New York Pass is one of the best ways to save money on admission and transportation in New York City. In this review, we’ll break down the card in detail and tell you if it’s worth it with a real-world example.
We’ll also show you other tourist card options you can use on your trip to New York if New York Pass isn’t right for you.
Admission to attractions in New York City normally ranges from $30-50, so if you plan to visit multiple museums and attractions, you’ll be leaving a fortune. On the other hand, the sights in New York are breathtaking and it would be a shame not to visit them.
The view from the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock is iconic, as is the ferry to the Statue of Liberty or a visit to one of the world’s leading museums.
You can get an idea of the price of admission from a previous article on the best places to visit in New York.
One way to save money in New York is with a tourist card. New York City has several to choose from, and today we’ll take a closer look at them.
What is New York Pass?
New York Pass is a tourist card that was designed in partnership with New York attractions and landmarks so you save money when you visit the city.
Most major cities have their own tourist passes, and New York Pass is one of the best value ones. It is very easy to save money and in this article we will show you how.
New York Pass or New York Explorer Pass?
New York Pass is offered in two versions so that everyone can choose according to their budget and needs. They sound almost the same, but the difference between them is big:
- New York Pass (or All-Inclusive Pass) is based on you purchasing a period of time to use the discounted card – you can choose from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 days.
- With New York Explorer Pass, you choose how many attractions you want to visit – 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 attractions in total 80+ attractions. You have 60 days from activation to visit the selected sites, so you are not limited by time.
Now we will show you how both cards work and what their advantages are.
NEW YORK PASS ( ALL-INCLUSIVE PASS)
COMPLETE REVIEW
New York Pass (All-Inclusive Pass) is a contactless card that gives you free admission to over 100 New York City landmarks, museums and attractions.
What are the benefits of Go New York Pass?
Free admission to more than 100 attractions, museums and tours. The price includes admission to 4 of Manhattan’s most popular sights – the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Edge and One World Observatory.
You have 2 years to activate your card, so if you plan to visit New York, it’s best to buy your card as soon as possible. We are all familiar with the inflationary increases in admission prices to monuments and museums every year.
Free one-day ride on the Big Bus sightseeing bus in Manhattan. It stops at all the major attractions in the city – Times Square, Wall Street, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge and more.
You can get off at any time and take the next train after your visit. Buses run every 20 minutes between 9:30-16:30 (and every 60 minutes around Central Park between 10:00-16:00), so you won’t be waiting long. You can find the current connections and route after purchasing the card in the Big Bus Tours app.
Free sightseeing cruise around Manhattan to see the best of the neighborhood, including the Brooklyn Bridge. This cruise is very popular – I recommend arriving first thing in the morning to avoid queues (advance booking is not possible).
Free cancellation within 1 year. If you change your mind within 1 year, you will be refunded without giving a reason.
Go City app with handy information for visiting sights and attractions in New York City.
How does the card work?
You buy a New York Pass for a set number of days, so you can schedule which attractions you want to visit and when. The pass is available for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 days.
Valid for calendar days, i.e. you need to think in advance whether it is worth activating your card late in the afternoon or whether you should leave the activation until the morning. Regardless of whether you activate your card at 9:00 or 16:00, it counts as 1 day.
After you purchase your card, you will receive an email with information, a guide and a link to download the Go City app. Activate your card by scanning the QR code in the app when you enter the first attraction.
If you’d rather have something in your hand, you can print out the card and show a paper version.
What attractions and museums are included?
The New York Pass includes admission to over 100 venues in New York City, including:
- Empire State Building ($51.17)
- Edge ($50.08)
- Top of the Rock ($43.55)
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum ($33)
- One World Observatory ($47.91)
- Sightseeing bus tour of Uptown and Downtown ($80)
- Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Ferry and Immigration Museum ($24.50)
- American Museum of Natural History ($28)
- Museum of Modern Art MoMA ($25)
- Madame Tussauds + MARVEL Universe 4D and 7D Experience ($47.89)
- Manhattan Sightseeing Cruise ($49)
- New York Yankees Game ($58)
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum ($33)
- Guggenheim Museum ($30)
- …and many others (Full list of attractions here)
Note: Advance reservations are required for some attractions. These include the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. To make a reservation, purchase a card on the reservation page or check the vendor’s website for detailed procedures for each attraction.
Moving on to the most important thing…
What is the price of a New York Pass?
Prices for the New York Pass vary depending on how many days you purchase the card for – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 day passes are available.
Tip: There are often promotions where you can get a card with up to 30% discount.
Prices without discounts are as follows:
How do I collect my card?
Clear instructions will arrive in your email. The procedure is as follows:
- You can buy a New York Pass on the official website. You will receive a confirmation email with all the information you need, including a link to download the Go City app.
- Download the Go City app and load the card as instructed. If you prefer a paper version, you can print the card. I recommend a combination of both if, for example, your phone goes dead.
- You don’t have to go anywhere, you can do everything from the comfort of your home. The card is then activated by entering the first attraction.
How much will I save with the New York Pass?
How much you save depends on what you plan to see in New York. The savings can then be easily calculated.
We will show you a sample itinerary for 3 days in New York. Even if you’re spending more time in New York, you can use the card for the first few days for paid attractions and then keep the free activities (Central Park, Chelsea Market and more) for the next few days.
The itinerary is very relaxed and includes 2-3 attractions per day. Even so, you would still save significantly with the New York Pass. If you plan to have more seats, you’ll save even more.
Sample itinerary for 3 days in New York
Day 1
New York is big – before you know it, you can take a sightseeing bus ($80) for the first day. It is two stories high and stops at all the major points in New York. You’ll get a great overview of where things are. Get off where you need to, and then get back on the next train.
The bus runs in both Uptown and Downtown. There are fewer tourist spots in Uptown, so services here are less frequent (once every 60 minutes). Downtown has buses every 20 minutes.
Visit the Empire State Building ($51.17), an iconic skyscraper in downtown Manhattan.
After you’ve enjoyed the view, take the bus to the 9/11 Memorial ($33), where you can see the memorial and visit the museum. Right next door is also the One World Observatory ($47.91) with another great view of New York.
Day 2
On the second day, we start with a ferry ride to Ellis Island to the Statue of Liberty ($24.50). The New York Pass includes the more popular combination of the ferry and a visit to the Immigration Museum.
Spend an afternoon at one of the museums – the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum ($33), for example, is one of the best, where you can peek inside a submarine, see the shuttle Enterprise or step aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid.
Where to tonight? Well, for a baseball game at the New York Yankees ($58).
Day 3
On the third day we start with a sightseeing cruise around Manhattan ($49). It lasts 2.5 hours and gives you a different perspective of the Brooklyn Bridge and other popular spots in New York.
Do you like adrenaline? Head to the Edge observation deck ($50.08) in the afternoon.
Is the New York Pass worth it?
Without the card, you would pay approximately $427 for this itinerary. The New York Pass for 3 days costs $329, i.e. you’d save $98.
NEW YORK EXPLORER PASS
New York Explorer Pass is a contactless card that gives you free admission to more than 80 New York City landmarks, museums and attractions. Unlike the previous card, in this case you purchase the number of attractions you want to visit.
What are the benefits of the New York Explorer Pass?
Free admission to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 attractions out of 80+ attractions and experiences in New York City. The card includes access to 4 of the 5 observation decks in Manhattan (Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Edge and One World Observatory). It also includes Luna Park at Coney Island, the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Free one-day sightseeingbus ride through Uptown and Downtown, with easy access to the main points in the city. At the same time, you save money on public transport and get an overview of where things are. You can get on and off at any time. Buses run every 20 minutes for Downtown and every 60 minutes for Uptown.
The card is activated by entering the first attraction and is valid for the next 60 days, so you are not limited by time.
Free cancellation within 1 year , so you get your money back within 365 days without giving any reason.
You have 2 years to activate your card so you can enjoy New York in 2 years at current prices.
Interactive guide to download as an app to the phone. All the necessary information about the sights and maps of the city are included.
How does the card work?
You choose which attractions you want to visit and accordingly choose a New York Explorer Pass . Choose from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 attractions from a package of over 80+ attractions, tours and points of interest in the city.
Then download the Go City app with your card. You can also print a paper copy. You don’t have to go anywhere anymore. The procedure is the same as for the New York Pass.
Activate your card by presenting it at the gate of the first attraction.
What attractions are included?
The New York Explorer Pass allows you to choose from over 80 locations in New York City including:
- Empire State Building to view the 86th. palates ($51.17)
- Edge ($50.08)
- Top of the Rock ($43.55)
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum ($33)
- One World Observatory ($47.91)
- Sightseeing bus tour of Uptown and Downtown ($80)
- Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Ferry and Immigration Museum ($24.50)
- Luna Park at Coney Island ($74)
- American Museum of Natural History ($28)
- Museum of Modern Art MoMA ($25)
- Madame Tussauds + MARVEL Universe 4D and 7D Experience ($47.89)
- Manhattan Sightseeing Cruise ($49)
- New York Yankees Game ($58)
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum ($33)
- Guggenheim Museum ($30)
- …and many others (Full list of attractions here)
Note: Advance reservations are required for some attractions. For example, the Empire State Building. Reservations can be made by purchasing a card on the booking page.
What is the price of New York Explorer Pass?
Prices for the New York Explorer Pass vary depending on how many attractions you choose – there are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 attractions on offer, which you have 60 days to visit.
Tip: There are often promotions where you get a discount card.
The prices are as follows:
How much will I save with the New York Explorer Pass?
Considering the prices of attractions in New York, it’s relatively easy to save money with the New York Explorer Pass. I recommend choosing mainly the more expensive attractions to save as much as possible – sightseeing bus, Empire State Building, Edge. These 3 seats alone will set you back $181. A card for 3 attractions costs $139, so the savings in this case would be $42.
Alternatives
New York is a popular city, and with that comes the offer of tourist cards. Each is worthwhile in its own way, depending on how you plan to visit New York.
New York CityPASS
New York CityPASS is ideal for those planning to visit fewer attractions in New York City. With the card you get access to 5 attractions:
- 2 entrances are included automatically and you can’t change them – the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History,
- 3 additional attractions to choose from – Top of the Rock, Ferry to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Manhattan Sightseeing Cruise, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and Guggenheim Museum.
You have 9 days to visit all 5 attractions.
Advance booking is required for some attractions: after purchasing your card, download the app from my.citypass.com and book your tickets according to the instructions in the app.
The cost for a New York CityPass is $138 for anyone over 18 and $118 for children ages 6-17. At this link you will get New York CityPASS at a discount.
New York Sightseeing Pass
The New York Sightseeig Pass comes in two flavors: the Day Pass, where you purchase the number of days, and the Flex Pass, where you purchase the number of attractions.
New York Sightseeing Pass – Day Pass
New York Sightseeing Day Pass is a lot like the New York Pass – it offers a wide range of attractions to visit (more than 150 attractions).
Includes 4 of the 5 observation decks in Manhattan (Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Edge and One World Observatory), Luna Park at Coney Island, a one-day ride on a sightseeing bus, a ferry to the Statue of Liberty (not the museum) or a ride from the airport to downtown Manhattan.
Unlike previous tourist cards, it does not include the 9/11 Museum – access to the memorial is free.
The New York Sightseeing Pass can be purchased for 1-10 days and prices range from $169-549 (identical to the New York Pass).
New York Sightseeing Pass – Flex Pass
The last option is New York Sightseeing Flex Pass where you purchase a number of attractions. The card is very similar to the New York Explorer Pass, but some of the attractions are a little different – the 9/11 Memorial Museum or the Yankees game are missing, but on the other hand you get a one-way transfer from the airport or the Bronx Zoo.
You have 30 days to visit the attractions.
In general, New York Sightseeing Passes (both Day Pass and Flex Pass versions) are geared more towards families with children.
Tip: There are often promotions where you get a discount card.
Note: Also, the New York Sightseeing Pass has a mandatory reservation requirement for some attractions – after you purchase one of the cards, you book on the reservation page.
Summary for tourist cards in New York
I understand that you may be confused about which card to choose right now. If you want to enjoy New York to the fullest and see as many sights as possible, choose the New York Pass or the Day Sightseeing Pass.
Do you have a few attractions you plan to visit or do you want to spread them out over several days? Then the New York Explorer Pass, New York CityPass or the Flex version of the Sightseeing Pass is perfect for you.
I recommend sitting down and listing out everything you want to see and how long you’ll be in New York for – get inspired by our article with tips on where to go in New York.
A clear table that includes all the different types of tourist cards in New York will also help you decide.
Note: * admission to the memorial is free, you only pay for admission to the museum; ** the card can be purchased for a certain number of days or a selected number of attractions
Where do I need to book with a tourist card?
Attractions in New York are extremely popular. For this reason, advance reservations are required for some locations. And even with a tourist card, which is mainly for saving money and not for skipping the queue (you only skip the ticket queue) – you have to stand the security queue.
Advance reservations are required for some attractions. Each tourist card has its own booking page where you can manage your reservations. The information is always listed separately for each of the tourist cards for clarity.
For example, if you chose the New York Pass, see above in this article for a direct link to manage your reservations after you purchase.
You will also receive the information in your email.
Where to book entry without a tourist card?
You may have noticed that none of the tourist cards include 2 of the most popular attractions in New York City – the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) and the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt glass observation deck. If you were planning to visit these places, a tourist card is not the best choice for you.
Below you will find places in New York where advance reservations are required or recommended:
- Empire State Building
- One World Observatory
- SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
- Edge
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- American Museum of Natural History
- Bronx Zoo
This was a review and comparison of the New York Pass and the New York Explorer Pass. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about New York
NEW YORK ITINERARY: Check out more than 30 tips on things to do in New York City (including information on admission fees, how to skip the lines, and opening times). To help you plan your trip, take inspiration from our What to see in New York in 5 days itinerary.
NEW YORK GUIDE: Here is New York Travel Guide with practical information and tips for visiting New York.
LONDON: Are you tempted by New York, but is it too out of hand for you? London is exactly what you’re looking for – a city with a cosmopolitan vibe and huge diversity that’s easy to get to. Here’s a list of the best places to visit in London or plan your itinerary using our 3 days in London article.
DUBAJ: New York is an iconic city, but some might be disillusioned by its shadier side (the grime, the homeless). Dubai is the opposite – a beautiful, landscaped city that literally beckons with its modern architecture and old city core – get inspired by the things to do in Dubai.
FAQ: New York Pass and New York Explorer Pass reviews
You can purchase the New York card on the official website. At the attraction, you just scan the code from the card on your mobile phone (or you can print the card).
You can buy your New York Pass online at the official website. Then download it to your mobile phone via the GO City app or print a paper copy. All information will arrive in your email after purchase.
The price varies depending on the type of card you choose – you can buy a card for a certain number of days or a selected number of attractions.
It depends on how you plan to visit New York. If you’re planning to visit at least 2-3 iconic attractions in New York, at least one of the cards is worthwhile. In this article, we will give examples of when the card pays off, or what the alternatives are.
