New York CityPASS Review 2026
A discounted bundle covering six of NYC’s most iconic attractions — the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, the Met, and more. Is it worth buying in 2026?
Book Now — From $132
The New York CityPASS is a discounted attraction bundle that includes six top NYC sights. At approximately $132–$140 per adult, it saves you around 40% compared to buying each ticket individually. It’s best suited to first-time visitors who want a straightforward, pre-curated set of New York’s most iconic experiences without the hassle of choosing.
- Saves ~40% vs. individual tickets
- Covers NYC’s six most iconic sights
- Simple — no decision fatigue
- 9-day validity for unhurried use
- Fully digital, no physical booklet
- Only 6 attractions (less flexibility)
- All six needed to justify the price
- Not ideal for repeat visitors
- Timed-entry slots still required
What Is the New York CityPASS?
The New York CityPASS is one of the most recognised tourist passes in the United States. It’s been around for decades and is specifically designed for visitors who want to see New York’s greatest hits without paying full price at each door — or spending time figuring out which pass to buy.
Rather than giving you a long list of attractions to choose from, the CityPASS takes a simpler approach: it bundles six major attractions into a single digital pass, with a couple of choice slots built in so you can personalise it slightly. You buy it, activate it at your first attraction, and then have nine consecutive days to visit the rest.
It’s not the most flexible pass available — that’s the Go City Explorer Pass — but for many visitors, its simplicity is exactly what they’re looking for.
What’s Included in the NYC CityPASS?
The CityPASS includes six attractions. Four are fixed inclusions, and two slots offer a choice between two options so you can tailor the pass to your interests.
Fixed Inclusions
Choice Slots
or EDGE at Hudson Yards. Both observation decks are excellent — choose by location preference.
or Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. History buffs and families will have strong preferences here.
Your CityPASS includes access to the 86th-floor observation deck, with the option to upgrade to the 102nd floor for an additional fee. Book your timed-entry slot in advance, especially in summer.
This is the most logistically important booking in the pass. Slots fill up weeks in advance in peak season — book your ferry time slot as early as possible after purchasing.
How Much Does the NYC CityPASS Cost?
| Ticket Type | Approximate Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (13+) Best Value | $132 – $140 |
| Child (6–12) | $110 – $118 |
| Child under 6 | Free at most included attractions |
Prices can vary slightly by season and purchase date. Always check current pricing before buying.
How Much Do You Save with the NYC CityPASS?
The NYC CityPASS saves the average adult approximately 40% compared to purchasing each included attraction separately. If you were to buy tickets to the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, the Met, American Museum of Natural History, Top of the Rock, and the 9/11 Museum individually, you would spend well over $220 per adult.
| Attraction | Approx. Individual Price |
|---|---|
| Empire State Building (86th floor) | $44 |
| American Museum of Natural History | $28 |
| The Metropolitan Museum of Art | $30 |
| Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island | $24 |
| Top of the Rock | $40 |
| 9/11 Memorial Museum | $33 |
| Total if bought separately | ~$199 |
| CityPASS price | ~$132–$140 |
| Savings | ~$60–$70 per adult |
The savings are real — but they only materialise if you actually visit all six attractions. If you’re only planning to visit three or four, individual tickets or the Go City Explorer Pass may work out better value.
How Long Is the NYC CityPASS Valid?
The CityPASS is valid for nine consecutive days from the date you first use it. That’s a generous window for most visitors. If your NYC trip is shorter than nine days, that’s fine — you simply use what you can within your stay. There is no refund for unused attractions.
Activate your pass at the first attraction you visit. After that, the nine-day clock starts running. Don’t activate on arrival day if you’re landing in the afternoon — wait until your first full morning of sightseeing.
How to Use the NYC CityPASS
The CityPASS is now fully digital. After purchase, you’ll receive a QR code that you present at each attraction’s entrance. There’s no physical booklet to collect — just your phone.
Purchase via Tiqets or the CityPASS website. You’ll receive your digital pass by email or via the app.
For the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building — do this as soon as you have your pass.
Present your QR code at each attraction entrance. No printing required.
Work through your attractions across the nine-day validity window at your own pace.
Which Attractions Should You Prioritise?
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island — book this first, book it early, and set aside a full morning or afternoon
- Empire State Building — go at sunset or after dark for the most memorable views
- Top of the Rock — worth choosing over EDGE if it’s your first time; the view of the Empire State Building from here is iconic
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — extraordinary collection; go on a weekday morning to avoid weekend crowds
- 9/11 Memorial Museum — emotional and important; not one to rush
- American Museum of Natural History — excellent, especially with children, but less essential for adult-only trips
Who Is the NYC CityPASS Best For?
The NYC CityPASS is the right choice for first-time visitors to New York who want to see the city’s most celebrated landmarks without the decision fatigue of choosing from a long attraction list. It’s ideal for couples and families who have a clear bucket list of classic NYC sights and prefer a fixed, predictable cost for their attraction spending.
Great Fit
- First-time visitors to New York City
- Couples on a romantic city break wanting the classic NYC experience
- Families visiting the Met, Statue of Liberty, and Natural History Museum
- Travelers who prefer simplicity over maximum flexibility
Consider Skipping
- Repeat visitors who’ve already seen most included attractions
- Travelers who want a wider, more flexible list
- Very short trips (1–2 days) where you may not use all six
- Visitors primarily interested in food, nightlife, or neighborhoods
NYC CityPASS vs Go City Passes
The CityPASS isn’t the only tourist pass in New York — Go City offers two competing products that may suit you better depending on your travel style.
| Feature | NYC CityPASS | Go City Explorer | Go City Attraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attractions included | 6 fixed + choices | 3–7 of your choice | Unlimited (100+) |
| Flexibility | Low | High | Highest |
| Validity | 9 days | 30 days from activation | 2–10 consecutive days |
| Best for | First-timers | Flexible planners | Power tourists |
| Approx. adult price | $132–$140 | $99–$239 | $129–$329 |
For a detailed head-to-head comparison with savings calculations for each scenario, see our NYC CityPASS vs Go City guide.
Tips for Using the NYC CityPASS
- Book Statue of Liberty slots the moment you receive your pass — morning departures in particular fill up fast
- Visit the Empire State Building at dusk — the transition from daytime to the lit-up city skyline is worth timing for
- Use the Met on a Friday or Saturday evening — it stays open until 9pm, which is great for avoiding daytime crowds
- The 9/11 Museum can be emotionally heavy — don’t schedule another major attraction immediately after; give yourself time to decompress
- Download the apps for individual attractions before you go — many allow mobile queue management
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NYC CityPASS worth it in 2026?
Yes, for most first-time visitors the CityPASS offers genuine value. If you visit all six included attractions, you’ll save approximately $60–$70 per adult compared to buying tickets individually. The pass also saves you time since you don’t need to purchase tickets at each venue. The main caveat is that you need to use all six attractions to make it worthwhile — if you’ll only see three or four, consider buying individual tickets or a flexible pass instead.
What attractions are included in the NYC CityPASS?
The NYC CityPASS includes the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island as fixed inclusions. It also gives you a choice between Top of the Rock or EDGE at Hudson Yards, and a choice between the 9/11 Memorial Museum or the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
How many days do you need to use the NYC CityPASS?
The pass is valid for nine consecutive days from first use. Most visitors can comfortably fit all six attractions into three or four days if they plan ahead. Spread them out across your trip and don’t try to squeeze more than two major attractions into a single day — you’ll get more out of each experience that way.
Do I need to book time slots for the NYC CityPASS?
Yes, for certain attractions. The Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and One World Observatory all require timed-entry reservations even with a city pass. Book these as soon as possible after purchasing your CityPASS — slots can fill up weeks in advance during summer and school holidays.
Can I share the NYC CityPASS with someone else?
No. Each CityPASS is tied to a single person and cannot be shared between multiple people. You’ll need to purchase a separate pass for each member of your group.
Is the NYC CityPASS or the Go City Explorer Pass better?
It depends on your travel style. The CityPASS is simpler — six attractions, fixed, no decisions required. The Explorer Pass gives you more control over which attractions you visit and lets you choose from a list of 25+. If you’re a first-timer who wants the classics, go with the CityPASS. If you want flexibility or are returning to NYC, try the Explorer Pass. Read our full comparison for a deeper breakdown.
