Should I buy The New York Pass or individual attraction tickets?

So, you’re planning a trip to New York City – cue skyline daydreams and bagel cravings. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, you’re probably staring at a long list of must-see attractions and wondering, what’s the best way to see it all, without blowing your budget. 

We’ll look at the pros and cons of both options – but spoiler alert: unless you’re planning to spend the whole trip lounging in Central Park and watching squirrels (no shade, they’re very entertaining), a pass like The New York Pass is almost always the better deal. 

First up – what is a sightseeing pass? 

Sightseeing passes – like The New York Pass – are all-in-one digital tickets that give you access to loads of NYC’s best attractions for a single upfront price. Instead of buying tickets one-by-one and racking up charges like a Broadway snack bar tab, you just flash your pass and stroll right in. 

Think of it like your VIP backstage pass to the city – but with more observation decks and fewer green room snacks. 

Is the New York Pass worth it?

Deciding whether the New York Pass is worth it really depends on your travel style. If you’re aiming to fill your days with iconic attractions and see as much as possible, it can be great value – but it’s not a perfect fit for everyone, so it’s important to weigh the benefits against your own itinerary and pace.

The pros of using a pass 

One price, no surprises 

NYC is full of surprises – but your travel budget shouldn’t be one of them. With The New York Pass, you pay one upfront price that covers dozens of top attractions. That means no panicked “Wait, how much is the Empire State Building now?!” moments when you’re halfway through your itinerary. 

Everything you need in one app 

Gone are the days of juggling paper tickets, email confirmations and multiple booking sites. With the pass, everything’s on your phone – just scan and go. You can even check attraction opening hours, maps and make any required reservations all in the app. 

It’s like having a pocket-sized concierge who never sleeps. Very on-brand for New York. 

Big savings (with none of the FOMO) 

NYC attractions can be expensive. The Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, the Statue of Liberty ferry, a hop-on hop-off bus tour… it adds up fast. But with The New York Pass, you bundle them all into one deal – and the more you see, the more you save. No compromising, no skipping the good stuff. 

Total flexibility 

Not sure if you’re going to be more museum mode or fancy outdoor exploring on day three? With The New York Pass, you don’t need to plan every detail in advance. Just wake up, check the weather and pick what you’re in the mood for. 

Even better?, Tthe pass is valid for one year from purchase and only activates the first time you use it. So you can buy it early, lock in a great price, and still keep things spontaneous when you arrive. 

(Heads up: some top attractions, like the Empire State, do require booking – but it’s all super easy to do in the app and amend if your plans change.) 

Hidden gems included 

Sure, you’re going to hit the big ones – we see you, Top of the Rock – but the pass also includes cool and quirky stops you might not have discovered otherwise. Think: the Museum of Broadway, THE RIDE, the Staten Island Zoo or a Harlem Gospel concert. 

You might just find your new favorite part of the city. 

Perks and extras 

With the pass, you often get more than just entry. We're talking audio guides, skip-the-line privileges, discounts at shops or restaurants and even themed walking tours you won’t find on your own. More experiences, less effort. 

The pros of individual tickets 

Okay, fair’s fair – buying attraction tickets one by one can work for some travelers. If you’re only planning to visit one or two places or you’re the ultra-spontaneous, “I’ll just see where the day takes me” type, individual tickets might suit your vibe. 

You only pay for what you use 

No upfront commitment, no worries about “getting your money’s worth.” You can play things totally by ear and only pay when you’re 100% sure what you want to do. 

Minute-by-minute freedom 

If your trip is all about wandering, eating and occasionally dipping into a museum when the mood strikes, individual tickets give you that total freedom to decide in the moment. 

BUT... 

That freedom comes at a price. NYC’s top attractions aren’t cheap – and once you start adding them up, you’ll often find that you’ve spent way more than the cost of a pass. Especially if you’re sightseeing with friends or family or trying to make the most of a short trip. And don’t forget, you’ll miss out on those tasty extras like free audio-tours or shop discounts. 

When the New York Pass is less worth it

The New York Pass really shines when you’re planning to visit multiple paid attractions, but there are a few travel styles where it might not offer the same value.

For example, if your itinerary leans more toward New York’s many free or low-cost experiences – like walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, exploring Central Park, riding the Staten Island Ferry for skyline views, or browsing neighborhoods like SoHo and Williamsburg – and you’re only planning to visit a couple of ticketed attractions, the cost of a pass may outweigh the savings. In that case, paying as you go is often the more economical option.

Similarly, if your trip is focused on experiences outside the pass offering – such as catching a Broadway Theater District show, enjoying rooftop bars, live music, or exploring the city’s diverse food scene from street eats to fine dining – you won’t get as much benefit. The New York Pass is geared toward attraction-based sightseeing rather than entertainment or food-led itineraries, so if your priority is shows, nightlife, and neighborhood culture, it may not align as closely with your plans.

It’s less about the pass being “not worth it,” and more about making sure it fits the kind of New York trip you actually want to have.

Let’s compare... 
 

Feature	The New York Pass	Individual tickets
Upfront cost	✔ Paid in advance, easier to budget	✖ Pay per attraction, adds up fast
Total savings	✔ The more you see, the more you save	✖ No guaranteed savings
Convenience	✔ One app, one QR code, done	✖ Booking and managing multiple tickets separately
Extra perks	✔ Skip-the-line access, shop discounts, food offers, free guides	✖ None – you get what you pay for
Food & drink deals	✔ Includes some options and offers	✖ Not included
Hidden gems	✔ Curated line-up by local experts	✔They’re out there, you’ll just need to do some more research
Flexibility	✔ Visit what you want, when you want	✔ Freedom to pick day-by-day
Risk of overspending	✔ No nasty surprises	✖ Hard to track daily spend

How much are you actually saving?  

Here’s an example of what a 2-day NYC itinerary might cost with individual tickets: 

Day 1 
Top of the Rock $63.38 
Madame Tussauds $50.07 
Statue at Sunset Cruise $32.00 

Day 2 
Empire State Building $53.35 
Madison Square Garden Tour $46.00 
THE RIDE $79.00 

Plus, hop on and off the Big Bus for two days $85.00 

Together, all those individual tickets would set you back $408.80. A 2-day New York Pass is $224, which means you’d save $184.80 or around 45%.* 

And don’t forget – with the pass, you also get the app, the perks and the peace of mind of not needing to buy a single extra ticket while you're there. Priceless? Almost.

Final verdict: should you go for the pass? 

We say go for it. If you're coming to New York to soak up the city, explore the big-name attractions and discover a few hidden gems along the way, The New York Pass is the smarter way to see it all. 

Instead of juggling receipts, comparing ticket prices or giving yourself a budgeting headache, just grab the pass and go. Flash your phone, head straight in and feel like an NYC pro from day one. 

And hey – with all the money you save, you can actually justify a $12 slice of cake from that TikTok-famous bakery. Go on, you’ve earned it. 

Enjoyed this?  

Check out which travel apps will save you time and money or read our complete guide to using The New York Pass. 

Step up your sightseeing with The New York Pass®. We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  

See more, do more, and experience more with The New York Pass® – just choose a pass to get started!  

*All prices accurate at the time of writing (August 2025)