New York CityPASS vs Go City New York Explorer Pass
New York CityPASS and Go City New York Explorer Pass are both choice passes: you pick a set number of attractions from each list. One adult pays from USD 149 for CityPASS and from USD 89 for Go City Explorer, checked October 2026.
We price 11 attractions on one or both of them, and both include 8. Only Go City Explorer has Big Bus New York Discover Ticket, One World Observatory and Madame Tussauds New York.
On the 3 plans worked out below for 2 adults, Go City Explorer costs less on all 3. The figures are arithmetic on published prices, not a rating of either pass.
CityPASS, adult from
USD 149
Go City Explorer, adult from
USD 89
Priced on both
8 of 11
Prices checked
October 2026
The two passes on 3 plans
2 adults, no children, a packed pace of up to 4 visits a day. Each plan takes the attractions with a published price that either pass includes: our first visit picks first, then the dearest. Real cost is the pass for the group plus the tickets it leaves at the gate.
New York CityPASS and Go City New York Explorer Pass on each plan, for 2 adults in USD
Prices checked October 2026. US gate prices are before sales tax. Worth The Pass compares published prices on the date shown. Passes change what they include; check the seller's page before you buy.
Options and prices side by side
Every option each seller lists. The last column is the engine's break-even for one adult, with the cheapest attractions on the pass first.
Choice of attractions, sold by CityPASS. Prices for one person in USD, checked October 2026, before the USD 2 fee per ticket CityPASS adds at checkout and the math counts.
New York CityPASS options and prices in USD, checked October 2026
Option
Adult
Child
Pays off for one adult
5 picks, valid 9 days
USD 149
USD 129, child 6 to 17
After 5 of its priced attractions, within the seller's rules
Choice of attractions, sold by Go City. Prices for one person in USD, checked October 2026.
Go City New York Explorer Pass options and prices in USD, checked October 2026
Option
Adult
Child
Pays off for one adult
2 picks, valid 30 days
USD 89
USD 79, child 3 to 12
Only with its 2 dearest attractions
3 picks, valid 30 days
USD 119
USD 99, child 3 to 12
Only with its 3 dearest attractions
4 picks, valid 30 days
USD 149
USD 119, child 3 to 12
Only with its 3 dearest attractions
5 picks, valid 30 days
USD 179
USD 139, child 3 to 12
Only with its 4 dearest attractions
6 picks, valid 30 days
USD 204
USD 159, child 3 to 12
Only with its 5 dearest attractions
7 picks, valid 30 days
USD 229
USD 179, child 3 to 12
Only with its 6 dearest attractions
10 picks, valid 30 days
USD 299
USD 239, child 3 to 12
After any 9 of its priced attractions
What each one includes
12 attractions in our New York data are on one or both passes, dearest at the gate first. Adult gate prices in USD, checked October 2026; the terms are our summary of what each seller states. US gate prices are before sales tax.
Attractions on New York CityPASS and Go City New York Explorer Pass, with adult gate prices in USD
One of the picks. Booking needed, also with the pass. One visit
One of the picks. Booking needed, also with the pass
9/11 Memorial & Museum
Price not published
One of the picks. Booking needed, also with the pass. One visit. Timed entry
One of the picks. Booking needed, also with the pass. Timed entry
2 things
Empire State Building Observation Deck and Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 144 for the group. Go City Explorer costs USD 124 less than CityPASS for this plan: USD 178 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Skip itRanked 4 of 7 for this plan
New York CityPASS
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 144 for the 2 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City New York Explorer Pass, Skip it; it costs USD 34 more than the gate (23% of the gate total).
5 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 2 of its 5 picks.
USD 158more than the gate, 109% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 144
With New York CityPASSUSD 302
Pass USD 302
Add 3 more of the included attractions, for example Circle Line Liberty Cruise, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Whitney Museum of American Art, and this pass pays off.
2 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Empire State Building Observation DeckUSD 92
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferryUSD 52
Paid at the gate
Nothing: the pass covers the whole plan.
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 151
Includes the USD 2 fee CityPASS adds per ticket at checkout.
Also includes 9/11 Memorial & Museum, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
Skip itRanked 1 of 7 for this plan
Go City New York Explorer Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 144 for the 2 attractions listed below.
Next on this plan: New York C3, Skip it; it costs USD 78 more than the gate (54% of the gate total).
2 attractions. Of the options that fit 3 days at a packed pace, this one has the smallest loss. It uses 2 of its 2 picks.
USD 34more than the gate, 23% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 144
With Go City New York Explorer PassUSD 178
Pass USD 178
No further included attraction with a published price makes this pass pay off for this plan.
2 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Empire State Building Observation DeckUSD 92
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferryUSD 52
Paid at the gate
Nothing: the pass covers the whole plan.
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 89
Also includes 9/11 Memorial & Museum, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
5 things
Empire State Building Observation Deck, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry, Edge Observation Deck, Intrepid Museum and Big Bus New York Discover Ticket. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 428 for the group. Go City Explorer costs USD 76 less than CityPASS for this plan: USD 350 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Close callRanked 3 of 7 for this plan
New York CityPASS
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 428 for the 5 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City New York Explorer Pass, Worth it; it saves USD 78 (18% of the gate total).
5 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 4 of its 5 picks.
USD 2less than the gate, under 1% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 428
With New York CityPASSUSD 426
Pass USD 302 still at the gate USD 124
It pays off already for this plan.
4 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Empire State Building Observation DeckUSD 92
Edge Observation DeckUSD 84
Intrepid MuseumUSD 76
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferryUSD 52
Paid at the gate
Big Bus New York Discover TicketUSD 124
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 151
Includes the USD 2 fee CityPASS adds per ticket at checkout.
Also includes 9/11 Memorial & Museum, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
Worth itRanked 1 of 7 for this plan
Go City New York Explorer Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 428 for the 5 attractions listed below.
Next on this plan: New York C3, Close call; it saves USD 30 (7% of the gate total).
4 attractions. Of the options that fit 3 days at a packed pace, this one has the highest saving. It uses 4 of its 4 picks.
USD 78less than the gate, 18% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 428
With Go City New York Explorer PassUSD 350
Pass USD 298 still at the gate USD 52
It pays off already for this plan.
4 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Big Bus New York Discover TicketUSD 124
Empire State Building Observation DeckUSD 92
Edge Observation DeckUSD 84
Intrepid MuseumUSD 76
Paid at the gate
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferryUSD 52
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 149
Also includes 9/11 Memorial & Museum, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
Everything: 11 things
Empire State Building Observation Deck, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry, Edge Observation Deck, Intrepid Museum, Big Bus New York Discover Ticket, Circle Line Landmarks Cruise, One World Observatory, Madame Tussauds New York, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art and Circle Line Liberty Cruise. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 828 for the group. Go City Explorer costs USD 90 less than CityPASS for this plan: USD 650 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Worth itRanked 3 of 7 for this plan
New York CityPASS
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 828 for the 11 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City New York All-Inclusive Pass, Worth it; it saves USD 290 (35% of the gate total).
5 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 5 of its 5 picks.
USD 88less than the gate, 10% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 828
With New York CityPASSUSD 740
Pass USD 302 still at the gate USD 438
It pays off already for this plan.
5 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Empire State Building Observation DeckUSD 92
Edge Observation DeckUSD 84
Circle Line Landmarks CruiseUSD 78
Intrepid MuseumUSD 76
Solomon R. Guggenheim MuseumUSD 60
Paid at the gate
Big Bus New York Discover TicketUSD 124
Circle Line Liberty CruiseUSD 56
Madame Tussauds New YorkUSD 68
One World ObservatoryUSD 78
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferryUSD 52
Whitney Museum of American ArtUSD 60
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 151
Includes the USD 2 fee CityPASS adds per ticket at checkout.
Also includes 9/11 Memorial & Museum, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
Worth itRanked 2 of 7 for this plan
Go City New York Explorer Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 828 for the 11 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City New York All-Inclusive Pass, Worth it; it saves USD 290 (35% of the gate total).
10 attractions. Of the options that fit 3 days at a packed pace, this one has the highest saving. It uses 10 of its 10 picks.
USD 178less than the gate, 21% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 828
With Go City New York Explorer PassUSD 650
Pass USD 598 still at the gate USD 52
It pays off already for this plan.
10 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Big Bus New York Discover TicketUSD 124
Empire State Building Observation DeckUSD 92
Edge Observation DeckUSD 84
Circle Line Landmarks CruiseUSD 78
One World ObservatoryUSD 78
Intrepid MuseumUSD 76
Madame Tussauds New YorkUSD 68
Solomon R. Guggenheim MuseumUSD 60
Whitney Museum of American ArtUSD 60
Circle Line Liberty CruiseUSD 56
Paid at the gate
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferryUSD 52
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 299
Also includes 9/11 Memorial & Museum, with no published standard price, so we cannot count it.
The sellers' own pages
Passes change what they include. Read each seller's terms before you buy.
Which costs less, New York CityPASS or Go City New York Explorer Pass?
One adult pays from USD 149 for New York CityPASS and from USD 89 for Go City New York Explorer Pass, checked October 2026. The price alone does not settle it. For 2 adults at a packed pace: 2 things: Go City Explorer costs USD 124 less; CityPASS Skip it, Go City Explorer Skip it. 5 things: Go City Explorer costs USD 76 less; CityPASS Close call, Go City Explorer Worth it. Everything: 11 things: Go City Explorer costs USD 90 less; CityPASS Worth it, Go City Explorer Worth it. Tick your own plan in the New York calculator to see which comes out lower for you.
What does New York CityPASS include that Go City New York Explorer Pass does not?
Nothing with a published price: every attraction we price on New York CityPASS is on Go City New York Explorer Pass as well.
What does Go City New York Explorer Pass include that New York CityPASS does not?
Go City New York Explorer Pass includes 3 attractions with a published price that New York CityPASS leaves out: Big Bus New York Discover Ticket (USD 62), One World Observatory (USD 39) and Madame Tussauds New York (USD 34). Prices for one adult at the gate, checked October 2026.
Do New York CityPASS and Go City New York Explorer Pass have child prices?
New York CityPASS: USD 129, child 6 to 17. Go City New York Explorer Pass: USD 79 to USD 239, child 3 to 12. Enter each child's age in the calculator: the band that applies is shown next to each price.
How long are New York CityPASS and Go City New York Explorer Pass valid?
New York CityPASS comes in 5 picks, valid 9 days. Go City New York Explorer Pass comes in 2 picks, valid 30 days, 3 picks, valid 30 days, 4 picks, valid 30 days, 5 picks, valid 30 days, 6 picks, valid 30 days, 7 picks, valid 30 days and 10 picks, valid 30 days. The math fits your visits into those days at 2 a day relaxed or 4 a day packed.
