Which travel pass fits your travel style? I’m pitting these two heavyweights against each other to help you make the smartest choice for your trip.
Introduction
There is an undeniable magic to New York City that draws millions of visitors every year, making it the most visited destination in the USA. But let’s be honest: the Big Apple comes with a big price tag. Between booking hotels and navigating the subway, the last thing you want to worry about is blowing your entire budget on attraction tickets. That is why savvy travelers turn to tools like the New York Pass and New York CityPASS. But which one actually unlocks the best value for your trip? In this post, I’m breaking down the pros, cons, and hidden details of both passes so you can stop stressing about the math and start dreaming about your New York adventure.
New York CityPASS vs. The New York Pass: Quick Comparison
| Feature | New York CityPASS® | The New York Pass® |
| The Concept | The “Fixed Menu” A curated ticket booklet for the city’s top icons. | The “All-You-Can-Eat Buffet” Unlimited access to 100+ attractions for a set number of days. |
| Number of Attractions | 5 Total (2 Compulsory and 3 of your choice) | 100+ included (Visit as many as you can) |
| Validity Period | 9 Days Valid for 9 consecutive days starting from the first day of use. | 1 to 10 days You can buy a pass for a specific duration (e.g., 3 days) and must use it on consecutive calendar days. |
| Price (approx. per adult) | Flat Rate: ~$154 (One price covers everything) | Scaled Rate: ~$160 – $450+ (Price depends on how many days you buy; 1 Day starts around $164) |
| Pacing | Relaxed You can do one attraction a day and take your time. | Fast-Paced To get your money’s worth, you need to visit 3+ attractions every single day. |
| Top Inclusions | The “Big 5” Icons: Empire State Building American Museum of Natural History Top of the Rock Statue of Liberty 9/11 Memorial and Museum | Everything in CityPASS and More: The Edge & One World Observatory MoMA & Guggenheim Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours Walking Tours, Bike Rentals, etc. |
| Best For.. | First-time visitors who want to see the “must-sees” without rushing. | “Power-sightseers” who want to wake up early and pack their itinerary full. |
The Detailed Breakdown: The Travel Style Match
Choosing the right pass is less about the price and more about your energy level and travel goals. Here’s how to decide which one is your perfect match.
Choose the New York CityPASS® If…
- You prioritize flexibility and relaxation. With 9 days to visit just 5 major attractions, there is no rush. You can easily schedule days off for shopping, Broadway, or just relaxing in Central Park.
- You only care about the primary landmarks. The pass includes the quintessential NYC bucket list items (Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Top of the Rock, etc.). If you don’t care about specialty museums or bus tours, this is the most streamlined choice.
- You are traveling with family. The simple structure and lack of time pressure make it ideal for travelers with small children or multiple generations who need a slower pace.
- The Bottom Line: You are guaranteed to save 40% or more without having to do any complicated math. It’s the safe, low-stress bet.
Choose The New York Pass® (All-Inclusive) If…
- You are a “Power Sightseer” with a tight schedule. This pass is designed for travelers who want to be out the door by 9:00am and not stop until after dark. You must commit to a very packed itinerary to justify the daily cost.
- You want to use the Hop-on Hop-off Bus. The New York Pass includes the Big Bus Tour (often a 1- or 2-day pass), which is a high-value attraction that can also serve as your transportation between sights.
- You want maximum variety. Want to see all four major observation decks (Empire State, Top of the Rock, Edge, One World)? Interested in specialty tours like the Radio City Music Hall Tour or the Madison Square Garden Tour? The All-Inclusive Pass offers unparalleled access.
- The Bottom Line: You can achieve the maximum possible savings (up to 50%), but only if you have the energy and planning skills to execute a non-stop itinerary.
Maximizing Your Savings: A Sample Itinerary with the New York Pass
The best way to prove the value of the New York Pass is to show you how to beat the clock and get your money’s worth in a single day. This aggressive, geographically planned itinerary yields over $100 in savings on a typical 1-Day Pass (approximately $164).
| Time | Attraction | Individual Gate Price (Adult Approximate Price) |
| 9:00am | 9/11 Memorial & Museum | $36.00 |
| 11:00am | One World Observatory | $45.00 |
| 1:00pm | Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (2-Day Access) | $81.00 (Using the value of the included ticket) |
| 3:30pm | Top of the Rock Observation Deck | $45.00 |
| 6:00pm | The Ride (Bus Tour) OR MoMA | $65.00 |
| Total Value Unlocked | (Sum of Gate Prices) | ~$272.00 |
| Pass Cost (Approx.) | (1-Day Adult Pass) | ~$164.00 |
| Total Savings | (Value Unlocked minus Pass Cost) | ~$108.00 |
This itinerary demonstrates that with planning and hustle, the New York Pass can deliver incredible value in a short amount of time.
Note: Here is the logic for using the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus 2-Day Pass price in this 1-Day itinerary:
- Pass Inclusion: The New York Pass often grants access to the 24-hour or 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket, not the cheapest single ride.
- Value Maximization: To showcase the maximum possible value unlocked by the pass, we should use the price of the most valuable item included. If the pass grants a 2-day ticket (gate price: $81), using that $81 value is the most accurate way to show the pass’s potential.
- Reader Strategy: Travelers using the 1-Day New York Pass often leverage the bus for quick, city-wide transport and sightseeing, justifying the higher value.
New York CityPASS Itinerary Combinations: Maximize Your 5 Choices
The CityPASS includes two compulsory attractions and lets you choose three more from a rotating list of high-value sites.
Compulsory (Included in every CityPASS):
- Empire State Building Observatory (Includes a bonus same-night admission)
- American Museum of Natural History (General Admission + 1 Ticketed Exhibit)
Choose 3 from:
- Top of the Rock® Observation Deck
- Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (Choice of one regularly scheduled cruise)
- Intrepid Museum (Sea, Air & Space)
- Guggenheim Museum
The “First-Timer Must-See” Combination (Highest Value & Iconic)
This combination is for the traveler who wants to check off the most famous, globally recognized landmarks and get the best views.
| Attraction | Rationale |
| Top of the Rock | Essential for the famous photo of the Empire State Building and a great view of Central Park and downtown. |
| 9/11 Memorial & Museum | A powerful and moving historical experience that is a major part of modern NYC and American history. |
| Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry | The most iconic photo opportunity, plus a visit to a crucial piece of US history. |
| Total Value Unlocked: | Extremely High – These three choices are typically the most expensive single tickets among the options. |
The “Water & War History” Combination (For Cruisers & History Buffs)
This option swaps out one of the observation decks for a water-based tour and focuses on significant military and historical sites.
| Attraction | Rationale |
| Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise | Gives you incredible, expansive views of the Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn Bridge, and Statue of Liberty from the water. |
| Intrepid Museum (Sea, Air & Space) | Unique experience on an aircraft carrier. Great for families and those interested in military history and technology. |
| 9/11 Memorial & Museum | A must-do historical and cultural site in Lower Manhattan. |
| Total Value Unlocked: | High – The Circle Line Cruises are typically some of the highest-priced options, ensuring great savings. |
The “Art & Architecture” Combination (Uptown Focus)
This combination is perfect for travelers who want to dive into the city’s rich cultural side and spend more time on Museum Mile.
| Attraction | Rationale |
| Top of the Rock | Excellent vantage point over Central Park, perfectly situated in Midtown’s architectural hub. |
| Guggenheim Museum | An architectural masterpiece by Frank Lloyd Wright and home to a stunning collection of modern and contemporary art. |
| Intrepid Museum OR Circle Line Cruise | Choose the Intrepid for a full day of Midtown museum-hopping, or the Cruise for a relaxing way to end a Midtown/Uptown day. |
| Total Value Unlocked: | Medium/High – The savings are still significant, but this prioritizes cultural experience over peak ticket price savings. |
The Fine Print & Logistics
Many travelers buy these passes and then get blindsided by reservation requirements or timing rules. Here are three things to consider when buying either pass:
- Reservations are NOT Optional: Both passes require advance online booking for the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and 9/11 Memorial and Museum—even if you have a pass. Book your time slots immediately after purchasing. CityPASS makes this slightly easier with their “My CityPASS” app, which centralizes the bookings. New York Pass requires you to book through separate links or the Go City portal.
- The “Calendar Day” Trap (New York Pass Only): Your pass validity is based on calendar days, not 24-hour periods. If you use a 2-day pass for the first time at 5 PM on a Tuesday, that Tuesday counts as Day 1. Always activate your pass early in the morning (around 8:00 or 9:00am) to get the full value. Never activate it in the late afternoon!
- Watch Out for the Sunset Surcharge: If you want to visit the observation decks (like Top of the Rock) during peak sunset hours, be prepared to pay a mandatory, extra $10–$15 fee per person, as the passes usually only cover standard daytime admission. I recommend visiting observation decks in the morning (for fewer crowds) or late at night (to see the city lit up) to avoid the surcharge and the worst crowds.
Ready to book?
Once you’ve decided which travel style fits you best, you can purchase your passes directly from the official websites below:
- Buy the New York CityPASS® Here – Best for a relaxed, 5-attraction trip.
- Buy The New York Pass® Here – Best for seeing it all at a fast pace.
Conclusions
Ultimately, there is no single “best” pass—only the pass that best fits your energy level. If you are a first-time visitor wanting to hit the highlights at a relaxed pace, the New York CityPASS® is the undisputed champion of low-stress savings. However, if you want to see everything the city has to offer, the New York Pass® provides a level of freedom that is impossible to beat. No matter which one you choose, you are already securing significant savings.
The most important step now is simply planning ahead—and that includes picking the best views! If you’re still torn on which observation deck to visit, check out my comparison of Top of the Rock vs. Summit One Vanderbilt to help you decide. So grab your pass, book your reservation times, and get ready to take a bite out of the Big Apple!
