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Travel Smarter: The CityPASS Hack That Saves Money and Time Across the US and Toronto

By Sujoy Dhar | Not In Town (NITN) | @notintownlive | 13 Jul 2026, 02:12 am

Travel Smarter: The CityPASS Hack That Saves Money and Time Across the US and Toronto

CityPass unlocks unforgettable attractions, shorter queues and smarter sightseeing. Photo: AI-generated

If you're planning a holiday to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle or Toronto, there's one travel tip that can save both money and time: buy a CityPASS before you begin sightseeing.

For travellers eager to experience a city's iconic landmarks without paying full admission at every stop, CityPASS has become one of the most trusted sightseeing products in North America. Available across major destinations in the United States and Toronto, Canada, it bundles admission to leading attractions into a single pass at a discounted price, making it an invaluable companion for families, solo travellers and first-time visitors alike.

One Pass, Multiple Attractions

Rather than purchasing separate tickets for each museum, observation deck or aquarium, travellers can access several top attractions through a single digital pass.

Depending on the destination, CityPASS includes admission to famous landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, Shedd Aquarium and Skydeck Chicago in Chicago, Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, and the CN Tower and Ripley's Aquarium of Canada in Toronto.

The attractions vary by city, allowing visitors to customise their itinerary while enjoying substantial savings.

Significant Savings

One of CityPASS's biggest attractions is its value for money.

Buying admission tickets individually can quickly become expensive, particularly for families. CityPASS typically allows travellers to save up to 50 per cent compared with purchasing separate tickets, depending on the attractions selected and the destination.

For visitors planning to explore four or five major attractions over several days, the savings can amount to hundreds of dollars.

Skip the Ticket Hassle

Another major advantage is convenience.

Instead of standing in multiple ticket queues, travellers receive digital tickets that can be stored on their smartphones. Many participating attractions allow advance reservations through the CityPASS platform, helping visitors plan their schedules efficiently and reduce waiting times during busy travel seasons.

Less time queuing means more time discovering the city.

Better Planning, Less Stress

A CityPASS also encourages smarter travel planning.

The accompanying mobile experience provides attraction information, reservation links, maps and practical visitor details, allowing travellers to organise their itinerary before leaving home. Since major attractions are already included, visitors can focus on enjoying their trip rather than calculating costs at every stop.

Destinations Covered

CityPASS currently offers passes for some of North America's most popular urban destinations, including:

  • New York City
  • Chicago
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Boston
  • Atlanta
  • Philadelphia
  • Houston
  • Dallas
  • Denver
  • San Diego
  • Southern California
  • Orlando
  • Tampa Bay
  • San Antonio
  • Toronto

Each destination features its own carefully curated selection of attractions designed to showcase the city's highlights.

Who Benefits Most?

CityPASS is particularly valuable for:

  • First-time visitors wanting to experience a city's must-see attractions.
  • Families looking to reduce sightseeing costs.
  • International travellers on limited itineraries.
  • Solo travellers seeking convenience and flexibility.
  • Multi-generational groups planning sightseeing together.

Travellers intending to visit only one or two attractions may not realise significant savings. However, anyone planning to experience several of a city's leading sights will usually find the pass offers excellent value.

More Than a Discount

Beyond the financial savings, CityPASS simplifies travel. It reduces the need to juggle multiple bookings, makes budgeting easier before departure and encourages visitors to explore attractions they might otherwise skip due to cost.

As independent travel continues to grow, particularly among travellers who prefer to design their own itineraries rather than join escorted tours, products like CityPASS have become an essential planning tool.

The Verdict

Whether you're admiring the Manhattan skyline from the Empire State Building, gazing over Toronto from the CN Tower, watching beluga whales at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium or taking in sweeping views from Seattle's Space Needle, CityPASS helps make the experience more affordable and convenient.

For anyone planning a city break in the United States or Toronto, checking whether a CityPASS is available should be one of the first steps in the planning process. It can save not only money but also valuable holiday time—allowing travellers to spend less time buying tickets and more time enjoying the destination. For the latest information on CityPASS destinations, pricing and participating attractions, readers can visit www.citypass.com


Planning your next journey? Let NITN Travels create your personalised itinerary and help you discover the world your way. Learn more: https://notintown.net/destination-details/20/not-in-town-travels-discover-the-globe-your-way.html | nitntravels@gmail.com 

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