The building's own admission ticket: 86th-floor deck plus the in-house museum galleries, no guide, no extras.
- Free cancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund (GetYourGuide listing, checked 2026-09-12)
- Duration45 minutes to 2 hours, self-paced — no time limit once you arrive
The Empire State Building Observation Deck & Museum Ticket costs $48 per person through GetYourGuide and admits you to the 86th Floor Observation Deck plus twelve museum galleries on the way up, covering the building's construction, its King Kong and pop-culture history, and a two-story architectural model. The official ticket office sells the same 86th-floor access alone for $44 (86th Floor Only) plus a $5 booking fee, so the two sit close in price; this partner ticket is the plain, no-extras option most first-time visitors compare everything else on this site against.
Key facts
entry-ticket- Duration
- 45 minutes to 2 hours, self-paced — no time limit once you arrive
- Meeting point
- Observatory entrance, 20 West 34th Street (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues) — a different door from the building's 350 Fifth Avenue mailing address
- Price
- $48 per person
- Entry ticket included
- Yes
- Accessibility
- ADA-compliant: the 20 West 34th Street entrance and the building's ramps are wheelchair accessible, the 86th Floor Observatory has accessible restrooms and lowered viewing walls and binoculars, and service dogs are welcome throughout (esbnyc.com/visit/accessibility, checked 2026-09-12).
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund (GetYourGuide listing, checked 2026-09-12)
Included
- ✓ General or Express skip-the-line ticket, depending on the option selected
- ✓ Access to the 86th Floor Observation Deck
- ✓ 12 museum galleries: construction history, King Kong, celebrity history and more
- ✓ Art Deco lobby
- ✓ Free Wi-Fi in the building
- ✓ Kids under 6 free
- ✓ Booking fees and sales tax
Not included
- ✗ 102nd Floor, unless the upgraded option is selected at checkout
- ✗ Live tour guide
Meeting point
20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10118 — No collection needed; show the e-ticket on your phone at security.
Nearest transit: Subway B/D/F/M/N/Q/R/W to 34th St–Herald Square, or 6 to 33rd St
What the ticket includes
The ticket covers the 86th Floor Observation Deck, the building's open-air terrace with 360-degree views over Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, plus twelve museum galleries you pass through on the way up. The galleries cover the building's Depression-era construction, its role in King Kong and other films, and a two-story architectural model. The 102nd floor is not included unless you pick that option at checkout; there is no live guide on this ticket.
Price versus the official ticket
At $48, this ticket costs $4 more than the official 86th Floor Only ticket ($44 plus a $5 booking fee at esbnyc.com), and the two cover the same floor. The difference is the museum galleries, which are bundled in by default here; the official site sells the equivalent all-areas experience as its own Top Deck ticket ($79) if you also want the 102nd floor.
Getting in: entrance, security and timing
The visitor entrance is 20 West 34th Street, not the building's 350 Fifth Avenue mailing address. Expect airport-style security screening at the door. Budget 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on how long you spend in the galleries; the deck itself has no time limit once you're up there. The nearest subway is 34th St–Herald Square (B/D/F/M/N/Q/R/W) or 33rd St (6).
Who this ticket suits, and who should upgrade
Book this ticket for a straightforward first visit to the 86th floor with no guide and no extras. Upgrade to the Indoor Guided Tour if you want the history explained by a person rather than a gallery panel, or add the 102nd-floor option here or via the official Top Deck ticket for a clear-sky visit. Families note: kids under 6 enter free.
| Ticket | Price | Floors | Museum galleries |
|---|---|---|---|
| This ticket (partner) | $48 | 86th | Included |
| Official 86th Floor Only | $44 | 86th | Not included |
| Official Top Deck | $79 | 86th and 102nd | Not included |
What reviewers consistently say
- 4.7 out of 5 from about 28,566 reviews (Google search result of the GetYourGuide listing, checked 2026-09-12)
Who should not book this
- Visitors who specifically want the 102nd floor (select that option, or see the comparison page)
- Anyone who wants a live guide (see the Indoor Guided Tour instead)
-
Indoor Guide Tour with Ticket of Empire State Building
USD 79if you want a live guide included rather than a self-guided visit
Read the full page
How to book
Choose a date, or the option that adds the 102nd floor if you want both decks, and pay by card. The e-ticket arrives by email; show it on your phone at the observatory entrance, 20 West 34th Street. This site may earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you.
This site may earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does this ticket include the 102nd floor?
Only if you select that option at checkout — the base ticket covers the 86th Floor Observation Deck and the museum galleries. The all-inclusive Top Deck ticket costs $79 at the official ticket office.
How long does the visit take?
Budget 45 minutes to 2 hours: the museum galleries add time on the way up, and the 86th floor itself has no time limit once you're there.
Is this the same as buying directly from the Empire State Building?
It's the equivalent product at a small premium ($48 vs $44): both cover the 86th floor, but this version bundles the museum galleries by default rather than as a separate line item.
Sources