york tourist pass

Must See & Do in York

If you're only in York for a short time, make sure to visit the must-see attractions that showcase the best of what the city has to offer. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the beauty and charm of our amazing city and surrounding areas!

Experience the grandeur of historic landmarks, marvel at world-class art exhibitions, or immerse yourself in the city's exciting cultural scene and rich history.

Sponsored listings

In this Itinerary

Jorvik viking centre.

Experience the Viking Age by pre-booking your visit now!

With its world-famous ride taking visitors around the sights, sounds and smells of Viking-age York, and state-of-the art galleries showcasing our unique collection of 1,000 year old artefacts, visit JORVIK Viking Centre to discover York’s fascinating Viking legacy.

City Cruises York - Sightseeing Cruises

Step on-board and take a seat on the top deck or wrapped up warm in an enclosed saloon - wherever you sit you will have a great view to uncover the history of our ancient city and the immense impact the River Ouse has had on its development. From the impact of flooding over the centuries to its prosperity as an inland port, bringing precious goods from across the globe into York, including the humble cocoa bean, that super-charged York’s world-famous chocolate industry.

National Railway Museum

Not only does the museum feature icons of the railway, amazing rail vehicles on display, and thousands of railway-related objects, but it also boasts Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery – a special interactive experience designed for families. Additionally, there's the Flying Scotsman VR Experience, allowing visitors to witness the captivating story of the famous locomotive as it unfolds around them.

York Minster

Discover one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, a masterpiece in stained glass and stone and a sacred space which has been at the centre of Christianity in the north of England since the 7th century.

The Minster was built for the glory of God and this is reflected in every aspect of this ancient building, from the exquisite handcrafted stone through to the unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass.

Visit York Information Centre & Gift Shop

Welcome to the Visit York Visitor Information Centre, located at the very heart of the city. Our team of warm and knowledgeable assistants eagerly await to be your guides, imparting their expert insights on attractions, travel particulars, dining hotspots, shopping havens, and upcoming events, all tailored to make your visit truly exceptional.

Beyond our personable service, our shelves house an extensive collection of complimentary information leaflets and comprehensive guides.

The Visit York Pass

The Visit York Pass is an added value sightseeing card giving you the flexibility to visit top attractions in the city and beyond! Pick a pass duration that matches your visit and simply show your The Visit York Pass at any attraction included in the guidebook to enter for free. It's sightseeing made easy!

Available as a digital download to enable you to have your pass sent directly to your mobile device.

Shambles Market

Welcome to Shambles Market, your ultimate destination for a delightful shopping experience. Here, you'll find a diverse array of offerings to cater to all your shopping desires. From exquisite gifts and vibrant fresh flowers to artisan crafts and stylish handbags, we have curated a collection that speaks to you. Open every day!

Shambles Food Court

Nestled within the renowned and historically significant Shambles Market, the Shambles Food Court stands as a haven of gastronomic delight, beckoning visitors with its array of mouth-watering street food, available every single day of the week.

This culinary oasis is a haven for indulgence, catering to diverse tastes and preferences. With an extensive range of food choices presented by dedicated traders, even the most discerning palates will find their desires met.

You may also like

Discover york, hidden sights & urban adventures - citydays, queen ethelburga's college - hostel, galtres lodge hotel, updates from visit york sign up for news on events, festivals and special offers.

By checking this box you are agreeing to receive marketing material from Visit York. For further information please see our Privacy Policy .

Visit York Pass Review + Itinerary

I was really intrigued when I heard about the York Pass and wanted to try it out for our family of four. See if the York passis worth it, write a review and create our own dream itinerary for some action-packed days out in York.

If you are thinking about getting the York attraction pass well have a read, check out our pictures and calculations and see if it is worth it for you and your family.

Please note the ads cover the high costs of running Trip Meets Travel and keeps it free for you to enjoy. We also have affiliate links. If you purchase something we recommend, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

What Is The York Pass?

In a nutshell, the York pass is an all in one attractions ticket for the city of York. Kind of like when you go to Disney World and you buy a ticket for a bunch of different places and then go to all the ones that you are most interested in.

The York Pass is not unlimited to everything unfortunately but does have a good list of places where on your York pass day, you can visit, to really get good value for money.

Why Are We Doing The York Pass?

We love York, yet it feels like we just don’t visit it enough or do York justice. We grew up in the seaside town of Bridlington, we now live even closer to York but have only been twice in almost two years and wanted to change this.

We were on a day out in York recently and went to Hole In The Wand , The York Walls and had a walk to The Shambles, and had an amazing day and said we better get a York Pass and really learn about this beautiful city and have even more fun.

Because we wanted to do the York pass for more than 2 days we opted for half term and then we can have some school holiday fun with the kids too.

York 3 Day Pass

You may be wondering if you should get the one day York pass, York 2 day pass or the 3 day York pass.

We are opting for the 3 day pass because its CHEAPER the more days you have, you can see more, as there is so much to see in York and the surrounding areas and we want it to feel like we have taken in a lot of York.

You can do the same or you can opt for 1 or 2 days. I don’t want to feel like I am forcing you into the 3 days lol.

But before you do opt for the 3 days, we recommend you look through the York pass attractions list below and see if you can actually get value for money out of them.

York Pass Attractions List

Here is a list of the attractions included so that you can see if there is enough going on that you would like, before you decide between 1,2,3 day ticket.

• Barley Hall
• Beningbrough Hall & Gardens
• Castle Howard 👍
• City Cruises York
• Clifford Tower
• Fairfax House
• Golden Tours York 👍
• Helmsley Walled Gardens
• Jorvik Viking Centre 👍
• Merchant Adventure’s Hall
• National Centre Of Bids Of Prey
• North Yorkshire Moors Railway 👍
• Scampston Walled Gardens
• Sightseeing Bus York
• The Bar Convent
• The York Dungeon 👍
• Treasurer’s House
• York Army Museum
• York Castle Museum 👍
• York Cocoa Works
• York Cold War Bunker
• York Mansion House
• York Minster 👍
• Yorkshire Air Force Museum
• Yorkshire Museum
• Van Gogh Experience

Note that I have put a thumbs up next to 7 of the York Pass attractions above. Those are all the attractions that are £15 or over and are the best options for you to get the most out of the pass.

Then those in bold are the ones we really want to do as part of our itinerary. Its nice to have a starting point and some firm ideas before you really get into planning what to do for your days in York.

Now these other few are what I call fillers. They are the cheap ones that are under £5 that are not listed above, that if you are nearby and have a free time slot then why not visit 😊

• Bedern Hall
• The City Walls Experience
• The National Railway Museum – Train Ride
• The Roman Baths

And now that you have looked through the list, is there enough to occupy yourself for 3 days or do you need less time?

How Much Is A York Pass?

The York pass price varies depending on a 1,2, or 3 day ticket. Its so much easier for me to explain with a screenshot.

Take a closer look and you can see that as a family of four, (2 adults and 2 kids) if you went for just one day it would cost you £188.00. This is still an excellent price because you could do 5 different things which would normally cost £200.00 and you have made a saving.

However, then compare two days. A 2 day pass is £240.00 , so already you are making a saving, but you have to ask yourself, is there enough for you and your family for it to be worth it for 2 days?

Then for a 3 day pass (the option we are going with) it will cost us £290.00 though we do have a £20 discount but that might not be on their website when you choose to book.

If you do the maths (after the discount) that is £22.50 a day each for a 3 day pass , £27.50 a day each for 2 days, and £47 each for just one day .

In other words, the more days you go, the cheaper it becomes. If you are looking for the cheapest York Pass, then it is the 3 day option.

Now it’s a case of matching up enough attractions that we like for that £22.50 a day option to be worth it!

How Does The York Pass Work?

The York pass works by giving you a pass that allows you access to the pass attractions list. You can then use the pass like a gift voucher for access into all the different places. You can visit as few or as many as you can manage within the time period.

Of course, you only have the days you paid for and not extra days, so its important that you have a plan of action ready to go.

Our York Attraction Pass Plan

We have now set a plan in motion. We have gone with a 3 day pass because we want to get the most out of York and the surrounding areas. In truth if there was a 4 day pass, we would have gladly gone with that.

We have made our outline of the places we would like to visit as part of the York visitor pass the most. Plus, we have looked at places that also cost the most to visit, because we want value for money.

After all, you don’t just want to be visiting the places that are less than £10 each as otherwise you might as well pay for the places separately and not just get the pass.

Then once you have a rough idea of where you want to go its time to pay for the pass and put the plan into action.

Our first outline of how to spend our days is as follows:

Sightseeing Bus – Operates every 15 minutes and will be fun to get a good view of the city as well as using it to get to certain attractions.

Dig – I saw this and thought the kids would love it. I am pre-booked for 10.30am because I wanted it early enough to be able to do this and then go to our next activity.

Cocoa Works – We are booked in for day 1 at 12.30pm . I kind of find this confusing as The Chocolate Story used to be on the attraction pass and isn’t now and they sound similar. They only had two spaces left this one or an hour earlier so this was the only time we could do. From their website it looks like they are very limited in time slots for York Pass holders, vs other bookings which seems unfair.

York Minster – The kids have been to Beverley Minster so I know they will love York so this was an absolute must see on our list of things to do in York. Brilliant that no pre-booking is needed.

Clifford’s Tower – I was going to do this on day 2 but its one of the stops on the sightseeing bus which we are going today, so it felt perfect to aim this for day 1.

Jorvik Centre – Then for final part of our first day we have the last slot which is 5pm for the Jorvik Centre. I decided to do it this way, because the Jorvik often has a crazy queue outside and didn’t want it to be near a time slot for something else and then it could end up like a pack of cards when you end up late for one thing and everything else follows.

We are also focusing on a longer day for Day 1, and then when we are more tired on day 2 and 3 there is not as much pressure on us. 

The City Cruise – A must do for our day 2 and we have pre-booked for 11am. You have to be there at 10.45am (15 minutes before) so it gives us amble time to get there with us waiting for our park and ride .

Golden Tours – This is on our agenda today to see how it compares to the sightseeing bus. What I find interesting here is for 2 days in York City Centre we have access to two different hop on and hop off buses so we can use one for one day and the other for the second day.

York Castle Museum – Another must and something we have not done before. We have the castle museum booked for 1pm and are really looking forward to it.

York Army Museum – We have pre-booked the army museum and even though it is pre-booked it is just pre-booked for the day so you can turn up any time. This is brilliant because you can slot it in between some of your pre-booked events.

Barley Hall – This is our last of the day and is pre-booked for 4pm. Something different than the usual places on the list for our pass and looking at the info on their website reminds me of the houses from The Beamish Museum which we loved.   

Okay we want a day away from York City Centre and to make use of the most expensive attractions on the ticket. Which is Castle Howard where you get access to both the house and the gardens and the steam railway and to visit Pickering train station from Harry Potter, head to Whitby and do the Captain Cook Museum and probably do the Whitby steps again.

Both are favourite options of ours and we are really struggling to decide. We have gone with Castle Howard because it includes the house and the garden, whilst we can do the steam train at a later date and then visit the other stops such as Goathland.

Planning Your York Pass Days Out

To be able to get good value for money into your York Pass and to fill up your days, there is a level of planning involved.

I must have spent about 5 evenings, sat on the recliner, TV on in the background, with my tablet out, scrolling through everywhere that was included and deciding where we wanted to go and didn’t want to go.

I have epilepsy so the Van Gough Museum didn’t seem like a good match.

Plus, we needed to consider what time to leave home at, as it’s a 55 minute drive to York + waiting time for the park and ride.

Once I had a plan of which places, I wanted to visit I started a Google Doc and created an outline for our days.

Then we paid for our 3 day York pass and went back through our preferred places and booked them all one by one. Then saved all the email notifications and we were then done and dusted and just had to pack our rucksacks for the day so we had plenty of water and we were all set.

Well, that was our plan, and, in the end, we ended up doing the itinerary that you see below. We have split the days up and if you follow the links you see, this will take you to the individual posts we wrote about each place.

York Pass Itinerary Day 1

DIG – We visited the DIG as our first adventure on Day 1. We had a reserved booking slot for 10.30am and arrived slightly early and then was ready to go when it was our turn. We loved the experience of DIG, and it was one of our favourites from everything we did over the 3 days. We asked Jorge at the end of the York Passes and he named DIG as his favourite.

You have a talk first which is very interesting and makes you think a lot about yourself and what rubbish we produce. Then the kids get to have a good dig and see what they can find, this is then finished with a walk around the mini museum they have.

But what surprises people the most is that DIG is inside an old church.

Cocoa Works – This was our second stop of the day and after getting confused over its location, we had lost over an hour of our day and had to reschedule our trip to this place. They were very good about moving us from 12.30pm to 2pm.

At Cocoa Works you get a brief tour of the windows of where the chocolate is made here, then you get even more information about the chocolate once inside. Then you get what everyone is waiting for and that is the taste test.

This is no good if you don’t like dark chocolate (I do, but Dom and kids not so much) and then you start with the darkest options and then work your way down to milk chocolate and eventually the white chocolate.

Then you can visit the shop and buy the chocolate you want. We picked up some white hot chocolate powder to take with us for our trip to Primrose Valley.

Sightseeing Bus – Before going to the cocoa works we tried out the Red sightseeing bus. It was brilliant and you could hop on and off as much as you wanted in a 24 hour time slot.

We recommend that you do the full route and then use it as your quick transport to hop on and off for your various attractions. The full circuit lasts just over an hour and the tour guide on it was brilliant.

Plus, you can also use the sightseeing bus to get some good pictures of York and learn more about York. 

York Minster – It was then 3pm and we wanted to do the York Minster that day. As it was closing at 4pm it had to be done now if we were going to fit it in on the same day.

When you go inside York Minster you will love how beautiful it is and it feels very much like everyone is there to take photos and maybe light a candle and it can be difficult to get pictures of things when everyone is in there doing the same.

Jorvik – We then finished our York visitor pass with the Jorvik Centre and now VERY IMPORTANT make sure you do this as the attraction is closing for the day because it is much quieter and you will not be stuck queuing for an hour. We were the only ones in the line when we arrived compared to the 50+ people we have seen every other time we have walked past it. We got the 5pm slot and when you go to pre-book look at the last available option and book that.

Inside the Jorvik you will be wowed with all its amazing material of the Viking era. There is glass you walk over first, then you hop on the train which shares the history of the Vikings as you go around. Then you have a walk around and discover more things before you can get a viking coin.

And that was our day 1 of our York city pass. We were disappointed in ourselves that we got lost and could have fitted in something else on the same day, but at least we were back the next day!

York Pass Itinerary Day 2

York City Cruises – We started Day 2 of our York passes with a river cruise on the rive ouse. It was fun to see everything going on along the river and it was a chance to relax as when you are spending the day on your feet with kids going around museums it’s a nice break.

There is someone talking telling you about the York history and pointing things out to photo. But we felt we got better photo opportunities on the sightseeing bus.

It lasted just short of an hour, and you had the upstairs with no roof (it was cold when we went), the downstairs and a bar open for drinks and a much needed hot chocolate to warm us up!

Clifford’s Tower – Then our York passes headed over to Clifford’s Tower and we admired the amazing views from above. I mean wow, it is just amazing and also another chance to get a great view of the York Minster and the other highlights of York.

You could get lost up here for an hour taking selfies and admiring the views. And we were probably here for about 45 minutes and there is a lot of stairs to go up and down so no good if you are not good on steps.   

York Castle Museum – The York Castle Museum on the York Pass has to be Me & Dom’s personal favourite. It was so big and so much to do and we felt like we got lost inside. There is a Victorian era street with real smells, a toy area where the kids even did a sooty and sweep show for me, we played hungry hippos we saw the cells of Dick Turpin and learned a lot about the York history.

When we asked the kids what they loved the most from everything we did on the York family pass, Sofia said that York Castle Museum was her favourite. I reckon its because she got the chance to play with so many toys as we walked around!

Golden Tours – Then we had to make a decision it was 3.35pm and we could either go to Barley Hall like we had planned or jump on the Golden Tours and compare it to the red sightseeing bus that we had done the day before.

To our regret, we chose the Golden Tours. There was no guide, and it was pre-recorded with just the bus conductor. We also didn’t get a full service as even though it said last full service was 4.15pm it arrived at 4pm and we only got just under half of the service.

When we looked at it was £5 more than the red bus and you got a guide on the red bus, it makes me realise that they are not on a level with each other.

That completed our two days doing the York city pass attractions and our next day would be an easier day at Castle Howard and would be nice that we didn’t have to rush about as much.

York Pass Itinerary Day 3

Castle Howard – For our day 3 we kept the visit York pass simple with a day trip to Castle Howard. We loved that you got a full day of the house and gardens for the price and it wasn’t a reduced service.

We did the house first (good bribery with kids be good in the house then you can have the playground lol) and it was a great wonder around and our first trip there since we did Christmas at Castle Howard.

After a good look around, we then took the kids to the café by the lake, then the playground for them to get rid of some of the I’m bored energy. The playground is quite big even on a busy day and they all had a great time. 

Then we went on the land train that they have, headed to the butchers to get some sausages for our camping trip and then headed home.

And that was our 3 day York pass and we now needed to figure out if the York pass is worth it and what the York pass value was for us.

Eating On The York Pass

This wasn’t a problem at Castle Howard but when you are on the other days and have to quickly go from one attraction to another, you simply don’t have time for a nice lunch.

Normally in York it would be more slow paced with a picnic in the park or a trip to Betty’s Tearooms but instead it’s a quick snack when you can fit it in.

Is The York Pass Worth It?

I know in truth this is all you want to know. Is the York pass worth it and did I feel like I got good value for money.

Well, the answer is YES but only if you get a 3 day pass, as for a 1 day pass it would be cheaper to pay for the attractions individually.

Let me explain.

York Pass Day 1 Attractions

• Sightseeing Bus £35  
• Dig £28.50  
• Cocoa works £30 (Was £50 when we visited)
• York Minster £32
• Jorvik Centre £43.00
• Total Cost Day 1 = £168.50

York Pass Day 2 Attractions

• City Cruises £41
• Golden Tours £40
• York Castle Museum £39
• Clifford’s Tower £25.90
• Total Cost Day 2 = £145.90

York Pass Day 3 Attractions

• Castle Howard £72
• Total Cost Day 3 = £72

Grand total £386.40

From a financial point of view, we would have paid £386.40 to visit these places without a York Pass . Yet with our York Pass they cost us £270.00 . This meant that we saved £116.40 or if you are more about percentages then think that with a York Pass it became 30% cheaper.

Well, worth it, but only if you like enough of the different places in York for it to be worthwhile to you.

But its also about being money savvy, as there are loads of activities included that are not worth a lot therefore, you would on a loss.

I recommend you investigate what is included and make a plan of action before buying your pass like we have done.

For regrets, we regret getting lost (obviously), doing the cocoa works as we felt it didn’t offer value for money just a pre-sell for buying their chocolates, and the golden tour bus. 

If we were to name our five favourites on the visit York pass it would be DIG, York Castle Museum, the red Sightseeing Bus, Castle Howard and The Jorvik Centre.

York City Pass Top Tips

The most important thing with a York City Pass is value for money and for it to be worth it. There is no point spending your day going to places that cost less than £5 each to get in. Aim for the high ticket items best you can such as The North York Moors Railway, Jovik Centre, Castle Howard and York Dungeons.

Have a backup plan. There are a lot of things you can do for your pass that don’t need pre-booking and that you can use as time fillers in between events. Such as The Roman Bath or York Minster.

Anything with a big queue do last . That way you are not having it go into the next attraction you have planned and hold you up. We planned it this way, with our trip to The Jorvik Centre.

Check out the York Pass Map as it will show you how close the attractions are to each other and then you can do those close together after each other, rather than having to power walk from one end of the city to the other.

A lot of places on the pass system are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during term time. If going during this time check opening times online before booking the pass or look at a Wednesday – Friday pass.

York Pass Visitor Information

• How long is a York Pass valid for? The York pass is valid for the amount of days you booked from the point of using it for the first time. I.e. if you buy a 2 day York pass and start your first attraction at 9am on Monday morning, then it is valid until the end of Tuesday.
• Do you have to book attractions in York? Not all attractions will require a pre-book but York is very busy and we highly recommend booking any that will let you book ahead.
• York pass cost. The cost for a York pass varies for the amount of days you want. From £59 an adult for 1 day, £75 for 2 days, or £90 for 3 days. Plus, it is cheaper for the kids. We got our 3 day York attractions pass for £270 for our family of four.

Pin York City Pass For Later!

Well, that’s a wrap, do you have any questions then do ask below and if you want to refer back, to this later for planning your day out in York then don’t forget to pin it to your travel board or days out board on Pinterest.

Run by Sam, Dom, Kyle, Sofia & Jorge it documents our family’s love for eating out, day trips, road trips and great holidays.

We just love a trip, we love to travel, and here we will show you with a little planning, how to have a great adventure and create new memories along the way!

York Park And Ride Information + Review

Williams den review + photos, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

We have received your request correctly.

You will receive an email with a summary of your bookings.

Can't find it? Leave us your email and we'll send you a summary of your bookings.

Share it straight to social media with your campaign ID and name

• 9.60 / 10 5 reviews | 69 travellers Perfect all-inclusive pass, worth it! 10 María Soledad

The  York Pass  sightseeing card gives you free access to more than 40 fantastic attractions in York. Visit ancient castle ruins , the incredible aquarium , the iconic York Minster , and much more!

The most popular attractions included on York's sightseeing pass are:

• York Minster
• York Dungeon
• Jorvik Viking Centre
• York Cruise 
• York Sightseeing Tourist Bus ( doesn't operate in December, January and February)
• Barley Hall
• Clifford's Tower
• Merchant Adventurers' Hall
• York Army Museum
• Roman Bath Museum

While entrance to these attractions already more than makes up for the price of the York Pass, the sightseeing card also offers free access to  York Mansion House ,  Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience , or Fairfax House . You'll also get great discounts on selected shops and restaurants . But please note that pre-booking is required for some of the included attractions.

How does it work?

Your York Pass will be valid from the time that you first use it in an attraction. From that moment, it'll be valid for the amount of selected time (1, 2, or 3 days). The first day will end at 11:59 pm regardless of the time that you first used it. 

The passes must be used on consecutive days.

The York Pass permits one-time free access to each attraction.

Collecting your York Pass

Collect your York Pass from the Visit York Information Centre , located at 1 Museum Street, York. The office is open daily between 9 am and 5 pm, except Sundays, when it opens between 10 am and 4 pm.

While you'll have to select a specific date when you make your purchase, you'll be able to collect your York Pass on any day. Equally, the York Pass is valid from the time of first use, not from the day of collection.

Children under 5 years old

Children's York Passes are for children between 5 and 16 years old . The majority of attractions offer free entry to children under 5 years old. We recommend consulting the attractions' websites before visiting for more information.

More Information

1 day - 3 days.

York Pass sightseeing card for the chosen length of time

24–hour York Tourist Bus ticket

Discounts in selected shops and restaurants

Not included

Public transport

When to book?

You can book up until 4 days before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible. This must be indicated in the reservation.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

Open Pass Show more

Corporate name: TWG Systems Ltd

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we only offer tickets at official prices, with transparency and exclusive advantages for our users. More information

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Cancellations

Meeting point.

Visit York Information Centre.

You may also be interested in

York River Ouse Sunset Cruise

Clifford's Tower Ticket

Moors, Whitby & The Yorkshire Steam Railway Day Trip

Login to add activities to your favorites and access them from any device

This site is reCAPTCHA protected and Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

Log in to rate the opinions of other travelers

What Is The Best New York Pass For You In 2024? My Tips After 25 Visits!

How to find the best sightseeing pass for nyc.

With so many different sightseeing passes out there, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. This New York Pass comparison guide is here to help you easily spot the differences between all major New York attraction passes so that you can quickly determine the very best NYC pass for you.

You will also like:

• Try our NYC Attraction Pass Savings Tool
• New York on a Budget

I have visited New York more than twenty times and have tested every sightseeing pass multiple times on my many visits. None of the pass providers have paid me to write about them; my reviews of New York attraction passes and my experiences are 100% authentic. If you have any questions, always feel free to contact me at  [email protected] !

In my New York pass comparison, I’ll show you which attraction pass is the best for you. With it, you will not only save money but also time!

Attention, the prices will increase in March, make sure you get the cheaper February prices now!

Looking for a shortcut? Click here to  👉 compare the NYC attraction passes , 👉  see my personal recommendation  or 👉  calculate your savings with the New York Attraction Passes.

Don't know where to start? Then try THIS!

Want a New York trip that’s as unique as you are? Our New York Pass comparison tool is here to help. Answer two simple questions and I’ll show you the two best sightseeing passes to suit your needs. Make it easy for yourself and start planning your New York visit now!

Question 1: How many attractions are on your itinerary?

Depending on how many attractions there are, this limits the choice of the right passes considerably.

more than 10

Question 2: Would you like to spread your visit to the attractions over your entire trip? Or are you planning full days of sightseeing?

In the first case, attraction-based passes are ideal. They are valid for 2 to 12 attractions.

In the second case, day-based passes are better. With them, you can visit as many attractions as you like on 1 to 10 consecutive days.

I want to see it all and visit unlimited New York attractions each day.

I would like to visit my attractions flexibly on several days and also plan days without sightseeing.

1. Why should you buy a New York Attraction Pass?

Quite simply, they save you a ton of money ! There are nine different New York Sightseeing Passes available which are all slightly different, meaning that you will be able to find one that suits your specific needs. As you will see here, they can make your NYC trip much easier and help you save money & time.

Before my many trips, I often found it hard to know beforehand how much I would save with each of the attraction passes for the city and whether they would be worth purchasing. Here I will share my knowledge and experience with you so that you don’t have the same issues I had.

2. How do New York Attraction Passes work?

All New York Attraction Passes function identically . After you purchase a pass, you have 12 to 24 months to activate it, which will automatically happen when you visit your first attraction.

You can visit each attraction only once when using a pass; the only exception to this is the New York CityPASS . With this pass, you can visit the Empire State Building twice within the same day!

Once you purchase an NYC pass, you will be able to select from several delivery options. The easiest way to obtain your pass is the mobile pass, as it will be emailed to you right away. To use your pass, simply present it at your selected attraction . Attendants will then scan the QR Code and give you your ticket!

3. Comparison: Which New York Attraction Pass should you choose?

So, what is the best attraction pass for visiting attractions in New York City? Let’s find out by comparing them:

Which Museums are included in the New York Sightseeing Passes?

The New York City tourist passes are the best way to save money on entry fees at the NYC attractions. Many museums and exhibitions in New York City like The Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum , the 9/11 Memorial and even the Fotografiska New York are included in the different sightseeing passes. But which are the best museum passes for New York City? Here is a quick overview:

How can I make reservations at attractions with my New York Pass?

It depends on the attractions and your sightseeing pass. At the Empire State Building, you ALWAYS need a separate ticket (it’s free) because you must commit to a specific time and date. For most attractions, you just go to its location and you will receive the next free time slot. You can also choose the time slot that suits you best. From my experience, I have found that this is always in periods of 15 minutes to 4 hours.

• How to reserve with your New York Pass
• How to reserve with your Go New York Explorer Pass
• How to reserve with your Sightseeing DAY Pass
• How to reserve with your Sightseeing FLEX Pass
• How to reserve with your All-Inclusive Pass

4. My recommendations

I have been to NYC more than twenty times and have tested every attraction pass multiple times , so you can be sure that these are real and honest reviews from me!

My top picks

For those who want to visit many attractions and plan with a fixed budget, the New York Pass is the best day-based sightseeing pass. With it, you can visit as many attractions as you like and take as many tours as you want. It is the best “all you can eat” pass in my opinion, also providing the most ‘fast lanes’ and attractions.

👇 Don’t forget to use my promo code “GO5LOVING” to get up to 31% off 👇

BUY NEW YORK PASS

If you want to spread your visits to attractions out over several days, or you want to take a break from sightseeing for a day, the Explorer Pass New York is perfect. For me, it is the best attraction-based pass because it includes all the major attractions and tours in NYC!

Note: If you don’t want to take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, get the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass  – it will be much cheaper!

GET EXPLORER PASS »

5. How To Find The Best Sightseeing Pass

Finding the right New York attraction pass is not as hard as it looks. Due to the different makeup of each pass, each one serves a specific purpose!

It’s important to understand a key difference: some New York City sightseeing passes are attraction-based , meaning you choose the number of attractions you can visit beforehand, while others are day-based , meaning that you choose the number of days you can visit attractions beforehand. Besides the type and validity, other differences can be found when it comes to included attractions, advantages, pricing, and discounts.

Day-Based Passes

When purchasing NYC day passes, you will select the number of days you would like to go sightseeing in New York City. During the selected time frame, you can visit as many attractions as you want ! You could also say that these types of passes are all-inclusive passes.

If you want to see a lot in a short period of time, you should go for a day-based pass!

Please note that day-based NYC passes work on calendar days , rather than 24-hour periods, meaning that if you activate your pass at 7:00 pm, you only have five hours left on your first day. Your New York Attraction Pass will only be activated when you visit your first attraction.

• You can visit as many attractions as you want within the time frame you purchase, which may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 days.
• All costs are covered
• Huge savings are possible
• The days must be used consecutively.

These are all day-based NYC Tourist Passes that are currently available. For each, I’ll show you which attractions you can visit with it, how much it costs, and if the pass is worth it!

New York Pass

• Sightseeing Day Pass

New York All-Inclusive Pass

Attraction-based passes.

Attraction-based passes are sightseeing passes such as the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass, CityPASS, and the Go New York Explorer Pass . They allow you to visit up to twelve attractions and are very flexible in terms of time; from the first use, the passes are valid for up to 60 days.

If you want to be flexible and do your sightseeing spread out over several days, then this type of New York Attraction Pass is the way to go!

• Valid up to 60 days
• You do not commit to see any particular attraction, just the number of attractions you wish to see.
• Limited to the number of attractions you selected (3 to 12)

Here are all current attraction-based passes for New York City. For each, I’ll show you which attractions you can visit, how much it costs, and if the pass is worth purchasing!

• Sightseeing Flex Pass

Go New York Explorer Pass

You’re still not quite sure 🤔.

Then our New York Pass Savings Calculator is the answer to all your questions! It calculates instantly which New York Pass is the best for you – individually tailored to your sightseeing. He will also show you if a NYC pass is not worth it.

Try NYC Attraction Pass Savings Calculator

Extra tickets are required here

For these attractions, you must book a separate ticket and present it TOGETHER with your respective New York Attraction Pass at the ticket counter:

6. What is the best attraction pass for New York City?

If you are looking for a shortcut to the best NYC attraction pass right away, here is my list of the best, including alternatives:

#1 The best New York City Tourist Pass for first-time visitors

Especially if you are in New York for the first time and want to see as many of the attractions and sights as possible, the day-based passes are a good idea. My favorites are the Sightseeing Pass NYC and the New York Pass .

They are quite similar, and you will not go wrong with either one. The good thing about these sightseeing passes is that you can see as many attractions as you want!

#2 The best New York Attractions Pass for selected attractions

If you already know exactly what you want to do in New York City, then I recommend the Sightseeing FLEX Pass , New York Explorer Pass (now called Go New York Explorer Pass) or the CityPASS New York .

All three sightseeing passes are attraction based and you can choose exactly how many attractions you wish to see.

#3 The best NYC Pass for families

In my opinion, the best sightseeing pass for families is the Sightseeing FLEX Pass , which I have used several times with my family. With it, you can be flexible with your time, and it offers a 50% discount on children’s passes.

Still not sure? Calculate your savings here .

7. What are the day-based sightseeing passes for New York?

For each of the passes, I’ll show you which attractions you can visit with, how much it costs, and if the pass is worth purchasing! At the end of the section, you can compare which is the better pass for you in the New York Pass vs. Sightseeing Pass comparison.

NOTE: The newest observation deck SUMMIT One Vanderbilt , is not yet included with any attraction pass for New York. Tickets for the One Vanderbilt observation deck can be purchased here .

What attractions are included in the New York Pass?

The New York Pass includes an extensive list of attractions, museums, walking tours, bus tours, and cruises. The Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial Museum, The Edge at Hudson Yards and the One World Observatory are included.

Here is a small selection of the 110+ attractions:

• Empire State Building
• One World Observatory
• Edge Hudson Yards
• Top of the Rock
• Ferry to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
• Circle Line Cruises
• 1-Day Hop on Hop off with BIG BUS (valid for 24 hours)
• 9/11 Memorial Museum
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
• American Museum of Natural History

You can find the full list of included attractions here.

How much does the New York Pass cost?

New York Pass prices start at $142 for the 1-day pass and go as high as $399 for the 10-day pass. You save more, the larger your pass is and the more attractions you visit.

Is the New York Pass really worth it?

Yes!  If you visit at least 2 attractions a day, the New York Pass will be worth the money. Compared to other passes, the New York Pass offers most fast lanes , including main attractions like the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock , MoMA, and Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises.

Just like the Sightseeing Pass, the New York Pass includes over 100 unique attractions and tours. The biggest advantage you’ll get when you buy the New York Pass is the access to fast lanes. It offers fast tracks for many of New York’s top attractions, such as the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock.

How to use the New York Pass?

The New York Pass is a great unlimited pass option, ideal for seeing a large number of attractions in a short period of time. Purchase the pass online to receive your mobile pass. You can then show this at the counter when entering the attraction in order to receive your entrance tickets – simple!

👇 Don’t forget to use my promo code “NYP5LOVING” to get up to 31% off! 👇

  BUY NEW YORK PASS

New York Sightseeing DAY Pass

On top of that, our promo code LNYOffer can save you up to an additional 40% !

What attractions are included in the New York Sightseeing DAY Pass?

This day-based pass also has a lot to offer; with it you can visit more than 100 of the most popular attractions. You can visit four observation decks, use the hop-on hop-off buses, and visit the American Museum of Modern Art or the Guggenheim Museum.

• The Edge Hudson Yards
• Hop on Hop off with BIG BUS (1 Day Classic Ticket, valid for 24 hours)

Here you can find the list of all attractions included in the Sightseeing DAY Pass .

How much does the Sightseeing DAY Pass cost?

Is the New York Sightseeing Pass worth it?

Yes!  The New York Sightseeing Pass can save you a ton of money, provides you with a lot of flexibility in terms of attractions, as well as removes a lot of the hassle from your NYC Sightseeing trip. As the pass with the best value for money of the lot, it is definitely worth it if you are planning on up to 10 days of consecutive NYC sightseeing.

In order to get the most out of your sightseeing pass, you should plan on visiting around 2-3 NYC attractions with your pass each day.

The longer you purchase the pass for the fewer attractions you need to visit per day to make sure the pass is worth the money. If you purchase a Sightseeing Pass for 6 days for example (~$334, you get unlimited sightseeing for ~$56 per day, which is below the price of many attractions tickets purchased on their own. This means that you only need to visit one attraction a day for 7 days to make this pass worth it! This is what makes this the best value for money pass of the bunch.

How to use the NYC Sightseeing Pass?

The NYC Sightseeing Pass is a piece of cake to use! After purchasing the pass online, you will receive an email with your pass. You can from here print the pass or save it to your phone. Once you are in NYC and ready to go sightseeing with your New York tourist pass, choose which attraction you want to visit on the go and head towards it with your Sightseeing Pass in hand. Choose as you go, simply show your Pass at each attraction for free admission; easy!

Buy Sightseeing Day Pass

New York Pass vs. Sightseeing Pass

I often get the question whether the New York Pass or the New York Sightseeing Pass is better. While there are differences, both passes are worth the money and you won’t go wrong with either of them.

For both New York Day Passes, the attractions and included tours are almost identical. You can visit all the major attractions, except for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and The Met. Both include a 1 Day Classic Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket and many of the boat and walking tours!

So, what are the differences between the two? New York Pass is a little better in terms of boat tours because it’s the only one that includes the Circle Line Best-Of Cruise (which takes you all the way around the island of Manhattan). The Sightseeing Pass is better in two aspects: first, it is cheaper than the New York Pass with our exclusive discount code (as you can see in the table), and it’s also available in a 6-day version!

The All-Inclusive Pass is managed by the same company as the New York Pass. It functions the same as the New York Pass in how it works, the available attractions and tours, and prices. Since it is quite new compared to the New York Pass, I would recommend the original.

8. What are the attraction-based sightseeing passes for New York?

Note: The newest observation deck,  SUMMIT One Vanderbilt , is not yet included with any NYC pass. Tickets for the One Vanderbilt observation deck can be purchased here .

New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass

It also gives you a large amount of flexibility since you do not need to decide on which attractions to visit beforehand. All that you have to do is show your Sightseeing Pass at the first attraction (included in your pass) that you wish to visit.

Attractions included in New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass

These are what I consider to be the top attractions and tours you can visit with the Sightseeing Pass FLEX (there are over 100 in total):

Here you can find the list of all attractions included in the Sightseeing FLEX Pass .

How much does the Flex Pass cost?

     BUY NYC SIGHTSEEING FLEX PASS

Is the New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass worth it?

The NYC Sightseeing Flex Pass is most definitely worth it if you are looking to visit up to 12 NYC attractions on non-consecutive days, all while saving money and remaining flexible during your trip. If you visit all of the attractions you have purchased with your pass, it is definitely worth it alone for the amount of money you can save. It is however also extremely worth it because of the flexibility that the New York tourist pass gives you. Choose as you go, simply show your NYC Sightseeing Pass at each attraction for free admission, for as many attractions as you purchased!

Compared to the cost of tickets individually, you save over 40% with the Sightseeing Flex Pass for 10 attractions. This is quite relaxed possible, because you have 30 days to visit these attractions.

How to use the NYC Sightseeing FLEX Pass?

The NYC Sightseeing Flex Pass is super simple to use. Once you have purchased the pass you will receive an email with a QR code (that you can either print or save to your phone), which you can then scan at attractions to gain free entry.

Does the NY Sightseeing FLEX Pass include the NY Sightseeing Bus (Hop-On Hop-Off) Tours?

Yes! The New York Sightseeing FLEX Pass includes the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours (Uptown & Downtown Bus Loops) which count as just one choice and are valid for 24 hours.

Attractions included in Go New York Explorer Pass

With the Explorer Pass, you can visit many amazing attractions like the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, and the observation deck Edge Hudson Yards, as well as take walking tours, the hop-on hop-off bus tours, and boat tours.

Also included are major museums like MoMA, the Guggenheim, the 9/11 Memorial Museum, and the American Museum of Natural History. Here is a selection of the most popular attractions and tours you can visit with the Explorer Pass (there are over 110 in total):

• 20+ Walking Tours
• Hop on Hop off with BIG BUS (1 Day Classic-Ticket, valid for 24 hours)

Here you can find the list of all attractions included in the Go New York Explorer Pass .

How much does the Go New York Explorer Pass cost?

The prices depend on the number of attractions you want to visit with it:

Is the New York Explorer Pass worth it?

The Go New York Explorer Pass also pays off pretty quickly, in the example I spread 10 paid attractions over 3 days (and a few free ones too) – saving you $135 per person compared to the single tickets. You could also spread them over even more days, after all you have 60 days to use the Explorer Pass in New York.

How to use the New York Explorer Pass?

After deciding on how many attractions you would like to purchase the Explorer pass for, you can make the purchase online for your desired pass. You do not need to decide beforehand which attractions you would like to visit!

👇 Don’t forget to use my promo code “GO5LOVING” to get up to 31% off! 👇

GET EXPLORER PASS

New York CityPASS

You can choose 5 out of 8 attractions:

• Top of the Rock OR Guggenheim Museum
• Ferry to Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island OR Circle Line Cruises
• 9/11 Memorial Museum OR Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

How much does the New York City Pass cost?

The New York CityPASS costs $138 for adults, meaning that you pay an average of $27 per attraction. For kids from 6 – 17 years, the CityPASS costs $118. A CityPASS is likely not worth it for kids younger than 6, as many attractions will be free for them anyway. Because the pass is already heavily discounted, there is no further New York City Pass promo.

Is the New York CityPASS worth it?

If you want to focus on museums, the New York CityPASS is an option for you. It is limited to the most important attractions and is also quite affordable. If you also want to do hop-on hop-off bus tours or more boat tours, then the New York Pass , Sightseeing Pass NYC and the Explorer Pass are better.

GET New York CityPASS

9. Other NYC attraction passes

In addition to the options mentioned so far, there are three other sightseeing passes that I’ll briefly name here for the purpose of being a comprehensive NYC Pass Guide. I can’t really recommend any of them, because they don’t offer you more than the New York Pass, DAY Pass, Explorer Pass, FLEX Pass and the CityPASS.

It is rather the other way around: with them you are less flexible, if you change your sightseeing program on the trip. The reasons can be manifold: maybe the weather is worse or better than planned or you spontaneously feel like visiting another sight!

C3 Pass by CityPASS

Recently, the company behind CityPASS New York has started offering two more options: the C3 Pass (limited to 3 attractions) and the C-All Pass, which lets you visit 10 attractions. The C3 Pass is – once activated in NYC – valid for 9 days. You can save up to 36% (depending on the attractions and tours you choose).

Attractions included in C3 Pass

You can choose 3 attractions from these 10:

• The Edge at Hudson Yards
• Top of the Rock Observation Deck
• Guggenheim Museum
• Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
• 9/11 Memorial & Museum
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
• City Cruises

How much does the C 3 Pass cost?

The C 3 Pass costs $96 for adults (13+), the price for children (5-12 years) is $74.

Is the C 3 Pass worth it?

It depends! If you select the attractions whose regular ticket price is the highest with the C3 Pass, you can save up to 36% with it.

However, I personally recommend another NYC Pass – either the Sightseeing FLEX Pass or the Go New York Explorer Pass . Why? Both have a much larger selection of attractions and the popular hop-on hop-off buses are also included. Plus, both alternatives are at least as reasonably priced.

If you’re not sure whether the C3, Explorer Pass or Sightseeing FLEX Pass is right for you, just try my free New York Pass savings calculator ! It will calculate in a few seconds which one will save you the most!

C-All Pass by CityPASS

The C-All pass is a bit of a cheat because its name is misleading. With this pass you can visit up to 10 attractions. You can choose from 11 attractions and boat tours, which are these:

Attractions included in C-All Pass

You can choose 10 attractions from these 11:

How much does the C-All-Pass cost?

The C-All Pass costs $212 for adults (13+), the price for children (5-12 years) is $157.

These Sightseeing Passes are better

As with the C 3 Pass, however, I recommend other NYC Passes for the same reasons.

With up to 10 attractions, both the day-based and attraction-based passes are an option for you. It’s best to try my free New York Pass savings calculator !

Are the New York City Attraction Passes worth purchasing?

I’ve put together two very common itineraries for a visit to New York City that will help you see if a New York sightseeing pass is worth purchasing, and which would be best.

New York City in Two Days

This itinerary includes seven attractions that I spread over two days.

Several of the sightseeing passes are worth purchasing – you can customize and recalculate here , and here is my itinerary for two days in New York City  in full detail.

New York City in Three Days

This itinerary includes eight attractions that I spread out over three days.

With a three-day itinerary, several New York passes are worthwhile – you can customize and recalculate here, and here is my itinerary for three days New York City in full detail.

Is the New York MetroCard included in the New York Pass?

In many cities, the discount passes also include free use of public transportation. Unfortunately, this is not the case with the New York Passes. They cover the tourist attractions and tours, but not fares for the subway and buses. For public transportation use, you need an OMNY account, the new digital version of the MetroCard.

What about fast lanes at attractions?

Attraction passes primarily focus on price, not on time. That being said, the passes do include a few fast lanes that allow you to skip the standard waiting line. However, there are not that many of them, and the CityPASS does not offer any fast lanes. You can, however, upgrade your tickets at the attractions for an additional cost.

Which hop-on hop-off buses are included with New York passes?

We often get the question which hop-on hop-off bus tour providers are included with the sightseeing passes and which loops you can take.

Since Covid, there is only one provider: BIG BUS! All sightseeing passes (except the CityPASS New York) include the 1 Day Classic Ticket. This allows you to do both the Uptown and Downtown loops within 24 hours. Taking both loops counts as one attraction, not as two.

Which New York passes are available in 2023?

There are six main sightseeing passes: the New York Pass, the Explorer Pass, the CityPASS New York, the Sightseeing FLEX Pass, the Sightseeing DAY Pass, and the New York All-Inclusive Pass. In addition, there are three more to choose from with the C 3 Pass, C-All Pass, and the Turbopass New York, but I can’t recommend them to you without some hesitation.

Which New York Pass is best to buy for one day?

Many may recommend the New York Pass for one day, and while it is a good option, I recommend its main competitor, the New York Sightseeing DAY Pass. With it, you can do just as much as with the New York Pass, but it is much cheaper ($129 compared to $142) with my discount code: LNYOffer!

You can buy the Sightseeing Pass for one day in New York cheap here.

Is the Sightseeing Pass for New York worth it?

Absolutely! The New York Sightseeing Pass is available in two options, suitable for every type of travel. The FLEX Pass is an attraction-based pass, which I have used on my last four visits to New York. The day-based version is the DAY Pass. With either pass, many major attractions and tours are included, and you can save a lot of money. With my exclusive discount code, LNYOffer, you can save even more!

You can buy the Sightseeing Pass for New York  here.

Where can you buy the New York Pass?

You can now only get the New York Pass online (with a discount!). I strongly recommend that you buy the New York Pass online in advance; on the official site, there are additional discount promotions that will help you to save even more.

Is a New York Pass worth it for you?

In general, the more paid attractions you want to visit, the faster a New York Pass will pay off for you. You can easily visit two to three attractions per day without any added stress.

Furthermore, the longer that the New York Pass is valid, the cheaper it will be for you. Most of the attractions cost between $30 and $60, and with a New York Pass valid for seven days or more, you only need to visit one attraction per day to make it worth your while. The most popular New York Pass is the New York Pass for five days, making each day cost just under $50.

My tip: Here you can calculate if and which New York Pass is useful .

Can I visit an attraction more than once with the New York Passes?

With the New York Pass, the Go New York Explorer Pass, the Sightseeing DAY Pass, and the FLEX Pass, you can visit each attraction exactly once. Only with the CityPASS New York can you visit the Empire State Building on the same day; once during the day and again in the evening.

Are the New York Passes activated at the time of purchase?

No; all sightseeing passes are not activated at the time of purchase. They will activate when you use them for the first time at one of the valid attractions and are valid for 1 to 60 days, depending on the type of NYC pass.

NYC Attraction Pass Savings Calculator

New York on a Budget: The 19 Best Money-Saving Tips for 2024

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

Get exclusive content, real insider tips, and the best deals in NYC for FREE!

Start of your trip: We will remind you with current events when you are in NYC!

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Scam or Not

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Really a Cure-All?

It has been said to help with weight loss, blood sugar control, acne and more. But experts say the science is more nuanced.

By Alice Callahan

On TikTok , a man swirls a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a cup of water, drinks it and eats two slices of pizza. Then, he tests his blood sugar. “These are the best results of all,” he says, showing a much lower spike on a blood sugar graph than when he ate the pizza without the vinegar.

In other posts, TikTok users rave about apple cider vinegar’s remarkable ability to help them lose weight , settle their stomachs and — when applied to their skin — clear their acne and eczema .

Apple cider vinegar has been used as a home remedy for healing wounds, quelling coughs and soothing stomachaches for thousands of years, said Carol Johnston, a professor of nutrition at Arizona State University.

But while some of apple cider vinegar’s health claims have a little science behind them, Dr. Johnston said, many claims haven’t been studied at all. Here’s what we know about apple cider vinegar — and some important cautions to keep in mind if you try it.

How might apple cider vinegar benefit health?

Apple cider vinegar is made via fermentation, in which yeast and bacteria convert carbohydrates first into alcohol and then into acetic acid, which gives vinegar its pungent taste and odor and potentially, research suggests, its health benefits, Dr. Johnston said.

Social media proponents often recommend using unpasteurized and unfiltered versions, which contain a haze of bacteria and undigested carbohydrates called “the mother,” said Dr. Chris Damman, an associate professor of gastroenterology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. But there’s no evidence that these “raw” apple cider vinegars are healthier than regular ones, he said.

Vinegars made from apples and other fruits also contain compounds called polyphenols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and might contribute to their potential health benefits, he said.

What does the research suggest?

Blood sugar control.

In the early 2000s, Dr. Johnston, who had been studying how certain diets could help manage Type 2 diabetes, came across a study from 1988 showing that acetic acid could lower blood sugar spikes in rats after they were given a starch solution.

She was intrigued and decided to test the idea in people with Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance .

Since then, Dr. Johnston and other researchers have found in small limited studies that drinking one to two tablespoons of apple cider or other types of vinegar mixed with water just before high-carbohydrate meals resulted in less drastic blood sugar spikes than meals without vinegar did.

Some studies suggest that vinegar may slow the movement of food through the digestive tract and interfere with certain enzymes that break carbohydrates down into simple sugars, resulting in lower blood sugar spikes.

But more research is needed to show that apple cider vinegar is safe and beneficial for long-term use, said Paul Gill, a researcher at Monash University in Australia.

Weight loss

Several small, short-term studies in adults who were classified as overweight or obese have found associations between apple cider vinegar and weight loss.

In a 2009 study of 155 adults in Japan, for instance, researchers found that those who drank two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in water every day for three months lost about four pounds. And in one 2024 trial of 120 people aged 12 to 25 in Lebanon, researchers reported that those who took one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with water each morning for three months lost an average of 15 pounds.

But the one study that tracked participants after they stopped taking apple cider vinegar found that, on average, they regained most of the weight within a month. And just as many studies on similar groups of people have found no links to weight loss.

Given the lack of robust data and the short time frames of the studies, Beth Czerwony, a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, said that she did not recommend that her patients use apple cider vinegar for weight loss.

If vinegar does indeed help people lose weight, it may do so by slowing digestion, which can make you feel fuller for longer, she said.

Animal research has also shown that acetic acid can reduce the accumulation of fat in certain tissues and may help increase the secretion of hormones that signal fullness. So while the evidence in humans is mixed, it’s plausible that vinegar could help with weight loss, Dr. Damman said.

Tamara Duker Freuman, a dietitian in New York City who specializes in digestive conditions, said that many of her patients remark that drinking apple cider vinegar before or after meals reduces their symptoms of acid reflux .

“I believe them,” she said. But, she noted, “hundreds of other patients with horrible reflux” have said that vinegar worsened their symptoms.

Unfortunately, there’s no good research on vinegar and digestive health, said Dr. Nitin K. Ahuja, a gastroenterologist at Penn Medicine.

People who use vinegar to treat reflux, which is commonly caused by stomach acid escaping into the esophagus, say that the acid from the vinegar prompts the stomach to produce less acid, Dr. Ahuja said. But, he added, there’s no supportive data, and “mechanistically, it doesn’t make sense” that adding acid to the stomach will somehow help to control it.

Studies performed in petri dishes suggest that apple cider vinegar can kill certain microbes , which could potentially create gut microbiome changes that might reduce bloating, Dr. Ahuja said. But again, he added, this has not been studied in humans.

If you have frequent or severe reflux symptoms, get treatment from a doctor, he said.

Skin conditions

Applying dilute apple cider vinegar to the skin has long been used as a home remedy for eczema, Dr. Lydia Luu, a dermatologist at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, said. And after several patients asked about such a treatment, she and her colleagues decided to test it.

In their 2019 study , the researchers asked 22 participants, half of whom had eczema, to soak one arm in tap water and one arm in dilute apple cider vinegar for 10 minutes per day for two weeks. Afterward, there were no differences between the participants’ skin in terms of its pH, microbes or its ability to retain moisture — all of which are typically altered in eczema. Sixteen of the study participants reported symptoms like mild burning or itching, mostly on the arm treated with vinegar; one developed severe itching, moderate burning and a small sore; and another developed a raised rash.

Apple cider vinegar “is not very helpful for eczema, unfortunately,” Dr. Luu said — and could make your symptoms worse.

Some of Dr. Luu’s patients “swear by” apple cider vinegar for wart removal, and TikTok is teeming with videos suggesting such a treatment for acne or dark spots or to remove skin tags . But there aren’t good studies about these uses, Dr. Luu said, and apple cider vinegar can cause chemical burns and skin scarring .

Is it safe to try?

Consuming apple cider vinegar, even when diluted, can interact with certain medications, including some drugs for diabetes and the heart, as well as diuretics. Apple cider vinegar may also lower blood potassium, which can be a problem for those who already have low levels, Ms. Czerwony said. So check with your doctor before trying it, she said.

The same advice goes for using apple cider vinegar on your skin, Dr. Luu said. A primary care doctor or dermatologist can likely recommend safer, more effective treatments.

If you want to use vinegar to control your blood sugar, Dr. Johnston suggested diluting one or two tablespoons of any type of vinegar into water and drinking, but don’t exceed two to four tablespoons in a day. Even when diluted, vinegar can erode tooth enamel , so she recommended drinking the vinegar with a straw.

If you drink it undiluted, you run the risk of corroding your esophagus lining too, Dr. Ahuja said.

“Don’t just shoot it,” Dr. Johnston added.

A safer and tastier approach, Dr. Damman suggested, is to use apple cider vinegar in your cooking. Mix it into a vinaigrette or sushi rice , pair with olive oil as a dip for bread, or incorporate it into a refreshing fizzy drink . If there are any health benefits to be reaped, he said, you’ll likely get them this way, too.

Alice Callahan is a Times reporter covering nutrition and health. She has a Ph.D. in nutrition from the University of California, Davis. More about Alice Callahan

A Guide to Better Nutrition

A viral TikTok trend touts “Oatzempic,” a half cup of rolled oats with a cup of water and the juice of half a lime, as a weight-loss hack. We asked the experts if there’s anything to it .

How much salt is too much? Should I cut back? We asked experts these and other questions about sodium .

Patients were told for years that cutting calories would ease the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. But research suggests dieting may not help at all .

We asked a nutrition expert how she keeps up healthy habits without stressing about food. Here are seven tips  she shared for maintaining that balance.

There are many people who want to lose a few pounds for whom weight loss drugs are not the right choice. Is old-fashioned dieting a good option ?

Read these books to shift into a healthier way of thinking about food .

Morning Rundown: Biden razzes Trump on everything but his trial, Boeing whistleblower says he wouldn't put his family in a 787, athletes criticize skimpy Olympics uniform

When and where the solar eclipse will be crossing the U.S.

A total solar eclipse will grace the skies over North America on Monday, one of the most hotly anticipated sky-watching events in recent years.

Weather permitting , millions of people in Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada will have the chance to see the moon slip between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light .

The total solar eclipse will be visible along a “path of totality” that measures more than 100 miles wide and extends across the continent. Along that path, the moon will fully obscure the sun, causing afternoon skies to darken for a few minutes.

Follow live updates on the solar eclipse

In all other parts of the continental U.S., a partial solar eclipse will be visible, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun. Exactly how big a bite depends on the location.

The first spot in North America that will experience totality on Monday is on Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PT, according to NASA .

After moving northeast across Mexico, the eclipse’s path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Slivers of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

In Canada, the eclipse will be visible in parts of southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

The timing of the eclipse and the duration of totality varies by location. Most places will experience around 2 minutes of darkness, but the longest periods of totality are typically in the center of the eclipse’s path.

This year, the longest stretch of totality will last 4 minutes and 28 seconds in an area northwest of Torreón, Mexico.

Below is a list of timings for some U.S. cities along the path of totality, according to NASA .

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m. CT.
• Idabel, Oklahoma: Partial eclipse begins at 12:28 p.m. CT and totality at 1:45 p.m. CT.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m. CT.
• Poplar Bluff, Missouri: Partial eclipse begins at 12:39 p.m. CT and totality at 1:56 p.m. CT.
• Paducah, Kentucky: Partial eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. CT and totality at 2:00 p.m. CT.
• Carbondale, Illinois: Partial eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. CT and totality at 1:59 p.m. CT.
• Evansville, Indiana: Partial eclipse begins at 12:45 p.m. CT and totality at 2:02 p.m. CT.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Erie, Pennsylvania: Partial eclipse begins at 2:02 p.m. ET and totality at 3:16 p.m. ET.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Burlington, Vermont: Partial eclipse begins at 2:14 p.m. ET and totality at 3:26 p.m. ET.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.
• Caribou, Maine: Partial eclipse begins at 2:22 p.m. ET and totality at 3:32 p.m. ET.

Other resources can also help you figure out when the various phases of the eclipse will be visible where you live, including NationalEclipse.com and TimeandDate.com .

If you plan to watch the celestial event, remember that it’s never safe to look directly at the sun, including through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses. Special eclipse glasses are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent permanent eye damage.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

New York State Senator Iwen Chu

Chair, Libraries Committee

( D, WF ) 17th Senate District

Senator Iwen Chu’s Co-Sponsored Bill to Support Small Businesses Passes Senate Unanimously

April 9, 2024

File sen-chu-small-business-pr-1-1.pdf

( Albany, NY)  Recently, bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Senator Iwen Chu (SD-17) to make it easier for small-businesses to comply with updated regulations, passed the Senate unanimously. The bill ( S8109 , sponsored by Senator Mannion), would create a plain-language compliance guide for small businesses owners on any statutory and regulatory changes that may impact them, and would provide contact information for the relevant state agencies in connection to those changes. Knowing the rate at which guidelines can change, sometimes with little public awareness, the creation of this compliance guide will help inform those impacted and protect them from unwitting violations. 

This legislation is part of Senator Chu’s wider pro-business portfolio aimed at promoting local economic growth. Recently, Senator Chu also introduced the “Microbusiness Resiliency and Growth Act,” ( S6892 ), which would allow certain qualifying businesses a sales tax benefit to help implement required minimum wage increases, and further bolster the mom and pop shops that power southern Brooklyn’s economy. 

Senator Iwen Chu  said, “As anyone with a favorite local store will tell you, small businesses are not only our economic drivers, but they are values-based and community oriented. These enterprises care deeply about providing safe and reputable services, all while in compliance with the law. That’s why I am proud to have helped make it easier for them to keep up with changing regulations, avoid unnecessary fines, and ultimately abide by the highest standards of conduct. 

I know how many of these small businesses are cut from the very fabric of our community–often being family owned, and multigenerational. For immigrants and New Americans, these are proud legacies that build long lasting wealth. That’s why I will always champion legislation that helps them stay afloat, protects their bottom line, and fosters safe working environments for others to be a part of.”

Recently, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a  report  showing that AAPI individuals make up the highest proportion of small business merchants out of any ethnic minority in New York. Reports  have also found that now more than ever, second-generation Chinese Americans are starting their own businesses. In the predominantly AAPI southern Brooklyn that Senator Chu represents, making it easier and more affordable to operate a small business is crucial to the economic success of the community. 

Share this Article or Press Release

Press Release

Senator Iwen Chu and Senate Democrats Announce Lowest Personal Income Tax Rate in over 70 Years For Middle Income Earners

April 11, 2024

SENATOR IWEN CHU HOSTS FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER SEMINAR WITH AAFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND AND FIAO

April 6, 2024

Senator Iwen Chu and The Senate Majority Pass Legislation Protecting Ratepayers and Lowering the Costs of Utilities

April 3, 2024

Subscribe to Senator Chu's Constituent Newsletter

2023 women of distinction honoree.