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Go City New Orleans vs New Orleans Sightseeing Pass

Which New Orleans Tourist Pass is Best?

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Updated: March 12, 2024

Sometimes when we're leading one of our many New Orleans walking tours, one of our guests will ask about tips to save money on a variety of activities.

One of the ideas we always recommend is to get a sightseeing pass. Unfortunately, it's a little difficult to explain how these services work on the fly, which is why this post compares the various New Orleans tourist passes, attraction combos, deals, and promotions.

As you look at the different 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.

Luckily, there are quite a few options. Happy planning!

Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.


BEFORE YOU BUY

There are a few things you should consider before purchasing a tourist pass.

This section will give you an idea of what to expect from each type of pass and help you to figure out which one to pick. 

One thing that all share in common is the ability to skip-the-line or what is often referred to as fast-track-access to many attractions and tours. 

You won't need to wait in line for tickets as most attractions have designated lines for pass and combo holders.

And don't forget, we offer well-reviewed, pay-what-you-like tours of New Orleans, so you don't have to choose the tours on offer with these passes. 

You can pay (and save) whatever you like with our options.


All-Inclusive

The all-inclusive option will provide free admission to a select number of attractions.

The advantage of this pass is that you only have to purchase and use one service to get into each of the locations that are included.

All-Inclusive City Pass

This tourist pass will be especially useful for visitors who plan on visiting several different locations in and around the city over the course of a few days.

Prices can be a bit more expensive, but it's so convenient that you might not mind the higher price tag.

You can choose what you want to see as you explore New Orleans, for total flexibility.


Choose Your Attractions

If you're not sure that you would be able to get the full benefit out of the all-inclusive pass, this option is definitely worth considering.

Pick Your Attractions Pass

This pass will allow you to pick and choose a set number of activities rather than (potentially) forcing you to pay for services you might not use.

Although you typically won't save as much with these services, you'll have more time to use your pass at your own leisure and complete control over what you choose to see and do in the city.


Combo Packages

Although these aren't technically tourist passes, they will allow you to save a lot of money on several different activities.

These packages are made possible when notable tour companies in the area work together to combine their services at a lower price.

The attractions offered are usually more limited than what you'll find with either an all-inclusive or choose your attractions pass, but some travelers and/or locals may find these activities more interesting and entertaining.


ALL-INCLUSIVE

This section will provide information about all-inclusive tourist passes you can get in New Orleans.

These services typically include free admission to several notable attractions for one flat price.

This is probably the easiest option on our list. 

There are two companies offering passes, the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass (just below) and the Go City New Orleans Pass


New Orleans Sightseeing Pass

This tourist pass provides two different options for travelers to consider.

The first option is an all-inclusive pass, which allows you to visit as many tours and attractions as you want for just one price (think all-you-can-eat buffet).

New Orleans Sightseeing Pass

Alternatively, you can also get a flex pass and choose the attractions that interest you the most (a-la-carte).

For more information on the flex pass, make sure to check out our a la carte pass section where you choose your attractions.

There are over 29 different activities and locations you can enjoy with the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass, allowing you to save up to 54% on retail prices.

If you intend to see a lot of sights around the city, this will make it pretty easy to get around town without needing to pay admission at every single location you visit.

Passes are available for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days.

In addition to saving money on a variety of attractions, this pass also includes a free hop-on-hop-off bus tour.

This service will take you to many of the locations included with the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass, making it pretty easy to get around town.


Prices

Below are the prices that include 20% off the 2, 3, & 5-day passes.

In order to get these prices, you need to use our exclusive promo phrase: FTBF

The prices in red underneath each multiple-day pass is the average cost per day.

The longer the pass, the lower the daily cost.

  • 1-Day: $105/Adults | $95/Children
  • 2-Day: $192/Adults | $182/Children
    • [$96/day/adult and $91/day/child]
  • 3-Day: $242/Adults | $232/Children
    • [$80.67/day/adult and $77.33/day/child]
  • 5-Day: $304/Adults | $294/Children
    • [$60.80/day/adult and $58.80/day/child]

Click here for more information or to purchase. Don’t forget to enter our exclusive promo phrase FTBF for 20% off!

The New Orleans Sightseeing Pass is valid for 12 months after the initial purchase.

It will only become activated after its first use.

If you plan to visit later in the year, make sure to check back routinely for any sales they might have.


Go City New Orleans Pass (formally the Power Pass)

The Go City New Orleans pass combines admission to popular attractions, museums, and tours in New Orleans into one affordable sightseeing package for tourists.

With free admission to over 25 attractions in the city, the Go City New Orleans Pass can save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of time with the ability to skip lines at some attractions.

In addition to free entrance to some of the city's top locations, you'll also receive low cost entrance, meals, and additional deals for souvenir shopping throughout New Orleans.

You can choose your length of the pass based on how long you're visiting New Orleans or how many sites you want to visit.

The passes are for consecutive business days - so a 1 Day pass is not 24 hours but rather until the attractions close that day.

If you're short on time, however, the 1-day pass is still a good choice as there are some late night options included on the pass.

If you have a multi-day pass, they are consecutive only and will expire at midnight on the last day.

You can visit as many attractions as you want, but you are only allowed to visit each site once per pass.


Prices

Adults (13 years and up), Child (12 years and under)

  • 1-day pass:  Adult/$84 | Child/$49
  • 2-day pass:  Adult/$134 | Child/$89
    • Price per day: Adult/$67 | Child/$44.50
  • 3-day pass:  Adult/$159 | Child/$109
    • Price per day: Adult/$53 | Child/$36.33
  • 5-day pass:  Adult/$209 | Child/$119
    • Price per day: Adult/$41.80 | Child/$23.80

Kids under the age of 2 are not charged admission at many locations, so this service is recommended for those 2 and up!

Purchase your passes here.


Family/Group Passes?

Each pass is good for only one individual. However, you can purchase multiple passes and have them put on the same pass.

The Go City New Orleans Pass is now exclusively available via the Go City app.

All you have to do is download the app onto your smartphone and show the QR code provided with the pass to get inside each of the locations included.


Attractions

The pass includes visits to historical sites, cultural experiences, sports, and rides.

Top attractions include:


Is it worth it?

There are always pros and cons to these types of city tourist passes.

It all depends on how you travel, what sites you want to see, and how long you'll be in NOLA.

If you want to see as much as you can and you can fit a lot of the attractions the pass offers into your itinerary, it might add up for you.

One thing to consider is transportation.

The Go City New Orleans pass is good for admission only, but many of the attractions listed are outside of the city.

The Swamp tours and Plantation visits are wonderful activities, but without your own car to get there, you will have to pay extra for transportation.

Purchase your passes here.


CHOOSE YOUR ATTRACTIONS PASS

This section will include information about opportunities to build your own pass by choosing your own attractions.

This a la carte option will allow you to pick and choose only the attractions you want to visit.

The advantage of these tourist passes is that you aren't paying for any additional services that you don't intend to use. 


New Orleans Sightseeing Flex Pass

Unlike their all-inclusive pass, this option allows you to choose 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 different attractions for one low price.

Visitors who know exactly what they want to see and aren't interested in paying for anything else should definitely consider the New Orleans Sightseeing Flex Pass.

After purchase, you will have 30 days to visit each attraction at your own discretion, making this an excellent choice for both locals and travelers alike.


Prices

Listed below are the prices you will pay when using our exclusive promo phrase: FTBF which gets you 20% off passes for 4, 5, or 6 attractions.

The deal is not valid for the 2 or 3 attractions pass.

The prices in red underneath each multiple-attraction pass listing are the average cost per attraction.

Generally, the more attractions in the pass, the lower the average cost per attraction.

  • 2 Attractions: $103/Adults | $90/Children
    • [$51.50/attraction/adult and $45/attraction/child]
  • 3 Attractions: $134/Adults | $122/Children
    • [$46.67/attraction/adult and $40.67/attraction/child]
  • 4 Attractions: $172/Adults | $159/Children
    • [$43/attraction/adult and $39.75/attraction/child]
  • 5 Attractions: $209/Adults | $197/Children
    • [$41.80/attraction/adult and $39.40/attraction/child]
  • 6 Attractions: $264/Adults | $222/Children
    • [$44/attraction/adult and $37/attraction/child]

Click here for more information or to purchase. Don’t forget to enter our exclusive promo phrase FTBF for 20% off!


Attractions

Here is a shortlist of some of the attractions, activities, and historic locations you can visit with either the All-Inclusive or Flex-Pass options.


Is it worth the price?

If the included attractions are places you plan to visit anyway, this could easily be a great deal.

Many of the activities included with the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass are between $30-$40 per person on average, so if you choose to see at least a few of them, you'll probably end up saving quite a bit of money.

As with the all-inclusive pass, this option also includes a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.

The bus tour is a great addition because it will provide stops at several notable locations throughout the city – including a few places where you can enjoy walking tours and admission to historic sites that also come with the pass.


SWAMP/RIVERBOAT/PLANTATION COMBOS

This section will feature several combo packages offered by local tour companies.

Unlike a tourist pass, each package comes with a set number of attractions and services.

There are 3 companies that offer these combos: Cajun Encounters, Grayline New Orleans, and Cajun Pride.

These combo deals typically offer fewer options, but they also include activities you won't find on other passes and they usually include swamp, riverboat, and plantation options.


CAJUN ENCOUNTERS COMBOS

A quick view of their swamp tour video, where they feed adult alligators off the boat, will get you excited about these deals!

They offer 2 different combinations, each offering 2 tours, saving you $8 per person.

To get the deal, you will need to enter promo phrase FTBF8COMBO when you choose your second option.

Below is their promotional video for their swamp tours. You could also view their videos for their plantation tours and city bus tours.

All tours include complimentary hotel pick-up and drop-off.

(Option 1) City and Cemetery Tour

This tour combines a city bus sightseeing tour with a visit to one of New Orleans' historic cemeteries.

Includes hotel pick-up and drop-off.

You’ll Experience:

  • History of New Orleans
  • French Quarter
  • Garden District
  • Frenchman Street and the Faubourg Marigny
  • Treme
  • Warehouse and Arts District

Prices:

  • $54.75 - Adult
  • $37.75 - Child (under 12)
  • Kids under 4 are free
  • Purchase tickets

To get the deal, you will need to enter promo phrase FTBF8COMBO when you choose your second option. 


(Option 2) Oak Alley and Laura Plantation Tour

This tour combines tours of two historic Mississippi River plantations and historic homes. Includes hotel pick-up and drop-off.


IMPORTANT: Due to the in-depth nature of these two tours, this combination can't be done in a single day.  


You’ll Experience:

  • Old River Road’s Historic Homes
  • Oak Alley Plantation (with a quarter-mile tunnel of oak trees)
  • Walkthrough of Laura: a Creole Plantation, including historic quarters
  • Honey Island Swamp- the only preserved wetlands of Louisiana
  • Wildlife sightings (some thought to be extinct!)
  • Cajun village only accessible by boat
  • History of the seedy dwellers who hid in the swamps

Price: 

  • $95.75 - Adult
  • $70.75 - Child (under 12)
  • Kids under 4 are free
  • Purchase tickets 

To get the deal, you will need to enter promo phrase FTBF8COMBO when you choose your second option.


Before you buy:

Cajun Encounters lives up to its name.

For the swamp tour, they use 22 passenger boats (not airboats) that give you a close encounter with plants and animals.

For city and plantation tours, you are able to disembark for a closer look at several spots.

While the combo’s $8 savings (5%) may not be the best deal, what you’re getting is a guaranteed quality tour from a local company that has nearly 20 years of experience.


CAJUN PRIDE 

This company is focused on swamp and bayou tours.

Cajun Pride is unique from other companies in that they operate in their own private swamp, which they claim means that your boat will be alone on the water.  

They have a good review profile on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide (see the reviews).  

Since their tours are the Maurepas Swamp to the west of the city, this company may be a good option for those who are also planning a trip to one of the plantations.

One bonus is a hotel pick-up from most New Orleans hotels.   

SWAMP AND PLANTATION TOUR COMBO

Read our detailed post reviewing all of Cajun Pride tours.   


GRAY LINE NEW ORLEANS COMBOS

Gray Line is a national brand offering guided tours, mostly by bus, of New Orleans, and the surrounding areas.  

Gray Line offers 3 combination packages, a swamp and plantation tour combo, a plantation and city bus tour combo, and city bus tour, and a riverboat cruise.  

Grayline offers 10% off the price of each product when purchased as a package.

Unfortunately, they do not offer a swamp and city tour like Cajun Encounters, and their packages also don't include their Hurricane Katrina Tour or their Night Bus Tour.  

Gray Line does not offer hotel pick-up, rather all passengers meet at their French Quarter office.

On the plus side, there's no waiting to pick up other passengers from area hotels.


Swamp and Plantation Combo

Spend two days exploring with Gray Line’s option to save money by purchasing both the Swamp & Bayou Tour with the Oak Alley Plantation or Whitney Plantation Tour (both top attractions of Louisiana).

BONUS: You save 10% by combining!

Get more information and purchase tickets.

You’ll Experience:

  • The delta region on a custom swamp boat.
  • Learn about wildlife and the vanishing wetlands
  • Travel past several lakes and plantations on a guided route

Plus one of the plantations below:


Prices:

  • $109 - Adult 
  • $104 - Seniors
  • $60 - Child (ages 6-12) 
  • Free - Child up to 5 years old
  • Saves you $11/adult and $8/child off of the retail price if you were to purchase separately.

NOTE: This combo deal is not currently available.

Before you buy: The 10% savings is a great deal, but make sure you have two days to spend on these tours. 

Get more information and purchase tickets


Plantation and Super City Combo

This tour can be done in one OR two days, and covers a lot of ground!

See all of the city on the Super City Bus Tour, before visiting your choice of either Oak Alley or Whitney Plantation.  

The amount you save using this combo is $14, a GREAT deal!


You’ll Experience:

  • the French Quarter
  • Jackson Square
  • Cabildo and Presbytere Museum
  • Historic Cemeteries
  • Bayou St. John
  • Besthoff Sculpture Garden
  • Tulane and Loyola University
  • Audubon Zoo

Plus one of the plantations below:

  • Guided tour of Oak Alley Plantation, offering a quarter-mile of oak tree path.
  • Guided tour of Whitney Plantation, gain insight into the lives of slaves on this plantation.

Prices:

  • $96.50 - Adult 
  • $46 - Child (ages 6-12) 
  • Free - Child up to 5 years old.
  • Saves you $14/Adult and $1/Child.

Get more information and purchase tickets.

NOTE: This combo package is not currently available.


DEAL SITES

There are several places where you are likely to find deals on hotels, tours, restaurants, and shopping.  

Some may be familiar to you already.


Canden's Personal Tips for New Orleans Pass

Canden is a Washington DC tour guide and manager of Free Tours by Foot. She has traveled all over the world and lived in 3 different countries.

To provide expert content and make on-the-ground videos for our YouTube Channel, Canden spends time in all of our cities - usually combining tour research trips with family vacations.

Her two kids, both under the age of 3, have passport stamps and frequent flier miles already.

Canden & husband at the famous New Orleans restaurant, Antione's

I went to New Orleans for three days, one of which I knew I wasn't going to be doing many things that were included in the tour pass, so I got the all-inclusive 2 days pass and planned to pack in as many things as possible on those two days.

I made a list in advance of what I wanted to see that was included in the pass but I didn't check the current hours for when we were visiting!

The Pharmacy Museum was closed for the whole week while we were there so we missed it

  • Tip 1: Check the operating hours and also special closures for your specific dates!

We had not originally planned to visit the Cabildo or Presbytere.

But, when a surprise thunderstorm popped up, we used the pass to visit because they were nearby according to the Sightseeing Pass App I had downloaded to my phone.

Because we had an all-inclusive pass, it didn't cost us extra admission or count against our attraction count.

  • Tip 2: If you want the flexibility to take things as they come, an all-inclusive pass comes in handy.
  • Tip 3: Download the Sightseeing Pass App for a handy map that shows you what included attractions are nearby.

Our last stop was the Jazz Museum, but by that point, my phone battery was very low and died before the admissions desk could scan it.

Folks are friendly down there and she let us explore the museum while I charged my phone and she scanned it on the way out.


Advice From Locals and Travelers

Although we do our best to simply provide the details you'll need to figure out whether or not a tourist pass will save you money, there's always a chance that we have an unintended bias.

Thankfully, we have a pretty popular New Orleans Travel Tips group on Facebook where you can ask any questions you may still have.

Here are a few examples of helpful comments left by our group members:

As you can see, it's not uncommon for members of our group to discuss whether or not a tourist pass is worth the cost.

A lot of people recommend the Go City New Orleans Pass, indicating it's a good deal and allows you to experience a lot of popular attractionss in the Big Easy.

As Wendy notes, the easiest way to get this pass is to purchase it online, and she also points out that some activities do need to be booked beforehand.

This is another excellent suggestion. While each New Orleans tourist pass can be a good deal, some activities are already cheap (or potentially even free for kids), so you need to do some research to figure out which activities will save you the most money.

Unfortunately, the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass isn't as popular or as widely used as Go City, so there aren't a lot of opinions about it, but this group member felt that this is the weaker of the two passes.

It's not as if there is anything majorly different between the two services with the exception of the activities they offer, but maybe this user knows something we don't, which is why we included their comment.

For more helpful advice or to ask your own questions, make sure to check our New Orleans Travel Tips group on Facebook.


And much, much more

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