City passes promise major savings on top attractions, public transit, and sightseeing experiences—but they’re not always the best value. Depending on your travel style, a pass can be a great deal or a waste of money. This guide breaks down when it’s worth it, when it’s not, and how to add extra value by stacking with cashback opportunities.

What is a city pass and how does it work?

City passes bundle together access to multiple attractions in one destination for a flat fee. Options like Go City, CityPASS, and Turbopass let you skip individual ticketing and save up to 50% off standard admission prices. Passes typically come in two types:

• Time-based passes, which offer unlimited access to included attractions for a set number of days.
  
• Attraction-based passes, where you choose a number of experiences to visit within a given time period.
  

Most passes also include perks like fast-track entry and public transportation, which can reduce your wait times and transit costs.

When a city pass makes sense

A city pass can offer excellent value if:

• You plan to visit three or more major attractions within a short period.
  
• You’re traveling with a group or family and want bundled savings.
  
• You want the convenience of a single booking instead of paying per activity.
  
• The pass includes skip-the-line access or complimentary public transit.
  
• You’re new to the city and want to see all the major landmarks.
  

For example, the Go City London Explorer Pass offers access to the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Thames River cruises—at a steep discount compared to individual ticket prices.

When it’s better to skip the pass

A city pass might not be worth it if:

• You’re more into street food, local markets, or walking tours than ticketed attractions.
  
• You’re only planning one or two paid activities.
  
• You already qualify for student, senior, or free admission deals.
  
• The pass excludes key experiences you’d prefer to prioritize.
  
• You’re traveling slowly and won’t maximize the value within the time limit.
  

Always compare the total value of the attractions you want to visit against the pass price before committing.

How to save even more with cashback stacking

Even if you’ve determined a city pass is worth it, don’t stop there—you can save even more by stacking with cashback.

Booking your pass through a travel aggregator like Hotels.com? You can get rewards with a Hotels.com gift card to stack savings on bundled hotel and pass packages.

Want more cashback options? Explore more brands and travel partners directly at Fluz to layer rewards on top of your city pass.

Final thoughts

City passes can be a smart way to save money and streamline your sightseeing, but only if they fit your travel style. Do the math, map your itinerary, and see if the included experiences match your interests. And if you do purchase a pass, remember to add another layer of savings by using cashback tools like gift cards through Fluz. A little stacking can go a long way.