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Sightseeing passes compared

The best New York Pass for your NYC trip

Five passes compared: which one pays off, what you still have to book and which lines a pass does not skip.

By the Things to Do in NYC editorial team 5 passes compared Prices checked 24 October 2026

See our 5 picks
Midtown's skyline with the Empire State Building
Short answer

The New York Pass pays off only if you visit several paid sights a day. For a slower trip, CityPASS (5 sights in 9 days, from €133) or an Explorer Pass (2 to 10 picks) usually fits better. Most attractions still need a reservation, and Broadway is not included.

Our 5 picks for New York sightseeing passes

Each pass is sold on GetYourGuide by its own company: CityPASS or Go City. All five have free cancellation. They cover attractions, not the subway or buses. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.

New York passes compared

New York passes compared
PassFromDurationWho it suitsWhy we picked it
New York CityPASS: 5 big sights in 9 days 4.7 (11,738)€133
per person		9-day ticketFirst visit, 5 big sightsThe best-rated pass here, 4.7 from 11,738 reviews.
Explorer Pass: pick 2 to 10 attractions 4.6 (8,946)€79
per person		Valid 1 yearA slow trip, a few sightsThe most flexible pass, with 4.6 from 8,946 reviews.
New York Pass: 100+ attractions for 1 to 10 days 4.6 (2,627)€151
per person		Valid 1–10 daysMany sights in few daysThe widest choice for a busy, short trip, 4.6 from 2,627 reviews.
New York C3 by CityPASS: 3 sights in 9 days 4.6 (198)€97
per person		9-day ticketThree big sights onlyThe smaller CityPASS, with 4.6 from 198 reviews.
Pick 3 attractions with the Empire State Building 4.7 (224)€106
per person		30-day ticketShort stayThe Empire State Building is fixed in, with 4.7 from 224 reviews.
  • Group size is not stated on the booking pages.
  • None of the 5 includes hotel pickup: you meet on site.
  • All 5 offer free cancellation.
  • Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Is a New York pass worth it?

A pass is worth it only when you will really visit the sights it covers. Count the paid sights you want, then compare with the pass.

Plenty of New York is free, too: plan the rest around the paid sights.

To see what the whole trip costs, with or without a pass, try our guide to New York City on a budget.

Not ready to book? Our list of free things to do in NYC shows what you can do without a pass.

  • Busy trip, many sights a day: New York Pass
  • Slower trip, a few big sights: CityPASS or Explorer

What each pass gives you

Each pass works in a different way. The New York Pass is all-in for set days. The Explorer Pass and CityPASS give a fixed number of sights.

No pass page we read includes Broadway, so book your Broadway tickets on their own.

The deck at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is not on the pass pages we read. Plan to buy that ticket on its own.

Prices on the official sites, read on 24 October 2026
PassOfficial priceWhat you getHow long
New York Passfrom $169100+ attractions, as many as you like each day1 to 10 days in a row
Explorer Passfrom $892 to 10 picks from 10030 days from your first visit
New York CityPASS$149 adult, $129 child, + $2 fee5 of 10 big sights9 days

CityPASS and C3

New York CityPASS gives you 5 sights chosen from a list of 10. The list includes the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the Statue of Liberty ferry.

On the official site, it costs $149 for adults and $129 for children aged 6 to 17. Each ticket adds a $2 fee. On GetYourGuide, it starts from €133.

C3 is the smaller CityPASS, with 3 sights in 9 days. On GetYourGuide, it starts from €97.

The New York Pass and the Explorer Pass

Both passes come from Go City. The New York Pass gives you all its attractions for the days you buy. The Explorer Pass gives you a set number of picks.

The New York Pass starts from $169 on the official site and from €151 on GetYourGuide. It includes the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Edge, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the Big Bus tour.

The Explorer Pass starts from $89 on the official site and from €79 on GetYourGuide. You have one year to start it, then 30 days from your first visit.

How the passes work: reservations and days

You buy a pass, then book a time at each sight that asks for one. CityPASS says most of its attractions need a reservation.

A pass is a ticket, not a fast lane. The pass pages we read do not promise shorter lines.

New York Pass days run on calendar days in a row. The pass’s own page says each day ends at midnight, not 24 hours after your first visit. So start it in the morning.

Plan your days first, then pick the pass. Our NYC itinerary guide can help. The passes do not include the subway; see getting around New York for fares.

To plan your days around a pass, try our sample itinerary NYC.

Tips for using a New York pass

  1. Book times early

    Reserve each sight as soon as you know your days. CityPASS says most of its sights need a booking.

  2. Start in the morning

    New York Pass days end at midnight. Activate it early to get a full day.

  3. Keep it unused if unsure

    An unused New York Pass can be refunded within 90 days of buying it.

  4. Budget for extras

    Broadway and the subway are not in any pass. Plan for them on their own.

New York passes: questions and answers

Is the New York Pass worth it?
It is worth it if you will visit several paid sights each day. It starts from $169 on the official site, for 1 to 10 days. On a slow trip, a pass with a set number of sights often fits better.

Is New York CityPASS worth it?
Yes, if you want 5 of its 10 big sights within 9 days. The adult pass costs $149 on the official site, plus a $2 fee. If you only want 3 sights, the C3 pass is the smaller choice.

What is the New York Pass, and how does it work?
The New York Pass is a digital pass from Go City for over 100 attractions. You pick 1 to 10 days, and it runs on calendar days in a row once you start it. You then book a time at each sight that needs one.

What is New York CityPASS, and how does it work?
New York CityPASS is a pass for 5 sights chosen from 10, such as the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock. It runs for 9 days from your first visit or reservation. Most of its attractions need a reservation.

Where can I buy New York CityPASS?
You can buy it on the CityPASS website. CityPASS also sells it on GetYourGuide, from €133 with free cancellation.

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Sources (4), facts checked on 24 October 2026

Written by the Things to Do in NYC editorial team.