New York CityPASS®
The New York CityPASS® gives you admission to 5 of New York City’s most iconic attractions for one fixed price — including two guaranteed headliners plus your choice of three more. Valid for 9 consecutive days, it’s the classic way to do the essential New York sights without buying separate tickets at each door.
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The New York CityPASS® is the classic New York sightseeing pass — a fixed bundle of 5 major attractions anchored by two guaranteed icons and three you choose yourself. It doesn’t try to cover everything; it covers the right things. If your trip includes the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, and a handful of the city’s other greatest hits, this pass is designed exactly for you.
What works
- Empire State Building always included
- Choice of 3 from 6 top attractions
- 9 consecutive days — generous window
- Save up to 42% vs individual tickets
- Refundable for up to 365 days unused
Watch out for
- Fixed 5 attractions — no flexibility beyond that
- No transport included
- Advance reservations required for some
- Crown/Pedestal access at Statue of Liberty not included
- Poor value if you visit fewer than 4 attractions
What is the New York CityPASS®?
The New York CityPASS® is a bundled ticket that gets you into 5 of New York City’s most iconic attractions for one upfront price. Two spots are fixed — the Empire State Building Observatory and the American Museum of Natural History — and you choose 3 more from a shortlist of 6 acclaimed venues. You don’t have to decide those 3 at purchase time; you pick them when you’re ready to visit.
It’s a different proposition from a flexible credits pass. This isn’t about choosing from 90 options and using them over 30 days. It’s a curated five-stop tour of New York’s greatest hits, wrapped in a 9-day consecutive window. Think of it as the definitive first-timer’s pass — the five experiences that genuinely deserve to be on every New York itinerary.
“The Empire State Building, AMNH, and the Statue of Liberty in one pass — that’s not a shortcut, that’s the New York bucket list.”
CityPASS® vs Go City passes: The CityPASS® is a fixed 5-attraction bundle valid for 9 consecutive days — great if you know exactly which iconic sights you want. Go City’s Explorer and Attraction passes give more choice from a wider pool (90+ attractions) but work differently. If your trip is primarily about hitting the classic New York landmarks, CityPASS® is the cleaner, simpler option.
What’s included — the 5 attractions
The pass gives you 2 fixed attractions and your choice of 3 from a shortlist. You don’t select the 3 at checkout — you pick them using the My CityPASS® app when you’re ready to visit each one.
Fixed inclusions (both always included)
Your choice of 3 from these 6
Statue of Liberty note: The ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island is included — but Crown and Pedestal access require a separate, separately purchased ticket. Plan your visit with this in mind, especially if the interior monument is a priority.
What’s not covered
- Subway, bus, or taxi fares
- Food, drinks, and gratuities
- Crown or Pedestal access at Statue of Liberty
- Premium upgrades at any attraction
- Attractions beyond the 5 included
- Return visits to the same attraction
- Temporary or special exhibitions
- Airport transfers
Pricing
The CityPASS® is sold at a fixed price per person — there are no tier choices based on how many attractions. You get all 5 for one price. A $2 processing fee may be added at some resellers.
| Ticket type | CityPASS® price | Regular value (approx.) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) Most popular | $154 | ~$265 | Up to 42% |
| Child (6–17) | $129 | ~$258 | Up to 50% |
Children under 6 are typically admitted free at most included attractions, though individual venue policies vary. Always confirm in the My CityPASS® app before visiting with young children.
Validity — how the 9 consecutive days work
Before your first visit
Your pass sits unused and is valid for 1 year from purchase before activation. Plan ahead and buy in advance without any cost — the window only starts when you actually use it.
After activation — 9 consecutive days
Once you visit your first included attraction, 9 consecutive calendar days open for the remaining 4. Day 1 is the day of first use — even if you arrive at 4pm, that counts as Day 1. Starting early on your first visit day gets you the most from that calendar day.
9 days is generous. Unlike shorter consecutive-day passes, 9 days gives you real flexibility across a full New York trip. You don’t have to rush — you could comfortably visit one attraction every other day and still use the pass well within the window.
One visit per attraction
Each of the 5 attractions can be visited only once per pass. A return visit to the same museum requires a separate ticket purchased at the door.
When to visit — making the most of New York
New York’s five CityPASS® attractions are spread across Manhattan. Timing and geography both matter.
How to use the pass — step by step
- Purchase online — buy from the official CityPASS® site or an authorised reseller. Your digital pass arrives instantly by email.
- Download the My CityPASS® app — your pass QR codes and attraction booking instructions live here. A printable PDF is also available.
- Choose your 3 optional attractions — browse the shortlist in the app and decide which 3 you want from the 6 available. You can change your mind until you actually visit.
- Make reservations — for timed-entry venues, book your slot through the app or attraction website before your visit day. Don’t skip this for the Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty.
- Show QR code at each attraction — the app holds a separate QR code for each of the 5 attractions. Scan in and enjoy.
- Track your visits — the app shows which attractions you’ve used and how many days remain in your 9-day window.
Reservations — plan these before you arrive
Several CityPASS® attractions require a timed reservation, and without one you risk being turned away at the entrance even with a valid pass. This is especially true for the most popular slots.
Attractions that typically require advance booking
- Empire State Building — especially sunset time slots, which sell out weeks ahead in summer
- Statue of Liberty ferry — specific departure times apply, limited capacity per sailing
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum — timed entry required
- Top of the Rock® — sunset and evening slots fill fast
- Circle Line Cruises — specific sailing departure times
Book immediately after purchase. Sunset slots at the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock can sell out 2–3 weeks ahead in summer. The moment your CityPASS® is confirmed, open the app and book your priority slots — especially any evening observation deck visits.
How to get the most value
Use all 5 attractions — every time
The CityPASS® only saves money if you actually use all 5 spots. The pass costs $154 adult. The Empire State Building alone is ~$44, AMNH ~$28, and Top of the Rock ~$42. Three attractions already approach $114 — and you still have two more slots. Use them all and the maths works comfortably in your favour.
Choose your 3 strategically
Of the 6 optional attractions, the highest individual ticket prices are the Statue of Liberty ferry (~$25), Top of the Rock (~$42), and Circle Line Cruises (~$56). If you’re maximising savings, those three as your choices squeeze the most value out of the pass. If you’re a museum lover, swap Circle Line for the Guggenheim and you still save well.
“The pass is designed around NYC’s classic itinerary. If your must-sees match the list, you don’t need to overthink it — just buy and go.”
Cluster by neighbourhood to save transit time
Group your visits by location to reduce subway time and cost. Midtown: Empire State Building + Top of the Rock (a 10-minute walk apart). Upper West Side: American Museum of Natural History. Downtown/Waterfront: 9/11 Memorial, Statue of Liberty ferry, Circle Line. Upper East Side: Guggenheim. Planning days around these zones avoids unnecessary crosstown travel.
Start early on Day 1
Your 9-day window starts on the calendar day of your first visit, not 9×24 hours later. Starting your first attraction in the morning means Day 1 is a full productive day rather than a half-day burn.
Who should buy the New York CityPASS®?
Great fit if you…
- Are a first-time visitor to New York
- Plan to visit 4–5 major landmarks
- Want the Empire State Building guaranteed
- Prefer a simple, fixed bundle over endless choice
- Are staying for at least 4–5 days
Consider skipping if you…
- Only plan 1–2 of the included attractions
- Want access to 90+ attractions with flexible credits
- Need public transit included
- Are a repeat visitor who’s already done the classics
- Prefer guided tours over self-directed visits
How it compares to other New York passes
| Pass | Format | Best for | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York CityPASS® ← you are here | 5 fixed + choice attractions | First-timers, classic landmarks | Not included |
| Go City Explorer Pass | Choose 2–10 from 90+ attractions | Flexible, spread-out trips | Not included |
| Go City Attraction Pass | Unlimited over consecutive days | Packed 2–5 day visits | Not included |
Cancellations and refunds
One of the CityPASS®’s standout features is its generous refund policy: unused passes can be cancelled for a full refund for up to 365 days from purchase — as long as no attraction has been visited. This is significantly more generous than most sightseeing passes. Once any attraction is scanned, the pass is activated and refunds are no longer available.
