Have you ever brought a city pass ticket for a new travel destination? Or had thoughts of buying one at least? I know I have – That’s why Travel Tip Tuesday talks about buying that city pass ticket, and how to weigh up if it is worth it or not.
Is a City Pass Ticket Worth it?
Big or small, popular or yet to be discovered, many cities around the world offer you the option of purchasing a city pass. It usually includes unlimited use of public transportation and free access or discounts on attractions and sights. Some cards also have other special offers like free guided tours and discounts at restaurants. But since every city and every city pass are different, you should do some research to see if the pass will actually save you money. Here are a few things you need to consider to decide if it’s worth it.
Use of Public Transportation
Are the city’s points of interest scattered around it or are most of the attractions and sights close to each other? Can you plan an itinerary that only covers a small walkable distance each day? If you’re only going to use public transportation once, twice or even three times a day, this benefit of a city pass will be insignificant.
How Much Does Public Transporation Cost
Research the cost of a single ticket (of buses, trams, Metro) and multi-journey tickets. Along with evaluating how much you’ll actually need to use public transportation, it’ll give you a better understanding of your travel expenses.
How Many Attractions and Sites are You Going to Visit?
There’s always room for spontaneity and change of plans, but if generally, you’re only planning on visiting one or two museums, a city pass might not be worth purchasing.
Are the Attractions and Sites You Want to Visit Even Included in the City Pass’ Offers?
It might sound obvious, but reading exactly what the city pass includes is a must. Be sure to understand which sites are included and how much discount is offered.
How Much Each Attraction and Site Cost?
It makes a huge difference to get a discount or free access to a site that charges 15 Euros rather than 2 Euros. Not all attractions are pricey, and some cities are super budget-friendly in that aspect.
Do the Attractions and Sites You Want to Visit Offer Free Admission On Certain Days?
You can find museums, palaces, and other sites that offer free entrance on weekends or on a certain day in the middle of the week, which means that a city pass is not always necessary to have a budget-friendly city break. For instance, in Warsaw, almost all sites can be visited for free (each site offers free admission on a different day). Yet in Vienna, you can only get discounts with the city card (except for the usual discounts for seniors, students, etc.).
1,2,3 or 4-Day City Pass
You can usually buy a city pass for 1-4 days. Depending on your itinerary, you might find it beneficial for only 1 or 2 days out of a longer stay, and that’s completely fine. It’s all about finding what works best for you and your budget.
Conclusion on buying a city pass ticket
By doing some research (which can be slightly tedious) and considering all the aspects mentioned above together, you can get an understanding of whether the specific city pass will save you money or purchasing each ticket separately will be a better option for you.
About My Path In The World Travel Blog
I’m Or, a twenty-something aspiring travel blogger on a mission to help people make the most of their trips. I’m always in search of hidden gems and unique experiences in both touristy and non-touristy destinations. My biggest travel obsession is Spain, but I love exploring Europe in general and all continents are on my bucket list.
About Tuesday Travel Tip Series
Have any questions on buying a city pass ticket, or about the Tuesday Travel Tip series? Drop a comment below! Or you can check out more travel tips for every traveler!
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