City Pass Guide · New York
New York City Passes — Compared
Every NYC sightseeing pass reviewed and compared in one place. Find the right pass for your trip length, budget, and the attractions you actually want to see.
3Passes reviewed
100+Attractions covered
50%Max savings
$89Lowest starting price
New York has three distinct pass options — a classic fixed-attraction pass, a flexible credits pass, and an unlimited consecutive-day pass. All three cover overlapping attractions at reduced prices; the differences lie in how much flexibility you want, how many attractions you plan to visit, and how long you’re staying. This guide covers all three with full reviews and a side-by-side comparison.
New York City · All passes
Every New York sightseeing pass, reviewed
Full reviews with inclusions, pricing, validity rules, and who each pass suits best.
CityPASS®
New York City · CityPASS
New York CityPASS®
Five of New York’s most iconic attractions — Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History fixed, plus your choice of three more. Valid for 9 consecutive days. Best for first-timers who want the city’s classics.
Explorer Pass
New York City · Go City
Go City New York Explorer Pass
Choose 2 to 10 top NYC attractions from a pool of 90+ and use them over 30 days after your first scan. The most flexible New York pass — ideal for repeat visitors or anyone with a specific list of experiences in mind.
Attraction Pass
New York City · Go City
Go City New York Attraction Pass
Unlimited access to 100+ NYC attractions over 1–10 consecutive days. The highest-capacity pass available — best for energetic visitors who want to stack as many experiences as possible across a structured, packed itinerary.
Which New York pass is right for you?
First visit · 4–7 days · Classic sights
New York CityPASS®
- First-time visitor to New York City
- Want Empire State Building & AMNH included
- Happy choosing from a curated shortlist
- Want the longest cancellation window (365 days)
Flexible stay · 4+ days · Specific picks
Go City Explorer Pass
- Repeat visitor with a personal list of venues
- Want to spread visits over a relaxed 30 days
- Only need 3–7 paid attractions in total
- Lowest starting price of the three passes
Packed stay · 2–5 days · Maximum sights
Go City Attraction Pass
- Staying 2–5 days and want to do everything
- Plan 4–5+ attractions per day
- Want 100+ options including MoMA & Guggenheim
- Happy with a structured consecutive-day schedule
Side-by-side
All three passes compared at a glance
Key differences in one table to help you decide quickly.
| CityPASS® | Explorer Pass | Attraction Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 5 fixed + choice attractions | Choose 2–10 attractions | Unlimited attractions |
| Starting price | from $154 | from $89 | from $149 |
| Validity | 9 consecutive days | 30 days — flexible | 1–10 consecutive days |
| Attractions pool | 5 specific venues | 90+ to choose from | 100+ unlimited |
| Cancellation | 365 days (unused) | 30 days (unused) | 30 days (unused) |
| Best trip length | 4–7 days, relaxed | 4+ days, specific picks | 2–5 days, packed |
| Empire State Bldg | ✓ Fixed inclusion | ✓ Available in pool | ✓ Available in pool |
| Transport | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
Prices are indicative. Always verify the current rate at checkout. All passes require advance reservations for popular timed-entry attractions.
Common questions about New York passes
Which New York pass is best for a first-time visitor?
For most first-timers, the CityPASS® is the easiest entry point — it includes the Empire State Building and AMNH automatically, and lets you choose three more from the city’s most iconic attractions. If you already know you want more than 5 experiences and can manage a packed schedule, the 3-day Attraction Pass saves more. The Explorer Pass suits visitors who have a specific personal list of 3–7 venues and want to spread visits flexibly over several days.
Do any of the passes include subway or transit?
No — none of the three passes include subway, bus, or taxi fares. All three cover attraction admissions only. We recommend budgeting approximately $2.90 per subway ride, or purchasing a 7-day unlimited MetroCard for around $34 if you’ll be moving across boroughs daily.
What attractions are on all three passes?
The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, American Museum of Natural History, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, and Intrepid Museum are consistently available across all three passes. The Attraction Pass has the broadest pool (100+) including MoMA and the Guggenheim. Always confirm the live list in the respective app before planning your itinerary.
Which pass has the best cancellation policy?
The CityPASS® wins decisively here — unused booklets can be cancelled for a full refund up to 365 days from purchase. The Go City passes (Explorer and Attraction) allow refunds on non-activated passes within 30 days. Once any pass is activated (first attraction scanned), none of the three are refundable.
Do I need to book time slots in advance?
Yes, for the most popular attractions. The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, 9/11 Memorial Museum, and Statue of Liberty ferry all require advance timed reservations — regardless of which pass you hold. Sunset observation deck slots fill weeks ahead in summer. Book your priority attractions the day your pass is confirmed.
Is the Metropolitan Museum of Art included in any pass?
Generally not. The Met maintains independent admission ($30 per adult, pay-what-you-wish for NY state residents) and is rarely included in bundled passes. Always verify the current attraction list for any pass you’re considering, as inclusions can change.
Are the passes worth it compared to buying individual tickets?
For visitors planning 3 or more paid attractions, yes — all three passes offer genuine savings. The CityPASS® saves approximately 42% on its 5 specific attractions. The Explorer and Attraction Passes save up to 50% depending on which venues you visit. The passes offer poor value if you only plan 1–2 attractions, or if you primarily visit free attractions.
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