjoying the best of New York City in hardly any time at all.

Turbo Pass Attractions

Turbopass New York’s attraction list numbers roughly 100 unique locations. It includes classic New York attractions like the Statue of Liberty, One World Observatory, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, as well as popular experiences like The Ride, the Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Ferry, and the Broadway Walking Tour. Turbopass New York also comes with a number of special deals and discounts at restaurants and shops throughout the city. 

Turbo Pass Strengths

As highlighted above, Turbopass New York does a nice job curating an attraction list that combines many of New York City’s “must-see” landmarks with multiple lesser-known, but very well-regarded spots. Turbopass New York is also notable for being the only all-inclusive attraction pass accepted at the popular attraction National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey.

While this may not appeal to all visitors, Turbopass New York comes with complimentary shuttle service to John F. Kennedy Airport, Newark Liberty Airport, and LaGuardia Airport.

Turbo Pass Savings

The key to saving as much money as possible with an all-inclusive pass like Turbopass New York is to prioritize those attractions with the highest admission prices. If you follow this strategy consistently over the course of, say, a 7-day pass, you could literally save hundreds of dollars per person with a Turbopass New York card.

THE FLEX PASSES – Set Number of Admissions

The New York Explorer Pass is a flexible attraction pass accepted at approximately 75 unique locations throughout the city. Depending on which version of the pass you purchase, it’ll cover your admission to either 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 attractions. You simply decide how many attractions you wish to visit, purchase a pass in that amount, and activate your pass by getting it scanned at your first attraction. Once your New York Explorer Pass has been activated, you have 60 days to use it.

Explorer Pass Attractions

The New York Explorer Pass includes popular tours, museums, observation decks, and more. It covers such New York City landmarks like the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, as well as a host of iconic museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the American Museum of Natural History.

The New York Explorer Pass also features a variety of guided tours, including the Big Bus Hop On Hop Off 1-Day Classic Tour, Circle Line Sightseeing’s Best of NYC Cruise, and more.

Explorer Pass Strengths

In addition to covering your admission to the world-famous attractions listed above, the New York Explorer Pass has a lot more to offer. If you’re so inclined, you could use it to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, enjoy the New York Botanical Gardens, explore The Met Cloisters, or even attend the Harlem Jazz Series.

The New York Explorer Pass also features a terrific assortment of guided walking and biking tours. These include standouts like the Tastes of the Lower East Side Walking Tour, the Greenwich Village at Night Walking Tour, a Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour in Brooklyn, and many, many more.

Explorer Pass Savings

When it comes to flexible attraction passes, the key to saving as much money as possible is to use the pass first and foremost at those attractions with the most expensive admission prices. An effectively designed trip that uses the Explorer Pass efficiently could save you nearly 50% on the cost of admission across any number of days.

The New York Explorer Pass website features sample itineraries that’ll provide you some examples of how to design just such a trip. Be certain to spend some time searching it before you decide which attraction pass to buy.

New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass

The New York Sightseeing Flex Pass is a flexible, multi-attraction pass providing you admission to your choice of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 or 12 attractions from a list of over 100 attractions. Given its expansive attraction list, the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass is a quality option for many different kinds of visitors. No matter what New York City destination you have in mind, it’s quite possibly already a part of the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass.

Flex Pass Attractions

The 100 different attractions that comprise the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass run the gamut from perennial tourist favorites to hidden local gems. As a result, the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass has everything from the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, and the Guggenheim Museum to the Bronx Zoo, South Street Seaport Museum, and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden.

The New York Sightseeing Flex Pass also covers a wide variety of guided tours. Walking tours, biking tours, bus tours, and sightseeing cruises: you name it, this flexible attraction pass has it. Favorites include the Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour, the NYC TV and Movie Bus Tour, and the Spirits on Foot Beer, Sprits, & Wine Crawl.

Flex Pass Strengths

The biggest strength of the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass is that it has a little bit of something for everybody—no matter what you’re most interested in exploring during your time in New York, there’s something for you on this attraction pass. This is because the Flex Pass contains world-class museums, historic sites, amusement parks, zoos, discounts on dining, guided tours, bike rentals, and much, much more.

Once you purchase your New York Sightseeing Flex Pass, you don’t even have to activate it for two full years. Then, once it is activated, it remains valid for 60 days. This gives you tremendous flexibility.

Flex Pass Savings

Regardless of whether you select a 2-day or 12-day New York Sightseeing Flex Pass, you’re going to save a nice chunk of change. For tips on how to maximize your savings with this particular attraction pass, visit the official New York Sightseeing Flex Pass website. There you’ll find sample itineraries that’ll help you plan the perfect, cost-effective trip. There’s even one example of a 12-attraction Flex Pass experience that’ll save you over $250 per person!

The New York CityPASS is a flexible attraction pass that covers your admission to six of New York City’s most popular attractions. Once you visit your first attraction, you then have 9 days to finish using your pass. Highlights available to holders of the New York CityPASS include famous attractions like the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

CityPASS Attractions

The New York CityPASS gets you in the door at six iconic New York City attractions. Every New York CityPASS includes admission to the same three attractions: the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From there, you have a choice of three more attractions to visit. You can pick going to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck or Guggenheim Museum; the 9/11 Memorial & Museum or Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; and either have ferry access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or a ticket on a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise.

CityPASS Strengths

The New York CityPASS is perfect for those visitors who know they want to see only the absolute most famous attractions found in New York. You won’t have a lot of choices when holding a New York CityPASS, but each and every one of them is a can’t-miss option.

CityPASS Savings

The New York CityPASS advertises a savings of about 42%. When you buy a New York CityPASS ahead of time, and use it to visit six distinctive attractions, you’ll save 42% compared to how much you’d spend on admission when individually paying out of pocket at each one of those six attractions.

The New York C3 pass is another attraction pass offered by the same company behind the New York CityPASS, and it’s a simple, straightforward option for budget-conscious visitors on a tight schedule. New York C3 is as easy to use as it is to understand. It covers your admission to three of New York City’s most popular attractions. When using your New York C3 pass, you’ll have a list of 12 attractions to choose from.

C3 Attractions

Though its attraction list is more limited than some other attraction passes on the market today, New York C3 still covers everything from historical landmarks and museums to cruises and tours. Attractions available to New York C3 passholders include the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the Edge at Hudson Yards, and several offerings from City Cruises and Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises.

C3 Pass Strengths

The New York C3 attraction pass is a good option for those visitors who want to experience the very best of what New York City is all about, but don’t necessarily have the time to cast a wide net. Even though it covers you admission to only three attractions, New York C3 is still valid for nine full days, which means you’ll never feel rushed as you decide which three attractions to visit.

C3 Pass Savings

The New York C3 pass will save you about 33% on the price of admission across whichever three attractions you pick. That’s real money you can put toward food, drink, or souvenirs—or just enjoy saving for your next travel adventure!

Which Pass is Right for Me?

When scanning the ins and outs of the seven New York City attraction passes profiled above, it’s definitely fair to say there’s a decent bit of overlap from pass to pass. However, that doesn’t mean there’s not a pass out there that’s specifically suited to your interests and needs.

If you’re all about seeing as much as you absolutely can while in New York, you’ll probably find yourself best suited to an all-inclusive attraction pass. This is the type of attraction pass that you purchase for a set number of days—and then during that set number of days you can visit as many attractions as you want. These all-inclusive passes include the New York Sightseeing Day Pass, Turbopass New York, and the New York Pass. Visit our New York City All-Inclusive Pass Comparison page for more information on which of these options might be right for you.

If you want to target a specific number of attractions, or time isn’t as much of a factor for you, then you’re likely best off picking a flexible attraction pass. A flexible attraction pass will let you choose the exact number of attractions you want to visit while you’re exploring New York City. You’ll be able to visit these attractions over a period of time ranging from about a week to almost two months, depending on which flexible pass you purchase. The flexible passes you’ll have to choose from are the New York Explorer Pass, the New York CityPASS, the New York C3 Pass, and the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass. Visit our New York City Flexible Pass Comparison page for more information on which of these options might be right for you.

Should I buy a New York attraction pass?

You may have seen some of the tourist passes advertised that offer you access to a number of the attractions around the city for a fixed price. There is a choice of three – CityPass, New York Pass and the Explorer Pass – each with different included attractions. But are they worth the expense?

The answer, as you might expect, is ‘possibly.’ Whether you will save money using them is dependent on how long you’re going for, who’s going – attractions have different rules for infants, children, students and seniors – and what you plan to see. Because it’s so difficult to work out for yourself which pass, if any, will save you money I have built an online tool that does it for you. Visit my New York Attraction Pass Comparison now to get a tailored recommendation based on your trip details.

New York Pass Comparison

Click here to find out which of the main New York attraction passes will save you most on your trip.

New York CityPASS

CityPASS is a very popular pass offering admission to six of the must-see tourist attractions that New York has on offer. If you were to travel for a week, this would be ideal as you could do something different every day. However, for a shorter break it may be difficult to fit everything in, and so it could be cheaper to buy from the box office on the day for some attractions. Reviews are dazzling for this pass, with many buyers commenting on the excellent value for money, if these attractions appeal to you.

Use the New York CityPASS calculator  to check whether it is the best pass for your trip.

The New York Pass

By visiting just the Top 10 attractions, which are the Circle Line Cruises, Empire State Building, Food on Foot Tours, 9/11 Tribute Center, Top of the Rock, The Museum of Modern Art, New York Skyride, Madame Tussaud’s, the NBC studio tour and the Hop-On-Hop-Off Water Taxi, you can save over $300.

The New York pass is very flexible, and if you have a packed itinerary then it certainly offers good value for money. Due to the number of attractions that are included it is also ideal for people who know that they will be filling their days but don’t like to plan too much ahead.  If, however, you prefer to see a few of the big sites and then just take in streets of New York it may not be right for you.

The New York Pass calculator will check whether it is the right tourist pass for your trip or whether you will better off buying one of the competing passes or even no pass at all.

The New York Explorer Pass

The New York Explorer Pass works differently again and is perfect for those who know exactly where they want to go and what they want to see.  The pass gives you access to 54 different attractions and you buy a pass giving you entry to 3, 5, 7 or 10 of them.

Is it worth it?  The average cost across the 54 attractions is $33 each; however, some of the attractions are less expensive, so if you do consider the Explorer Pass be sure to include the more expensive attractions. If there are attractions you want to visit that cost less than the ‘per attraction’ value of the pass you buy then it may be advisable to pay for these at the box office on the day, and use your pass for the higher-priced venues.

Our New York Explorer Pass calculator  will tell you whether it is the right pass for your trip based on how long you are going for and who is in your party.

Which New York pass is the best?

The best pass for you will depend on what you want to see, how old the children are the accompany you (since the ‘child’ category varies from pass to pass), how long your stay is for and whether any of your party is eligible for student or senior discounts. Each pass has its merits and so it is worth taking time to plan your trip to ensure you are getting the most for your money.

Use our full  New York Pass comparison  to find out which pass is best for your trip or whether you would be better off buying your attraction tickets separately.

Comparing the best NYC passes | Find the best one for you

Things to do in New York New York Attractions New York City Passes

New York occupies a privileged place at the top of many lists of places to visit in ones lifetime. A powerhouse of a city , New York is the one of the world's major commercial, financial and cultural centers. The city is a heaven for tourists too. From some of the tallest skyscrapers to the richest museums in the world, from stunning parks and vibrant neighborhoods to the biggest center of theatre, New York has it all. The best way to explore NYC as a tourist is to go for any of the many New York City Passes . While New York has a plethora to see, choices for ways to explore to New York are plenty too. However, the most budget friendly and hassle-free method is opting for a New York City Pass that suits your itinerary.

A single card that allows you instant access to all the major attractions and museums in the city, removes the hassle of queuing up and handling foreign currency is an absolute boon while in the Big Apple. With access to almost every attraction in NYC and savings of up to 40%, these New York City Passes will help you save on money as well as time in New York City.

Navigate the Guide

• New York City Passes - What Are My Options?
• NYC Explorer Pass
• New York Pass
• New York All City Pass
• Freestyle New York Pass
• New York City Passes Comparison
• What convenience factors do the New York City Passes bring?
• Handy Tips for using the New York City Passes

More New York Guides

New york city passes - what are my options .

You have 4 New York City Passes to choose from - The New York Explorer Pass, The New York Pass, New York City Tour Pass and Freestyle New York City Pass. Read in detail about each of these cards, the pros & cons, who should buy it, the inclusions & exclusions, freebies available, validity and more on this blog post. Click on the one you'd like to learn more about!

Best New York City Passes Comparison

What is new york explorer pass.

The NYC Explorer Pass allows you to choose a select number of attractions to visit from a list of 77 attractions. The pass is available in four options. Each variant lets you choose a different number of attractions – 2, 3, 4 and 7 attractions. With potential savings of upto 50% on admission prices and 77 attractions to choose from, the NYC Explorer Pass is the perfect pass for your New York holiday.

Once you buy your Explorer pass, the pass will remain valid for one year. Only after its first usage will the pass get activated. After activation, the pass will expire in 30 days. In these 30 days, you can use your pass whenever you want to visit the selected number of attractions.

NYC Explorer Pass Attractions

• Empire State Building • Top of the Rock Observatory • Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus New York: Classic 1-Day Tour • Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Immigration Museum - Ferry Ticket • Madame Tussauds New York • 9/11 Memorial & Museum • 9/11 Tribute Museum & Guided Memorial Tour • American Museum of Natural History • The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) • Landmarks Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing • The Met • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and Space Shuttle • Central Park Bike Rental: Full Day • Central Park Sightseeing: 2-Hour Bike Tour • Ripley's Believe It or Not!® Times Square • NFL Experience, Times Square • Guggenheim Museum • The RIDE • Radio City Stage Door Tour® • Madison Square Garden®: All Access Tour™ • The TOUR • Night Tour by Big Bus New York • Luna Park at Coney Island: 24 Ride Pass • Harlem Gospel Tour (Sunday Service) • Hamilton Happy Hour Tour • Yankee Stadium: Classic Tour • Lady Liberty Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing • Rockefeller Center Tour • Inside Broadway Walking Tour • Fashion Windows Walking Tour • Secrets of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: Walking Tour • National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey • Gulliver's Gate • Wall Street Walking Tour • Spyscape • Woodbury Common Bus Tour (Round Trip + VIP Coupon Booklet) • The Downtown Experience by THE RIDE • Brooklyn Bridge: Full-Day Bike Rental • Brooklyn Bridge Sightseeing: 2-Hour Bike Tour • Ground Zero Museum Workshop: Hands-On 9/11 Tour • The Whitney Museum of American Art • Museum of Sex • Food On Foot Tours

• Spirits On Foot: Beer, Spirits & Wine Crawls • New York Water Taxi: All-Day Access Pass • Statue by Night Cruise by Circle Line Downtown • Downtown Liberty Express Cruise • Shearwater Classic Schooner: Daytime Statue Sail • Gossip Girl Sites Bus Tour by On Location Tours • Clipper City Tall Ship: Daytime Statue Sail • Central Park Walking Tour • NYC TV & Movie Bus Tour by On Location Tours • Greenwich Village Walking Tour • High Line – Chelsea – Meatpacking District Neighborhood Walking Tour • Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour • The Met Cloisters • SoHo – Little Italy – Chinatown Neighborhood Walking Tour • The Met Breuer • Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Walking Tour • New York Historical Society Museum • Great Women of New York: Walking Tour • Catacombs by Candlelight Tour • Harlem Bike Tour by Unlimited Biking • Harlem Full-Day Bike Rental by Unlimited • Alternative Street Art Walking Tour of the Lower East Side • NYC Slavery & Underground Railroad Walking Tour • Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Guided Tour • The New York Botanical Garden: All Day Garden Pass • Bronx's Little Italy & Arthur Avenue Neighborhood Walking Tour • Highlights of Midtown Architectural Walking Tour • Brooklyn Museum & Brooklyn Botanic Garden Combo • Hudson River Sightseeing: Full-Day Bike Rental • Secrets of Downtown Walking Tour • Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour in Brooklyn • Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour in Williamsburg • Sopranos Sites Bus Tour by On Location Tours • Best of NYC Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing • Harbor Lights Cruise: Circle Line Sightseeing • LEGOLAND® Discovery Center • Surrey Rental on Govenors Island • When Harry Met Seinfeld Bus Tour by On Location Tours • Graffiti & Street Art Workshop

New York Explorer Pass - 3 Attractions : from

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• Choose from 3, 4, 5, 7 or 11 attractions from a list of 82 available attractions like Yankee Stadium, the Empire State Building and the Met.
• Valid for 30 days from activation

Top Attractions For Free With NYC Explorer Pass

Cost Benefit Analysis - NYC Explorer Pass

Cost of 7 prime attractions in nyc.

The 7 day NYC Explorer Pass will cost you while you will be spending $342 if you were to buy individual tickets for these attractions. This translates to savings of around $187 !

What is New York Pass?

With the New York Pass, the ticket to exploring NYC is quite literally in your palms. The New York Pass allows free, one-time access to over 100+ attractions in New York, including the Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History, with the option of skipping the line at attractions like Madame Tussauds and the Museum of Modern Art! You can choose from the 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10-day pass as per your itinerary and experience New York at your pace.

A money and time saver, the New York Pass does not require pre-booking, so you can simply turn up with your New York Pass and enter, hassle-free! The New York Pass is valid for 12 months from the day of purchase, and after the first usage, it is valid for consecutive days not for random 24-hour periods. For instance, with the 3-day pass, if you first use your pass on a Monday, it is then valid on the following Tuesday and Wednesday. The pass expires at midnight.

New York Pass Attractions

• Empire State Building Fast Track • Big Bus New York Hop on Hop off Bus Tour • Top of the Rock Observatory Fast Track • 9/11 Memorial & Museum • Madame Tussauds Fast Track Fast Track • Statue of Liberty Ferry & Ellis Island • Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Fast Track • Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises Fast Track • American Museum of Natural History • Central Park Sightseeing Bike Tours & Rentals • Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET)Fast Track • The RIDE • Food on Foot Tours • Radio City Music Hall: Stage Door Tour • Madison Square Garden: MSG All Access Tour • Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Fast Track • Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Fast Track • Rockefeller Center Tour • Hop-On Hop-Off Water Taxi: All Day Access Pass • NFL Experience, Times Square • The TOUR • 9/11 Memorial Audio Tour & 9/11 Tribute Museum • Whitney Museum of American Art • Inside Broadway Walking Tour • Fashion Windows Walking Tour • Museum of Sex • The Downtown Experience: Virtual Reality Bus Tour • Brooklyn Bridge Sightseeing Bike Tours and Rentals • 9/11 Ground Zero Museum Workshop • Luna Park at Coney Island • Deno's Wonder Wheel • Hamilton Happy Hour Tour • Harlem Gospel Tour (Sunday Service) • Yankee Stadium: Classic Stadium Tours • Downtown Liberty Express Cruise by Circle Line Downtown • Clipper City Tall Ship Cruises • Shearwater Classic Schooner Cruise • Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals & Tours • Central Park Sightseeing Walking Tour • Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour • When Harry Met Seinfeld Bus Tour • Grand Central Terminal Audio Tour • Greenwich Village Walking Tour • High Line-Chelsea-Meatpacking Tour • SoHo - Little Italy & Chinatown Walking Tour • The MET: Cloisters • Museum of the City of New York

• New York Historical Society Museum • The Cathedral of St. John the Divine • Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum • Museum of Arts and Design • International Center of Photography Museum • New Museum • Museum of American Finance • Fraunces Tavern • South Street Seaport Museum • The Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Neighborhood Tour • Brooklyn Bridge Walking Tour • Catacombs by Candlelight Tour • Great Women of New York Walking Tour • NYC Slavery and Underground Railroad Walking Tour • Brooklyn Museum of Art • Graffiti & Street Art Walking Tour of Brooklyn • Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour in Williamsburg • MoMA PS1 • Wall Street Walking Tour • Brooklyn Botanic Garden • Harlem Gospel Tour: Wednesday Service • New York Transit Museum • Carnegie Hall Tour • Gospel Walking Tour of Brooklyn • Staten Island Yankees Game • Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust • Museum at Eldridge St. • Bronx’s Little Italy and Arthur Avenue Walking Tour • New York Botanical Garden • New York Hall of Science • Lincoln Center Tour • Harlem Bike Tours • Harlem Bike Rentals • Hudson River Sightseeing Bike Rentals • Secrets of Downtown: Lower Manhattan Walking Tour • Highlights of Midtown Architectural Tour • Alternative Street Art Tour of the Lower East Side • The Skyscraper Museum • Staten Island Zoo • Harlem Cultural Walking Tours • HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods Resort Casino • Staten Island Museum • Staten Island Children's Museum • Snug Harbor Botanical Garden in Staten Island • The Paley Center for Media • Surrey Rental on Governors Island • LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, Westchester

New York Pass - 1 Day : from

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• Free, one-time access to over 100+ attractions & experiences in NYC.
• Get a downloadable guide containing travel tips, attraction information, subway map, city map, contact information and more

Top Attractions For Free With New York Pass

Cost benefit analysis - new york pass.

The 2 day New York Pass will cost you while you will be spending $332 if you were to buy individual tickets for these attractions. This translates to savings of around $143 !

What is the New York All City Pass?

If your style of exploring New York involves a double decker bus ride, then the New York All City Pass is your best bet. Hop on board the iconic red bus and enjoy the sights and streets of the Big Apple from a vantage point like no other. You can choose the duration you'd like - 24, 48, 72 and 120 hour variants and explore attractions from the carefully selected curation that comes with the New York All City Pass. The pass is valid from the time it is activated at the first attraction for consecutive days, and not 24-hour periods.

The New York All City Pass' tours include a live tour guide who usually provides useful information about each attraction. With free, one-time tours of downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and Harlem and even bike rentals, this pass covers the length and breadth of the city.

New York All City Pass Inclusions

Downtown Bus Tour • DT Turn 9 - Right on Broadway from 8th St • Port Authority • Garment District • Highline • Battery Park • City Hall • Canal Street • Soho • Washington Square Park • Union Square • Flat Iron Building • Empire State Building • Macy's • Times Square North • Rockefeller Center • Times Square West Uptown & Harlem Bus Tour • Times Square North • Carnegie Hall • Central Park South • Central Park Zoo • Metropolitan Museum of Art • Guggenheim Museum • Museum of the City of New York • Apollo Theater • Morningside Heights • Cathedral of St. John of the Divine • American Museum of Natural History • Dakota Building • Columbus Circle • Theater District • Port Authority

Brooklyn Bus Tour • The Botanical Gardens • The NY Transit Museum • Grand Army Plaza • Ebbet’s Field • The Brooklyn Museum • Brooklyn Bridge Bronx Bus Tour • Yankee Stadium • Harlem • Midtown Night Bus Tour • Times Square (down 5th Avenue) • Empire State Building • Greenwich Village • Chinatown • Little Italy • Noho • Brooklyn Bridge • United Nations Building • Rockefeller Center • Chrysler Building • Soho • Grand Central Terminal 2 Hours Bike Rental (With Purchase) - Central Park Liberty Cruise • New York Harbor • Statue of Liberty • Manhattan skyline Museum of NYC

NYC All City Pass - 24 Hours : from

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• Ride in style on the iconic red double-decker buses with a live guide onboard.
• The pass is valid for selected consecutive hours once redeemed.

Cost Benefit Analysis - New York All City Pass

While doing all of the above in a day is not possible, even opting for 2 of the above will translate to 40% savings! The 1 day Classic NYC All City Pass will cost you while you will be spending double the amount for even 2 activities on the list without the pass!

What is Freestyle New York City Pass?

The Freestyle New York City Pass is another extremely popular pass amongst tourists visiting New York. There are 2 types of Freestyle New York Passes:

1. Freestyle New York City Pass -

• The Freestyle City Pass allows you to choose a select number of attractions to visit from a list of 50 attractions.
• The pass is available in three options. Each variant lets you choose a different number of attractions – 3, 5 and 7 attractions.
• With the pass, you get 3 days unlimited Hop-on Hop-Off sightseeing tours across 4 routes: Downtown, Uptown, Brooklyn and the Bronx. You can even add a special Night tour from Manhattan to Brooklyn to get picturesque views of the skyline lit up.
• Once you buy your Freestyle pass, the pass will remain valid for one year. Only after its first usage will the pass get activated. After activation, the pass will expire in 14 days. In these 14 days, you can use your pass whenever you want to visit the selected number of attractions. The Hop on Hop off Pass is valid for 72 consecutive hours from the time you redeem the vouchers at one of the NYC Visitor Center locations.

2. Freestyle New York Cruise Pass -

• The Freestyle Cruise Pass is ideal for first-time short term visitors who want to explore the city without a strict itinerary.
• It gives you unlimited Hop-on Hop-Off ferry access for one day along with a choice of entry to 1 or 3 New York City attractions. Get a chance to choose from over 40 New York attractions, including the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in your one-day pass.
• Traverse through the Big Apple from a unique vantage point over New York's waterways and get a chance to see the gorgeous New York City skyline with exquisite views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, South Street Seaport and more iconic landmarks.
• The Freestyle Cruise Pass is available in 2 variants. Each variant lets you enter a different number of attractions, either 1 or 3 attraction combo.Each variant comes with unlimited Hop-on, Hop-off ferry services.
• Your Hop-On Hop-Off ferry tour is valid for 14 days from the time of purchase, and after the first usage, it is valid for 24 hours.

Freestyle New York City Pass Attractions

Attractions

• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• Empire State Building Observatory
• Madame Tussauds Celebrity Ticket
• Ripley’s Believe It or Not (Includes Impossible LaserRace)
• Top of the Rock Observation Deck
• One World Observatory
• National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey
• State of Liberty Ferry & Ellis Island
• Gulliver’s Gate
• The Radio City Stage Door Tour
• Rockefeller Center Tour
• When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour (On Location Tours)
• Madison Square Garden All-Access Tour
• Go Airlink Airport Shuttle Share Ride

Please note: The TOUR, When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour and Go Airlink Airport Shuttle Share Ride all need prior reservations for bookings.

• American Museum of Natural History
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• Cloisters Museum
• Guggenheim Museum
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum
• Museum of the City of New York
• El Museo Del Barrio
• 9/11 Tribute Museum
• New York Historical Society
• Brooklyn Museum/Botanical Garden
• Whitney Museum of American Art
• Ground Zero Museum Workshop: 100 Images & Artifacts Tour

Walking Tours & Cruises

Please inquire about the walking tours and cruises when you redeem your voucher at the office. These are seasonal and subject to reservation.

• Brooklyn Navy Yard Past, Present, Future Tour
• World War II of the BK Navy Yard Tour
• Inside Industry Tour of the BK Navy Yard
• Bronx’s Little Italy and Arthur Avenue Tour
• NYC Slavery and Underground Tour
• Alternative New York Street Art Tour
• Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo Tour
• Highlights of Midtown Architectural Tour
• Soho, Little Italy, China Town Tour
• Highline, Chelsea, Meatpacking Tour
• Greenwich Village Tour
• Broadway Walking Tour
• Lower Manhattan Walking Tour
• Lunch at Dave and Buster’s - 234 W. 42nd St., 3rd Floor
• Lunch at Grotta Azzurra (Little Italy)
• Lunch at Bella Napoli (Near the Empire State Building)
• Breakfast/Lunch at Applebee’s 42nd Street & 50th Street
• Lunch/Dinner at Planet Hollywood
• Lunch/Dinner at Buca di Beppo

Freestyle Attraction Pass

• Choose from 3, 5 or 7 attractions/activity tickets from a list of 40 available attractions.
• 3-day, unlimited, all around town Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing doubledecker bus across 4 routes

Freestyle New York Cruise Pass Inclusions

• Ripley's Believe It or Not** (Includes LaserRace)
• Statue of Liberty Ferry and Ellis Island
• NFL Experience
• Lincoln Center Tour
• Madison Square Garden All Access tour
• When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour
• American Museum of Natural History*
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)*
• Cloisters Museum*
• Metropolitan Museum of Art*
• El Museo del Barrio

*May be subject to change. Please call and confirm attraction availability beforehand.

Walking Tour

• Twilight Cruise
• Lunch at Dave and Buster's -234 W. 42nd St., 3rd Floor
• Breakfast or Lunch at Applebee's 42nd Street & 50th Street
• $25 towards lunch or dinner at Planet Hollywood
• $25 towards lunch or dinner at Buca di Beppo

Live Events

• NYCFC (New York City FC) Tickets
• NY Mets home game at Citi Field
• Baseball Game at Yankee Stadium

FreeStyle Cruise Pass

• Free, one-time entry to one or three New York City attractions
• Unlimited one-day Hop-on, Hop-off Ferry
• Valid for 14 days from the time of purchase, and after first usage, it is valid for 24 hours.

Cost Benefit Analysis - Freestyle New York Pass

Cost of 5 attractions + 3 day hop on hop off in nyc.

The Freestyle New York City Pass costs while you will be spending $310 if you were to explore NYC without the pass. The 40% Savings is definitely worth purchasing the pass!

What Convenience Factors do the New York City Passes bring?

1. Huge savings These passes can help you save anywhere between 30-50% on the cost of tickets as opposed to buying a separate ticket for each attraction. These savings mean you can increase your budget for souvenirs, shopping or other experiences. 2. Convenience The travel pass provides you instant access entry to all attractions without having to queue up to purchase tickets. The pass will help you skip these lines, providing you with more time to spend in actual sightseeing. 3. Save time The priority access feature of these passes allow you to save time on purchasing individual tickets for each attraction. With only one pre-purchased card in hand, you can wander in to any attraction of your choice and not worry about standing in line and buying tickets. 4. Choice and flexibility The pass offers an array of attractions and monuments to see, the entry fee of which is included in the pass. This allows you to choose your pace of visiting the attractions. The pass is also flexible and does not have any limitations on entry or timing. 5. Ideal for traveling with kids Traveling with kids can be made a whole lot easier by making the trip more comfortable for them. A pass allows you to plan better and cut waiting in lines for hours, making sure your kids don’t get cranky!

Handy Tips for using New York City Passes

• Plan Plan Plan - With tons of attractions to choose from in the city, it is best that you plan the attractions for which you'll be using the pass. Make sure that you use the pass in the most optimum manner to ensure highest savings. • Prioritize - Prioritize attractions with higher entrance fees, it is the easiest way to save money and recover your costs. • Check the timings - Do ensure that you have checked the timings of the attractions that you would like to visit. It would be quite a downer to visit an attraction only to know that it is closed. • Use the money saving techniques - Use the hop-on-hop-off feature of the passes to get around the city. The advantages of it are two fold - free transportation as well as guided sightseeing. • Know the free days - Certain museums have free entries on some days. Visit these museums on the free days to increase your savings. Try to avoid start using the pass on these days.

Looking for more detailed New York Guides? Here are a few that will help you plan your NYC vacay!

See more NYC. Save more money.

Save $8 on your first booking with Headout the code GONYC

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Sachin Kumar

Having lived and worked in Bangalore and Singapore before moving to Dubai, Sachin is one of the many expatriates who've come together over the years to knit the fabric of Dubai’s global culture. An avid urban explorer and photographer, he has spent countless hours uncovering hidden gems in these cities - eating in ramshackled establishments that only the cab drivers frequent, discovering underground markets, exploring abandoned buildings and staying with families that may or may not like him.

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Home » Nordamerika » The ultimate New York Pass Comparison – Which New York Pass is the best for you?

The ultimate New York Pass Comparison – Which New York Pass is the best for you?

If you look at the prices for the most popular New York attractions , you will soon realize that the more places you plan to visit, the more money you need to spend. And to be honest, the admission fees for some of the sights are not particularly cheap.

But hear me out before you cancel your trip and start looking for a budget option. Like many other major tourist cities, New York offers some great tourist cards that can save you a lot of money.

Since you can quickly lose track of the wide range of different New York passes, we would like to compare the most popular tourist cards in this New York Pass comparison. This way, you can quickly figure out which pass is the best for your trip to the city that never sleeps.

After a brief overview and a quick NYC Pass comparison, let’s take a closer look at the individual cards and their advantages and disadvantages. That way, you’ll know exactly which New York discount pass is right for you.

What to find out in this post

• 1 New York Pass Comparison – An Overview
• 2 Which New York Pass is the best?
• 3.1 Based on attractions
• 3.2 Based on days
• 4 The different New York Cards compared
• 5.1 Included Highlights in the New York Pass
• 5.2 Attraction- or Day-based?
• 5.4 Included Days
• 5.5 Available Attractions
• 5.6 Pros & Cons New York Pass
• 5.7 Is suitable for…
• 6.1 Included Highlights in the New York Sightseeing Pass
• 6.2 Attraction- or Day-based?
• 6.4 Included Days
• 6.5 Included number of attractions
• 6.6 Available Attractions
• 6.7 Pros & Cons New York Sightseeing Day Pass
• 6.8 Is suitable for…
• 6.9 Pros & Cons New York Sightseeing Flex Pass
• 6.10 Is suitable for…
• 7.1 Included Highlights in the New York City Explorer Pass
• 7.2 Attraction- or Day-based?
• 7.4 Included number of attractions
• 7.5 Available Attractions
• 7.6 Pros & Cons New York City Explorer Pass
• 7.7 Is suitable for…
• 8.1 Included Highlights in the New York CityPass
• 8.2 Attraction- or Day-based?
• 8.4 Included number of attractions
• 8.5 Available Attractions
• 8.6 Pros & Cons New York Citypass
• 8.7 Is suitable for…
• 9.1 Included Highlights in the New York Freestyle Pass
• 9.2 Attraction- or Day-based?
• 9.4 Included number of attractions
• 9.5 Available Attractions
• 9.6 Pros & Cons New York Freestyle Pass
• 9.7 Is suitable for…
• 10 Included Attractions – An Overview
• 11.1 Sample Itinerary 1
• 11.2 Sample Itinerary 2
• 11.3 Sample Itinerary 3
• 12 Conclusion
• 13.1 First-timer
• 13.2 Museum Lovers
• 13.3 Short-time visitors
• 13.4 Average Visitor
• 14 FAQ about New York Tourist Cards
• 15.1 About the AuthorVicki

New York Pass Comparison – An Overview

Which new york pass is the best.

After you’ve been able to get a small overview of which passes to choose from in the table above, we now want to find out which of the New York passes is the best (for you personally). First of all, let’s take a closer look at the individual passes.

To check the passes in more detail, we have to determine the main differences between the passes.

What kinds of New York Passes are available?

Based on attractions

This pass type includes various attractions from which you can choose a specific number. For example, if you book a pass including five attractions, you can visit five attractions with that pass (Makes sense, right?). You usually have a big time frame (around 30 days) to see all the attractions you have chosen.

Pros of Attraction-based Passes

• You are more flexible regarding time (You have around 30 days to visit the attractions)
• You only pay for the attractions that you really want to see

Cons of Attraction-based Passes

• You can only see the number of attractions that you have booked
• Often just worth it for the more expensive attractions

The Attraction-based pass is great for you if…

• You already know which/how many attractions you want to see
• The chosen attractions are cheaper with the pass than the single tickets
• You want to see only a few or some attractions

The Attraction-based pass is NOT great for you if…

• You only want to see one attraction
• the single tickets together are cheaper than the pass
• you want to see a large number of sights
• rather decide spontaneously which and how many attractions you would like to see

Attraction-bases Passes

• New York Sightseeing Flex Pass
• New York City Explorer Pass

New York Citypass

• New York Freestyle Pass

Based on days

When purchasing one of the passes based on days, you choose a specific time slot, e.g., three days, in which you can theoretically visit all the attractions included in the pass.

Pros of Day-based Passes

• You have a wider choice of attractions to visit
• You are more flexible because you don’t have to commit yourself to attractions in advance

Cons of Day-based Passes

• You’re under time pressure because you only have a certain amount of time to see all of your desired sights

The Day-based pass is great for you if…

• want to see a lot of attractions in New York City
• the pass is cheaper than the admission fees of your attractions

The Day-based pass is NOT great for you if…

• you only want to see a few sights
• you are rather flexible in terms of time

Day-based Passes

• The New York Pass
• The New York Sightseeing Day Pass

The different New York Cards compared

The New York Pass is one of the most popular passes available. This is an attraction-based pass that includes more than 100 attractions and tours.

Included Highlights in the New York Pass

• Empire State Building Observatory
• Top of the Rocks Observation Deck
• 1 Day Hop-on-Hop-off with Big Bus
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
• Museum of Modern Art
• Madame Tussauds
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• American Museum of Natural History
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Central Park Bike Tour
• Guggenheim Museum
• and many more

Attraction- or Day-based?

From $ 142 (2 Days $ 170, 3 Days $ 206 …) Check all Prices here

On the website, as with GetYourGuide , you can always find discounts, so you never really pay the full price (full price starts at $ 240).

Included Days

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10 Days

Available Attractions

Pros & cons new york pass, pros new york pass.

• Most highlights in New York are included
• If you want to see a lot, you can save a lot

Cons New York Pass

• One World Observatory is not included
• only worth it if you really see many attractions
• possible time pressure

Is suitable for…

• Travelers who want to see many attractions
• The more, the more you can save

Check further information and prices of the New York Pass

• The New York Sightseeing Pass

The New York Sightseeing Pass is unlike the other passports presented here, available as both: a time-based option (Day Pass) and an attraction-based version (Flex Pass). This pass also contains more than 100 attractions in the City.

Included Highlights in the New York Sightseeing Pass

• One World Observatory
• Hop-on-Hop-off Bus
• Ripley’s Believe it or not

Both available

Day Pass from $ 154 ( Check the exact prices here ) and Flex Pass from $ 74 ( Check the exact prices here )

Included number of attractions

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, or 12 Attractions

Pros & Cons New York Sightseeing Day Pass

Pros new york sightseeing day pass.

• If you visit a lot, you can save a lot
• Includes Hop-on-Hop-Off Bus every day

Cons New York Sightseeing Day Pass

• The Empire State Building Observatory is not included
• travelers that want to see many attractions
• The more days you choose, the more money you save

Check further information and prices of the New York Sightseeing Day Pass

Pros & Cons New York Sightseeing Flex Pass

Pros new york sightseeing flex pass.

• You can choose between most highlights in New York
• Time flexible (You have 30 days after activating your card)

Cons New York Sightseeing Flex Pass

• Only the attractions you choose are included – more attractions cost more
• Travelers that want to see a few attractions
• Travelers that have been to New York before

Check further information and prices of the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass

The New York Explorer Pass is great for anyone who wants to visit just a few attractions in the city. It is an attraction-based pass where you can choose between over 85 attractions. Simply choose how many attractions you want to have included in your pass.

Included Highlights in the New York City Explorer Pass

Attraction bases

From $ 74 (3 Attractions $ 94…) Check all prices here

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10 Attractions

Pros & Cons New York City Explorer Pass

Pros new york city explorer pass.

• Many of the highlights in New York are included
• You pay only for the attractions you really want to see

Cons New York City Explorer Pass

• Travelers who want to see a few attractions
• Travelers who are not first-time visitors

Check further information and prices of the New York City Explorer Pass

This pass is a bit differently designed than the other New York Passes on our list. For the price, you get access to 6 attractions. There are a total of 9 attractions to choose from, of which three are already fixed. For the other three attractions, you can choose between two attractions for each. After activating the pass (when visiting the first attraction), you have nine days to see all six selected attractions.

Included Highlights in the New York CityPass

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Top of the Rocks Observation Deck or Guggenheim Museum
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island or Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum or Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

Attraction-based

You can find the ticket currently at GetYourGuide .

6 Attractions

Pros & Cons New York Citypass

Pros new york citypass.

• If you want to see exactly these attractions, this is a great deal
• Time flexible (you have 9 days after activating your card)
• One World Observatory & other major attractions are not included
• Little flexibility in the choice of sights
• travelers that want to see precisely those attractions

Check further information and prices of the New York CityPass

New York Freestyle Pass (Currently not available)

This passport is similar in concept to the other Attractions Passes, except that you only have 72 hours to explore them. You can choose the number of included attractions when purchasing the pass. All passes include 72 hours of hop-on-hop-off.

Included Highlights in the New York Freestyle Pass

Currently not available

3, 5, or 7 Attractions

Pros & Cons New York Freestyle Pass

Pros new york freestyle pass.

• Many of the main attractions are included
• Many tours & restaurant visits, which are not included in other passes
• Hop-on-hop-off for 72 hours included

Cons New York City Freestyle Pass

• Empire State Building is not included
• Low flexibility & time pressure as you only have 72 hours to visit the attractions
• Pass must be picked up in New York
• Travelers who have little time
• Travelers who want to use the hop-on-hop-off buses for 72 hours

Included Attractions – An Overview

Savings per Pass

Sample itinerary 1.

• 9/11 Memorial: $ 26
• Empire State Building Observatory or One World Observatory: $ 44
• 1-Day Hop-on-Hop-off Bus: $ 45
• Metropolitan Museum of Art: $ 30
• Central Park Bicycle Rental: $ 7.50
• Museum of Modern Art: $ 25
• Top of the Rock Observation Deck: $ 40
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island: $ 24
• Guggenheim Museum: $ 25
• American Museum of Natural History: $ 28

Sample Itinerary 2

• Empire State Building Observatory: $ 44
• Boat Cruise around Manhattan: $ 41

Important! As you can see in this example, you should always check if all the sights you want to visit are included before (!) you purchase your pass. If you have to pay for certain attractions separately from your pass, the money you can save with your pass is way less.

Sample Itinerary 3

• Top of the Rocks Observation Deck: $ 40

As you can see on the example routes, the daily passes are perfect for those who want to see many things. The easiest way to find out which pass is most beneficial to you is, to sum up the cost of each attraction you want to visit and compare it to the cost of each pass. (The same way we did it in our sample itineraries above)

Below, we’ve re-assigned the passes to different travel types to make it even easier for you to find the perfect fit for you.

Which pass fits which kind of traveler?

First-timer

First-time visitors usually want to see everything New York has to offer. And you should do it, too. New York has so many places you need to visit. That’s why the day-based passes are perfect for first-time visitors. The more attractions you visit, the more you can save.

Nevertheless, make sure also to check the attraction-based pass as it might be a good fit as well (it all depends on the prices and amount of your chosen sights and tours).

Museum Lovers

It is usually worthwhile for museum lovers to purchase an attraction pass. Again, the more museums you visit, the more you can save. With many museums, day-based passes pay off, and with fewer to a few museums, you should opt for an Attractions-Based Pass. Especially the New York CityPass can be an excellent deal for museum enthusiasts if you want to discover the museums included in the pass.

Short-time visitors

Short-term visitors often don’t have enough time to see everything they want. It depends on how many attractions are part of your New York itinerary. Depending on the price of your desired attractions, an attractions-based pass can be worthwhile from 2 attractions. If you have, e.g., a boat tour around Manhattan and a visit to the Empire State Building on your list, a pass purchase is totally worth it. If you want to rent a bike in Central Park and visit the Statue of Liberty, purchasing a pass is not really worth it. So make sure to compare prices before purchasing a pass.

• New York CityPass

Average Visitor

Sure, an average visitor is hard to define. As an average visitor, you will most likely see a few attractions. Accordingly, an Attraction-Based Pass is probably best for you.

Could you find the perfect pass for your trip to New York? Let me know in the comments which pass is best for you and your experiences with it. If you have difficulties choosing one, let me know in the comments as well. Who knows? Maybe I can even help. PS. I definitely won’t judge, as I am the worst when it comes to making decisions 😉

FAQ about New York Tourist Cards

Whether and which New York Pass is worthwhile depends on your personal itinerary. If you want to see a lot, theoretically, any of the New York Passes is worth it.

Buying a New York Pass is not always worth it. If you want to see only a few inexpensive attractions, it may happen that paying the entrance fee is cheaper without a pass.

Day-based New York Passes allow you access to unlimited attractions during the desired pass period. The attraction-based New York Passes give you access to the selected attractions over a more extended period of time.

For first-time visitors who want to visit the essential sights quickly, the New York Pass, the New York Sightseeing Pass, or the New York CityPass is likely to be the most worthwhile. The New York City Explorer Pass can also be profitable if you have more time.

We personally used the New York City Explorer Pass on our last trip and were totally satisfied.

More New York?

Make sure to also read our other New York articles that help you plan a perfect trip.

• New York 4 Days Itinerary
• How to visit New York on a Budget
• The ultimate New York Neighborhood Guide

Interested in the United States?

About the Author Vicki

Hi, we are Vicki & Eduardo, an international travel couple on a mission to help you save money for priceless travel experience. Follow us through the miracles of this world and you will be rewarded with a bunch of practical travel tips.

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