Empire State Building Tickets Price 2026: Hours & Visitor Guide

Planning to visit the Empire State Building? Tickets start at $44. Here is the real breakdown of prices, hours, which floor to pick, and how to skip the queue in 2026.

By Farah Abbas | Destinations | 12 min read

Quick Facts at a Glance

Why Visit the Empire State Building

Some landmarks get famous just for being old. The Empire State Building is famous because it actually delivers.

Completed in 1931 in eleven months, this 102-story Art Deco tower has watched over Midtown Manhattan for almost a century. It was the tallest building on the planet for forty years. It has starred in more films than most actors ever will. And when you finally step out onto the 86th Floor Observation Deck, and the wind hits your face, none of that history feels like trivia anymore. It feels real.

The lobby alone is worth slowing down for. Gilded ceiling murals, aluminum bas-reliefs, and a wall panel showing the building itself with beams of light shooting out of the mast. Most visitors walk straight past it toward the ticket counters. Do not make that mistake.

This is why the Empire State Building still ranks as one of New York City’s most visited attractions nearly a century after it opened, and why it belongs on almost every first-time NYC itinerary, right alongside a walk through Times Square and a ferry out to see the Statue of Liberty.

Empire State Building Tickets Price: Full Breakdown

This is where most visitors overpay without realizing it, so pay attention.

86th Floor Observatory (Best Value ticket): From $44 per adult. This gets you the open-air observation deck, 1,050 feet above the street, plus access to the second-floor exhibits. For most first-time visitors, this is genuinely enough.

86th + 102nd Floor Combo: From around $79 per adult. This adds the enclosed 102nd-floor observatory, 1,250 feet up, reached by a glass elevator. On a clear day, you can see up to 80 miles in every direction. Worth it if photography or bragging rights matter to you.

Express Pass: Roughly $105 to $137 depending on the season and date. This skips all three queues, the ticket counter, security, and the elevator line, through a dedicated entrance. Only worth the extra cost during peak summer weekends, holidays, or sunset time slots, when standard lines can run past an hour.

A $5 booking fee is added to every online transaction, and it still works out cheaper and far less stressful than buying at the door.

Who gets a discount: Children aged 6 to 12 pay a reduced rate, kids under 6 enter free with an adult, seniors 62 and older get a discount, and active military in uniform enter free.

How to book: Reserve directly on the official Empire State Building website. Choose your date, pick a time slot, and bring your e-ticket on your phone. Third-party resale sites sometimes charge unmarked service fees, so booking direct usually protects your wallet.

Best Time to Visit

Tuesday through Thursday, before 10:30 AM, is genuinely the quietest window. The morning rush clears out by mid-morning, and crowds don’t build again until after lunch.

If mornings are not realistic for your trip, the building stays open until 2:00 AM, so a visit after 8:00 PM is your second-best option, with the bonus of watching the city light up below you. Sunset slots are beautiful but also the single busiest time of day, so book those well ahead if that is the view you want.

How to Get There

The Empire State Building sits at 20 West 34th Street, right in the middle of Midtown Manhattan.

By Subway (Recommended): Take the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, or W train to 34th Street–Herald Square. It is a five-minute walk east to the entrance. If you are coming in on the 1, 2, 3, A, C, or E line, get off at 34th Street–Penn Station instead, also a five-minute walk. Plan your exact route on the official MTA subway map and trip planner before you set off.

From Times Square: It is just under a mile away, about a 15- to 20-minute walk down Sixth Avenue or Broadway, or a quick subway hop.

By Car: Skip it. Midtown traffic is brutal at almost any hour, and parking garages nearby are expensive. The subway is faster and far less stressful.

If you are flying into New York from the US, timing your flight right can genuinely save you money. Compare flight options here before you lock in your travel dates.

86th Floor or 102nd Floor: Which One Should You Pick

This is the question almost every visitor asks, and the honest answer depends on what you actually want.

The 86th Floor is open-air, iconic, and included in the base ticket. You get wind on your face, unobstructed photos through the safety fencing, and the classic Empire State Building experience you have seen in every movie.

The 102nd Floor is fully enclosed, quieter, and 200 feet higher. Floor-to-ceiling glass means no fencing in your photos, and on a clear day the views stretch across six states. It is the better choice in bad weather or if you want a calmer, less crowded moment at the top.

Most first-time visitors are happy with the 86th Floor alone. If it is your first trip to New York and budget matters, save the extra money. If you are a photography person or this is a special-occasion visit, the combo ticket is worth it.

Hidden Details Most Tourists Miss

The Second-Floor Exhibits: Tucked between the lobby and the elevators, these interactive galleries cover the building’s construction and pop-culture history. Almost everyone rushes past them heading up. Give yourself ten minutes here on the way down instead, when you are not racing the clock.

The Art Deco Lobby Ceiling: Look up the moment you walk in from Fifth Avenue. The gilded mural is one of the most overlooked details in the entire building because everyone is focused on the ticket line.

Weekday Late Nights: Almost nobody books a 9:30 PM weekday slot. If you want the observation deck nearly to yourself, this is how.

Sample Half-Day Plan

Morning arrival before 10:30 AM works best. Ride up to the 86th floor first, spend 30 to 40 minutes taking in the view, then add the 102nd floor if you bought the combo ticket. Head back down through the second-floor exhibits, grab a coffee nearby, and you can be walking toward Times Square or the Fifth Avenue shops before lunch. The whole visit realistically takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours, including the security line.

Realistic Budget Guide

Expect to spend $44 to $50 per adult for the standard 86th Floor ticket, or $79 to $90 for the combo. Add the $5 booking fee. If you are visiting as a family, look at combined NYC attraction passes first, since several include the Empire State Building alongside other major sights at a lower combined rate. Skip the Express Pass unless you are visiting during a summer weekend or a major holiday.

Safety and Common Scams

The building itself is safe and heavily staffed with security. The real risk is outside it. Street vendors near the entrance sometimes offer to “help” with tickets or skip the line for cash. Ignore them completely and book only through esbnyc.com. For a full breakdown of tricks tourists fall for across major cities, read this guide to dangerous travel scams and how to avoid them before your trip.

What People Regret Not Knowing

Most regrets are not about the building. They are about timing. Visitors who show up at 1:00 PM on a Saturday without a booked slot often wait 45 minutes to an hour just for security, then more time for the elevators. Book ahead, and book an early or late slot if your schedule allows it.

The other common regret is skipping the 102nd floor entirely because it looked like an unnecessary upsell. Most people who add it do not regret the extra cost. It is the ones who skip it in bad weather who wish they had booked the enclosed deck instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Empire State Building ticket price in 2026?

Standard 86th Floor tickets start from $44 per adult. The 86th-plus-102nd-floor combo starts at around $79. A $5 booking fee applies online.

What are the opening hours?

The Empire State Building is open 365 days a year, daily from 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM. Last elevator entry is about one hour before closing.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

It is strongly recommended. Walk-up tickets exist, but timed slots sell out on weekends, holidays, and during summer, and walk-in queues can exceed an hour.

Which floor should I visit, the 86th or the 102nd?

The 86th Floor is open-air and included in the base ticket, ideal for most first-time visitors. The 102nd Floor is enclosed, higher, and better for bad weather or a quieter experience. The combo ticket includes both.

What is the nearest subway station?

34th Street–Herald Square, served by the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W lines, is a five-minute walk from the entrance.

Is the Empire State Building good for kids?

Yes. Children aged 6 to 12 get discounted tickets, and kids under 6 enter free with an adult. The exhibits and the observation decks are engaging for most ages.

How long does a visit take?

Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours total, including security and elevator time. Add extra time if you plan to explore both observation decks.

Is the Empire State Building wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The building offers full wheelchair access, including accessible entrances and elevators to both observation decks.

Final Verdict

The Empire State Building earns its reputation. The views are real, the Art Deco details are genuinely beautiful, and unlike some landmarks, it does not feel like a tourist trap once you are inside.

Book your slot for early morning or late evening, decide upfront whether the 102nd floor is worth it for you, and give yourself time in the lobby before you rush to the elevators. Do that, and this becomes one of the best hours you spend in the entire city.

Essential Travel Resources

Book official tickets: Empire State Building Official Site. Plan your subway route: MTA Official Trip Planner. Explore more NYC attractions: NYC Official Tourism Site. Find cheap flights to New York: Search Flights Here