AAmericaExperiences

New York CityPASS vs Go City vs New York Pass

All three cover New York museums and attractions, and they are not variations of the same product: one is a fixed bundle, one is choose-your-own, one is priced by days. Pick the pricing model that matches your trip, then check your shortlist against it. Only pass products with 1,000+ traveler reviews appear here.

Three pricing models, three different trips

Pass pricing models compared
ModelExampleSuitsWatch out for
Fixed bundleNew York CityPASSFirst trips that want the headline attractions and no decisionsYou pay for everything in the bundle, including the parts you skip
Choose your ownGo City Explorer PassMuseum-led or interest-led trips, and plans that are still movingYour picks are finite — spend them on the expensive attractions, not the cheap ones
Priced by daysNew York PassDeliberately packed sightseeing days, back to backThe clock starts at first use, so a slow day is a wasted day

The eligible passes at a glance

Ticket options compared: who each is best for and the indicative from price
OptionBest forReviewsFrom (indicative)
New York CityPASS®Visitors who already know they want a small set of the biggest-name attractions2,144$149
Go City: New York Explorer Pass: 100+ Things to Do Including EdgeTravelers who want to choose their own attractions and skip the ones they don't care about2,074$89
New York Pass: 100+ Things To Do including Empire State BuildingSightseeing-heavy trips where the aim is volume over a few consecutive days1,399$169

Prices are indicative "from" values supplied by Viator and change with date, party size and option chosen. The price you pay is always the one confirmed on Viator.

Compare in detail

New York CityPASS®

4.3 ★2,144 reviews· 9 days

Experience 5 top attractions and save up to 51% with New York CityPASS® tickets. One simple purchase removes the stress of planning, so you can relax and enjoy your memories in the making. With 9 days to use your tickets, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the best sights. New York CityPASS® tickets include one-time admission to your choice of 5 attractions. • Empire State Building Observation

Indicative from $149 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator
Best for
Visitors who already know they want a small set of the biggest-name attractions
What's included
A fixed bundle of top New York attractions, redeemed over a set number of days from first use
Key difference
Fixed inclusions rather than a menu: the value depends on whether you actually want everything in the bundle
Booking ahead
The pass itself does not remove timed-entry rules — several included venues still need reservations after purchase

Go City: New York Explorer Pass: 100+ Things to Do Including Edge

4.0 ★2,074 reviews· 1 day

With the New York Explorer Pass by Go City you get access to your favorite 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 attractions or tours, from over 100 things to do, and save up to 50%* (compared to buying individual attraction tickets). Admire sweeping views from the Empire State Building Observation Deck, Top of the Rock, Edge Immersive Observation Deck and One World Observatory. See the city from a Hop on Hop off Bus,

Indicative from $89 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator
Best for
Travelers who want to choose their own attractions and skip the ones they don't care about
What's included
A choose-your-own pass: you pick a set number of attractions from a large list within a validity window
Key difference
Flexible menu rather than a fixed bundle, which suits a trip where the plan is still moving
Booking ahead
Attraction reservations still apply individually; the pass covers admission, not your time slot
Big Bus New York

New York Pass: 100+ Things To Do including Empire State Building

4.2 ★1,399 reviews· 1 day

Access over 100 top New York attractions, museums and experiences with The New York Pass. Whizz to the top of Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory or Edge for fascinating views, sit back and relax on a Big Bus tour of Manhattan, climb aboard the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and pay your respects at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum - there's all this and more included on

Indicative from $169 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator
Best for
Sightseeing-heavy trips where the aim is volume over a few consecutive days
What's included
An all-inclusive day pass covering entry to a large list of attractions for the pass duration
Key difference
Priced by days rather than by attraction count, so it rewards long, deliberately packed days
Booking ahead
Day passes start counting from first use, and popular venues still enforce their own timed entry

How to decide in five minutes

  1. 1. Write down the attractions you would pay for anyway — usually three to six.
  2. 2. Price those individually. That number, not the pass price, is your benchmark.
  3. 3. Count your realistic paid attractions per day. Two is normal; three is a long day.
  4. 4. Match the model: short list and slow days point to individual tickets or a choose-your-own pass; long list and packed days point to a day-based pass.
  5. 5. Check the current pass inclusions and validity on Viator before you buy — lists change.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between CityPASS, Go City and the New York Pass?
CityPASS is a fixed bundle of headline attractions. The Go City Explorer Pass lets you choose a set number of attractions from a long list. The New York Pass is priced by days and covers entry to a large list for as long as it is valid. Fixed bundle, choose-your-own, or unlimited-by-day — that is the real choice.
Which pass is best for museums specifically?
A choose-your-own pass suits museum-led trips, because you can spend your picks on collections instead of on attractions you would skip. A day-based pass rewards packed days, and museums are slow by nature.
Does a pass save money?
Only if you genuinely use enough of the included attractions. We do not publish a savings figure, because the honest answer depends on your own list — price your shortlist against the pass before you buy either.
Do I still need to reserve entry times with a pass?
Usually yes. A pass covers admission; it does not override a venue's timed-entry system. Check each attraction's reservation requirement after you buy.
How long is a pass valid?
Validity windows and day counts differ by product and start from first use rather than from purchase. The exact terms are on the Viator product page.
Is a pass worth it for a two-day trip?
Rarely, unless both days are deliberately attraction-heavy. On a short trip, two or three individual tickets usually beat a pass you cannot finish.

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