One Of Costco's Greatest Travel Hacks For Exploring And Sightseeing On A Budget

If you've ever stood in a ticket line watching your precious sightseeing hours tick away, you'll understand the appeal of the Go City Pass. These passes offer entrance to various sights and attractions at one bundled price. Plus, it becomes an even better deal when you buy it from Costco. For example, Costco's Chicago pass ranges from $75 to $113 at present, while they start at $84 on the Go City website.

A Go City pass is essentially a digital key to a city's best attractions, designed to save both time and money. The all-inclusive version gives you access to as many attractions as you can fit into a set number of consecutive days, while the Explorer Pass lets you pick a set number of sights to use over a longer stretch (30 days from your first visit). With options in more than 25 cities and over 1,500 attractions in total, Go City claims the pass could potentially save you up to 50% compared to buying tickets individually. Costco's specific city pass offerings can vary, so you'll have to check online to see if there's a pass matching your needs.

For travelers who like hitting the major landmarks in their destination, the Go City Pass is a clever little hack. You can unlock museums, tours, and experiences without digging for cash at each ticket box or juggling multiple booking confirmations. And with Costco offering discounted rates, the savings can be a no-brainer for travelers with a plan. Keep in mind, though, that the passes are non-refundable — so don't factor in Costco's generous return policy as a safety net. That's why a bit of price comparison and planning ahead can make sure you really are getting the most for your money.

Granted, there are plenty of "must-see" attractions that don't always live up to the hype. But if you have some "overrated" tourist traps that are truly worth visiting on your itinerary, chances are they are covered by the Go City Pass. And like most travel hacks, the Go City Pass shines brightest when you know how to use it.

If you're the type of traveler who wants to hit multiple attractions in a single day — think morning museum, afternoon boat tour, evening observation deck — this pass can deliver serious value. Redditor u/milyrake calculated that their three-day New York pass cost $246 to cover six travelers, adding,"I was a little skeptical of this pass but honestly it worked flawlessly and was perfect for us!" According to u/sonmiraseattle, they saved nearly $300 with an all-inclusive pass. However, they also pointed out: "A typical person fails at using those passes. They don't read fine print of every single item, don't properly plan and end up wasting a lot of time. I think the majority lose money getting those passes."

That's why your travel style will determine whether this pass is a good option for you. If your style is more about people-watching in cafés or exploring one neighborhood a day, it's likely a waste of money. On the flip side, some users found it led them to experiences they wouldn't have paid for otherwise. Facebook user Mikell Todd said, "I decided to get it unlimited for 7 days so ... i can go off track and pop into places I really hadn't planned for." Conversely, user Stefano Lacono said: "No it's not worth it because so many of the attractions are redundant."

If you do spring for the Go City Pass, you should have a plan. Decide which attractions you absolutely can't miss, then check regular ticket prices. If the math already adds up compared to the cost of the pass, everything else is a bonus. You may also want to shop around — some cities offer tourist cards to save you money, which might be a better fit for your itinerary. Group nearby attractions together to minimize travel time, and make reservations for anything requiring them — many top spots still need advance booking even with the pass.

Download the Go City app before you leave. It keeps your pass, attraction details, and booking links in one place so you can adjust your plans on the fly. And as other reviewers have mentioned, be sure to read the fine print. For example, each attraction can only be visited once, others have limited hours, and the pass clock starts ticking when you scan it at your first stop.

If you want to stretch your savings further, combine it with other budget-friendly tools, like public transit passes or travel reward points. Considering Rick Steves' secret to sightseeing in Europe as efficiently as possible is using the subway, picking up a Eurail pass or something similar could improve things. Used well, it can potentially save you money and allow you to see more without feeling like you're spending too much of your trip in line.