New York City Pass: The Complete Guide to Tourist Passes in NYC
Compare the NYC CityPASS, Go City Explorer Pass, and Go City Attraction Pass to find the best tourist pass for your visit. Save up to 40% on top attractions.
New York City is one of the most visited cities on the planet — and also one of the most expensive. A city pass bundles multiple attraction tickets into a single purchase, often at a significant discount. This guide walks you through all three main options so you can pick the right one for your trip.
Three main options — each with a different structure, pricing model, and ideal user.
CityPASS®
Explorer Pass
Attraction Pass
Not sure where to start? Here’s a simple breakdown by travel style.
- It’s your first time in New York City
- You definitely want the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and the Met
- You prefer knowing exactly what’s included upfront
- You want a straightforward, no-decisions-required pass
- You want flexibility over a fixed bundle
- You’re returning to NYC and have already seen some classics
- You want to mix and match from a list of 25+ attractions
- You’re visiting for 3–5 days
- You’re a high-energy traveler who wants to see as much as possible
- You’re visiting for 2–10 days and plan to be out exploring every day
- You want unlimited access without counting individual attraction credits
- You’re traveling with kids and want maximum flexibility
A breakdown of what you get with each pass — attractions, validity, and how each one works.
New York CityPASS
Six attractions in a single booklet. Four are fixed; two slots let you choose between alternatives. Nine days to use all six from first use.
- Empire State Building (or Top of the Rock)
- American Museum of Natural History
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island (or Circle Line Cruises)
- 9/11 Memorial Museum (or Intrepid Museum)
- Guggenheim Museum (or one other option)
Go City New York Explorer Pass
Choose 3, 5, 6, or 7 attractions from 25+ options. 60 days to activate, then 30 days to use once activated. Popular inclusions:
- Empire State Building
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
- Top of the Rock Observatory
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- One World Observatory
- Brooklyn Bridge Bike Tour
- + helicopter tours and more
Go City New York Attraction Pass
Unlimited access to 100+ NYC experiences over 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 consecutive days — from major landmarks to food tours, bike rentals, and day trips.
- Everything in the Explorer Pass list
- Food tours & neighbourhood walks
- Bike rentals across the city
- Select day trips from NYC
- 100+ experiences in total
Prices fluctuate based on season and availability. Always check current pricing before buying.
| Pass | Adult price (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| New York CityPASS6 attractions · 9 days | ~$132–$140 | Fixed 6-attraction bundle |
| Go City Explorer Pass — 3 attractions30 days after activation | ~$99–$119 | Short trips, 3 attractions |
| Go City Explorer Pass — 7 attractions30 days after activation | ~$199–$239 | Longer trips, more flexibility |
| Go City Attraction Pass — 2 daysConsecutive calendar days | ~$129–$149 | Packed short visits |
| Go City Attraction Pass — 10 daysConsecutive calendar days | ~$299–$329 | Extended stays |
All passes offer child pricing (typically ages 3–12) at a reduced rate.
To put it in concrete terms: visiting the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, the Met, One World Observatory, and the American Museum of Natural History individually would cost an adult well over $200. The CityPASS bundles comparable attractions for around $132–$140. The key to maximising savings on any pass is using every credit or day you’ve paid for.
New York City has no shortage of things to see. Here are the highlights covered across the three passes.
Iconic Landmarks
- Empire State Building 86th and 102nd floor observatories with panoramic city views
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island The quintessential New York experience
- One World Observatory The tallest building in the Western Hemisphere
- Top of the Rock Rockefeller Center’s deck with unobstructed Empire State Building views
World-Class Museums
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art One of the largest art museums in the world
- American Museum of Natural History Dinosaurs, planetarium, and permanent collections
- 9/11 Memorial Museum A powerful, essential visit for any New York trip
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum USS Intrepid aircraft carrier and space shuttle pavilion
Unique Experiences
- Helicopter tours Over Manhattan
- Brooklyn Bridge guided bike tours Iconic route with stunning city views
- Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises Around Manhattan
For the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and One World Observatory — these can fill up weeks ahead in peak season.
Each day, work your way back toward your hotel rather than criss-crossing the city unnecessarily.
Some museums are closed one day a week — the Met is closed on Tuesdays, for example.
If you’re using the Explorer or Attraction Pass, the app makes managing your credits much easier on the go.
Don’t activate the Attraction Pass the day before a rest day or travel day — each day counts consecutively.
All three passes can be purchased online and delivered digitally. No need to pick up a physical ticket.
Both have their strengths. The best choice comes down to your travel style. For a detailed breakdown including savings calculations and our verdict, see our full NYC CityPASS vs Go City comparison.
| CityPASS® | Explorer Pass | Attraction Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 6 pre-selected attractions | Choose 3, 5, 6, or 7 | Unlimited access |
| Adult price | ~$132–$140 | ~$99–$239 | ~$129–$329 |
| Validity | 9 consecutive days | 30 days (after activation) | 2–10 consecutive days |
| Attractions pool | 6 specific venues | 25+ to choose from | 100+ unlimited |
| Best for | First-timers | Flexible travelers, 3–5 days | High-energy, packed visits |
| Transport included | ✗ No | ✗ No | NYC Ferry only |