What does it mean when you “skip the lines” at the Empire State Building?

Skip waiting in multiple long queues after you enter, and follow the marked lanes on the red-carpet-style flooring directing you to the 86th-floor observatory deck.

You will be required to pass through the mandatory airport-style security screening at the very beginning.

Quick overview: How to skip the lines at the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is one of NYC’s busiest paid attractions, with around 4 million visitors a year. In peak months, the combined entry process (ticket check, photos, security, elevators) typically takes 45–60 minutes, and can stretch to 90+ minutes around sunset and holidays. Even with advance tickets, you still queue for airport-style security and elevator dispatch.

• Timed entry tickets (From $44): Book a fixed timeslot online for the 86th floor (or 86th + 102nd). You skip the walk-up ticket-purchase line and join the security queue directly. Best value option; popular sunset and holiday slots can sell out several days ahead.

• Express / skip-the-line tickets (From $85): Use priority lanes at ticket check and elevators, cutting entrance waits from around 45–60 minutes to roughly 10–20 minutes in busy periods. You still pass through security like everyone else. Capacity is limited per timeslot, so these often go first for sunset and Christmas weeks.

• Sunrise / limited-capacity sessions (From $150): Pre-opening Sunrise Experience on the 86th floor with Starbucks coffee and pastries. Numbers are tightly capped, so lines are minimal and deck crowds very low. Only on select mornings; highly weather dependent and among the first tickets to sell out.

• Combos and city passes including ESB (From $90+): Multi-attraction passes and skyline combos bundle timed ESB entry with cruises or other decks. Most include standard, not express, access; some add a same-day night visit. Best suited to itineraries hitting several major NYC sights in 2–3 days.

​See all your options to skip the queues at Empire State Building ↓

How long are the queues at the Empire State Building?

The Empire State Building is one of the most popular tourist attractions in NYC, drawing an average of 4 million visitors per year.

Peak hours (mid to late afternoon), weekends, and especially during the summer, visitors can end up waiting for an average of an hour or more before they access the elevator line to the observatory.