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All about New York City Cards

New York City Cards are prepaid attraction passes that bundle entry to multiple sights into one digital ticket, offering clear savings, flexibility, and ease of use compared with buying separate tickets. You can choose day-based passes, which offer unlimited sightseeing for a set number of days, or attraction-based options that let you pick a fixed number of visits. Typical lineups cover major highlights such as the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and the American Museum of Natural History. Whether you prefer a fast-paced schedule or a slower itinerary, there is a New York City Card to match your travel style.

How do New York City Cards work

Person sitting by a lake in Central Park with city skyline in the background, New York.

Save more by bundling New York’s top sights

New York City cards bundle multiple admission tickets into one prepaid pass, often cutting costs compared with buying each ticket separately. When you combine big‑ticket spots like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island ferry, and the American Museum of Natural History, you can cover the pass price quickly. Anything you visit after that delivers additional savings across your trip.

Top of the Rock

One pass, many attractions across the city

Your pass is accepted at a wide range of attractions and tours, from observation decks like Top of the Rock and Edge to museums such as MoMA and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, alongside options like harbor cruises. Instead of juggling separate bookings, you use the same pass barcode at each venue, so you can move between Midtown, Lower Manhattan, and the waterfront with fewer admin steps.

Paul Cezanne's "The Bather" displayed at MoMA with visitors viewing the artwork.

Choose days or attractions to match your style

New York City cards usually come in two formats: day-based passes with unlimited sightseeing on each active day, and attraction-based passes where you pick a set number of visits (for example, 3, 5, or 10). If you enjoy dense days of sightseeing, day passes work well. But if you prefer a slower pace, attraction-based passes give you more time between visits without feeling like you're wasting a day.

Visitors on the Edge sky deck in New York with views of Central Park and the city skyline.

Simple digital access with realistic flexibility

After purchase, your pass arrives by email or in the app. You show the QR code at each attraction instead of buying a ticket. Major sights like the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, and Statue of Liberty often require timed reservations, which you can usually book through the pass provider's app or website. Most passes stay valid for several days or weeks after first use, giving you room to adjust plans.

New York City Card Types

Aerial view of Manhattan skyline with Go City New York Pass logo.

Day-based cards

Day-based New York passes give unlimited access to 80–100+ attractions over 1–10 consecutive days. You pay per day, then visit as many included sights as you can. Best for energetic travelers planning 3+ paid stops on several days and aiming for maximum overall savings.

Recommended tickets:

Aerial view of the Statue of Liberty with Jersey City and New York City skylines at sunset.

Attraction-based cards

Attraction-based passes let you choose a fixed number of attractions (for example, 2–10) from a larger list and use them over several weeks. Ideal for first-timers or families planning 3–7 key sights at a relaxed pace, focusing on savings from big‑ticket attractions, cruises, and museums.

Recommended tickets:

Top New York City Card providers

Empire State Building with New York CityPASS logo in foreground.

CityPASS offers two attraction-based New York products: C3 and the standard 5-attraction CityPASS, covering a curated list of major attractions, museums, and cruises. All versions work through a single digital pass and share the same 9-day usage window after first use, differing mainly in how many admissions are included.

  • Card details: New York C3 and the New York CityPASS (5-attraction)
  • Savings: Up to 42%
  • No. of attractions: 10 listed attractions
  • Pass options: 3 or 5 attractions
  • Type of card: Attraction-based bundles
  • Price range: About $114–$254
  • Validity: Activate within purchase window | Valid for 9 consecutive days from first use

Find the right New York City Card for your trip

  • If you want to see as much as possible in a few intense days: Choose a day-based pass like the Go City All-Inclusive Pass. If you can handle 3–4 paid attractions per day over 2–3 days, this pass gives unlimited access to 100+ attractions, including observatories, museums, and tours. A 3-day New York Pass can deliver strong value if you plan in advance and cluster sights by area. Aim for 2–3 substantial attractions per day to avoid burnout while still reaching break-even.
  • If you prefer a slower pace with a fixed list of highlights: Pick an attraction-based bundle like New York CityPASS (5 attractions) or NY CityPASS C3 (3 attractions). CityPASS includes 5 major sights over 9 days and advertises up to 42% savings. C3 lets you choose any 3 of 10 highlights with the same 9-day validity. These suit first-timers or families planning 1–2 big attractions every day or two, without worrying about wasting a calendar day of an unlimited pass.
  • If you want maximum flexibility and only a few paid sights: Go for a flex-style product like Go City New York Explorer Pass. You choose exactly 2–10 attractions from 90+ options and then have 30 days from first use. Or, opt for the Headout Pass New York, which offers a combination of 40 premium and standard sights for you to explore.

Must-see highlights in your New York City Card

Man viewing New York City skyline from Empire State Building observatory.

Empire State Building

  • Timings: 10am to 10pm
  • Address: 20 West 34th Street, New York, 10001, United States
Ellis Island ferry near Statue of Liberty, New York City tour pass.

Statue Of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry

  • Timings: 9am to 5pm
  • Address: Battery Park, New York, 10004, United States
Group enjoying skyline view from Top of the Rock Observation Deck, New York City.

Top Of The Rock Observation Deck

  • Timings: 9am to 10pm
  • Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, 10112, United States
Visitors exploring the immersive Invisible Worlds Exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History.

American Museum Of Natural History

  • Timings: 10am to 5:30pm
  • Address: 200 Central Park West, New York, 10024, United States
Visitors on a guided tour at the 9/11 Memorial, New York City, with museum exterior in view.

9/11 Memorial & Museum

  • Timings: 10am to 5pm
  • Address: 180 Greenwich Street, New York, 10007, United States
Couple enjoying view from the western overhang of the Edge Observation Deck, New York City skyline in background.

Edge Observation Deck

Timings: 10am to 10pm

Address: 30 Hudson Yards, New York, 10001, United States

Cruise passengers view New York City skyline, including One World Trade Center, on Circle Line Liberty Midtown Cruise.

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises

  • Timings: 10am to 7pm
  • Address: Pier 83, West 42nd Street, New York, 10036, United States
Visitors viewing artwork at the Museum of Modern Art, New York City.

Museum Of Modern Art (MoMA)

  • Timings: 10:30am to 5:30pm
  • Address: 11 West 53rd Street, New York, 10019, United States
Fighter jet displayed at Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum with New York City skyline.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

  • Timings: 10am to 5pm
  • Address: Pier 86, West 46th Street, New York, 10036, United States
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum entrance on Fifth Avenue, New York City.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

  • Timings: 11am to 6pm
  • Address: 1071 5th Avenue, New York, 10128, United States

How to use a New York City Card

Digital illustration of a hand cursor clicking on a cityscape image icon.

Step 1: Find your perfect City Card match

Day tripper or slow explorer? Browse the available passes, weigh up what's included, and land on the one that suits how you like to travel.

Mobile payment illustration with credit cards and checkmark.

Step 2: Pay your way

Grab your preferred payment method, whether that's PayPal, iDEAL, or a card, and lock in your pass in just a few clicks.

Ticket inside blue envelope with arrow indicating sending or receiving.

Step 3: Head to your inbox

No waiting around. Your pass arrives digitally, almost instantly. Can't spot it? A quick detour to your spam folder usually does the trick.

Mobile app interface with cloud download and checkmark icons.

Step 4: Get the app ready

Download the operator's app on your phone and get your pass activated before you head out. Takes two minutes and saves a lot of hassle.

Hand holding a ticket with a star symbol, representing event access.

Step 5: Walk straight in

Show your pass, skip the ticket line, and get straight to the good stuff.

Frequently asked questions about New York City Cards

  • A New York City Card is worth it if you plan to visit at least three paid attractions, especially observation decks, cruises, and major museums. Compare your preferred attractions’ individual prices with the pass price before booking.

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