Why You Should Skip the Line at the Empire State Building?

Empire State Building Skip the Line Tickets

Avoid long queues: Skip-the-line tickets guarantee fast access to the Empire State Building allowing you to walk past huge crowds and straight into the attraction.
Reduce waiting time: Purchasing these tickets reduces your waiting time because you get quicker access to the building’s observatory and other attractions.
Don't rush through your visit: The tickets help you save a lot of time, which you can use to explore the attraction. You don’t have to rush through your visit.
Visit other attractions: These tickets help you save a lot of time that you can use to explore other attractions in New York. You don’t have to spend the whole day or a major chunk of it exploring just one site.

How to Skip the Line at the Empire State Building?

Book Skip the Line Tickets

Booking Empire State Building skip the line tickets allows you to access the attraction on priority without worrying about standing in long queues for hours. You can walk straight into the attraction saving a lot of time and energy, which you can use to explore the building at your own pace.

Book Your Tickets Today

Book Tickets Online

Booking Empire State Building skip the line tickets online is a much more convenient, efficient, and safe option because it guarantees a contactless transaction and hassle-free entry into the attraction. It gives you more time to explore the building and pass the the long waiting lines so that you enter the building much faster.

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Visit During Early Hours

The best way to avoid crowds is to visit the Empire State Building either during the early hours when it opens to the public or just before closing time. This allows you to spend more time at the attraction and make the most of your visit. Check the timings beforehand because they may change depending on the season or special occasions.

Empire State Building Timings

Skip the Line Tickets vs Regular Admission - Which to Choose?

Skip the Line

Skip-the-line tickets allow you to avoid huge crowds by guaranteeing priority access to the attraction.
You save a lot of time, which you can use to explore the site at your own pace and also see other attractions in the area.
These tickets reduce your wait time from a few hours to a few minutes by ensuring priority access to the attraction.

Regular Admission

The regular admission ticket grants you access to all the attractions inside the Empire State Building including the observatories and exhibits.
With your regular admission ticket, you might end up having to wait in line to get inside. However, regular tickets come with a timeslot, so you will only have to wait until it is your turn to enter.

Note: All Empire State Building tickets include the option of choosing a timeslot. The Express Pass is the only ticket that allows you to bypass all lines and head straight to the observatory.

Frequently Asked Questions About Empire State Building Skip the Line Tickets

What is included in the skip-the-line ticket?

The ticket provides fast access to the 86th-floor observatory deck, red carpet lane access, Art Deco lobby access, high-power binoculars, audio guides, and free Wi-Fi. For an additional upgrade, you can also access the observatory deck on the 102nd floor.

How does the skip-the-line ticket differ from regular tickets?

Skip-the-line tickets grant you priority access, reducing wait time significantly compared to regular tickets, which may require standing in lines. This ticket lets you bypass most queues (except the airport-style security screening which is mandatory for everyone) and head straight to the observatory.

Does the skip-the-line ticket include a guided tour?

No, a guided tour is not included in your Empire State Building skip-the-line ticket. However, you get access to an audio guide available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, French and Mandarin.

Can I cancel or reschedule my tickets?

No, the skip-the-line tickets to Empire State Building cannot be canceled or rescheduled once booked.

What are the waiting times without skip-the-line tickets?

Without skip-the-line tickets, you can expect average waiting times of 45 minutes to 1 hour at the Empire State Building. During peak periods, such as weekends and summer months, these wait times can even exceed an hour.

Can I access the Empire State Building at any time with my skip-the-line ticket?

No, all your skip-the-line tickets are timed and you must visit the Empire State Building during the selected time slot mentioned on your ticket.