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Which Boston Pass is Best?

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Updated: September 9, 2023

This post provides a comparison of the various Boston tourist attraction discount passes to help you decide which one, if any, is right for you.


BEFORE YOU BUY

Free Tours By Foot has led over 100,000 travelers on tours in cities across the world, including the beautiful and historic city of Boston!

Our local tour guides here in Beantown have a lot of experience working with travelers, and if there's one thing we know, it's that the cost of traveling is only getting more expensive.

As a result, a lot of visitors and tourists are looking for ways to save as much money as possible on fun attractions in Boston.

The tourist passes listed in this post include discounted rates for some of the most popular things to do in Boston, making it easier to fit more activities into your budget.

We have broken down the tourist passes by type.  There are several to choose from. 

Prepackaged passes choose the places that you will see (think of a set-menu dinner with some variations). 

Other passes, such as the Explorer Pass let you choose 3 or 5 attractions from a menu of 19 attractions and tours. 

The Boston Go City All-Inclusive pass includes 41 options (think of an all-you-can-eat buffet).

There are also Boston Public Library Museum Passes which local citizens can use to save money at several popular museums and other attractions.

Lastly, several bus and trolley companies offer their own combo packages.

If at first glance the tourist passes seem too pricey, be sure to calculate the estimated cost of visiting all the Boston's top attractions you hope to see.

But, when properly planned, these tourist passes can actually save you a lot of time and money. 

We recommend deciding on what you want and having time to do it first before choosing which pass you would like.

Boston Tourist Attraction Discount Passes

In other words, don't necessarily let the pass decide for you where to go.

We’ve broken down the details of two of the most popular companies offering tourist passes — Boston CityPass and Boston Go City All-Inclusive pass — to help you decide which pass is the right fit for you.

As you look at the variety of options keep in mind your budget, interests, and stamina.

Everyone’s tastes are a little different, so not all packages are right for all people.

Remember Our Tours

Don’t forget about all our “name your own price” walking tours of the city! For a full list of our tours offered, check out our calendar.


PREPACKAGED PASSES

These are pre-built packages that give you discounted access to several different attractions for a one-time fee.

With these packages, you are guaranteed to save between 30%-43% and can visit each place once over a 30 day time period.

Prepackaged passes are great if you know what you want to do before you arrive.

The savings per attraction are on the high end for tourist passes, however, if you have more interests, you might find better savings overall with the other discount pass options.


CityPass Boston

The CityPass is a digital pass of 4 admission tickets that can save you 43% off ticket prices to Boston’s must-see attractions and lets you skip the long lines at the front door.

Attraction Admissions Included in the Boston CityPass:

Prices

  • $67 - Adult (full admission costs $128.44)
  • $56 - Child (ages 3-11) (full admission costs $102.84)
  • Free - Child age 2 and under

For the CityPass, we suggest that you purchase tickets online.

Once you buy, you can show your tickets on your mobile device at the gate and get fast VIP entrance. Easy!


Benefits of the CityPass

If you have ample time to view Boston and intend on visiting all of the attractions listed, then the CityPass is a great way to explore on a budget.

The 9-day time frame makes the pass perfect for anyone planning a long trip.  

Also, the opportunity to skip lines could potentially be a huge time saver, especially if visiting Boston during the busy months.

However, if you are pressed for time or not particularly interested in all 4 attractions, it might be better to look elsewhere.


Things to consider before buying the Boston CityPass

Traveling with kids? Some museums offer discounts to children under the age of 18.

For example, The Museum of Fine Arts is $25 for adults, but $10 for those 7-17 and free for ages 6 and under.

Also, the Harvard Museum of Natural History is $12 for adults but $8 for those 18 and under. 


Is this pass good for a short trip to Boston?

Yes, it covers the top 4 attractions of Boston and is also cheaper than other options.

It is definitely a great option for short trips to Boston.


How does the Boston CityPASS compare to other discount passes?

Determining the most suitable card for you will hinge on several aspects, such as your budget, travel objectives, and companions.

Boston CityPASS is reasonably priced, offers a generous 9-day validity period for a leisurely experience, and includes 4 indispensable attractions in Boston.

But if you are looking forward to cover more attractions and want more flexibility and customization in choosing the validity and attractions, then you might want to opt for a GoCity Boston Pass instead.


Boston Family Fun Card

If you're planning to visit Boston with children, there are a lot of fun activities and attractions that your kids will probably enjoy, and this pass combines admission to 3 of the most popular family-friendly locations.

  • Dino Safari
  • New England Aquarium
  • Boston Harbor Whale Watch Cruise

This prepackaged pass only includes a few different activities, and the amount you will save is typically going to be limited to 15% - 20% off at each location.

Here are the current prices as of September 2023:

TIP: If you're a local, it's worth noting that there are Boston Library Museum Passes you can use to get discounted admission to New England Aquarium and even a Boston Harbor Cruise. This could be a good alternative if you live in the area!


GO CITY BOSTON ALL-INCLUSIVE PASS

Go City Boston All-Inclusive Pass, previously known as Go Boston Pass, is another fantastic company that offers 3 different options for tourist discount packages in Boston.

The first is all-inclusive and based on the number of days, while the second and third options let you build your own experiences. Each offers unique perks, so be sure to read about each.  

All passes come with a risk-free, money-back guarantee.

If your plans change or you do not activate your pass(es) within one year, you get a full refund, no questions asked. 

They also offer great discounts on specific attractions.

Rather than buy a pass for a specific number of days, Boston Go City All-Inclusive pass also allows you to purchase passes that give you entry into a certain number of popular sites for a discounted rate. 

The most popular attractions include:

  • Peabody Museum of Archaeology
  • Cape Cod Maritime Museum (with interactive exhibits)
  • New England Aquarium (with penguins and sea lions)
  • Salem Witch Museum
  • USS Constitution Museum
  • Historic Sightseeing Cruise and more.

Go City Boston All-Inclusive Pass

The Go City Boston All-Inclusive Pass is an attraction pass designed to give you discounts of up to 55% on 43 different attractions, from museums to tours, customizable for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days. These days are consecutive.

This kind of pass is a great option if you plan to visit a number of attractions on a given number of days.

The more days you choose, the more value you can extract out of each day.


All-Inclusive Pass Pricing

NOTE: The prices listed below are full retail prices. Discounts are often available, so be sure to check out their website.

Prices:

  • $69 - Adult 1-Day Pass ($44 - Child 12 & under)
  • $94 - Adult 2-Day Pass ($69 - Child 12 & under)
    • $47/day/adult and $34.50/day/child
  • $119 - Adult 3-Day Pass* ($89 - Child 12 & under)
    • $39.67/day/adult and $29.67/day/child
  • $159 - Adult 5-Day Pass* ($119 - Child 12 & under)
    • $31.80/day/adult and $23.80/day/child
  • $189 - Adult 7-Day Pass* ($139 - Child 12 & under)
    • $27/day/adult and $19.86/day/child

BONUS!

Premium attraction admission is included with a 3, 5, and 7-day pass.

Choose from following attractions like Boston Duck Tours, New England Aquarium tickets, a Fenway Park Tour, and more.

We recommend that you purchase the Go City Boston All-Inclusive Pass online. The Pass is activated when you visit your first attraction.


Pro Tips:

To make the best use of the Boston Go City All-Inclusive pass, you’ll need to plan your day’s itinerary.

Luckily, you’ll get a guidebook with your order that helps with planning.

The guidebook also includes restaurant suggestions and is a great tool for planning your exploration of Boston.

See a full list of attraction discounts included here.


Calculate Cost Per Hour:

You need to calculate the cost per hour of each tour and attraction to make sure that you are getting the best value possible.

Be Realistic:

Likewise, the suggested amount of time for each attraction and tour is usually the best case scenario.

You may very well find that you need more time than is indicated and you may experience fewer options than you planned.

You need to calculate travel time between attractions as well as time for lunch and dinner.  


Is this pass good for a short trip to Boston?

Yes, the Go City card is good even for a short trip to Boston.

It offers discounted access to multiple attractions, saving you time and money. With a variety of options, you can tailor the pass to your interests and make the most of your visit.


Go City Boston Explorer Pass

Unlike the All-Inclusive Pass, the Explorer Pass lets you choose either a 2, 3, 4, or 5 attraction bundle to see over 30 days which can save you up to 35% on admission.

The Explorer Pass has only 21 attractions and tours to choose from compared to 41 for the All-Inclusive Pass. 

However, like the All-Inclusive Pass, there's no need to decide what you will see before you arrive in Boston.  

You will like this pass if you are certain that you want to see at least 3 of the attractions listed on their website but don't want to feel pressure to have to visit as many things as possible to get the value out of your pass. 

If your plans change or you do not activate your pass(es) within one year, you get a full refund, no questions asked.


Explorer Pass Prices:

NOTE: The prices listed below are full retail prices. Discounts are often available, so be sure to check out their website.

  • $52/Adult, $37/Child (3-12) (2 Choices)
    • [$26/choice for Adults | $18.50/choice for Child]
  • $69/Adult, $49/Child (3-12) (3 Choices)
    • [$23/choice for Adults | $16.33/choice for Child]
  • $89/Adult, $64 Child (3-12) (4 Choices)
    • [$22.25/choice for Adults | $16/choice for Child]
  • $99/Adult, $74 Child (3-12) (5 Choices)
    • [$19.80/choice for Adults | $14.80/choice for Child]

To learn more about this Explorer Pass option, click here.


Pro Tips:

The 35% savings is probably the very best you could get by choosing the most expensive options.

As we wrote previously, it's probably a mistake to let the pass dictate what you will do. 

The Explorer Pass offers just 1/2 of the attractions and tours that All-Inclusive Pass offers, so be sure to take a look at what is available before deciding on either.


Is this pass good for a short trip to Boston?

Yes, the Go City Boston Explorer Pass is good even for a short trip to Boston.

It offers discounted access to multiple attractions, saving you time and money. With a variety of options, you can tailor the pass to your interests and make the most of your visit.


BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY MUSEUM PASSES

Although this option is only available to locals who live in Boston, it's an excellent opportunity to visit some of the best museums in the city at a discounted rate.

Like many cities, Boston's Public Library (BPL) offers free museum passes to citizens of the city.

Here are the museums that currently participate in this program:

  • Boston Children's Museum
    • $10 admission for up to 4 visitors.
  • Harvard Museums of Science & Culture
    • Free admission for up to 4 visitors.
  • How Do You See The World Experience + Mapparium
    • Free admission for up to 4 visitors.
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
    • $10 admission for 2 adults and up to 4 children.
  • Museum of Science, Boston
    • Free admission for up to 4 visitors.
  • New England Aquarium
    • 50% off admission for up to 4 visitors.
  • USS Constitution Museum
    • Free admission for up to 9 visitors.
  • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
    • $5 admission for up to 4 visitors.
    • Available at Central Library, Brighton, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, West End, and South Boston branches.
  • Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston
    • $10 admission for up to 2 visitors.
    • Only available at Central Library and Jamaica Plain branches.
  • John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
    • $3 admission for up to 8 visitors.
    • Only available at Central Library, Jamaica Plain, South Boston, and West Roxbury branches.
  • Old South Meeting House (Revolutionary Spaces)
    • Free admission for up to 2 adults and 2 children.
    • Only available at Central Library.
  • Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuaries
    • $2 admission for up to 4 visitors.
    • Only available at Central Library, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, and West Roxbury branches.
  • Peabody Essex Museum
    • $12 admission for up to 2 visitors.
    • Only available at Central Library.
  • Larz Anderson Museum
    • Free admission for up to 4 visitors.
    • Only available at Connolly, Jamaica Plain, and West Roxbury branches.
  • Zoo New England
    • $9/adults | $6/children for up to 6 visitors.
    • Available at Central Library, Chinatown, Connolly, East Boston, Egleston Square, Grove Hall, Honan-Allston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, South Boston, and Uphams Corner branches.

As you can see, some of these Boston Library museum passes actually offer entirely free admission, and others provide a discounted rate.

They also offer free parking passes at locations such as Hale Reservation and Massachusetts State Parks.

All you need to take advantage of these passes is a physical library card, which means you'll have to be a resident of Boston. Even so, if you live in the area, this is one of the easiest ways to save money on popular museums.

For more details, make sure to read the official website for Boston Public Library Museum Passes.


BUS/TROLLEY PACKAGES

If you'd prefer a bus or trolley tour, there are several different packages to choose from as well.

Each of the 3 tours explores different aspects of Boston including a general history of the city, the Boston Tea Party, and Boston's haunted history.

These are a great way to maximize your time in the city if you're only in Boston for a few days.

Each offers great savings, though the Boston Old Town Trolley Tour is the most budget-friendly.

Be sure to read our comparison post on Boston bus tours.


Boston Old Town Trolley Tour 

  • All-day hop-on-hop-0ff tour of Boston's most historic sites with free admission to Old State House and $10 Off Admission to Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
  • $50.40/Adults | $29.40/Children
  • Click here to learn more and book

Ghosts and Gravestone Tour

  • This tour runs from late March through October and brings to life all of the most haunted places in Boston
  • $46.20/Adults | $38.85/Children
  • Click here to learn more and book.

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum 

  • This tour aims to take you back in time and highlight the ways that the Boston Tea Party influenced American history
  • $31.95/Adults | $23.95/Children 
  • Click here to learn more and book.

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