When it comes to travel we all know how quick entrance fees to museums or other attractions can add up. We just recently found ourselves on the East coast spending almost $100 per day for the two of us to see various sites like museums and historic buildings. For us that simply does not fit with our budget.
That’s why we are always on the lookout for ways to make seeing the sites more affordable. We’ve been using Groupon for years which has been great especially for restaurants. But for some cities Groupon doesn’t have all the sites you’re looking for.
When we found out about CityPASS we were really excited to give it a try because at first glimpse it looked great!
Have you heard of Groupon? When visiting a new city the first thing we do is check Groupon. They have amazing deals on restaurants and other activities. Best of all it’s FREE! You might even find Groupon deals in your home city.
What is CityPass?
CityPASS is a discount program for various cities and offers up to 50% off on attractions like the zoo, aquariums, and museums. For some attractions you can even skip the line.
For each city the attractions are hand picked and based on what’s popular with locals and visitors for that area. You’ll usually get around 5 attractions included with your CityPASS. The prices vary according to the city and the particular attractions but you can expect between 30-50% off.
That museum or visit to the zoo that didn’t quite fit your budget is now a lot more affordable.
How Does CityPASS Work?
You purchase a CityPASS ahead of time and then it activates once you start using it. Once you use it on your first attraction the timer starts and you’ll have usually 9 days to visit all the attractions included in the order of your choosing. Here are some further details from CityPASS.
- Cards include one-time admission to attractions unless otherwise noted.
- Attractions may be visited in any order.
- Some cities include option attractions; visit the specified number of attractions with your card, and look for admission discounts to the other attractions in the CITY PASS® Travel Guide.
- Card validity starts with the first day of use.
- Look at the back of your card to find the expiration date; CITY PASS® cards won’t expire for at least one year from the date of purchase.
- Visit the CITY PASS® Travel Guide for reservation information, entry instructions, admission details, hours, location, tips, and extra discounts.
Please note: Cards cannot be replaced or refunded if they are lost, stolen or damaged.
What Cities Are Available With CityPASS?
CityPASS is available in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, New York, Orland, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California, Tampa Bay, and Toronto.
For some cities they have different packages to choose from and many cities have some flexibility built in to account for personal preferences. For example, in Tampa Bay you have the choice of a sunset cruise or a dolphin sightseeing cruise.
Is CityPASS A Good Deal?
If you’re interested in seeing the sites included for that city or even just a couple of them, ABSOLUTELY! It will save you a ton of money and hassle.
For Boston they include museums, zoos, a cruise, and an aquarium. The regular price for those comes in at $132 and with a CityPASS you get all of that for that $67 bucks. That’s $65 you just saved that you can now put towards a good meal or accommodations.
It’s no-brainer and why we always check with CityPASS when traveling to new cities. We hope this helps you to save a few bucks and make your travel better.
Have you ever tried CityPASS? Let us know your thoughts.
