Sky deck by Grand Central
The best SUMMIT One Vanderbilt tickets
The mirror rooms, the glass Levitation skyboxes, the Ascent glass lift, sunset slots and a Grand Central combo: here is which ticket to book, with honest advice on whether it is worth the price, lines and crowds at peak times, and extra fees.
See our 3 picks
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is a sky deck next to Grand Central. It has mirror rooms and glass skyboxes 1,100 feet above Madison Avenue. Tickets on GetYourGuide start from €43.
Book a timed slot ahead. Sunset slots go first. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.
Our 3 picks for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
One plain ticket, and two that add a guided walk through Grand Central. All three have free cancellation.
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from €43 per person Our top pick 1.5–2 hours 4.7 (61,614) reviews on GetYourGuide
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt ticket
Entry to all three floors, the mirror art rooms, the Levitation skyboxes and the open-air terrace. You pick a day or a night slot. The Ascent lift is only in the Ascent option.
Best for Most visitors
Check availability: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt ticket on GetYourGuide -
from €88 per person 2 hours 4.4 (139) reviews on GetYourGuide
SUMMIT with a Grand Central tour
A 2-hour visit: a guided walk through Grand Central Terminal, then your SUMMIT entry. The listing says groups are small, up to 12 guests. It meets at 1 Vanderbilt Ave.
Best for History lovers who want the view too
Check availability: SUMMIT with a Grand Central tour on GetYourGuide -
from €121 per person 3 hours 4.4 (27) reviews on GetYourGuide
SUMMIT ticket and a 3-hour Grand Central tour
A longer guided tour of Grand Central with the star ceiling, the Whispering Gallery and the famous clock. Then you go up to SUMMIT. Guides speak English, French, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish.
Best for Visitors who want a guide in another language
Check availability: SUMMIT ticket and a 3-hour Grand Central tour on GetYourGuide
SUMMIT tickets compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUMMIT One Vanderbilt ticket | €43 per person | 1.5–2 hours | Most visitors | SUMMIT sells this ticket itself, and it has 4.7 from 61,614 reviews. |
| SUMMIT with a Grand Central tour | €88 per person | 2 hours | History lovers who want the view too | The station story and the view in one booking, with 4.4 from 139 reviews. |
| SUMMIT ticket and a 3-hour Grand Central tour | €121 per person | 3 hours | Visitors who want a guide in another language | The longest tour, in five languages, with 4.4 from 27 reviews. |
€43 per person1.5–2 hours 4.7 (61,614)
Details
- Who it suits
- Most visitors
- Why we picked it
- SUMMIT sells this ticket itself, and it has 4.7 from 61,614 reviews.
SUMMIT with a Grand Central tour
€88 per person2 hours 4.4 (139)
Details
- Who it suits
- History lovers who want the view too
- Why we picked it
- The station story and the view in one booking, with 4.4 from 139 reviews.
SUMMIT ticket and a 3-hour Grand Central tour
€121 per person3 hours 4.4 (27)
Details
- Who it suits
- Visitors who want a guide in another language
- Why we picked it
- The longest tour, in five languages, with 4.4 from 27 reviews.
- Group size is stated for one tour only: SUMMIT ticket and a 3-hour Grand Central tour, up to 15.
- None of the 3 includes hotel pickup: you meet on site.
- All 3 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.
Which SUMMIT tickets to book
For most people, the plain SUMMIT ticket is the one to book. It covers all three floors, the art rooms and the Levitation skyboxes. Take a Grand Central combo only if you want a guide for the station.
SUMMIT also sells its own ticket tiers. The official site adds a $3 processing fee per order. Prices vary by time slot.
| Ticket | What it adds | From |
|---|---|---|
| SUMMIT Experience | All three floors, mirror rooms, Affinity, Levitation | about $39–44 |
| SUMMIT Ascent | Adds the Ascent glass lift | about $63–68 |
| Ultimate SUMMIT | Adds Ascent and a drink at Après | about $77–82 |
| Premium Experience | Skip-the-line entry and a guided tour | $149 |
SUMMIT ticket prices and discounts
Children 5 and under enter free, says SUMMIT. New York City and Long Island residents get their own prices. SUMMIT checks this by the billing ZIP code of your card.
We found no other discount on the official pages. On GetYourGuide, the plain ticket starts from €43.
Tickets at the door vs booking ahead
Book ahead. SUMMIT sells timed slots online. We found no walk-in rule on the official pages.
Booking on GetYourGuide gives you free cancellation. You can change your mind if the weather turns.
Is SUMMIT One Vanderbilt worth it?
Yes, if you want more than a view. SUMMIT mixes the view with art rooms full of mirrors and balloons. If you only want the skyline, a plain deck is a simpler choice.
It is not for everyone. The ticket listing says it does not suit people with vertigo. The glass skyboxes sit right over the street.
What SUMMIT is and where it is
SUMMIT is a sky deck at the top of One Vanderbilt, a tower in Midtown. It has three floors, and the building rises 1,100 feet above Midtown.
The address is 45 E 42nd St. The entrance is on the Main Concourse of Grand Central, so you can walk in from the station.
Midtown is an easy base for a visit. See where to stay in New York and how to get around the city.
What you see level by level
Every ticket covers the same rooms. SUMMIT names these parts on its own pages:
| Part | What you find there |
|---|---|
| Mirror rooms | Mirrored infinity rooms that repeat the sky and the city |
| Affinity | A room full of big silver balloons |
| Levitation | Glass skyboxes that stick out from the building, 1,100 feet over Madison Avenue |
| Terrace | An open-air terrace that wraps around the top |
| Après | A bar inside SUMMIT with cocktails, wine and small bites |
Ascent: the glass lift
Ascent is a glass lift on the outside of the building. SUMMIT calls it the world's largest all-glass exterior elevator. It rises 12 more stories above SUMMIT.
It is not in the basic ticket. You get it with the Ascent or Ultimate ticket. SUMMIT warns it may feel intense if you are afraid of heights.
Best time to go: day, sunset or night
Go at sunset if you can. SUMMIT is open daily from 8 AM to midnight. The last entry is at 10:30 PM.
| Slot | What you see | When to book |
|---|---|---|
| Day | The city in full light | Any open slot from 8 AM |
| Sunset | The sun going down over the city | Early: these slots go first |
| Night | The lights of Midtown | Any open slot up to the 10:30 PM last entry |
How long to plan
Plan about 1.5 to 2 hours, says the GetYourGuide listing. The two Grand Central combos take 2 and 3 hours.
What you cannot bring
Leave tripods and big camera gear at home. SUMMIT does not allow them. Outside food and drink are not allowed either.
The official FAQ also bans drones and bags bigger than a normal backpack. All bags may be searched.
Photo tips for the glass and mirrors
Phones and cameras are allowed, so bring yours. With no tripod, hold the camera steady against a rail or wall.
The mirror rooms repeat the view around you, so try wide shots. In the skyboxes, look straight down at Madison Avenue.
Booking tips for SUMMIT
Book sunset first
Sunset slots sell out before the rest. Book them as soon as your dates are firm.
Mind the fee
The official site adds a $3 processing fee per order. Ascent costs extra.
Travel light
Large bags, tripods and food are not allowed. All bags may be searched.
Kids go free
Children 5 and under enter free. They must be able to stand on their own in the skyboxes.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt: questions and answers
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Written by the Things to Do in NYC editorial team.