New York passes comparison: which one to choose?

Who should buy the New York CityPASS?

• The New York CityPASS is the most popular pass among first-time visitors to New York. Since September 1, 2026, it offers the advantage of letting you choose 5 attractions from a list of 10 top sights.

What’s included in the CityPASS?

• The New York CityPASS covers the major landmarks: Empire State Building, Top of the Rock observatory, The Edge observatory, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Circle Line cruise, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim Museum, Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum, and Whitney Museum of American Art.
• The New York CityPASS has another advantage: it’s the only pass in this comparison that lets you visit Empire State Building twice in one day—once in the morning and once at night.

How much does the New York CityPASS cost?

Who should buy the New York Explorer Pass?

• The New York Explorer Pass is for visitors who know what they want to see but appreciate flexibility in choosing which attractions to visit.

What’s included in the Explorer Pass?

• The Explorer Pass lets you choose 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 attractions from over 80 options. The list includes Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, The Edge, MoMA, Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Sex, Whitney Museum of American Art, and Intrepid Museum. You also get access to guided tours in English and bike rentals throughout New York.
• The advantage of the Explorer Pass is that you commit to a specific number of attractions but decide which ones to visit as you go. For example, with a 7-attraction pass, you can pick your 7 visits on the fly based on weather or mood. Just choose from the list of 80 attractions.

How much does the New York Explorer Pass cost?

Who should buy the New York C3 Pass?

• The New York C3 Pass sits between the CityPASS and Explorer Pass. This customizable pass is for visitors who know exactly what they want to see and plan to visit no more than 3 paid attractions.

What’s included in the C3 Pass?

• You get to choose 3 attractions from 11 options in the C3 Pass. You’ll find all the major sights: Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, American Museum of Natural History, and 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The benefit is that you can decide at the last moment which attractions to visit.
• With the New York C3 Pass, you get access to a convenient platform for making required reservations, such as at Empire State Building. Our team is here to help if you have any questions.

How much does the New York C3 Pass cost?

Who should buy the New York Essentials Pass?

• The New York Essentials Pass is a direct competitor to the C3 Pass. This customizable pass also includes 3 attractions, chosen from 13 options.

What’s included in the New York Essentials Pass?

• The New York Essentials Pass includes one observatory of your choice from the 4 main options: Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, The Edge, and One World Observatory. You can then pick 2 more attractions from a list of 9 other sites, museums, and landmarks.
• The pass gives you access to a platform for making required reservations, such as at Empire State Building. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

How much does the New York Essentials Pass cost?

Who should buy the New York Pass?

• The New York Pass is designed for visitors who want to see as much as possible without choosing attractions in advance.

What’s included in the New York Pass?

• It’s simple: you buy a pass valid for 1 to 10 days, and during that time, you can visit all 80 included attractions and sights—a value of over $2,000 at regular prices. The more you visit, the more you save.
• The pass covers all the major New York landmarks, from the Statue of Liberty to Empire State Building. It also includes lesser-known sites and museums, like SEA LIFE aquarium in New Jersey. It’s a great way to explore beyond the usual tourist trail and discover a different side of New York.

How much does the New York Pass cost?

Comparing 5 different passes at a glance is complicated. That’s why our team at CNEWYORK created this simple, clear comparison to help you see the differences and similarities right away. We’ve organized it around 3 key questions to ask when choosing a pass:

1. How does the pass work? Can you choose attractions from a list, or is it an unlimited pass that covers everything?
2. How many attractions are available? This helps you check the full list to see if it includes what you want to visit.
3. What are the children’s rates? If you’re traveling with kids, this shows you what discounts are available.