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
- Prepackaged Passes
- All-Inclusive
- Explorer Pass 3 or 5 Attraction
- Bus/Trolley Packages
BEFORE YOU BUY
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 Go City Boston All-Inclusive Pass includes 41 options (think of an all you can eat buffet).
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 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 have time to do it first before choosing which pass you would like.
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 Go City Boston 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 top attractions and lets you skip the long lines at the front door.
Attraction Admissions Included in the Boston CityPass:
- New England Aquarium
- Museum of Science
- Boston Harbor Cruises
- Harvard Museum of Natural History, Boston OR Franklin Park Zoo
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 in 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.
GO CITY BOSTON ALL-INCLUSIVE PASS
Go City Boston All-Inclusive 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, Go City Boston All-Inclusive Pass also allows you to purchase passes that give you entry into a certain number of popular sites for a discounted rate.
Go City Boston All-Inclusive Pass
The Go City Boston All-Inclusive Pass is a 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 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 Go City Boston 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.
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 that 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.
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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