Philadelphia CityPASS Review: Is It Really Worth It?

So, you’re thinking about checking out Philadelphia? Very cool! And of course you’re looking at ways to save some dough while seeing everything that Philly’s got. Is that right? You’ve probably stumbled upon the Philadelphia CityPASS, and now you might find yourself wondering if it’s actually a good deal. I mean, at the end of the day, that is what we all want, isn’t it? This review will get into what the CityPASS covers, how much it might save you, and if it is probably going to be a sensible pick for your trip. That is my intention, in any case!

What Exactly is the Philadelphia CityPASS?

Okay, so basically, the Philadelphia CityPASS is a ticket booklet or a digital pass that gives you admission to a handful of Philly’s most sought-after tourist spots. That includes spots like the Please Touch Museum, the Franklin Institute, and the Big Bus Company and Philadelphia Trolley Works. I mean, we are talking the classics, usually. Instead of buying tickets at each place individually, you’ve got, more or less, this all-in-one pass. See? Simple! It’s there to try to make things easier and perhaps less pricey. Basically.

It comes in a few flavors; a 1, 2, 3, or 5-day option, so more or less, you get to choose how much time you spend taking it all in. The more attractions that are offered with the pass that you can fit into the window the pass is good for, the more you end up saving versus a la carte tickets!

Which Attractions are Included?

The Franklin Institute: Is that a hands-on science museum that will leave you amazed.
Big Bus Company and Philadelphia Trolley Works Tours: Is that an easy way to tour the city and absorb sights.
Philadelphia Zoo: Is that somewhere to visit all kinds of animals.
Independence Seaport Museum: Learn about nautical history and get up close with ships.
Please Touch Museum: If you have small children they may enjoy the interactivity!
Eastern State Penitentiary: Get a glimpse into this abandoned and storied prison.
Barnes Foundation: Art lovers will very likely be interested.

Bear in mind, so things do tend to change, so it is usually a tip-top idea to confirm the latest inclusions on the CityPASS official site before purchasing. Apparently things change! That is life.

How Much Does the Philadelphia CityPASS Cost?

Okay, let’s talk prices. So, the cost can be a bit different based on the time of year and any promotions happening, more or less. The Philadelphia CityPASS cost fluctuates; typically, an adult pass will cost somewhere between $70 and $90, while a child’s pass (ages 3-12) is going to be slightly cheaper, just maybe around $50 to $70. Bear in mind, so that a 1, 2, 3 or 5-day window will apply to your options to visit the attractions. It can, at times, be purchased with flexibility to use during your travel!

So, the big question usually: Is it truly a deal? Right? To figure that out, basically what you could do, is add up the cost of tickets for all the attractions you think you’re actually going to hit up. Very much see if the CityPASS price is actually lower than the individual ticket prices combined. You might find that if you were thinking of only going to, maybe, two or three places, then the pass might not be really worth it. You understand? You should decide ahead of time! And so that is why it depends!

Breaking Down the Potential Savings

Okay, so here’s the breakdown! Basically. The CityPASS often claims savings of around 40% compared to the cost of individual tickets. That could sound amazing, right? But, it truly all relies on how many places you go to. Is that clear? Let’s say you, for instance, plan to see The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Zoo, and Eastern State Penitentiary. All very popular. Individual tickets could add up to roughly $100. The CityPASS, at maybe $75, is already saving you some money! Usually, not always.

Just keep in mind, so that time is money. So that visiting, say, five attractions in one day to squeeze the most savings out of your pass may not be as enjoyable, to say the least, as spreading them out, more or less. Factor in travel time between spots, the time of day, wait lines, meal times etc and make sure the day’s structure will even accommodate these activities.

Maximizing Your Pass

Plan Ahead: Create, almost, an itinerary! Make a schedule that maps the window in which you will tour to visit and the hours of the days the venue is open.
Consider Location: What I mean is, group nearby attractions together.
Check for Special Events: Basically, watch out for events that might effect the operating calendar or cause longer wait times.
Start Early: Maximize daytime hours! What I mean is, get going earlier for you.

Is the Philadelphia CityPASS Right For You? Things to Consider

Okay, so before you click “buy,” just think a bit about what you actually want from your Philly adventure, apparently. Is that clear? Consider this:

Your Interests: Just see, very clearly, if the included attractions are things you’re honestly keen on seeing. That makes sense. Right? It is that if you’re not very excited about science museums, for instance, but super want to go to gardens or the symphony, the CityPASS attractions may be very unappealing for your tastes. You know?
Your Pace: How quickly do you typically like to travel? Just take it into account! If you prefer to linger, more or less, and explore slowly, then trying to cram in several attractions to try and maximize the savings on a CityPASS might have you feeling exhausted, at the end of the day. Basically, do what you love!
Your Budget: Look, the CityPASS is there to perhaps save you money, but perhaps assess what your trip looks like overall. To put it another way, consider food costs and the cost of accommodation!

Alternatives to the CityPASS

Hey, at the end of the day the CityPASS is, I want to say, probably not the only option. There might be other paths, seemingly. Maybe you could look at these:

Individual Tickets: This one’s obvious! Very simple. Maybe if you only want to see one or two attractions! Just buy tickets for those attractions instead. I want to say that would make a whole lot of sense.
Groupon and Discount Sites: Apparently, you can sniff around deal websites for discounts. Seemingly, you will!
Free Activities: Are you very aware that Philly has heaps of free stuff to do? I want to say that there are a huge amount. Independence Hall (free, but you often need to get tickets ahead), Reading Terminal Market (free to walk around), and strolling around Old City are all memorable, basically. Very much check it out, more or less!

Tips for Buying and Using the Philadelphia CityPASS

Purchase Online: Purchasing online, I mean that often scores you discounts! Just to point that out!
Activate Strategically: Start using your pass on a day when you can really hit a few attractions to get full value out of the day. Is that crystal?
Read the Fine Print: Just be sure, it’s almost a must that you check out all the stipulations! You understand? Hours of operations of the pass, and that sort of thing.

Real-World Scenarios: Is it a Good Fit?

Let’s think of how the Philadelphia CityPASS will work out with very different tourists!

The Family with Young Children: What I mean is, if you plan on going to places such as the Please Touch Museum and the Philadelphia Zoo, so that CityPASS is very often a pretty good pick for a family. Definitely.
The History Buff: To clarify, if you plan on going to some historical places in the CityPASS, then definitely very worth it. Basically go if you dig those kind of things. If not, there is not really a huge reason.
The Spontaneous Traveler: I want to say, if you aren’t planning very much then basically don’t do it. I mean it, it is way more expensive and it is probably not what you really want. I want to say just visit if you wanna check out things such as “The Franklin Institute”, I want to say!

Philadelphia CityPASS: Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CityPASS activated on the first day of use, or from the purchase date?: Basically, it is activated on the first day you use it at an attraction. Not when you bought it.
Can I visit the same attraction twice with the CityPASS?: Not usually, that tends to be one visit per attraction.
Is transportation included in the Philadelphia CityPASS?: Sometimes, just some transportation options might come along with some passes but not normally.

At the end of the day, the Philadelphia CityPASS is probably worth a good hard look! To put it simply, if you’re down to hit all of Philly’s famous spots! In a way, do the math! Apparently, know yourself and basically be sure to plan it out. And you might also like going to see Reading Terminal Market because in a way it has so much history.