Do you need a pass to visit New York?

Before your first trip to New York, many of you ask me whether you need to buy a tourist pass. There’s no requirement, but here’s what matters: if you plan to visit more than 3 paid attractions in New York, a pass will definitely save you money.

Passes save you money on attractions

• With 3 or more paid attractions in New York, a pass becomes a smart choice. You get a bundle that covers these visits at a much lower price than paying for each ticket individually.
• Take the New York City Pass, one of our most popular passes on CNEWYORK: it costs around $125 and includes 5 attractions—the Statue of Liberty ($24 at regular price), the Empire State Building ($48 with taxes), the Top of the Rock observation deck ($44 with taxes), the American Museum of Natural History ($23), and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum ($28 with taxes). Add those up and you’re at roughly $170. The New York City Pass saves you about $45 per pass. You can book it directly on our CNEWYORK site on the New York City Pass page.
• The same applies to our other passes: the New York Pass, the Explorer Pass, and the Pass C3. Every pass works the same way—it gives you savings on the total cost. That’s why they exist.

Passes give you skip-the-line access and advance booking

• Beyond the savings, passes also give you priority access to certain attractions. You skip the regular ticket lines and go straight to security. This applies to the Top of the Rock with the City Pass, the New York Pass, and the Explorer Pass. Each pass offers skip-the-line benefits, but which attractions vary by pass. For details, see my article on skip-the-line access with New York passes.
• Since the pandemic, several passes let you book your visits in advance. The New York City Pass and the Pass C3 allow you to reserve all time slots ahead of time. Instructions come in an email after you buy your pass on CNEWYORK. Note that the Empire State Building requires all visitors to book in advance—with a pass, there’s a specific process to follow.

Which pass should you choose?

The question everyone asks me: which pass is right for you? It depends on what you want to see in New York.
There are 4 passes available, and they work in 3 different ways:

• One pass sets a fixed itinerary: the New York City Pass. It includes 5 major attractions and is best for first-time visitors. It requires you to visit the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History. For the other 3 attractions, you choose from several popular options.
• Two passes let you pick a set number of visits: the New York Explorer Pass and the Pass C3. You decide how many attractions you want to see—3, 4, 5, 7, or 10. Once you’re in the city, you choose freely from a list of about 100 options based on what interests you.
• One pass is based on days of validity: the New York Pass. You pick how many days—1 to 10—and access dozens of included attractions. This works best if you want to see as much as possible.

Still unsure? Email us and we’ll help you decide.