Save money with Seattle CityPASS: Is it worth it?

Ad. | Seattle – nestled between the Pacific Ocean and majestic mountains – is the great metropolis of the Pacific Northwest. Of course, I had to spend a few days there on my West Coast trip. But like many big cities in the USA, Seattle is incredibly expensive and a sightseeing tour can be a bit of an investment. The Seattle CityPASS* promises a range of savings on Seattle’s most important attractions. I did some research for you in Seattle to find out whether this is really true and for whom such a ticket is really worthwhile.

What is the Seattle CityPass?

The Seattle CityPASS* is basically a ticket that gives you access to the city’s most important sights. Instead of having to buy new tickets each time (and often paying more overall), you can use the CityPASS to put together an individual package of admission tickets that covers many highlights at once.

Welcome to my travel blog

Hey, I’m Tatiana and I’m the blogger behind The Happy Jetlagger. Since 2014, I’ve been sharing my personal travel stories on this blog. I don’t have a big team behind me, so I’m pretty much a one-person show: I’ve researched and tested all recommendations myself.

This way, you’ll save time at the ticket office. And in most cases also money, as these combined tickets are cheaper overall and/or include other extras that are not included in individual tickets.

What is included in the Seattle CityPass?

With the Seattle CityPASS you can visit five attractions. These attractions are always included by default:

You also get access to 3 other attractions of your choice. You don’t have to decide at the time of purchase. This are the three attractions you can choose from:

As soon as you use the pass for the first time, it is valid for nine consecutive days. This gives you enough time to see all the sights stress-free and at your leisure.

Order the Seattle CityPASS here*

Why you should buy the Seattle CityPASS

• Price savings: If you buy tickets for each attraction individually, it can really add up. The CityPASS bundles everything together for a lower total price.
• Planning convenience: If you know that you want to see certain highlights, you have everything in one place with the CityPASS. You don’t need to keep looking for individual tickets.
• Priority admission and less queuing: At some attractions, admission is slightly faster with the CityPASS, so you spend less time queuing.
• Planning aid: Not only do you save time on queuing, but you also get a good overview of what you can see during your time in Seattle. I often find this very useful for structuring my days during the trip and making the most out of my time.
• Perfect for first-time visitors: If you are new to Seattle and want to see as much as possible, the pass covers the must-see highlights.

Downsides of the Seattle CityPASS

• Time pressure: Even if you have nine days, they can pass quickly. If you plan too many other activities (trying out restaurants, day trips, strolling through different districts), you may not manage to see all the CityPASS attractions.
• Limited selection: You may not be interested in all the attractions, or you may want to see something completely different. If you are more into visiting small trendy districts or other museums, the pass may not be worthwhile.
• Advance planning: Of course, you need to know a little in advance when you will visit which sights. Spontaneously only visting a few attractions is often not worthwhile because the ticket price may then not be fully utilized.
• Alternative discounts: Some attractions offer their own promotions, e.g. combined tickets for families or reduced admission tickets at certain times of day. If you like to be flexible and mix and match different options, this could be cheaper than the CityPASS in some cases.

Who should buy the Seattle CityPASS?

• First-time visitors: I love city cards in general when I’m visiting a city for the first time. The most important sights are already covered and I don’t have to worry about buying individual admission tickets.
• Families and groups: Especially if you are traveling with several people, the costs can escalate quickly. With the CityPass, the savings are even greater for several people, and group visits to popular sights are easier to organize if everyone already has their admission ticket ready.
• Short-term travelers: If you only have a few days in Seattle and want to make sure you take in the main attractions, these combo tickets are worth their weight in gold.

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The alternative to the Seattle CityPASS: Seattle C3

If you’re not interested in many of the sights on the Seattle CityPASS list, or you don’t have much time in the city, there’s a great alternative!

With a Seattle C3 ticket, you can simply pick three sights from the following list:

Either way, the Space Needle is an absolute must-see and I can also highly recommend the Museum of Flight and the Seattle Art Museum. With a C3 ticket, you have an even greater choice and can concentrate on really selected spots. The C3 ticket is also a whole 30 euros cheaper.

Pros of Seattle C3

Please note: The Seattle C3 Ticket is only available on the CityPASS website. You can buy the Seattle C3 Ticket here*

Is the Seattle CityPASS worth it?

In my opinion, yes, if you are planning to see the most important sights in Seattle anyway. You’ll save time and money, especially on your first visit to Seattle – and the Space Needle is a must-see anyway. I also found it super convenient not to have to deal with buying tickets on the spot.

If you want to be more flexible, I would recommend at least the Seattle C3 – you are guaranteed to visit the Space Needle and two other sights!

Actually, you should also considered buying a CityPASS when you’re visiting other cities in the US: Read my full review on the Chicago CityPASS

I visited Seattle as part of a research trip for Travellers Insight, the Munich Airport’s renowned travel blog. Read my article about Seattle here. The Seattle CityPASS was provided by CityPASS.