Empire State Building Tickets, Prices & Observatory Guide

Newer decks have glass floors and slides. The Empire State Building has something they can’t buy: it’s the one in the movies, and standing on that 86th-floor terrace with the wind in your face still feels like New York in a way nothing else does.

The catch is that Empire State Building tickets come in more flavors than most people expect: a standard 86th-floor ticket, a combo that adds the 102nd floor, Express passes that skip the lines, a flexible-date ticket, a day-and-night ticket, and a handful of premium tours. This guide sorts out which one is right for you, what each really costs, and how to fit the visit into a bigger NYC day or night.

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Which Empire State Building Ticket Should You Buy?

For most people, the standard 86th-floor ticket is the right call. It’s the classic open-air deck, the one you’ve seen a hundred times on screen, and it’s the cheapest way up.

Empire State Building Tickets and Prices

Empire State Building tickets start at about $46 for the 86th floor and about $81 for the 86th + 102nd combo, based on the official Buy Tickets page on September 26, 2026. Prices are dynamic, so your date and time can cost more.

A couple of honest caveats. The official site’s own pages don’t always agree — one page lists the adult 86th-floor ticket at $44 plus a booking charge, while the main Buy Tickets page says “from $46.” Sunset slots and weekends usually cost more than a random Tuesday afternoon. And there are child and senior prices a few dollars below adult. The number that matters is the one at checkout for your exact slot.

*Adult starting prices from the official Empire State Building Buy Tickets page, September 26, 2026. Child and senior tickets cost less. Booking fees may apply at checkout. All tickets are non-refundable; the official site says you can reschedule through its Manage My Booking tool.

Ways to pay less

• NYC residents — the official site offers a locals’ ticket at 25% off.
• Military — show a military ID at the on-site ticket office for a discount (not available online). Active-duty military in uniform visit free.
• Families — there’s an official family bundle; compare it against buying individual child tickets.
• Off-peak timing — midday on weekdays tends to be cheaper and calmer than sunset on a Saturday.

Empire State Building 86th vs. 102nd Floor: Which Ticket Is Worth It?

The 86th floor is the essential Empire State Building experience. The 102nd floor is a quieter, higher, glassed-in bonus — lovely, but it’s an add-on, not a replacement.

Is the 102nd floor worth the extra money?

It’s worth it if you’re the kind of traveler who will remember “we went all the way to the top,” if it’s a milestone trip, or if you’re visiting in winter and want a warm spot to take in the view. It’s skippable if you’re on a budget, traveling with young kids who’ll be done after twenty minutes, or pairing the visit with another deck on the same trip.

Do you need both floors?

No. Every 102nd-floor ticket includes the 86th, and there’s no 102nd-only ticket. If you can only choose one experience, the 86th is the one that makes the Empire State Building what it is.

Which floor is better for photos?

The 86th floor, most of the time. You’re shooting through safety fencing rather than glass, so there are no reflections, and golden hour light hits the skyline beautifully. The 102nd is better at night if you press your lens to the window, and on grey days when the open deck is miserable.

Where to Buy Empire State Building Tickets

The official ticket source is the Empire State Building’s own site, esbnyc.com, and the on-site ticket office at 12 W 34th Street. Reservations for a specific time are required either way.

Buying online is the easier move. You pick your date and entry time, and the official site lets you change the date, time or ticket type later (some changes, like upgrading to a sunset slot, cost extra). Walk-up tickets are sold on site, but you may wait for the next open time slot.

Attraction passes like CityPASS and the New York Pass also include the 86th floor. Tour companies and booking sites resell Empire State Building tickets too. That can be convenient when you’re bundling several things, but no reseller is “the official” ticket, so compare the final price with fees before you commit.

When Should You Buy Empire State Building Tickets?

Buy ahead when the time slot matters to you — sunset, a holiday weekend, or a day with a show that night. For a flexible midday visit, a day or two ahead is usually plenty.

Is the Empire State Building Express Pass Worth It?

The Express Pass is a time-saver, not an upgrade in view. It’s worth it when your time is tight or you’re going at peak hours; otherwise, save your money.

Express runs from about $87 for the 86th floor and about $122 for both decks. The 86th + 102nd version also lets you bypass the 2nd-floor exhibits and the 80th floor if you want to go straight to the view.

Empire State Building Discounts and Attraction Passes

CityPASS and the New York Pass both include the 86th-floor deck. They’re only a deal if you’ll use enough of the other attractions to beat buying tickets one by one.

CityPASS bundles the Empire State Building with several other big-name NYC attractions. The official site says the CityPASS version is the AM/PM ticket, so you get a same-day night return. It’s a strong fit for a first trip where you’d visit those places anyway.

The New York Pass covers a much longer list of attractions over one or more days. It rewards people who like to pack their days; it punishes a relaxed pace.

Here’s the simple test: add up the regular prices of the things you would genuinely do, then compare that total with the pass price. If the pass only wins because of attractions you’d skip, buy the Empire State Building ticket on its own.

Best Time to Visit the Empire State Building

For the smallest crowds, go between about noon and 2 PM. For the best light and the biggest “wow,” go for sunset — and budget for crowds and a higher price.

Sunset moves a lot through the year — from around 4:30 PM in December to around 8:30 PM in late June — so check the time for your date before booking. And watch the weather: on a foggy or low-cloud day you may see nothing but white. Since tickets are non-refundable but can be rescheduled, check the building’s live cam before you go.

How Long Should You Allow for the Empire State Building?

Allow about an hour for the 86th floor and about 1.5 to 2 hours if you’re visiting both decks. Add time at peak hours.

• 86th floor, off-peak: about 1 hour, including security, the exhibits and the elevator ride.
• 86th + 102nd: 1.5–2 hours, according to the official site.
• Sunset or holiday weekends: add 30–60 minutes for lines, or buy Express.
• Express, skipping the exhibits: can be well under an hour if you just want the view.

There’s no time limit once you’re up there, so you can linger as long as you like.

What Visiting the Empire State Building Is Actually Like

You enter at the visitors’ center at 20 W 34th Street, go through airport-style security, and head up to the 2nd floor. That’s where the museum-style exhibits are: the 1920s building site, the construction story, opening day in 1931, and the King Kong room everybody photographs.

Then come the elevators. You change at the 80th floor, which has its own viewing gallery, before reaching the 86th. Step outside and it hits you. The wraparound terrace puts Midtown right at your feet, with Central Park stretching north, the downtown towers to the south, and the Hudson and East rivers on either side. On a clear day you can see into neighboring states. It’s windy, it’s loud in the best way, and you’re standing somewhere that’s been in more movies than most actors.

If you have the 102nd-floor ticket, a separate glass elevator takes you up to a narrow, quiet, glass-walled room at the top of the tower. It’s calmer and more contemplative than the 86th, like the difference between a party and a nightcap.

Is the Empire State Building Observatory Worth It?

Yes, for first-time visitors and anyone who wants the classic NYC experience. It’s the landmark itself, not just a view.

For a side-by-side look at every major deck, see the best observation decks in NYC.

How to Get to the Empire State Building

Head to the visitors’ entrance at 20 W 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The other doors on Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street are for office tenants.

• Subway: 34 St–Herald Square (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W) is about a block away. 33 St (6) is a few blocks east, and 34 St–Penn Station (1, 2, 3 and A, C, E) is an easy walk west.
• Walking: it’s about 10 minutes from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, and about 15 minutes from Bryant Park.
• Driving: the building suggests leaving the car behind. The closest garage is on 33rd Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway.
• Rideshare: 34th Street traffic can be slow, so ask to be dropped a block away and walk.

More transit help: NYC subway tips and Uber vs. subway.

What to Know Before You Go

Plan a Night Around the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building sits right where Midtown’s best nights begin. Koreatown’s barbecue and late-night karaoke are a block away, Madison Square Garden is a short walk west, and the Theater District is a quick subway hop north. Here’s how to build a whole evening around the deck.

Staying nearby? Compare hotels near MSG and Penn Station or hotels near Times Square. For a whole-day plan, see NYC in one day.

Empire State Building Tickets: Frequently Asked Questions