NYC CityPass: Is it Worth it?

Quick Summary: NYC CityPass

If you are short on time, here is a quick summary of the pros and cons of using the CityPass in New York City, and a link to check the recent discount on the pass below.

My Experience Using NYC CityPass

During my five-day trip to New York City, I decided to purchase the NYC CityPASS - a sightseeing pass designed to help visitors save time and money by bundling entry to iconic attractions.

The pass costs about 138 USD and it includes access to five attractions, with two fixed options as outlined below:

• Empire State Building (pre-booked time slot required)
• American Museum of Natural History

Plus, you can choose three additional attractions from a list of six, as shown below:

• Top of the Rock Observation Deck (pre-booked time slot required)
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry (pre-booked time slot required)
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises (pre-booked time slot required)
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum (pre-booked time slot required)
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (pre-booked time slot required)
• Guggenheim Museum

I visited the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, Top of the Rock, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, spreading these visits across my five days in the city. Here are my thoughts on the whole experience:

What I Like about the NYC CityPass

Save Time and Money: First and foremost, if you already plan to visit five of the attractions included in the pass, which include some of the most popular attractions you shouldn't miss like the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and the Statue of Liberty, you’ll be saving quite a bit of money with CityPass.

For example, the combination of the Empire State Building (44 USD), the American Museum of Natural History (30 USD), the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry (25 USD), the 9/11 Memorial & Museum (23 USD), and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (36 USD) would cost a total of 158 USD. But for the CityPASS holder, it would only cost about 138 USD, saving you 20 USD.

Not to mention, the ability to skip the lines and gain immediate access to these attractions (with one exception, which I’ll discuss in the Cons section) means you're not just saving money, but also your valuable time, which can be spent more efficiently elsewhere. NYC also attracts a huge number of tourists year-round, so skipping the line is a real lifesaver here!

Easy to Use: The entire process, from start to finish, was very smooth and hassle-free. All I had to do was purchase the pass online, book a time slot for certain attractions through the CityPass website or its app, or simply show up with the QR code provided via email.

From there, I was able to go straight in with little to no waiting time. It was definitely more convenient than having to book tickets separately, manage time slots from different websites, and keep track of everything.

Flexibility: The CityPass is valid for 7 days after purchase, which gives you more than enough time to plan everything you want to see in the city. You can spread out your visits to the attractions as I did and explore NYC at your own pace without being tied to a strict schedule or rushing through it.

For example, if you want to see the sunset from the top of the Empire State Building but the time slots are fully booked for today, no worries, you can simply visit the next day or any day within the 7-day window. If you’re too tired to walk around the American Museum of Natural History, you can always come back the next day or whenever you feel like it.

What I Dislike about the NYC CityPass

Some attractions are too similar: One of the issues I have with this pass is how similar some of the attractions are, such as the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry and the Circle Line Cruise, or the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock Observation Decks.

I would have found the pass much more economical if it replaced these duplicate activities with other attractions, such as the Met, or offered discounts for additional activities that showcase a less touristy side of NYC.

Entering some places isn’t as seamless: I'm looking at you, American Museum of Natural History! Why does everyone have to line up to get another ticket to access the museum, whether they've purchased it online through CityPass or directly from the museum’s website? I just don’t understand! It creates such an unnecessary bottleneck and will likely have deterred many tourists from visiting. I almost gave up after waiting more than 45 minutes just to get in.

Also, most of the attractions included in CityPass require you to book a time slot, which is understandable, especially during popular times like sunrise or sunset. However, this will ultimately affect the flexibility you have with the pass, especially if you're the type of traveler who prefers to do things spontaneously.

NYC CityPass: Was it Worth it?

So, is the NYC CityPass worth the price tag of 138 USD? Well, it depends. If this is your first time in New York City and all five of the attractions you want to visit are included, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building Observation Deck, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and you have several days to explore, then the NYC CityPass is definitely worth it.

If you're the type of person who despises tourist crowds and prefers to visit hidden gems, or if you only plan to see 2 - 3 attractions on the list, this is not a pass for you. You would save more money if you were to buy tickets for those attractions separately.

My Take: Personally, I think it was worth it, as I was eager to see the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building Observation Deck, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, which were all included in the CityPass. Since I had plenty of time to explore, I didn't mind visiting two other random attractions just to see what they were like.

If I were to do it again, I would choose the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building Observation Deck, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

I would skip the Top of the Rock, as the view is quite similar to that from the Empire State Building; the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, since I found the museum at Ellis Island far more interesting; and the Guggenheim Museum, as I’ve already visited many museums in NYC.

Tips to Using the NYC CityPass Effectively

• Book the earliest time slot for the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry: The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island attract a ton number of tourists throughout the day, and the crowds grow exponentially as the day goes on. To avoid the crowds, book the earliest time slot available. You'll have much of the island to yourself as visitors spread out when the ferry arrives.
• Book sunset time slot in advance: It's always a good idea to book your sunset time slot for observation decks at least a day in advance to secure your spot!
• Book at least one hour before sunset: If you want to experience the golden hour at the observation decks, be sure to book your time slot at least one hour before sunset. Many of these observation decks can take time to reach, with lines and exhibitions to go through. I missed the golden hour at the Top of the Rock because of this, so it’s best to plan ahead!
• Get to the American Museum of Natural History as early as possible: For some unknown reason, everyone has to line up to get another entry ticket into the American Museum of Natural History, whether you purchased your ticket online or not, which creates an unnecessary bottleneck. I got there around mid-day and I had to wait over 45 minutes to get in! To avoid wasting time, try to visit the museum either when it opens or about an hour before closing. The lines tend to thin out by then.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in New York City, United States of America while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Northeast USA

If you are looking for more articles about the Northeast USA, here are a few articles that might help you plan your trip:

• First time visiting the USA and looking for a complete itinerary? Check this out: First Time USA: 2 Weeks Itinerary Without Cars.
• Planning to visit Washington DC for 3 days? Here's an itinerary for you: 3 Days in Washington DC: A Backpacking Itinerary.
• First time visiting the US? Why not start Washington DC, its capital city known for its world-class museums and iconic landmarks like the White House and the Capitol. Here are the 10 best things to do in Washington DC.
• Here's a quick guide on how to get from Dulles Airport to Washington DC Downtown: How to Get From Dulles Airport to Downtown Washington DC.
• Want to visit world-class museums in Washington DC, but not sure where to begin? This is the article for you: 8 Best Museums to Visit in Washington DC.
• Have a day to spare in Washington DC? I highly recommend you check out Georgetown. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Georgetown, DC.
• Looking to visit Philly for the weekend? Here is the ultimate 2-day Backpacking Itinerary for Philly.
• If you’re a fan of food and history, Philadelphia offers the perfect blend with its incredible museums and some of the best food scenes in the country. Check out the 12 Best Things to Do in Philadelphia (Philly).
• Philly is best explored with your stomach and taste buds. Here are the 7 Best Places to Eat and Drink in Philadelphia (Philly).
• New York City is truly one of the best cities in the world and if you are planning to visit the city, here are the 15 Best Things to Do in New York City.
• Planning to visit New York City, but not sure where to begin? Check out our 4 Days New York City's Backpacking Itinerary.
• Looking for the best places to eat and drink in NYC? You might want to check out: Places to Eat & Drink in New York City: My 9 Favorite Places.
• Chelsea, one of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC, is one awesome place to explore. Here are the 8 Awesome Things to Do in Chelsea, NYC.
• Central Park deserves an entire day of exploration. Here is a complete travel guide to Central Park.
• Should you go up the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock? Let's find out: Empire State Building vs Top of the Rock: Which One is Better for You?.
• Want to visit Boston? Here are some of the things you do not want to miss! 15 Best Things to Do in Boston.
• Wondering how long to spend in Boston? Check this out: 3 Days in Boston: A Backpacking Itinerary.
• Want to walk the Freedom Trail in Boston, but not sure where to begin? Check out: Boston's Freedom Trail: A Walking Guide.
• Planning to visit Salem? Here's a travel guide for you: Discover Salem: 10 Highlights You Can't Miss.
• To see all articles about the United States of America, be sure to check out our USA travel guide page.
• For a complete itinerary of both the US and Canada, check out: One Month in USA & Canada: A Backpacking Itinerary without Cars.
• Looking for more travel guides for North America? You will find more over at our North America page.
• For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.