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New York Empire State Building Express Pass Tour
TourTruth score 7.2 out of 10
AverageTop 42% in New York City
2 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score
- New York City
- Updated October 31, 2026
Skip ticket lines and explore the Empire State Building’s main and top decks with a private guide and timed Express Pass.
About this tour
See New York from above without spending your visit in ticket lines. This private New York Empire State Building Express Pass Tour pairs a licensed guide with timed entry to one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
Choose a 2-hour visit without transport, or the 3.5-hour option with private round-trip transfers from your accommodation. At the building, your guide shares interesting facts about New York City as you head to the main and top decks. The Express Pass helps you skip ticket lines and provides a faster security check and separate elevators; security screening remains mandatory. From the upper decks, take in the city’s sweeping skyline views.
The 3.5-hour option includes an estimated 1.5-hour round-trip transfer, with travel time depending on your accommodation’s location. A standard car is arranged for 1–3 guests and a van for groups of 4 or more. Tours are limited to 25 guests per guide, with additional guides arranged for larger groups. The meeting point is outside The New York EDITION at 5 Madison Ave.
Choose the New York Empire State Building Express Pass Tour that fits your plans and enjoy a guided visit with less time spent waiting.
Highlights
- Skip ticket lines with a timed Express Pass
- Ride dedicated elevators to the main and top decks
- Take in sweeping views from the Empire State Building
- Hear New York City stories from a private licensed guide
- Add private round-trip transfers with the 3.5-hour option
What's included
Included
- Private guided tour of the Empire State Building, based on selected option
- Express Pass tickets to the Empire State Building’s main and top decks
- 5-star licensed guide fluent in your chosen language
- Interesting facts about New York City
- Private accommodation transfers with pickup and drop-off in the 3.5-hour option
Not included
- Private accommodation transfers in the 2-hour option
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
5.00 / 5 · 2 reviews
Important information
- Wheelchair accessible, including transportation options and all areas and surfaces
- Infants and small children can ride in a stroller; infants must sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The 2-hour option does not include private transfers; attractions depend on the selected option
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- The 3.5-hour option includes an estimated 1.5-hour round-trip transfer; travel time varies by accommodation location
- Transfers use a standard car for 1–3 people and a van for 4 or more; book for 4+ guests for more space
- Security checks are mandatory, even with the timed Express Pass
- Groups are limited to 25 guests per guide; larger groups receive additional guides and pricing may change
- Meet your guide outside The New York EDITION, 5 Madison Ave; do not enter the hotel
- Check your email the day before the tour for important details from Rosotravel
Frequently asked questions
What is included with the Express Pass?
The timed pass covers the Empire State Building’s main and top decks, with access to a faster security check and separate elevators. Security checks are still mandatory.
Are transfers included?
Private pickup and drop-off at your accommodation are included only with the 3.5-hour option. The 2-hour option has no transfers.
How long is the tour?
Choose a 2-hour tour without transport or a 3.5-hour option with transfers, including an estimated 1.5-hour round trip.
Where is the meeting point?
Meet your guide outside The New York EDITION at 5 Madison Ave, New York. Do not enter the hotel.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The tour, its areas and surfaces, and transportation options are listed as wheelchair accessible.
How this score is calculated
This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 5.00 from 2 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.
How the score works and rating distribution in New York City
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.2. Top 42% in New York City means it ranks in the top 42% of tours in New York City by this score.
Provider rating distribution in New York City
How many tours in New York City have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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