San Francisco CityPASS vs Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass
San Francisco CityPASS and Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass are both choice passes: you pick a set number of attractions from each list. One adult pays from USD 89.95 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 5. Only CityPASS has Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise; only Go City Explorer has Big Bus San Francisco Discover Ticket, Red and White Fleet Bridge to Bridge Cruise and Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay Cruise and 2 more.
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 89.95
Go City Explorer, adult from
USD 89
Priced on both
5 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.
San Francisco CityPASS and Go City San Francisco 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.
San Francisco CityPASS options and prices in USD, checked October 2026
Choice of attractions, sold by Go City. Prices for one person in USD, checked October 2026.
Go City San Francisco 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 69, child 3 to 12
Only with its 2 dearest attractions
3 picks, valid 30 days
USD 109
USD 89, child 3 to 12
Only with its 3 dearest attractions
4 picks, valid 30 days
USD 129
USD 99, child 3 to 12
Only with its 3 dearest attractions
5 picks, valid 30 days
USD 149
USD 109, child 3 to 12
Only with its 3 dearest attractions
What each one includes
11 attractions in our San Francisco 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 San Francisco CityPASS and Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass, with adult gate prices in USD
Cable car single ride and California Academy of Sciences. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 116 for the group. Go City Explorer costs USD 23.90 less than CityPASS for this plan: USD 178 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Skip itRanked 3 of 6 for this plan
San Francisco CityPASS
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 116 for the 2 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass, Skip it; it costs USD 62 more than the gate (53% of the gate total).
4 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 1 of its 4 picks.
USD 85.90more than the gate, 74% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 116
With San Francisco CityPASSUSD 201.90
Pass USD 183.90 still at the gate USD 18
Add any 2 more of the included attractions with a ticket price and this pass pays off.
1 visit in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
Paid at the gate
Cable car single rideUSD 18
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 91.95
Includes the USD 2 fee CityPASS adds per ticket at checkout.
Skip itRanked 1 of 6 for this plan
Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 116 for the 2 attractions listed below.
Next on this plan: San Francisco C3, Skip it; it costs USD 69.90 more than the gate (60% 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 62more than the gate, 53% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 116
With Go City San Francisco 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
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
Cable car single rideUSD 18
Paid at the gate
Nothing: the pass covers the whole plan.
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 89
5 things
Cable car single ride, California Academy of Sciences, Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Big Bus San Francisco Discover Ticket. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 366.20 for the group. Go City Explorer costs USD 0.10 less than CityPASS for this plan: USD 314 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Worth itRanked 4 of 6 for this plan
San Francisco CityPASS
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 366.20 for the 5 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass, Worth it; it saves USD 70.20 (19% of the gate total).
4 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 3 of its 4 picks.
USD 52.10less than the gate, 14% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 366.20
With San Francisco CityPASSUSD 314.10
Pass USD 183.90 still at the gate USD 130.20
It pays off already for this plan.
3 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay CruiseUSD 78
San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtUSD 60
Paid at the gate
Big Bus San Francisco Discover TicketUSD 112.20
Cable car single rideUSD 18
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 91.95
Includes the USD 2 fee CityPASS adds per ticket at checkout.
Worth itRanked 3 of 6 for this plan
Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 366.20 for the 5 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass, Worth it; it saves USD 70.20 (19% of the gate total).
3 attractions. Of the options that fit 3 days at a packed pace, this one has the highest saving. It uses 3 of its 3 picks.
USD 52.20less than the gate, 14% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 366.20
With Go City San Francisco Explorer PassUSD 314
Pass USD 218 still at the gate USD 96
It pays off already for this plan.
3 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Big Bus San Francisco Discover TicketUSD 112.20
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtUSD 60
Paid at the gate
Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay CruiseUSD 78
Cable car single rideUSD 18
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 109
Everything: 11 things
Cable car single ride, California Academy of Sciences, Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Big Bus San Francisco Discover Ticket, Red and White Fleet Bridge to Bridge Cruise, Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay Cruise, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, Aquarium of the Bay, The Walt Disney Family Museum and USS Pampanito. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 775.16 for the group. Go City Explorer costs USD 33.14 less than CityPASS for this plan: USD 624.96 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Worth itRanked 3 of 6 for this plan
San Francisco CityPASS
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 775.16 for the 11 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass, Worth it; it saves USD 359.16 (46% of the gate total).
4 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 4 of its 4 picks.
USD 117.06less than the gate, 15% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 775.16
With San Francisco CityPASSUSD 658.10
Pass USD 183.90 still at the gate USD 474.20
It pays off already for this plan.
4 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay CruiseUSD 78
San Francisco Zoo & GardensUSD 64
Aquarium of the BayUSD 60.96
Paid at the gate
Big Bus San Francisco Discover TicketUSD 112.20
Cable car single rideUSD 18
Red and White Fleet Bridge to Bridge CruiseUSD 96
Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay CruiseUSD 78
San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtUSD 60
USS PampanitoUSD 50
The Walt Disney Family MuseumUSD 60
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 91.95
Includes the USD 2 fee CityPASS adds per ticket at checkout.
Worth itRanked 2 of 6 for this plan
Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 775.16 for the 11 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass, Worth it; it saves USD 359.16 (46% of the gate total).
5 attractions. Of the options that fit 3 days at a packed pace, this one has the highest saving. It uses 5 of its 5 picks.
USD 150.20less than the gate, 19% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 775.16
With Go City San Francisco Explorer PassUSD 624.96
Pass USD 298 still at the gate USD 326.96
It pays off already for this plan.
5 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Big Bus San Francisco Discover TicketUSD 112.20
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
Red and White Fleet Bridge to Bridge CruiseUSD 96
Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay CruiseUSD 78
San Francisco Zoo & GardensUSD 64
Paid at the gate
Aquarium of the BayUSD 60.96
Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay CruiseUSD 78
Cable car single rideUSD 18
San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtUSD 60
USS PampanitoUSD 50
The Walt Disney Family MuseumUSD 60
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 149
The sellers' own pages
Passes change what they include. Read each seller's terms before you buy.
Which costs less, San Francisco CityPASS or Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass?
One adult pays from USD 89.95 for San Francisco CityPASS and from USD 89 for Go City San Francisco 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 23.90 less; CityPASS Skip it, Go City Explorer Skip it. 5 things: Go City Explorer costs USD 0.10 less; CityPASS Worth it, Go City Explorer Worth it. Everything: 11 things: Go City Explorer costs USD 33.14 less; CityPASS Worth it, Go City Explorer Worth it. Tick your own plan in the San Francisco calculator to see which comes out lower for you.
What does San Francisco CityPASS include that Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass does not?
San Francisco CityPASS includes 1 attraction with a published price that Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass leaves out: Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise (USD 39). Prices for one adult at the gate, checked October 2026.
What does Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass include that San Francisco CityPASS does not?
Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass includes 5 attractions with a published price that San Francisco CityPASS leaves out: Big Bus San Francisco Discover Ticket (USD 56.10), Red and White Fleet Bridge to Bridge Cruise (USD 48), Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay Cruise (USD 39), USS Pampanito (USD 25) and Cable car single ride (USD 9). Prices for one adult at the gate, checked October 2026.
Do San Francisco CityPASS and Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass have child prices?
San Francisco CityPASS: USD 69.95, child 4 to 11. Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass: USD 69 to USD 109, 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 San Francisco CityPASS and Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass valid?
San Francisco CityPASS comes in 4 picks, valid 9 days. Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass comes in 2 picks, valid 30 days, 3 picks, valid 30 days, 4 picks, valid 30 days and 5 picks, valid 30 days. The math fits your visits into those days at 2 a day relaxed or 4 a day packed.
