All Paris Tourist Passes Compared: Which One Should You Buy?
Paris has three popular tourist passes. For most museum-focused trips the official Museum Pass is the best value; the Paris Go City Pass only wins if you'll use its extras too.
Types of tourist pass
Day pass
Pay by the day. Museum Pass plus a cruise, bus tour and Eiffel stairs.
In Paris: Paris Go City Pass
Pick-your-own pass
Pick 3-7 attractions. 30 days to use them.
In Paris: Paris Go City Explorer Pass
Museum pass
Entry to 50+ museums and monuments for 2, 4 or 6 days.
In Paris: Paris Museum Pass
Which pass for your trip?
Paris Museum Pass
- Mostly museums: Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, Arc. Five big sites cost €91.50-107.50 separately, against €85.
Paris Go City Pass
- 2-4 packed days: museums plus a cruise, bus and Eiffel stairs. The Museum Pass plus the extras in one.
Paris Go City Explorer Pass
- A few non-museum sights at your own pace. Pick 3-7, with 30 days to use them.
No pass needed
- The Eiffel Tower summit and one or two others. No pass includes the lift. Buy tickets directly.
- Under-18s or EU residents under 26. Most national museums are free for you.
The passes compared
Paris Museum Pass
- Attractions
- 50+
- Price
- €85 (2 days)
- Time to use
- 2, 4 or 6 days
- Best for
- Museum lovers
- Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe
- Best value for museums
- No Eiffel Tower
- Time slots still needed
Paris Go City Pass
- Attractions
- 82
- Price
- From €199
- Time to use
- 2-6 days
- Best for
- Museums plus cruise, bus and Eiffel stairs
- Museum Pass included
- Seine cruise, bus tour, Eiffel stairs
- Eiffel stairs only
- €114+ more than the Museum Pass
Paris Go City Explorer Pass
- Attractions
- Pick 3-7 of 36
- Price
- From €84
- Time to use
- 30 days
- Best for
- Non-museum sights
- Cruise, bus tour, Eiffel stairs
- 30 days
- No Louvre, Orsay or Arc
Which big sights are on which pass?
| Sight | Museum | Go City | Explorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louvre | Included, book a slot | Included, book a slot | Not included |
| Musée d'Orsay | Included, book a slot | Included, book a slot | Not included |
| Arc de Triomphe | Included | Included | Not included |
| Palace of Versailles | Included | Included | Not included |
| Sainte-Chapelle | Included, book a slot | Included, book a slot | Not included |
| Eiffel Tower | Not included | Stairs to the 2nd floor only | Stairs to the 2nd floor only |
| Seine cruise | Not included | Included | Included |
Worth knowing before you buy
The Museum Pass is the value pick
Five big sites cost about €91.50-107.50 separately, against €85 for 2 days.
No pass gets you up the Eiffel Tower by lift
The Go City passes include the stairs (€14.80 on their own). The summit is €36.70.
The Paris Go City Pass already includes the Museum Pass
So don't buy both, and only pick the Paris Go City Pass if you'll use the extras.
Time slots still apply
The Louvre, Orsay and Sainte-Chapelle need free reservations even with a pass.
Young visitors are often free
Under-18s and EU residents under 26 get into most national museums free.
Whichever pass you pick, queues at the Louvre and Eiffel Tower eat into your day. Check how busy each attraction is right now on beatthecrowd.co, and go where it's quiet first.
Check live crowds in Paris →How pass companies make money
Paris Museum Pass, Paris Go City Pass and Paris Go City Explorer Pass all make money the same way. Knowing how helps you get your money's worth in Paris.
Sellers buy entry to places like Louvre at a discount and resell it as a bundle.
Every Paris pass day or slot left unused is profit for the seller.
Bigger versions of Paris Museum Pass look cheaper per attraction than they really are.
FAQs
Which Paris pass is best?
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For museums, the Paris Museum Pass. For museums plus a cruise, bus and the Eiffel stairs, the Paris Go City Pass. For a few non-museum sights, the Explorer.
Which Paris pass includes the Louvre?
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The Paris Museum Pass and the Paris Go City Pass. You still need a free timed reservation.
Does any Paris pass include the Eiffel Tower?
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The Go City passes include the stairs to the second floor. No pass includes the lift.
How much is the Paris Museum Pass?
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€85 for 2 days, €105 for 4 and €125 for 6.