Is the GoCity Pass Really a Good Deal? My Honest Review

The Statue of Liberty is one of many attractions you might pack into a Go City Pass itinerary. But is the pass worth it for budget travelers?

When I first heard about Go City passes, I was skeptical. A single purchase to unlock dozens of attractions sounds great, but as a budget traveler, I’ve learned that deals aren’t always what they seem.

So I set out on a multi-city adventure to answer one burning question: is the Go City Pass really a good deal? In this review, I’ll share my experiences using Go City’s All-Inclusive and Explorer passes in New York, London, and Paris.

I’ll break down what’s included, crunch the numbers on pass cost vs. individual tickets, lay out pros and cons, and even offer example itineraries (with actual savings).

By the end, you’ll know if this sightseeing pass fits your travel style and your wallet.

What Exactly Is a Go City Pass?

Simply put, Go City Passes are tourist discount cards that bundle admission to a city’s attractions for one flat fee. They come in two flavors:

• All-Inclusive Pass – Sightsee by the day. You choose a number of consecutive days (1, 2, 3, up to 10 days in some cities) and during that time you can visit as many included attractions as you want. It’s a buffet-style approach: cram in the sights to maximize value. Great for go-go-go travelers, but it can feel like a race if you’re determined to “get your money’s worth.”

• Explorer Pass – Sightsee by attraction count. You buy a pass for a fixed number of attractions (e.g. choose 3, 5, 7, or even 10 attractions) and you have a long window (usually 30 or 60 days) to use those visits. It’s more flexible – you’re not forced to sightsee all day, but you are limited to that number of entries. This works well for slower travelers or if you only want to hit a select few highlights without rushing.

What’s included? Both types of Go City passes cover a curated list of popular attractions, tours, and museums in each city – often 90+ options in major destinations.

For example, in London the Explorer Pass offers 100+ attractions to pick from (think London Eye, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, hop-on buses, etc.), while the All-Inclusive “London Pass” covers a similar roster of ~90 attractions for the day-based duration.

In theory, if you maximized either pass, you could save up to 50% off versus buying tickets separately. That’s the promise – but real life tends to be a bit different, as I found out.

Before diving into each city, here’s a quick side-by-side of the two pass types:

Now let’s talk specifics – city by city, pass by pass, and whether I actually saved money in each place.

New York City

New York was my first guinea pig. I’ve been to NYC before on a shoestring, skipping paid attractions entirely.

This time, I splurged on a 3-Day All-Inclusive Go City Pass for an action-packed long weekend.

The pass cost me about $259 at the time (with a promo). Steep upfront, but I was determined to make it count.

What’s included in NYC? Honestly, almost everything. The Go City All-Inclusive (branded as “The New York Pass”) covered 100+ options: all the big observation decks (Empire State, Top of the Rock, One World, The Edge), the Statue of Liberty ferry, dozens of museums (MoMA, Natural History, 9/11 Museum), tours (bike rentals, walking tours, harbor cruises), and more.

Basically, if it’s a major NYC attraction, it’s on the pass. This gave me free rein to bounce between sights without worrying about individual ticket prices. The challenge was fitting it all in.

My 3-Day NYC Itinerary: I plotted out a whirlwind itinerary hitting as many bucket-list spots as sanity allowed.

Here’s what I actually did with the 3-day pass and what those things would have cost individually:

(Note: Prices are approximate standard adult admissions in USD. Many NYC attractions cost $35–$45 each, especially observatories.)

As you can see, I squeezed in eight attractions, which would’ve cost about $290+ if I paid out-of-pocket. With my pass at $259, I saved roughly $30, or about 10–12%.

Not the 50% marketing hype, but still a savings – and I skipped ticket lines at many places. Had I pushed myself to do a couple more attractions (say an evening museum or a walking tour), the savings would increase.

In fact, Go City advertises you can save up to 50% if you really maximize it. A traveler on Reddit even reported doing 14 attractions on a 3-day pass and saving close to $300 (impressive stamina!).

Explorer Pass option: For my friend who joined for part of the trip, a 4-Attraction Explorer Pass made more sense.

She had a short must-see list: Empire State, the Met Museum, a Broadway behind-the-scenes tour, and the Statue of Liberty.

The 4-choice Explorer Pass was about $139, and using it on those high-value picks totaled ~$170 in tickets, yielding around 18% savings. The Explorer Pass shines if you only plan a few big-ticket sights – you’ll still save money without feeling rushed. It’s also valid for 60 days in NYC, so you can spread activities over a week or two instead of cramming into back-to-back days.

NYC Pass Pros & Cons: The New York All-Inclusive pass was fantastic for first-timers who want to see it all. I loved the freedom of hopping from MoMA to a harbor cruise to Times Square without pulling out my wallet each time.

When I felt spontaneous, I even popped into the Museum of Sex (hey, it was included!) because why not – it didn’t cost extra. The downside? To get my money’s worth I kept a fast pace, starting early each day and often skipping lunch breaks.

New York has so much to see that FOMO is real – I definitely felt the urge to pack my days tightly (which can be exhausting). Meanwhile, the Explorer Pass felt more relaxed: my friend didn’t worry about the clock; she visited one attraction per day at her leisure and still saved a bit.

Bottom line (NYC): If you’re a powerhouse sightseer and don’t mind doing ~3+ attractions per day, the All-Inclusive Go City pass can absolutely save you money in New York. Just two observation decks alone cost $80–$90, so having them on a pass is great value.

If you prefer a slower pace or have a short list of must-sees, go with an Explorer Pass or even consider the classic New York CityPASS (which bundles 5 popular attractions for a set price). On that note – let’s briefly talk about these competing passes later on, because I did compare them too.

London

After NYC, I took my experiment across the pond to London. London has multiple pass options (it’s a bit confusing), but Go City essentially offers The London Pass (all-inclusive by days) and the London Explorer Pass (by attraction count).

I tried both during my extended stay – an Explorer Pass for some leisurely exploring at first, and later a 2-Day all-inclusive blitz when I had a couple of tourist-heavy days.

London Explorer Pass (7 Attractions): I spent two weeks in London visiting friends, so I wasn’t sightseeing nonstop. I opted for a 7-Attraction Explorer Pass (cost me about £124 after an online discount).

This let me pick seven attractions from a list of over 100, and I had up to 60 days to use it. My picks included biggies like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, a Thames River Cruise, the View from the Shard, and Shakespeare’s Globe tour.

Bought individually, those tickets would sum to roughly £250+ (the London Eye alone is ~£30, Tower of London ~£33, Westminster Abbey ~£27, the Shard ~£32, etc.).

With the Explorer Pass at ~£124, I saved nearly 50% by hitting the most expensive attractions on the list – truly maxing the value. I also loved the flexibility: I spaced these visits out over 10 days, doing at most one per day. No rush, no burnout.

2-Day All-Inclusive London Pass: Toward the end of my trip, I had two days free with nothing but tourism, so I gave the all-inclusive pass a try (mine was ~£99 for 2 days).

This pass is the classic London Pass – it covers almost every major sight (around 90 attractions) for consecutive days. In 48 hours, I managed to do: the Tower of London, a Big Bus hop-on-hop-off tour, Westminster Abbey, the Churchill War Rooms, a quick stop at Kew Gardens, and the London Bridge Experience (yes, I was that tourist running around with a schedule!). Individually, that combo would cost about £170+.

My pass was £99, so I saved ~£70 (about 40%). However, I earned that savings by really hustling. By the end of day 2, I was exhausted from trying to pack it in – the all-inclusive pass definitely gave me a case of the “sightseeing sprints.”

I also had to be mindful of opening times and travel distances to efficiently string together attractions (London is big, and zig-zagging can eat up time).

This illustrated the key trade-off of all-inclusive passes: amazing value if you go hard, but it can feel like work.

Local Tip: One thing to note – London’s pass has a quirk: it doesn’t include the London Eye on the All-Inclusive (London Eye is oddly excluded from the all-in pass but is on the Explorer Pass).

So, I used my Explorer credits for the Eye. Meanwhile, the All-Inclusive covered Westminster Abbey and Tower of London which the cheaper “London City Pass” competitor didn’t include.

Always check if a must-see attraction is on your chosen pass’s list. I nearly missed that detail, which would have been a costly mistake (would’ve had to pay separately for the Eye).

London Savings Snapshot: Here’s a quick look at one of my London pass days vs. paying separately:

Even with just these four activities in a day, I saved about £40 and got fast-track entry at a couple of places.

Had I added an evening attraction or tour (e.g. The Shard or a West End theatre tour), the value would be even greater – but I physically couldn’t do much more in a day without collapsing into a pile of fish and chips.

Bottom line (London): If you’re visiting many sights in a short time, the London Pass (All-Inclusive) is superb value – just be ready to plan and hustle. If you prefer quality over quantity (a few major attractions at an easy pace), the Explorer Pass is your friend.

I personally enjoyed the Explorer style more in London; I never felt rushed, and I still saved nearly 50% by cherry-picking pricey attractions.

London also has unique passes like the Merlin’s Magical London Pass (bundles 5 kid-friendly spots like Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, Dungeon for ~£90) which is a great deal for families – but for most travelers, it covers a different set than the historical sights.

In my case, I skipped Merlin’s bundle since I was more into the historic and cultural landmarks.

Paris

Paris presented a slightly different scenario. The Go City All-Inclusive Pass for Paris (often just called the Paris Pass) is unique because it actually bundles the separate Paris Museum Pass for free entry to dozens of museums.

As a huge museum nerd, this caught my eye. Paris also offers an Explorer Pass (3, 4, 5, or 7 attractions) if you’d rather skip the all-you-can-see format.

All-Inclusive “Paris Pass”: I went with a 3-Day Paris Pass on a trip with my partner. Paris has so much art and history, and we wanted to gorge on it. Our 3-day pass cost €219 per adult.

This included a 3-day Museum Pass (covering 60+ museums/monuments like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, etc.) and a bunch of non-museum activities: a Seine River cruise, a 1-day hop-on bus, a guided climb of the Eiffel Tower (to the 2nd level), a Montmartre walking tour, a wine tasting, and a few others.

The catch: the 2-day and 3-day versions no longer include the Museum Pass as of 2025 (only the 4-day and 6-day passes do).

We actually learned this the hard way – our 3-day pass in 2024 included it, but the terms changed for 2025, meaning shorter passes might not automatically cover all museums. (Had I known, I might have opted for 4 days!)

Even so, in 3 days we managed to visit 7 museums/monuments and 3 tours. Here’s a glimpse of what we did and approximate costs:

• Louvre Museum – €17 entry (covered by Museum Pass).
• Musée d’Orsay – €14 entry (Museum Pass).
• Arc de Triomphe – €13 (Museum Pass).
• Seine River Cruise – €15.
• Eiffel Tower Climb Tour (2nd floor) – ~€40 (guided tour price, since it’s a unique offering via Go City).
• Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur Walking Tour – ~€30 (estimated value).
• Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus – €39 for 1-day.
• Palace of Versailles – €18 (Museum Pass).
• Notre-Dame archaeology crypt – €9 (Museum Pass).

Individually, that’s roughly €195 worth of museum admissions and ~€130 worth of tours/activities, totaling ~€325.

Our pass was €219, so we saved around €106, nearly 33% off. Not bad at all! Plus, we enjoyed skip-the-line at many sites (crucial at the Louvre especially).

However, it was a hectic 3 days; Paris museums are massive, and trying to do three in one day is a recipe for museum fatigue. We had to strategically pick our must-sees (e.g., spending a morning at the Louvre, afternoon at Orsay, and saving smaller museums for the last day).

Explorer Pass in Paris: On a later solo trip, I didn’t want to overload on museums, so I tried a Paris Explorer Pass (5 Attractions) for about €119.

I used it for a guided Eiffel Tower climb, Seine cruise, Musée Grevin wax museum, Opera Garnier tour, and a cooking class – a mix of pricey experiences and quirky sights.

Buying those separately would have cost ~€160+, so I saved roughly 25%. Not as high a percentage, because Paris has a lot of relatively low-cost attractions (many museums are under €15).

Honestly, the Explorer Pass in Paris is best if you plan expensive experiences: e.g., Disneyland Paris (yes, the Explorer Pass can include a Disneyland day!), a day trip to Parc Astérix, or gourmet tours, which are €€€.

Using it on primarily museums is less worthwhile since museum fees are modest (and many are free for under-18 or EU youth). In fact, if you’re only into museums, a standalone Paris Museum Pass might be all you need – it’s around €52 for 2 days of unlimited museums.

Who should get the Paris Pass? If you want a blend of museums and tours, the Go City Paris Pass is great value. It ensured we didn’t just OD on art; we mixed in fun activities like the river cruise and Montmartre tour.

We found it worthwhile by day 3 when we were museum-ed out but still had the bus tour and Eiffel Tower climb to look forward to – experiences not covered by the basic museum pass.

If you hate tours and just want museums, skip the full Paris Pass and stick with the Museum Pass (cheaper). My partner loved that the Paris Pass forced us to do more than stare at paintings – those guided experiences gave more depth and a change of pace. But it’s not for everyone.

Bottom line (Paris): The Go City Paris Pass can be a good deal, especially on longer stays of 4+ days where it includes the Museum Pass by default. You’ll save some money and a lot of time in lines.

Just be realistic: you won’t hit all 60 included museums, so plan for a mix of top attractions that exceed the cost of the pass to make it pay off. If your list is short or you only care about one category of attraction (say, just museums or just rides/tours), consider a more targeted pass or individual tickets.

Pros and Cons of Go City Passes

Having used Go City passes in multiple cities, here’s my honest rundown of pros and cons:

Pros:

• Serious Potential Savings: If you use the pass fully on pricey attractions, you really can save up to ~50% in many cities. In my trials I saved anywhere from 10% to 50% depending on how hard I pushed. It feels great to walk past a ticket booth knowing you’ve prepaid a fraction of the cost.

• Skip-the-Line Perks: Many passes include fast-track entry or at least prepaid entry which can save time. We breezed past some long lines in Paris and NYC since our pass acted as our ticket. Less waiting = more doing.

• Flexibility to Sightsee More: I found myself doing attractions I might’ve skipped if paying individually. With a pass, “why not pop in?” becomes a mantra. This led to pleasant surprises (hello, random little museums and extra tours!). The Explorer Pass in particular gave us freedom to decide on the fly what to see next, since we had a menu of options and no set schedule.

• Convenience: No fumbling for cash or buying tickets at each stop. Using the Go City app, I just scanned my phone at each attraction. It simplifies travel logistics – one purchase and you’re done.

• All-Inclusive = Motivation: If you need a push to get out the door early and make the most of your day, an all-inclusive pass is great motivation. We definitely saw more with the pass than we might have otherwise. It turns sightseeing into a bit of a fun game of “pack it in.”

Cons:

• Rush Syndrome: The biggest downside is feeling rushed. With an unlimited day pass, I absolutely felt the pressure to go from morning to night, sometimes skipping a proper lunch or cutting a visit short to move on. This can lead to burnout and “church/museum fatigue.” As one traveler put it, an all-in pass can make you feel like you’re racing to justify the cost. If you hate that feeling, lean toward an Explorer Pass or spread out your sightseeing.

• Not Always a Fit for Slow Travelers: If you enjoy long cafe breaks, wandering aimlessly, or just seeing one big thing per day, a time-based pass might not be for you. You might end up not using enough of it to save money. In that case, buying separate tickets or a smaller bundle (like CityPASS) could be cheaper.

• Upfront Cost: These passes aren’t cheap. Dropping $200+ at once for a family pass can be hard on the budget, even if it saves in total. Also, not everyone has trip itineraries that justify the cost – e.g. if attractions in a city are mostly free or low-cost, a pass is unnecessary.

• Attraction Overload: Some included attractions are, frankly, filler. While Go City’s selection is generally top-notch, there are a few “meh” entries on every list (think minor museums or cheesy experiences). You might pay for things you have no interest in. Pro tip: Look at the attraction list beforehand and ensure there are enough must-dos for you. If only a couple appeal, skip the pass.

• Reservations & Restrictions: A pass doesn’t automatically mean walk-in everywhere. Some popular attractions still require a reservation or timed entry booked in advance (e.g., we had to reserve a time slot for the Louvre with our pass code). It adds a bit of planning overhead. Also note, passes often limit you to one visit per attraction (no repeat rides on that roller coaster unless you have a day pass and do it same day).

• Validity Nuances: The “consecutive day” rule for all-inclusive passes means you can’t take a break day. If you buy a 3-day pass, those are calendar days in a row – so if it’s raining on day 2, tough luck, that day still counts. (Explorer passes don’t have this issue – you can sightsee every other day if you want, within the 30 or 60 day window.)

Overall, the pros were compelling for me as a traveler hungry to see a lot. But the cons are real – I learned to plan breaks and not go too hard, and to choose the right type of pass for my style in each city.

How Go City Stacks Up to Other Passes

Go City isn’t the only game in town. Depending on the destination, you might encounter alternatives like CityPASS, The New York Pass (separate from Explorer), London’s Merlin Pass, Paris Museum Pass, and more.

I’ve tried a few, so here’s a quick comparison to put things in perspective:

• Go City vs. CityPASS: CityPASS is a popular option in North America that gives a fixed bundle of (usually) 5 attractions for one price. It’s great for first-time visitors who just want the major sights without overload. For example, New York CityPASS includes the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, and choice of 3 others like Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty, etc.. It saves around 40% if you indeed visit all 5 included spots. I’d say CityPASS is simpler but less flexible: you’re limited to the handful of pre-set attractions. Go City covers a wider range (90+ options in NYC) and offers both unlimited and pick–’em styles. In my experience, CityPASS was awesome for a relaxed trip (no urge to cram extra stops) and ensuring we hit the “must-sees”. Go City was better when we wanted freedom to try many different things or when traveling with teens who change their minds (the flexibility to decide on the fly was golden). Price-wise, Go City can be either more expensive or more cost-effective depending on how many attractions you want. For 2-3 attractions, CityPASS (or just buying tickets) wins. For 7-10 attractions, Go City usually offers bigger total savings.

• Competing “Unlimited” Passes: In some cities, Go City’s all-inclusive pass is essentially the same as the city’s branded pass. Case in point: The London Pass (run by Go City) and The Paris Pass (also by Go City) are the main unlimited passes in those cities. However, there are other combos: e.g., London City Pass (by a different company) which includes a few tours but notably misses key sites like Westminster Abbey and Tower Bridge – that one didn’t seem worth it for most tourists, and indeed I skipped it after researching. Merlin’s London Pass I mentioned is very niche (great if you only care about the Eye, Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, etc., mostly with kids). In Paris, aside from Go City, the Paris Museum Pass sold alone is a strong contender if your focus is museums/monuments – it’s cheaper but doesn’t include tours or the Eiffel Tower.

• Local City Cards: Some cities have local tourism cards with transit benefits or small discounts. For example, there’s a Paris Visite travelcard for metro, or some city passes include public transport. Go City passes generally do not include public transit, so factor that in. In my case, I had to buy separate Metro passes in Paris and Tube fares in London – not a big deal, but worth noting if a competitor pass offers transit and that’s important to you.

• Specialty Passes: If you have very specific interests, there might be better deals. For instance, art lovers in NYC might grab the NYC Museum Membership or a multi-museum pass rather than Go City. Or theme park junkies in California might find a bundle for Disneyland/Universal separately. Go City is a broad approach – convenient for general sightseeing – but not always the best for one type of attraction.

In summary, Go City’s main advantage is variety and flexibility. You’re not locked into a few fixed attractions (as with CityPASS) and you can adapt on the go.

The downside is you might pay for breadth you don’t use if you’re not careful. When I compared them side by side, my verdict was that Go City is ideal for travelers who want to see a lot and keep plans fluid, whereas CityPASS or single-attraction tickets can be better for a short, focused trip. It really comes down to your travel style.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy a Go City Pass

After all this trial and error, here’s my take on who benefits most from a Go City Pass and who might skip it:

Consider Buying a Go City Pass if...

• You’re a Power Sightseer: If you love visiting multiple attractions per day and your itinerary looks like a greatest-hits list, a Go City All-Inclusive pass will supercharge your trip. You’ll likely save a lot by hitting all the big-ticket places.
• You Want Flexibility: If you don’t want to lock into a set bundle of attractions in advance, Go City (especially the Explorer Pass) is great. You can wake up and choose whatever you feel like that day from the list, without worrying about cost – spontaneity without financial guilt.
• You’re on a Longer Trip: Oddly, passes are often thought of for quick trips, but I found them useful on longer stays too – provided you spread out the usage. For example, a 7-choice Explorer Pass in London over two weeks was perfect. I wasn’t sightseeing every day, but on the days I did, my entries were prepaid and cheaper.
• It’s Your First Visit: First-timers to cities like NYC or Paris will get the most value because the passes cover the iconic attractions you’ll probably want to see anyway. If you have a big must-see list, chances are a pass will include nearly all of them.
• You’re Traveling with Family/Group: Managing tickets and costs for a family can be a headache. A pass simplifies logistics (fewer decisions on the ground) and can save serious money, especially with kids (many passes have reduced child prices). Plus, it encourages doing more activities, which keeps everyone busy and entertained.
• You Hate Nickel-and-Diming: Personality-wise, I liked having the pass because I wasn’t constantly evaluating “is this worth $30?” for each attraction. The psychology of the sunk cost meant once I bought the pass, I just went and enjoyed things without that mental math every time. If that peace of mind appeals to you, it’s a plus.

Maybe Skip the Pass if...

• You’re a Slow or Selective Traveler: If you prefer wandering neighborhoods, sitting in cafes, and maybe only one museum or sight per day (or per trip!), you likely won’t get value from an all-inclusive pass. An Explorer could still work if you have a short list, but calculate it: sometimes individual tickets or a smaller bundle is cheaper if you only want 2–3 attractions.
• Your Interests Are Narrow: For example, if you’re going to London only for the theatre and maybe one gallery, a sightseeing pass is overkill. Or if in Paris you only care about art museums, the Museum Pass alone suffices. Don’t buy a buffet when you really only want the dessert.
• On an Ultra-Tight Budget: Passes save money relative to doing all those attractions, but nothing says you must do them. The absolute cheapest way to travel is to skip many paid attractions and enjoy free experiences (parks, street scenes, free museums). If you’re in that backpacker mindset, a pass might tempt you to spend more than you otherwise would. Be honest: would you actually pay to do all these things without a pass? If not, the “savings” are moot.
• Uncertain Plans: If your schedule is up in the air or you worry about cancellations, be cautious. While Go City offers a 30-day refund on non-activated passes, once you activate it, there’s no going back. If, say, bad weather or closures derails your plans, you might not get full value. (I got lucky with weather, but I’ve heard of folks caught in rain who couldn’t use their hop-on bus tour, etc.) In uncertain times, an Explorer (with longer validity) or last-minute individual tickets might be safer.
• You Hate Crowds/Lines: This might sound counterintuitive since passes help skip lines, but remember: passes funnel tourists toward the popular sites – which are often crowded regardless. If you’d rather seek out offbeat, uncrowded spots instead of the tourist trail, you won’t benefit from a mainstream attractions pass.

Practical tip: If you’re on the fence, list out the attractions you definitely want to see and add up their normal prices (most official attraction websites list prices, or a site like GetYourGuide will show them).

Compare that to the pass cost. If the pass is equal or less, go for it – any extra attractions you do will be a bonus saving. If the pass is much more, you might hold off or choose a smaller pass. I did this for Paris and it was clear the 3-day pass would pay off for our list – which it did.

My Take on Go City Pass Value

After crunching numbers and living out these passes, do I think Go City is a good deal? Generally, yes, but with an asterisk. When used to its potential, a Go City pass can absolutely be worth it for a budget-conscious traveler.

I was pleasantly surprised that in all three cities I did save money versus buying tickets separately, ranging from modest savings in NYC ($30 saved) to significant in London (£120 saved on Explorer) and Paris (€100 saved) in my examples. Just as importantly, it simplified my planning and encouraged me to see more.

However, the pass is only as good as you make it. It’s not a magic money cheat; it requires a bit of strategy and energy to maximize.

For me personally, I loved having the Explorer Pass in one hand and a coffee in the other, wandering London knowing I could spontaneously duck into the Churchill War Rooms or hop on a Thames cruise without budgeting extra for it.

That kind of freedom is hard to quantify. In cities like New York, London, and Paris, where attractions are world-class but pricey, the Go City Pass proved to be a trusty tool in my budget traveler toolkit.

It can be a good deal, and sometimes a great one, as long as you choose the right pass for the right trip.