Should I buy Go City’s New York pass or get individual tickets?

So, you’re planning to bite a chunk out of the Big Apple? May we just say that you have excellent taste. Perhaps you’re dreaming of gentle sightseeing cruises around Manhattan Island, sky-high glass-floored thrills at Edge or world-class art at the mighty MoMA. But should you buy one of Go City’s New York passes or wing it with individual attraction tickets?

Spoiler alert: New York passes win out pretty much every time. But there’s no need to take out word for it: we’ve done our due diligence and crunched the numbers to prove it. Read on for all the pros and cons…

Firstly, what is a sightseeing pass?

Sightseeing passes – like Go City New York – are all-in-one digital tickets that unlock access to a huge variety of attractions, tours and activities, all for one upfront price. So, instead of buying tickets as you go, like you’re trapped in 1993 or something, you just flash your pass and sashay straight in.

Think of it like an access-all-areas VIP pass to the Big Apple. Go City’s New York passes come in three flavors: Essentials (you choose three attractions from a curated list of NYC’s greatest hits); Explorer (pick up to 10 attractions to visit within 30 days); and All-Inclusive (visit as many attractions as you like across up to 10 consecutive days).

Are Go City New York passes worth it?

Whether a Go City New York pass is worth it comes down to how you plan to tackle the city. If you want to hit multiple headline attractions in a short space of time, it can be a convenient and cost-effective option – but if your travel style is a bit different, it might not be the best fit.

The pros of using a pass

One price = easy to budget

NYC is full of surprises, but your travel budget shouldn’t be one of them. With Go City New York, one fixed upfront price unlocks access to your pick of more than 100 attractions. 

Real savings on must‑sees

If your bucket list includes big-hitters like the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Circle Line cruises, Big Bus and the Guggenheim (as it most definitely should), a pass will typically work out cheaper than buying separate tickets, especially over a few days or with a packed itinerary.

You can discover hidden gems

Sure, you’ve already got the heavy-hitters locked in (looking at you, Lady Liberty and the Intrepid Museum), but had you even considered a Harry Potter butterbeer experience, Brooklyn Botanic Garden or a Harlem gospel tour? Well now you can, all thanks to Go City’s New York pass.

Everything in one app

Your pass, attraction info, maps, and booking links all live together in perfect harmony in the app. So: no printouts, no email scavenger hunts, no QR code confusion. Juggling multiple individual tickets is just so last decade.

Total flexibility 

Plans change. Weather changes. Moods change. With a Go City New York pass, you can make your mind up on the go. Ideal if you find meticulous forward-planning a drag.

Perks, perks, perks

Some attractions offer bonuses like reserved or expedited entry, audio guides, or shop discounts for pass users. You’ll still go through security where required, but you can often skip the ticket line and head straight to the fun. Winning. At. Life.

The pros of individual tickets 

Zero commitment up front

If you only fancy a couple of paid activities – or think you might spend most of your time exploring neighborhoods, parks and food – paying as you go can make sense.

Total spontaneity

If you prefer deciding everything on the fly and you’re happy to hunt for last-minute tickets and time slots, single tickets keep things ultra flexible.

When Go City New York passes are less worth it

Go City New York passes offer the most value when you’re planning to visit lots of paid attractions, but they’re not always the right choice for every trip style.

If your plans lean towards free exploration of areas of the city – walking through Central Park, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, hopping on the Staten Island Ferry, or spending time in neighborhoods like Greenwich Village – and you’re only planning to visit a few ticketed attractions, a pass may not justify the cost. Paying as you go can often be a better option.

The same applies if your trip is focused on experiences beyond standard sightseeing. Catching a show in the Broadway Theater District, exploring food halls, rooftop bars, or live music venues won’t typically be covered. Passes are geared toward attractions rather than entertainment and dining, so they suit fast-paced sightseeing more than a relaxed, culture-first visit.

It’s less about the pass lacking value, and more about whether it matches your priorities in New York.

Let's compare...
 

Feature	Go City New York passes	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 standard three-day NYC itinerary might cost with individual tickets: 

Day 1

• Empire State Building: $53
• Madame Tussauds: $50
• MoMA: $30

Day 2

• Circle Line landmarks cruise: $45
• Intrepid Museum: $38
• Edge: $51

Day 3

• Central Park bike tour: $49
• American Museum of Natural History: $36
• New York Yankees game tickets: $66

Plus: hop on and off the Big Bus for two days ($81) 

That’s a total cost of $499. Now compare that to a 3‑day New York All-Inclusive Pass, priced at $274. In this example, you’d save about $225 or around 45%*, and you might even still have time to squeeze in another few attractions along the way, boosting your savings even further.

And don’t forget – the pass also includes the handy app, extra perks and peace of mind that you won’t need to buy expensive tickets on the fly. 

*prices accurate as of February 2026

Final verdict: should you go for the pass?

If you plan to visit several paid NYC attractions, we think a Go City New York pass is the smarter, simpler choice. Here for the (many) observation decks, sightseeing cruises and top-tier museums? Individual ticket costs will quickly mount up. Not so with a pass. Remember: the All-Inclusive Pass suits short, energetic stays where you’ll stack activities; the Explorer suits slower itineraries with a few standout experiences spread out over a longer period. And, we’re sure you’ll agree, the numbers – potential savings of 45%+ vs buying individual tickets – speak for themselves.

Looking for more info on the various pass options? Take a deeper dive into how each of the three NYC options work and find out how many attractions you should pick when choosing the Explorer pass.

Step up your sightseeing with Go City®

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 Go City® - just choose a pass to get started!