Empire State Building ticket prices: How to pay less

Ticket prices for the Empire State Building in New York City are cheaper if you book via a third party rather than on the official site. And this is why…

Reduced entrance fee for the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is arguably the most recognisable of New York City skyscrapers, and going up it is a must do for many visitors. There are observation decks on the 86^th and 102^nd floors.

However, before you book tickets for the Empire State Building, you should be aware that there’s a way of reducing the entrance fee.

5 great New York City experiences to book

🕊️ Make sure you get into the 9/11 Memorial Museum by booking tickets in advance.
🗽 Take a boat cruise out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
⛴️ Learn about NYC’s top buildings on an architecture-themed 1920s-style yacht cruise around Manhattan.
🌳 Take a pedicab tour around Central Park – and spot the hidden secrets on the way.
🍜 Taste the local flavours of New York on a Chinatown and Little Italy food tour.

Choose from dozens more NYC activities

How much do Empire State Building tickets cost?

Book via the Empire State Building’s official site, and the ticketing page initially says that tickets to visit both observation decks cost from $79. Underneath, in much smaller writing, is a $5 booking fee.

Looking for tickets at 1pm the next day, I was quoted a ticket price of $81.

Later in the booking process, the $5 was added. Then, at the checkout page, $7.63 in tax was added.

This meant that the ticket price for the Empire State Building, visiting both observation decks, was $93.63.

Getting cheaper tickets for the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building, however, is one of many attractions in North America where it’s a little bit cheaper to book through a third party.

I checked Empire State Building ticket prices with two popular tours and attractions sellers – Viator and GetYourGuide.

With both, for the same time and date, the ticket cost $88.19.

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Tickets without the booking fee

That’s not massively cheaper, but it is cheaper. You might as well pay less if you can.

Usually, I’d suggest booking through the official site, but given the same thing is being sold for less on a third party site, you may as well go for the cheaper deal.

Basically, the dubious booking fee has disappeared.

How to save money on Empire State Building tickets

Cards on the table: If you book through these Viator or GetYourGuide links, I will earn a small commission. Of course, I’d prefer you to do that.

You could, of course, search for the third party ticketing companies. It’ll be the same price for you, it’s just that the kindly travel journalist who saved you money on the tickets doesn’t get anything for his caring, thoughtful advice…

Either way, you’ll be paying less for your Empire State Building tickets than you would do going through the official site.

Discounted prices on North American attractions

It’s worth remembering this advice when booking other attractions in North America. Many add booking or processing fees and taxes to the advertised price later in the booking process, even though they really shouldn’t.

This isn’t the case for all attractions, but I’ve discovered going via Viator or GetYourGuide to be cheaper on several occasions.

In New York, this applies to Summit One Vanderbilt. In Toronto, it applies to Casa Loma, the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Things to do near the Empire State Building, New York

Visit SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Around 0.4 miles away, this immersive observation experience combines mirrored rooms, glass platforms and skyline views from one of Midtown’s newest towers.
Explore Madame Tussauds New York. Approximately 0.7 miles from the Empire State Building, this wax museum features lifelike figures of celebrities, athletes and film characters.
Take a tour of Grand Central Terminal. About 0.5 miles away, guided tours explore the history, architecture and hidden spaces of this landmark transport hub.
Visit the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Roughly 0.9 miles from the building, MoMA houses one of the world’s most important modern art collections, including works by Van Gogh and Picasso.
See a Broadway show. Around 1 mile away in Times Square and the Theatre District, dozens of theatres offer performances every evening.

Empire State Building FAQs

Question	Answer
What is the Empire State Building?	The Empire State Building is a 102-storey Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan, famous for its observation decks and status as one of New York City’s most recognisable landmarks.
Where is the Empire State Building located?	The building stands on Fifth Avenue between West 33rd and 34th Streets in Midtown Manhattan.
Do I need to book Empire State Building tickets in advance?	Advance booking is recommended, especially at sunset and during peak travel periods, as time slots often sell out.
How long does a visit take?	Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours including security screening, exhibits and time on the observation decks.
What is the Empire State Building best known for?	It is best known for its Art Deco design, panoramic city views from the 86th and 102nd floor observation decks, and its role in classic films such as King Kong.