September 20, 2025, 12:05 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
A weekend in Rome, a short trip to London, or a jaunt to Barcelona—with countless attractions on the wish list. But how can you make the most of a few days without breaking the travel budget? City passes promise discounts, time savings, and easy access to attractions. But is buying one really worth it? TRAVELBOOK investigates.
In many metropolises, the range of city passes is extensive—and not limited to official tourism cards. In addition to offers from city tourism organizations, private providers like Turbopass or Go City compete with packages that bundle entry to certain attractions and activities. However, not every pass is cost-effective—and not all include the same services.
Public Transport: Only an Advantage if Used
A key selling point of many official city cards is free use of buses and trains. But this benefit is only worthwhile if you use it regularly. “It makes up a significant portion of their price—so if I buy them, I should use buses and trains regularly,” says Patrick Kühne, operator of the portal “Citypassvergleich.de,” which analyzes numerous offers.
An example is the Berlin Welcome Card, marketed as an official tourist ticket. It costs 26.90 euros for 48 hours and is valid in the city area. Up to three children under 14 can travel free with one adult. There are also discounts, such as 25 percent off a ticket for the Berlin TV Tower, which normally costs 25.50 euros—with the discount, it’s 19.13 euros. This discount alone can be worthwhile, as two day tickets cost 21.20 euros, with additional costs for children over seven. Especially for families traveling multiple times a day, the pass quickly pays off.
Plan First, Then Buy
Not every city pass includes public transport. It’s all the more important to match your travel plan with the services offered. Oliver Buttler from the Consumer Center Baden-Württemberg advises: First, consider which attractions you really want to visit, then compare the available city passes with the plan. The rule of thumb: Only if the savings are greater than the price of the pass is it worth buying.
For example, if you spend two days in London and specifically want to experience the Tower, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, and a city tour, you can check which pass fits based on this. “I wouldn’t buy a city pass and then see what’s available on site,” says Buttler. Often, your desired destinations aren’t included—or the discounts are minimal. In London, many museums are free anyway. Kühne emphasizes: “If I want to visit the London Eye, Tower, and others, it can be worthwhile.” Also, keep an eye on discounts for children, teenagers, or students—these are often available independently of the pass and can even make it unnecessary in some cases.
Convenient, but Not Always Cheap
Besides potential savings, city passes offer one main thing: convenience. Instead of booking individual tickets on different platforms, the services are bundled—often digitally via an app. “It’s a big advantage to have everything in one place,” says Kühne.
In Rome, for example, Go City offers the “Rome Explorer Pass” with four selectable attractions for 134 euros—including classics like the Colosseum and Vatican Museums, but also wine tasting or an opera visit. Kühne’s assessment: “It’s definitely more expensive than if you start buying tickets on the official websites in advance.” Compared to London or New York, the pass in Rome isn’t financially worthwhile—but it scores with ease of use.
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Time Slots: Often Nothing Without Reservation
An often overlooked aspect: Many popular attractions use time slots to manage visits—such as the Colosseum in Rome, the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, or the Palace of Versailles near Paris. “If you buy your city pass just a day before, it might be that there are no slots available for your desired date,” warns Kühne. Ideally, time slots can be booked directly when purchasing the pass. If not, caution is advised: Some attractions require you to reserve the time slot separately on the official site—and enter a code from the pass.
Buttler’s recommendation: First check on the official website if desired time slots are still available—and only then buy the pass. Because: “A refund of the money, because everything is booked out on the desired day at one of the included attractions, can be excluded in the terms and conditions.”
Pay Attention to the Right Validity
Many passes are valid for a certain duration from the first use, usually one to seven days. But not every duration is sensible. “The optimal range is three to four days of validity,” says Kühne. With a one-day duration, the pass is usually so expensive that you have to do a lot to make it worthwhile. With longer durations, there’s a risk of running out of worthwhile activities.
A city pass can be worthwhile—but it doesn’t have to be. Those who plan early, compare offers, and honestly assess what they really want to see can save. Those who buy without a plan may end up paying more.
With material from dpa