Transit Passes
- OMNY system with fare cap: Best if you’re using subway or local buses—taps count rides and cap kicks in after 12 rides in 7 days. Cheapest and most flexible.
- MetroCard – 7-Day Unlimited ($34) or 30-Day Unlimited ($132): Useful if you prefer a physical card, or if you’re not able to use contactless payment methods New York Stroll+8sightseeingpass.com+8TourScanner+8.
Tourist Attraction Passes
These passes are designed to bundle entrances to major sights, tours, and museums. Which one is best depends on how many attractions you plan to visit and over what time.
🏙️ Top Tourist Passes for NYC
1. Explorer Pass by Go City
- Choose 2–10 attractions out of 90+ options.
- Valid 60 days from first use.
- Great if you want flexibility and to pace yourself.
- Good savings if you hit 2–3 attractions/day: up to ~50% off.
- Reservations are usually made via the app or online. Some caution that not all reservations go through—but generally users report it works fine bestnewyorkpass.com+2new-york-tourist-information.com+2Full Suitcase Travel Blog+2New York Stroll+3Full Suitcase Travel Blog+3Holafly+3New York City+4Holafly+4sightseeingpass.com+4.
Best suited for: Those who choose specific attractions and don’t want to rush their schedule.
2. The New York Pass (All-Inclusive)
- Provides access to 100+ attractions, unlimited during a set number of consecutive days (1–10).
- Best for visitors planning full sightseeing days, packed itinerary.
- Can be intense—you might try to “get your money’s worth” by visiting many sites in a short time.
- Offers hop‑on/hop‑off bus tours, tours, museums, observatories, etc. Βικιπαίδεια+15new-york-tourist-information.com+15Full Suitcase Travel Blog+15Full Suitcase Travel BlogNew York Stroll+1bestnewyorkpass.com+1.
Best suited for: First-timers or visitors with a 3–5 day stay who want to maximize visits.
3. CityPASS®
- Offers entry to 5 major attractions selected from the top 8 (e.g. Statue of Liberty ferry, Empire State Building, MoMA, 9/11 Museum, etc.).
- Valid for 9 consecutive days.
- Ideal if you prefer a relaxed itinerary visiting fewer but iconic landmarks.
- Consistently saves up to ~50% off admission pricing TourScanner+10new-york-tourist-information.com+10Full Suitcase Travel Blog+10Reddit+1Full Suitcase Travel Blog+1.
đź“Š At-a-Glance Comparison
| Pass | Attractions | Validity | Best for… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer Pass (Go City) | 2–10 out of 90+ | 60 days | Selective, flexible, slower pace |
| New York Pass | Unlimited in 100+ | 1–10 consecutive days | Fast-paced, maximum coverage |
| CityPASS® | 5 of top 8 landmarks | 9 consecutive days | Top sights only, relaxed schedule |