Sightseeing Pass, New York Pass, Go New York Card, CityPASS Compared
In MOST cases, a NYC Attractions Pass can help you save money. We review the New York Pass, New York Sightseeing Pass, Go New York (formerly New York City Explorer Pass) and New York CityPASS (kind of confusing, right?). Find out the best New York Attractions Pass, if you can buy the New York Pass in New York, how to buy a New York Pass @ Costco and more.
You can also download the NYC Attractions Pass Comparison for a side by side comparison with attraction prices. Please read the tips below on comparing the passes to help evaluate the right New York City Attractions Passes for you and your family. “Hidden” marketing behind the each discount pass is revealed and please read the Full Disclosure below.
Types of NYC Attractions Passes
Day Passes – these passes offer entry (and often skip-the-line privileges) to around 80-100 attractions over a set number of days, usually 1-10 days. So, you’d buy a 3-day pass, or a 7-day pass and you can make up your itinerary as you wander NYC.
Flex/Attractions Passes – these offer you a set number of attractions over a number of days. For the Sightseeing Flex Pass, you do not have to know exactly which attractions you want to visit, just how many attractions. For other passes, you have to choose your attractions at time of purchase.
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Best Discount Card for NYC Attractions
Sightseeing Pass |
New York Pass |
Go City New York |
CityPASS |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Central Park | ✔ Bike Tour |
✔ Bike Tour ✔ Victorian Gardens (summer) ✔ Walking Tours |
✔ Bike Tour ✔ Victorian Gardens (summer) ✔ Walking Tour |
|
| Empire State Building | X $40 Credit to Use | ✔ 86th Floor | ✔ 86th Floor | ✔ 86th Floor ✔ Same Night Re-entry |
| Madame Tussauds | ✔ Included | ✔ Included | ✔Included | |
| One World Observatory | ✔ Included | ✔ Included | ✔ Included | |
| Rockefeller Center | ✔TOTR | ✔Rock Center Tour ✔TOTR |
✔ Rock Center Tour ✔ TOTR |
✔TOTR or Guggenheim |
| Liberty/ Ellis | ✔ Cruise ✔ Grounds ✔ Ellis Island/Immigration ✔ Secret Tour |
✔ Cruise ✔ Grounds ✔ Ellis Island/Immigration |
✔ Cruise ✔ Grounds ✔ Ellis Island/Immigration ✔ Secret Tour |
✔Ferry/Grounds/Ellis or Circle Line |
NYC Sightseeing Pass
Choice of the FLEX Pass or Sightseeing DAY Pass. The Day Pass is good for a set number of days (1-10) and you can visit as many of 100 attractions as you want during your time in New York City. The Flex pass lets you choose how many attractions you want to see and decide which ones as you go, during your trip.
Adult Prices range from $129 (1 Day) to $399 (10 Day). NOTE: The passes are almost always on sale and offer promo codes, so here is what I recommend:
- Go directly to the New York Sightseeing Pass Website to check out the details of the pass
- Compare prices at: New York Passes and NYC Attractions Passes, where there are always great deals and discounts
Using an average of $25 per attraction and 3 attractions per day, it makes the most financial sense to purchase the 3-10 Day Passes. The Flex pass makes more financial sense for a shorter trip.
You have 12 months from date of purchase to activate your passes, so try and buy your pass when they are on sale. Your Pass gets activated in NYC the moment you use it at an attraction or service. It is then valid for the number of consecutive days for which it was purchased, or the number of attractions selected. Each Sightseeing Pass attraction can be visited once. FLEX Pass customers have 30 days to use their attraction choices.
Direct Site: New York Sightseeing Pass Website
NYC Sightseeing Pass Unique Value:
- Unlimited Hop on Hop off Buses – valid for the whole duration of day passes or 72 hours in Flex Products. Brooklyn Hop on Hop off Tour and Night Tour are also available
- Exclusive attractions Central Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo, NY Aquarium, Airport Transfer
- For each New York Sightseeing Pass you purchase you receive a credit code valid for up to $40 – Use this credit towards the purchase of Empire State Building Observatory, helicopter rides, attractions, Broadway packages, day trips to places like Niagara Falls and Washington, D.C. and dinner cruises. See Sightseeing Pass $40 credit for options.
- Choice of 11 different Food on Foot tours (usually $50 each)
- 3 Day ticket to all MET locations
- Free Roundtrip Bus to Woodbury Commons (huge discount shopping) with 8 different departure times.
USA Sightseeing Pass – 11+ US Cities
The USA Sightseeing Pass is a great deal for those traveling through America on their trip. You get to see the top New York City attractions and also save on the best of Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Miami , New Orleans, Orlando, Los Angeles, Key West, Nashville, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Puerto Rico. Choose from over 300 Attractions in 12 USA destinations over 30 days.
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The New York Pass
The New York Pass is good for a number of days (1, 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10 Days) with full access to over 100 attractions and tours.
Adult Prices range from $134 (1 Day) to $469 (10 Day). NOTE: The passes are almost always on sale and offer promo codes:
- Compare prices at: New York Passes and NYC Attractions Passes, where there are always great deals and discounts
Using an average of $25 per attraction and 3 attractions per day, it is difficult to see the value in a 1 or 2 day pass.
However, the 3-10 day New York Passes are a good value, especially if you take advantage of some of the more expensive tours and attractions or use the 15% discount on a Helicopter Tour (about $100 per person for 8 minutes).
Read More: New York Pass
NYC Insider Guide Top Value Picks Included:
- Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tours ($59 value)
- Central Park Bicycle Rentals & Tours ($63 value)
- Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises ($44 value)
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Go New York Explorer Pass
It’s official – New York Explorer Pass is now Go New York. These guys change their branding every few months, so it’s hard to keep up, but sometimes they offer great value and perks.
The Go New York Explorer Pass lets you choose the number of attractions you want to see, but decide which ones as you go, once you are in New York City. The pass offers 3-attraction to 10-attraction passes for a fixed cost. You’ll save up to 45% compared to buying separate tickets.
The passes are almost always on sale and offer promo codes:
- Compare prices at: New York Passes and NYC Attractions Passes, where there are always great deals and discounts
Each Go New York Explorer Pass lets you choose from over 100 attractions and tours and is good for 60 days. The more attractions you choose, the higher the discount.
Read More: New York City Explorer Pass
NYC Insider Guide Top Value Picks:
- Empire State Building Early Bird Access – Tuesdays and Thursdays Early Bird entry from 7.30AM, a full 30 minutes before general admission. Enjoy exclusive observatory access before it opens with a New York Explorer Pass (Go Card)!
- CitySights Double Decker Downtown Tour OR NY Night Tour ($39)
- Top of the Rock Observation Deck and Museum of Modern Art (“Rock MoMA” $30 value) OR Top of the Rock and NBC Studios Tour (“Rock Pass” $35 value)
- National 9/11 Memorial and Museum with Hop on Hop off Water Taxi ($25)
Unactivated cards are good for a year, so definitely make sure to buy your pass on sale before the holiday season! Once activated, you have 60 days to use the card, except when extended.
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New York CityPASS
Here is what CityPASS has to say about their company: "an industry pioneer and leader in the field of discount tickets to tourist attractions, and owner of trademark rights in the marks CITY PASS®, CITYPASS® (and associated images). They spend a lot of time and money on their trademark of the words “city pass.” ®
Compare prices at: New York Passes and NYC Attractions Passes, where there are always great deals and discounts
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Download the FREE Attractions Pass Comparison
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How to Compare NYC Attractions Passes
I would suggest using at least 2 hours per attraction as an average time and 3 as the average number of top attractions you will see per day. Four big attractions is aggressive, and that kind of schedule will leave you almost no time to wander, eat, window shop or see the “Insider” New York City.
You get the peak financial value out of most of the NYC Attractions Passes when you do a lot of NYC tours, such as a Hop On and Off Bus Tour, Bicycle Tours, Food on Foot Tours, Boat or Cruise Tours, NBC Studio Tour, Movie and TV Tours or the Sex and the City Tour.
As for shortcutting lines, there is no guarantee, but there may be an advantage. However, you can never shortcut a security line, such as the one at the Statue of Liberty.
Empire State Building – three of the New York City Discount Passes include admission to the 86th Floor Observatory (indoor and outdoor Observatory). It is an additional $15 for the 102nd floor (indoor only). The Sightseeing Pass does not include the ESB, but it does offer a $40 credit towards your ticket.
Museum of Natural History – The Planetarium Space Show is included only with the CityPASS. Museum access is a $23 suggested donation or admission to the Museum and Space Show is $25 at all times. The Planetarium and Space Show is a must-see for kids, and frankly, I think for all adults as well.
CityPASS
- Includes free general admission to the Museum, Rose Center for Earth and Space and Space Show
- Additional discounted rate to all other special exhibits or films not included.
- Special Exhibit or IMAX Adult $9.50, Child $8
New York Pass and Explorer Pass
- Includes free general admission to the Museum and Rose Center for Earth and Space
- Discounted rates to any of the special exhibits or films that are not included with general admission.
- Space show add Adult $12.50, Child $9.50, Special Exhibit or IMAX add Adult $8.50, Child $6.50 (2018 prices)
The Met now has paid admission for non-locals. MOMA and Guggenheim both have Pay-As-You-Wish days and times. However, you absolutely should donate something to the museums at all times, if it’s within your budget, and each New York City Discount Pass donates a portion of their proceeds to the Museums accordingly.
Statue of Liberty monument access is always free, but there is a cost for the Ferry ride. Complimentary Monument Access passes must be reserved in advance and they are timed to minimize security risks. None of these passes include access or a reservation to go INTO the Statue of Liberty Museum. Climbing to the Top of Lady Liberty’s Crown will cost an additional $3.00 and must also be reserved. Check all the details of your discount pass before you go.
All New York City Attractions Pass comparisons are for Adult passes only, assume no specials or discounts, which these companies very often have, and the dollar figures are rounded for simplicity.
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New York Attractions Pass Questions and Reviews
- New York Explorer Pass vs. The New York Pass for bus tour?
Hello! From everything I have read, the hop on hop off bus tour option on both passes, once purchased, is supposed to cover all fees for the tour selected…. - NY City Pass or NY Pass Review or Explorer Pass?
Which is best?? We want to see all the “tourist” stuff! - CityPASS Was a Great Introduction to New York
The Passes made our enjoyment of New York so much better than if we had tried to find our way around by taxi or pot luck. I highly recommend this to anyone going to New York for the first time or for those who have not been there in a long time. I Love New York and definitely plan to return. - Can you buy a NYC Attractions Pass at Costco?
As of late 2018, one version of the Explorer Pass, offering 4 attractions is available at Costco for a price slightly lower than buying directly at the Explorer Pass site. If you use our top value picks, then you will definitely save money on your pass. Another great place to get to this pass is at NYC Attractions Pass Groupon - What is the Best Attraction Pass for New York?
Well, we certainly hope this page has helped you answer that question for yourself. Our city offers a lot of discounts and passes, so finding the best attraction pass for New York for your trip will take some research. If you can narrow down what you’d like to do, go for the Explorer Pass or New York CityPASS. If you can’t choose until you’re here, then go ahead and get the New York Pass. - Can you Buy the New York Pass in New York?
Yes! All the sightseeing passes are available for physical pick up in New York City at their offices, bus tour stops and attractions. All the sightseeing passes are also available on your smartphone, so you no longer need to physically buy the pass.
Tell us about your New York City Attractions Pass Reviews and help others choose the best pass for their NYC vacation.
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Ultimately, you have to decide how much you want to take on while you’re here, and how much room you want to leave for our New York City hidden secrets. The NYC Attractions Passes only offer you entrance to a small part of what makes New York City so special. Remember, some of us live exhilarating lives here and go years without seeing any attractions at all. There are plenty more things to do in NYC than just sightseeing, so let’s move on to them.
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Additional NYC Attractions Pass Discount Advantages
- Budgeting – know what you’re going to spend and potential exchange rate bonus
- Lines – unpredictable, but they may gain you an advantage, they certainly can’t hurt
- All come with mini guide books and coupons to different things
Full Disclosure of NYC Attractions Pass Discounts
The NYC Insider Guide does make a small commission if you purchase some of the NYC Attractions Pass Discounts through our links. After all, this is one of the ways I am able to provide you all the free content on this website. More importantly, being a partner in these programs allows me to offer you special sales and discounts, so often, you will receive a better price than going direct to their website, and you will never pay more. Please know the information provided on this page is unbiased and accurate to the best of my ability. Read more on Advertising Policies.
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NY Sightseeing Pass
- Choose from 100 sights
- Choose 1-10 days or # of Attractions
- Unlimited Hop On Hop Off Bus
- New York Sightseeing Pass
The New York Pass
- Includes 100 tours and attractions
- Choose 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10 Days
- New York Pass
Go New York
- Choose from 90+ sights
- Good for 60 Days
- Choose 1-10 days or # of Attractions
- Explorer or All Inclusive Pass
In 2017 I was able to build my own pass. Can I still do so
Hi Vincent – both the Sightseeing Pass and the Go NY Explorer pass (they change their name too often to keep up) offer customizable passes. The Sightseeing Pass offers a Flex Pass.
Before I purchase this pass, is there a map or list of places where transportation will pick you up?
Hi Monica – the websites for each pass describe in detail which attractions are included. If you get a pass that includes a bus tour, then you will also get details on using those buses for transportation. For passes that don’t include bus tours, you can use NYC public subways & buses or taxis.
Hi! We had plans to travel in December. Given everything that has happened, I thought that it would not be possible. However, I would like to ask you about these wonderful passes for when we have the opportunity to go. Our plan would be in December, they are a few days, 9. which would you recommend us? Is there one that already comes with the plan done?
Hi Natasha – hope you are safe and well. I’m a bit confused by your question – are you asking for a 9 day NYC itinerary? Are you asking which is the best NYC Attractions Pass for a 9 day trip? If you could help me understand your question better, I’d love to help you. Stay Safe!
Are there pass prices for seniors? Should we just go on our own for less money? Are any passes good for Hop on Hop Off for more than 1 day?
Hi Sheri. Some of the passes offer Senior rates, but I think most are just adult and child pricing. I can’t answer whether or not you will save by going on your own as it all depends on what you want to see and over how long of time period.
For the HOHO Buses, please read the descriptions above. There are plenty of choices for more than one day of bus tours.