I was always under the impression that getting a travel pass was a good idea. Well here is the low down.

For those of you who dont know what I am talking about, let me give you an idea of what I am talking about. Several cities in Europe offer tourists the chance to purchase a tourist card. These cards offer several advantages rather than just purchasing individual tickets. These passes typically include unlimited transportation for a set amount of days that you choose, the opportunity to skip que lines (much like you can now purchase at most major amusement parks at the bigger rides), unlimited choice at most attractions (walk in, walk out at your leisure), maps, tourism hot lines for ideas, and discounts at restaurants and other main places, etc. Cities in the United States have also jumped on board with this idea.

So heres the breakdown:

We will take the most famous one first- the London Pass.

http://www.londonpass.com

I take the 3 day pass, with zones 1 and 2 (all that you will need in that city) transportation.

Broken down prices seperate:

-3 day transportation pass: 40usd zones 1-6 off peak (not including 4-9am)

-Tower of London (30usd)

-London Bridge Tower- 10usd

-St Pauls Cathedral- 18usd

-Jewel Tower- 4usd

- Royal Mews (see the horses and golden stage coach the queen uses!)- 10usd

Total with just those major attractions: 115usd

3 day London pass cost: 90usd if picked up in London.

What a deal with this! I have used it, and would say DO IT. Its worth skipping the lines to get right into the attraction alone- dont wait in the lines to get a ticket, THEN another waiting to get into the attraction (the pass also has a special line that allows you to skip the waits in some places.)

Other cities also include a similar pass.

Lets take another city. New York City.

This time we will take it by one day only so you get the idea.

A One Day Pass is 69 bucks without transportation. Now in New York, for 7 bucks you can get a one day fun pass: http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm#unlimited and get all you want on the subway and buses. This pass has a special bus service that takes tourists around with a guide and it is open at the top. If that is your cup of tea, then go for it but I myself would’nt justify the extra 20 bucks (only offered on the 2+ day passes)

Separately paid:

-Empire State Building- 18

-Statue and Ellis Island- 12

-NBC Stuidio Tour- 18

-Circle Line River Cruise-30

Total seperate: 69

vs.

Pass: 69

Here there are no savings, BUT you skip the lines, also- ALL of the museums are free as well- so go to one and the pass is paid for. Other attractions are free to walk into as well.

Many other cities also have the pass, not all of them but many of the larger tourism cities. Here are the some of the cites:

-http://www.europeancitycards.com/categories.asp (Europe city passes)

-http://www.newyorkpass.com/

-http://www.philadelphiapass.com/index2.asp

-http://www.museums-of-paris.com/museum-pass.php

-http://www.citypass.com/ (US Cities)

-http://www.londonpass.com

*Note: I have been told that the pass for Paris is NOT a good deal. Here was his reasoning. I purchased it, and enjoyed its use in three places so after thinking about it, I also agree not to purchase it. I did however enjoy skipping the line at Versailles.