Is the New Orleans City Pass Worth It? (9 Things to Consider)
Is the New Orleans City Pass worth the money? We break down the math, compare Go City vs. Good Times Pass, and share 9 tips to maximize your savings.
On this page
Is the New Orleans City Pass Worth It in 2026? (Honest Math + Verdict)
Updated June 2026 — we priced every included attraction directly from Go City's current listing.
Short answer: The Go New Orleans All-Inclusive Pass pays off if you do 3+ structured attractions per day and activate early morning. For a slower trip or a visit focused on one flagship experience, the math flips — you save nothing or lose money. Read on for the numbers.
New Orleans is one of the few major US cities where Go City is the only multi-attraction pass in operation. There is no CityPASS for New Orleans, and the Sightseeing Pass shut down in June 2025. So the real question is: Go City vs. paying at the gate — and which Go City tier makes sense for your style. This guide, part of our New Orleans city pass overview, settles the math.
Free guide: Is the City Pass Worth It?
Our quick-decision checklist for US city passes — the value math, what to watch for in the fine print, and when paying per attraction beats the pass.
New Orleans City Pass Options Compared (2026)
Go City runs three pass types in New Orleans. Here is how they stack up side by side:
| Pass | Price (2026) | Validity | Type | Attractions | Skip the Line? | Digital? | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go City All-Inclusive 1-Day | $84 adult / $64 child | 1 calendar day | Unlimited time-based | 25+ included | Varies by venue | Yes (Smartvisit App) | Buy at Go City |
| Go City All-Inclusive 2-Day | $119 adult / $89 child | 2 consecutive calendar days | Unlimited time-based | 25+ included | Varies by venue | Yes | Buy at Go City |
| Go City All-Inclusive 3-Day | $149 adult / $109 child | 3 consecutive calendar days | Unlimited time-based | 25+ included | Varies by venue | Yes | Buy at Go City |
| Go City All-Inclusive 5-Day | $179 adult / $129 child | 5 consecutive calendar days | Unlimited time-based | 25+ included | Varies by venue | Yes | Buy at Go City |
| Go City Explorer 2-Choice | $69 adult / $49 child | 60 days from activation | Choose 2 attractions | Choose 2 of 25+ | Varies by venue | Yes | Buy at Go City |
| Go City Explorer 3-Choice | $89 adult / $69 child | 60 days from activation | Choose 3 attractions | Choose 3 of 25+ | Varies by venue | Yes | Buy at Go City |
| Go City Explorer 5-Choice | $119 adult / $89 child | 60 days from activation | Choose 5 attractions | Choose 5 of 25+ | Varies by venue | Yes | Buy at Go City |
Note: There is no CityPASS product for New Orleans. The Sightseeing Pass ceased operations in June 2025 — do not purchase it. Check current New Orleans city pass prices before booking as Go City runs periodic flash sales.
The Worth-It Math: 2026 À-La-Carte vs. Pass Price
We priced each included attraction directly in June 2026. Here is what a packed 2-day first-timer itinerary actually costs if you buy tickets individually:
Scenario 1: 2-Day First-Timer (Most Common)
| Attraction | À-La-Carte Price (Adult, 2026) |
|---|---|
| National WWII Museum (general admission) | $35.00 |
| Adventures in New Orleans Bus Tour (2.5-hr city tour) | $46.00 |
| Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Cruise (historical) | $44.00 |
| French Quarter Ghost Tour (evening walking tour) | $32.00 |
| Mardi Gras World | $22.00 |
| Gray Line Swamp & Bayou Tour | $55.00 |
| Total à la carte | $234.00 |
2-Day All-Inclusive Pass: $119
You save: $115 (49% off) — a genuine, substantial saving if you complete all six.
Scenario 2: Light 1-Day Visit (WWII Museum + One Tour)
| Attraction | À-La-Carte Price (Adult) |
|---|---|
| National WWII Museum | $35.00 |
| Adventures in New Orleans Bus Tour | $46.00 |
| Total à la carte | $81.00 |
1-Day All-Inclusive Pass: $84
You lose: $3 — the pass does not pay off at 2 attractions. Break-even on the 1-day pass requires 3+ high-value experiences. Add the Mardi Gras World ($22) and you are ahead by $19 — barely. The pass only earns its keep if you stay busy.
Scenario 3: Explorer Pass 3-Choice (Selective Traveler)
| Attraction | À-La-Carte Price (Adult) |
|---|---|
| National WWII Museum | $35.00 |
| Gray Line Swamp & Bayou Tour | $55.00 |
| Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Cruise | $44.00 |
| Total à la carte | $134.00 |
Explorer Pass 3-Choice: $89
You save: $45 (34% off). The Explorer Pass is the smarter pick for travelers who want flexibility over 60 days and have 3 specific attractions they definitely want to do. No schedule pressure.
The Explorer Pass wins on value-per-attraction whenever you are choosing 2–5 specific things. The All-Inclusive only pulls ahead if you will genuinely fill 6–8+ experiences per visit. See the full New Orleans pass inclusions list before deciding.
Buy It If / Skip It If
Buy the Go New Orleans All-Inclusive Pass if:
- You are a first-timer staying 2–3 nights and want structured tours plus the WWII Museum
- You will comfortably hit 3 or more paid attractions per day (early starts required)
- You want swamp tours, riverboat cruises, and bus tours bundled without juggling multiple booking sites
- You are traveling with family — children's pricing makes the daily math easier
Buy the Go City Explorer Pass if:
- You know exactly 2–5 attractions you want and prefer flexibility over consecutive days
- You are combining New Orleans with a road trip — the 60-day window lets you use it at your own pace
- You want the WWII Museum + swamp tour without committing to a daily grind
Skip both passes if:
- Your trip is primarily about food, jazz bars, and wandering the French Quarter — none of that is in the pass
- You only plan one attraction (the math never works)
- You want to visit the Steamboat NATCHEZ specifically — it is NOT included in Go City; buy directly (~$45)
- You are visiting mainly free sites: Jackson Square, Frenchmen Street, the Garden District walking tour is free
What's Included — and What's Not
The Go New Orleans pass covers 25+ experiences. The highest-value inclusions we priced in 2026:
- National WWII Museum — $35 à la carte, the anchor of any first-timer itinerary. Plan 3–4 hours; some 4D films (e.g. "Beyond All Boundaries") carry an add-on fee not covered by the pass.
- Adventures in New Orleans Bus Tour — $46 à la carte, a 2.5-hour French Quarter + Garden District overview. The single highest-value inclusion; always book this first.
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Cruise — $44 à la carte, departs from Spanish Plaza. Historical narration cruise; the evening jazz version is a separate ticket not covered by the pass.
- Gray Line Swamp & Bayou Tour — $55 à la carte. Book 24h ahead via the Smartvisit App. Note: the shuttle to the departure point may cost extra ($10–15) and is not pass-covered.
- Mardi Gras World — $22 à la carte. Free shuttle from the French Quarter. Good wet-weather option.
- French Quarter Walking/Ghost Tours — $30–35 à la carte. Multiple themes available; reserve in the app before you arrive.
NOT included: Steamboat NATCHEZ, any food or drink, RTA streetcars/buses, evening jazz at clubs, the 4D films at the WWII Museum. See the full inclusions guide for the complete 25+ list.
Calendar-day warning: The All-Inclusive pass runs on calendar days, not 24-hour blocks. Activating at 1 PM means Day 1 ends at midnight — you lose half a day. Always activate at 9 AM.
Go City All-Inclusive vs. Explorer Pass: Which to Choose?
The structural difference matters more than the price. The All-Inclusive is a time-race: unlimited attractions for consecutive days, so it rewards high-volume, high-pace sightseers. The Explorer Pass is choice-based: pick 2–7 attractions and redeem them any time within 60 days — no daily grind required.
For New Orleans specifically, the Explorer 3-Choice at $89 beats the 1-Day All-Inclusive ($84) for most selective visitors — you get more flexibility and still save ~$45 on three high-value picks. The All-Inclusive only wins if you will actually fill Day 2 and Day 3 with meaningful attractions, not just low-value stops.
We compared these two models in depth in our Go City All-Inclusive vs. Explorer guide — worth reading before you decide.
How to Get Full Value (Practical Tips)
- Activate at 9 AM sharp. Calendar days end at midnight. A 1 PM start burns half of Day 1.
- Book swamp tours and cooking classes first. The Gray Line Swamp tour and New Orleans School of Cooking fill up 2–3 days ahead — reserve them inside the Smartvisit App the moment you buy the pass.
- Lead with the big-ticket items. WWII Museum ($35), bus tour ($46), swamp tour ($55) first. These three alone justify the 2-day pass at $119.
- Skip low-value fillers. If an included attraction costs less than $15 at the gate, skip it on the pass and save the day credit for high-value picks.
- Stay near the French Quarter. Most departures leave from Canal Street or Spanish Plaza at 8–9 AM. Staying nearby eliminates the risk of missing morning tour times.
- Check the WWII Museum's film schedule. The "Beyond All Boundaries" 4D film is a separate $8 add-on not covered by the pass — budget for it separately if you want the full experience.
For a complete 2026 price breakdown, see our New Orleans city pass price guide.
Final Verdict
The Go New Orleans All-Inclusive Pass is worth it for first-timers who want to pack in 6+ experiences across 2–3 days. At $119 for 2 days, against an à-la-carte value of $234 for our benchmark itinerary, you save $115 — a genuine 49% discount that holds up. The Explorer Pass is the smarter pick for 3–5 specific attractions spread over a longer stay. Neither pass makes sense if your trip is mainly food and music.
The pass sits alongside the best-value options we track on our US city pass comparison — New Orleans scores well for tours-and-museums sightseers, less well for casual visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the New Orleans City Pass worth it in 2026?
Yes, if you do 3 or more paid attractions per day and activate the pass first thing in the morning. We priced a 2-day itinerary (WWII Museum + bus tour + riverboat + ghost tour + Mardi Gras World + swamp tour) at $234 à la carte. The 2-Day All-Inclusive Pass costs $119 — a $115 saving. For lighter itineraries (1–2 attractions), skip the pass and buy individual tickets.
How much is the Go New Orleans City Pass in 2026?
The Go City All-Inclusive Pass starts at $84/adult for 1 day, $119 for 2 days, $149 for 3 days, and $179 for 5 days. The Explorer Pass starts at $69 for a 2-attraction choice up to $119 for 5 attractions. Children's prices are roughly $20 lower per tier. Prices are as of June 2026 — check gocity.com for current rates and flash sales.
Does the New Orleans City Pass skip the line?
Skip-the-line availability varies by venue. The WWII Museum does not operate a dedicated skip-the-line queue for pass holders — arriving before 10 AM is the best strategy. Bus and swamp tours book directly via the Smartvisit App, so there is no separate ticket-window queue. Ghost tours and walking tours meet at a designated spot with no queue at all.
Does the New Orleans City Pass include transportation?
No. The pass includes specific tours (bus tour, riverboat cruise, swamp tour) but does not cover the RTA streetcar or city buses. Purchase an RTA Jazzy Pass separately for public transit. Note that the shuttle to the Gray Line Swamp tour departure point may also carry a small additional charge not covered by the pass.
Is there a CityPASS for New Orleans?
No. CityPASS does not operate in New Orleans. Go City is the only multi-attraction pass available. The Sightseeing Pass (both Day Pass and Flex Pass variants) ceased operations in June 2025 following the operator's bankruptcy — do not purchase it from any reseller.
Does the pass include the WWII Museum?
Yes, the National WWII Museum general admission is included in both the All-Inclusive and Explorer passes. The add-on "Beyond All Boundaries" 4D film costs $8 extra and is not covered. No advance reservation is required for pass holders, but arriving before 10 AM avoids the longest queues.
New Orleans rewards travelers who come prepared. The Go City pass cuts the sightseeing budget substantially for busy first-timers — but only if you activate early, book swamp tours in advance, and keep your daily count at three or more meaningful stops. Run the math against your personal must-see list before you buy, and choose Explorer over All-Inclusive if your pace is relaxed. Either way, the WWII Museum alone is worth the trip.
Official sources: Verify current 2026 prices and details at New Orleans & Company.
Related City Pass Guides
Free guide: Is the City Pass Worth It?
Our quick-decision checklist for US city passes — the value math, what to watch for in the fine print, and when paying per attraction beats the pass.
You might also like
Continue reading
More guides you'll find useful
