New York attraction pass. When visiting New York City, purchasing a tourist card or pass can save you time and money, especially if you plan to visit many attractions. Several types of tourist cards are available, each offering different benefits. Below is a comparison of the most popular New York tourist passes to help you decide which one is best suited for your trip.
New York Pass
The New York Pass offers entry to over 100 attractions for a fixed price, allowing you to visit as many as you like within a certain number of days.
Key Features:
- Attractions: Over 100 attractions, including the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and the MoMA.
- Pass Duration: 1 to 10 days, allowing flexibility depending on the length of your stay.
- Cost:
- 1-day pass: around $134 for adults and $99 for children.
- 3-day pass: around $244 for adults and $184 for children.
- 7-day pass: around $329 for adults and $249 for children.
- Mobile Pass: Can be accessed via a mobile app, no need to print or pick up physical tickets.
- Skip the Line: Some attractions allow you to skip ticket lines, saving time.
Best For:
- First-time visitors who want to see many of New York’s major attractions and are okay with a busy schedule.
- Flexibility: You can visit as many attractions as you like each day, making it ideal for people who plan to visit multiple sites per day.
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New York CityPASS
CityPASS is more streamlined and offers entry to 5-6 of New York City’s top attractions at a reduced price.
Key Features:
- Attractions: Access to 5 popular attractions, including the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, and the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island. You can choose between several other options for your remaining tickets (Top of the Rock vs. Guggenheim Museum, etc.).
- Duration: Valid for 9 consecutive days starting from the first day you use it.
- Cost: Around $139 for adults and $109 for children.
- Skip the Line: Available at select attractions, helping reduce waiting times.
Best For:
- Travelers with limited time who want to focus on the top attractions in NYC.
- Flexibility: You have 9 days to use the pass, so it’s more relaxed and doesn’t force you to visit too many attractions in one day.
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Go City: New York Explorer Pass
The Explorer Pass offers a flexible way to explore the city by allowing you to choose a specific number of attractions (rather than a set number of days) that you want to visit.
Key Features:
- Attractions: Choose from over 90 attractions, including the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, and Statue of Liberty.
- Number of Attractions: Choose between 2 to 10 attractions.
- Cost:
- 2 attractions: around $84 for adults and $64 for children.
- 5 attractions: around $194 for adults and $144 for children.
- 10 attractions: around $329 for adults and $249 for children.
- Validity: You have 60 days to use the pass after your first attraction visit, making it great for longer stays.
- Mobile Pass: The pass can be downloaded on your phone for easy access.
Best For:
- Travelers who want flexibility in how many attractions they see and want to avoid cramming multiple sites in one day.
- Repeat visitors or those with a more relaxed itinerary who don’t need to see everything in one trip.
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The New York Sightseeing Pass
The Sightseeing Pass offers two types of passes: an All-Inclusive Pass, which is similar to the New York Pass, and a Flex Pass, which is more like the Explorer Pass. It covers a wide range of attractions and includes some extras like discounts on dining and shopping.
Key Features:
- Attractions: Over 150 attractions, including many top sights like the Empire State Building, One World Observatory, and Statue of Liberty.
- Pass Options:
- All-Inclusive Pass: Valid for 1 to 10 days, allowing unlimited access to attractions within that period.
- Flex Pass: Choose from 2 to 12 attractions to visit within 60 days.
- Cost:
- 1-day all-inclusive: around $139 for adults and $99 for children.
- 5 attractions on Flex Pass: around $169 for adults and $139 for children.
- Dining Discounts: The Sightseeing Pass offers special discounts at select restaurants, which is a nice bonus for travelers looking to save on meals.
- Skip the Line: Available at select attractions.
Best For:
- Families or groups that want more dining, shopping, and theater discounts in addition to attraction access.
- Travelers looking for maximum flexibility with options to either choose a day pass or a set number of attractions.
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The New York Sightseeing Flex Pass
Overview:
The New York Sightseeing Flex Pass allows visitors to choose from 2 to 12 attractions out of a selection of over 100, offering flexibility similar to the Go City Explorer Pass but with slightly different attraction options.
Included Attractions:
- Empire State Building
- Top of the Rock Observation Deck
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- One World Observatory
- The Edge
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tours
- Circle Line Cruises
- The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Validity:
30 days from the first use.
Cost:
- 2 Attractions: Around $74 (adults), $54 (children)
- 5 Attractions: Around $149 (adults), $119 (children)
- 10 Attractions: Around $244 (adults), $189 (children)
Best For:
Travelers who want to customize their trip by selecting specific attractions while maintaining flexibility with a longer period of use.
Book your New York Sightseeing Flex Pass
Comparison Summary:
| Feature | New York Pass | CityPASS | Go City Explorer Pass | Sightseeing Pass | Sightseeing Pass Flex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attractions | 100+ | 5–6 | 2–10 | 150+ | 150+ |
| Type | All-inclusive, by days | Limited attractions | By number of attractions | All-inclusive or Flex | Select from 2-12 attractions |
| Cost | From $134 (1-day) | $139 (5 attractions) | From $84 (2 attractions) | From $139 (1-day) | From $84(2 attractions) |
| Duration | 1–10 days | 9 consecutive days | 60 days | 1–10 days or 60 days | 12 months |
| Best For | Fast-paced visitors | Short visits, top attractions | Flexible, longer trips | Maximum flexibility | Flexible, longer trips |
| Mobile Pass | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Skip the Line | Some attractions | Some attractions | Some attractions | Some attractions | Some attractions |
| TICKETS |
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Conclusion:
- New York Pass is best for visitors who want to see as many attractions as possible in a short amount of time and don’t mind a packed schedule.
- CityPASS is ideal for tourists who are short on time and want to hit the biggest, must-see sights without rushing.
- Go City Explorer Pass is great for those who prefer flexibility and don’t want to be tied to visiting multiple attractions each day.
- Sightseeing Pass offers a mix of both all-inclusive and flex options, making it versatile for different travel styles, especially for families or those wanting extra dining and shopping perks.
- Sightseeing Pass Flex is perfect for visitors who prefer flexibility and don’t want to be tied to visiting multiple attractions each day.
Which Pass Should You Choose?
- If you want to see the most iconic attractions (Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, etc.) and are visiting for a few days, the New York CityPASS is a great option.
- If you’re planning a jam-packed itinerary and want to visit many attractions over a short time, the New York Pass is ideal.
- For those who prefer a more flexible approach and want to explore at their own pace, choosing a set number of attractions with the Go City Explorer Pass or the Sightseeing Flex Pass may be best.
- If you’re staying longer or want to hit both top and niche attractions, the Sightseeing Pass (Day Pass or Flex Pass) offers a wider range of options.
