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How Headout makes choosing experiences effortless

We curate the best ways to experience

We research and organise all unique experiences - from tickets to tours to special combos - so you get all the choices without the clutter.

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Slide 1 of 4
We curate the best ways to experience
We partner with the best
All the best options, in one place
Book with complete peace of mind

New York City Pass: Discover New York with ease

The New York City Cards give you entry to sights, museums, cruises, tours, and transport in one pass instead of buying tickets one by one. You can choose day-based passes for 1 to 10 days or attraction-based passes that cover 2 to 10 visits. Across most pass options, you’ll get the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry, along with guided tours, harbor cruises, and Hop-on Hop-off buses. Depending on your pick, you can save up to 50% against individual tickets. Whether you travel with family, solo, or on your first trip, you’ll find a pass that fits.

New York City Passes in a nutshell

Pick a pass that fits

Some cards work by day, so you can visit as many attractions as you can fit into 1 to 10 calendar days. Others give you 2 to 10 attraction credits to use over 9 to 30 days. You’ll also find options that bundle Hop-on Hop-off buses or airport transfers, and museum-specific or observation-deck-focused picks for shorter trips, longer stays, and tighter schedules.

One pass, many classic stops

Depending on the card, your shortlist can include the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry, Top of the Rock, the American Museum of Natural History, MoMA, and the 9/11 Museum. Many also add Circle Line cruises, Hop-on Hop-off buses, bike rentals, walking tours, guided visits, neighborhood walking tours, and family-friendly museums beyond the headline landmarks.

Save big!

The numbers matter more than the headline. A 3-attraction pass costs about $114, while separate standard tickets for the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock Observatory, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum come to roughly $140. That’s a difference of around $25, or about 18% less than what you'd have to pay if you bought tickets individually. If those three are already on your list, the savings are straightforward before you add a fourth stop to the plan.

Buy once & scan as you go

Your pass usually arrives by email within minutes, and most providers let you add it to an app or print a backup copy. It activates when you scan it at your first attraction, then stays valid for the number of days or visits included. Some attractions still ask you to reserve a time slot in advance, but entry itself is usually just a quick QR-code scan.

Your New York City Passes options explained

Card detailsGo City Explorer PassGo City Essential PassGo City All-Inclusive PassHeadout PassNew York CityPASS®New York C3® Pass

Type of card

Attraction-based (2/3/4/5/6/7/10 attractions)

Attraction-based (3 attractions; pick 1 deck + 2 others)

Day-based (pick 1/2/3/4/5/7/10 days)

Attraction-based (pick 2/3/4/5/7/10 attractions)

Attraction-based (2 guaranteed sights + 3 chosen attractions)

Attraction-based (Access to 3 attractions)

No. of attractions

90+

13

110+

40+

8

10

Price range

$93–$312

$99

$169-$404

$84-$445

$164

$114

Validity

30 days from first use; 1 year from purchase if unused

30 days from first use; 1 year from purchase if unused

Valid for the consecutive days selected; valid for 1 year if unused

Valid for 30 calendar days from the selected date

Valid for 9 consecutive days from first use; valid for 1 year if unused

Valid for 9 consecutive days from first use; valid for 12 months if unused

Save big with New York City Passes itineraries

New York 3 Attractions
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Verdict

Go City Essential Pass (3 attractions)
Why it wins: The Go City Essential Pass saves you 28.47% if you visit the city's top 3 most popular landmarks from a list of 13 choices. You get to choose exactly the attractions that you want to see and won't have to pay for extras you’ll never use. After your first visit, you have 30 days to redeem the rest, which is ideal if you want to spread out your visits as opposed to clubbing them all in one day.

Verdict

Go City All-Inclusive Pass (1 day)
Why it wins: The Go City All-Inclusive Pass saves you 11.7% and starts paying off once you fit in around 3 major sights in a day. From there, the value keeps climbing because you also get access to top museums, cruises, and offbeat attractions in the city. You get to pick where to start when you’re ready and keep the city moving around you.

Verdict

New York City Pass (5 attractions)
Why it wins: The New York City Pass saves you 28.82% on a five-stop New York City plan. You get to choose exactly the attractions that matter most from plenty of options, so you’re not paying for extras you’ll never use. After your first visit, you have 9 days to redeem the rest, which is ideal if you’d rather spread sightseeing out than sprint through the city.

Types of New York City Passes explained: Day-based vs. Attraction-based

Day-based cards

A day-based pass gives you access to a large attraction list for a set number of consecutive days after first use. Best for visitors on a tight schedule who plan full sightseeing days. Key benefit: broad coverage across observatories, museums, cruises, tours, and bus routes.

Recommended Passes:

  • Go City New York All-Inclusive Pass

Attraction-based cards

An attraction-based card lets you choose a fixed number of experiences from a larger list and use them within an activation window. Ideal for flexible explorers, families, and repeat visitors who prefer a shorter shortlist. The key benefit of these cards is that there is less pressure to sightsee intensely every day.

Recommended passes:

  • New York CityPASS®
  • Go City New York Explorer Pass
  • Headout Pass New York
  • Go City New York Essential Pass
  • New York C3®

Which New York City Pass is best for you

If you want to cover classics cheaply

If you’re visiting 4 to 5 headline sights and want strong savings without sprinting across Manhattan, the New York CityPASS® is the clear winner. It saves up to 41% and includes 5 attractions: the Empire State Building and American Museum of Natural History, plus 3 more like Top of the Rock, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, or the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry. Its 9-day validity fits a 4 to 6 day trip perfectly. You must reserve key attractions in the app, but you won’t feel rushed once you start.

Recommended tickets:

  • New York CityPASS®

If your focus is moving between sights

If your focus is moving between sights with less ticket juggling, Headout Pass New York is the smartest pick. No NYC attraction pass includes the subway, but this one gets closest to an all-round logistics helper. You can choose 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10 attractions, save up to 40%, and use them across 30 days. It covers big names like Summit One Vanderbilt, the Statue of Liberty, Edge NYC, and MoMA, and practical add-ons like Hop-on Hop-off bus tours and airport transfers. Headout also gives you a 100% refund before your first reservation.

Go City New York Essential Pass is the leaner alternative if you want just 3 attractions. It saves up to 50% and gives you 1 observation deck—Empire State Building, Edge, Top of the Rock, or One World Observatory—and 2 more attractions like the 9/11 Museum or Circle Line Cruise. It’s cheaper, but Headout gives you a broader list and stronger transport-style extras.

Recommended tickets:

  • Headout Pass New York
  • Go City New York Essential Pass

If your schedule is packed tight

If your schedule is packed tight and you plan to hit 3 or more paid sights a day, Go City New York All-Inclusive Pass is the strongest play. It gives you access to 111 attractions across 1 to 10 calendar days, so you can stack big-ticket stops fast. Visit Empire State Building in the morning, a Liberty Cruise or Statue of Liberty trip during midday, then MoMA or One World Observatory later in the evening. It also includes Hop-on Hop-off bus tours, which helps when you’re bouncing between Midtown and Lower Manhattan. An unused pass stays valid for 1 year.

Recommended tickets:

  • Go City New York All-Inclusive Pass

Top attractions included in your New York City Pass

AttractionGo City New York All-Inclusive PassGo City New York Explorer PassHeadout Pass New YorkNew York CityPASS®New York C3® by CityPASS®

Empire State Building Observatory

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

American Museum of Natural History

✅

✅

❌

✅

✅

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Top of the Rock® Observation Deck

✅

✅

❌

✅

✅

9/11 Memorial & Museum

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

✅

✅

✅

❌

✅

Edge

✅

✅

✅

❌

✅

One World Observatory

✅

✅

❌

❌

❌

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt

❌

❌

✅

❌

❌

Intrepid Museum

✅

✅

❌

✅

✅

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

✅

✅

❌

✅

✅

Top highlights of your New York City Pass

Empire State Building spire against a cloudy sky, New York City.
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Empire State Building Observatory

  • Timings: 9am to 11pm
  • Address: 20 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001, United States

Top of the Rock Observation Deck

  • Timings: 9am to 11pm
  • Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, United States

9/11 Memorial & Museum

  • Timings: 9am to 7pm (Wednesday to Monday)
  • Address: 180 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007, United States

Museum of Modern Art

  • Timings: 10:30am to 5:30pm
  • Address: 11 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019, United States

American Museum of Natural History

  • Timings: 10am to 5:30pm
  • Address: 200 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024, United States

Intrepid Museum

  • Timings: 10am to 5pm
  • Address: Pier 86, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10036, United States

How to use a New York City Pass

Step 1: Choose your City Card

Pick the pass that best fits your needs! Make sure you check the attractions covered and make a choice between day & attraction-based passes.

Step 2: Book your tickets

Purchase your City Card easily using PayPal, a credit/debit card, or iDEAL.

Step 3: Check your email

Receive your ticket instantly in your inbox. Be sure to check the spam and junk folders.

Step 4: Download the operator's app

Download the operator's app on your phone and follow the activation instructions.

Step 5: Start exploring!

Present your activated pass at attractions to gain entry and enjoy your sightseeing!

Frequently asked questions about the New York City Passes

A New York pass is worth it when you plan at least three paid attractions, especially observation decks, cruises, or major museums. You save more when you use high value inclusions and spread visits efficiently over the pass validity window.