Difference between New York Sightseeing Flex Pass and Go New York Explorer Pass
What is the difference between the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass and the Go New York Explorer Pass? The New York Sightseeing Flex Pass and the New York Explorer Pass are two discount passes for New York. The main differences are the price and the attractions that they include. Both passes work in the same way and are very user-friendly. You choose the number of attractions, and there are no extra costs to be paid once in New York.
Please note: The Sightseeing Pass has unfortunately been discontinued due to financial difficulties. If you have recently purchased a Sightseeing Pass, please contact me at eric@newyork.co.uk.
A good alternative for the Flex Pass is the Explorer Pass.
Eric's Index
Tours and Attractions
With both the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass and the GoCity New York Explorer Pass, you can choose 100+ tours and attractions. Both passes allow you to visit several observation decks in New York: the Empire State Building and Edge. With the two passes, you can also ride a bike through Central Park and visit the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets. Museums, such as MoMA, the Guggenheim and the American Museum of Natural History, are also included in both.
A difference is that the Flex Pass includes entrance to Central Park Zoo, The Bronx Zoo, and the New York Aquarium and offers a transfer from one of the airports to Manhattan. The Explorer Pass, on the other hand, includes the 9/11 Museum, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory and Statue of Liberty, and it offers a better selection of boat tours.
Hop on Hop off Bus
You can take a Hop on Hop off Bus tour with both passes. With both, you can choose a 2-day Big Bus ticket and take the Uptown and Downtown tours. This will count as one attraction. The sightseeing bus is the perfect way to get to know the city in the first days of your trip.
Observation Decks
Both passes include entrance to the Empire State Building and Edge. Even if you’re not sure yet which platforms you’d like to visit, you can choose both passes, as with both you can decide in New York where you’d like to go. If you’d like to visit One World Observatory and Top of the Rock as well, these observation decks are only included in the Explorer Pass.
How Do the Passes Work?
The New York Sightseeing Flex Pass and the New York Explorer Pass work in the same way. You buy the Flex Pass for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 or 12 attractions or the Explorer Pass for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 attractions. After purchase, you have one year to activate the Flex Pass or the Explorer Pass.
You activate the pass by going to your first attraction and showing the QR code, which you receive by email after purchase. After activation, your pass will be valid for 30 days, which gives you plenty of time to visit the number of attractions you chose. You don’t have to decide which attractions you want to visit before you go to New York; you can do this while you are there. For some tours and attractions, you can make a reservation in advance, which does not activate the pass. With both passes, you can visit an attraction once.
Which Pass Should I Choose?
Which pass is the best option for you depends on the attractions you want to visit. Both passes will save you a lot of money. The passes for 6, 7, 10 or 12 attractions are even better value, with my personal discount code. Below you can see the biggest differences:
| New York Sightseeing Flex Pass | New York Explorer Pass |
| 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 or 12 attractions | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 attractions |
| $90 - $280 with my discount code! | $85 - $289 with my discount code! |
| 13+ attractions and tours | 100+ attractions and tours |
| 2-day Hop-on Hop-off bus | 2-day Hop-on Hop-off bus |
Special attractions:
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Special attractions:
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Click here to buy the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass
Click here to buy the New York Explorer Pass
