The Travel Blog
How to Use City Tourist Cards to Save Money
Travelling through Europe is a rewarding adventure, but the cost of entry fees, public transport, and sightseeing tours can quickly accumulate. If you’re aiming to maximise your experience while keeping costs in check, there’s a little-known but incredibly effective solution: city tourist cards.
From Rome to Reykjavik, these city passes offer substantial travel savings by bundling transit, attractions, and exclusive discounts into one convenient package. But not all tourist cards are created equal—and they’re not always the right choice for every traveller.
This guide will show you how to assess, select, and make the most of tourist cards in Europe, helping you cut expenses while enriching your journey.
What Are City Tourist Cards?
City tourist cards (also known as city passes) are prepaid packages that offer a combination of:
- Free or discounted admission to major museums and attractions
- Unlimited use of public transport
- Discounts at restaurants, shops, or cultural events
- Skip-the-line access at select locations
- Optional guided tours or audio guides
Most cards are available for 24, 48, 72, or 120-hour periods, activated from the first use.
Why Use Tourist Cards?
1. Bundled Value = Lower Costs
If you’re planning to visit multiple paid attractions in a short time frame, city passes can reduce your per-attraction cost significantly. Many offer savings between 20–50% compared to buying individual tickets.
2. Skip Queues and Save Time
Some tourist cards provide fast-track access, allowing you to bypass long lines—especially useful during high season.
3. Unlimited Public Transport
In cities where metro, trams, or buses are common (think Paris, Vienna, or Amsterdam), free local transit can translate to major travel savings over just a couple of days.
4. One Purchase = Less Hassle
Rather than buying tickets separately and managing multiple apps or paper vouchers, one card can handle everything—ideal for first-time visitors or short stays.
When a City Pass Doesn’t Make Sense
- You’re staying briefly and only visiting 1–2 attractions
- Most of your planned sights are free (e.g. parks, walking tours, street art)
- You’re travelling off-season and some attractions may be closed
- You prefer slow travel or prefer not to pack your days with sightseeing
Always compare your rough itinerary costs versus the pass price before purchasing.
Best Tourist Cards in Europe (By City)
1. Paris Pass / Paris Museum Pass (France)
Cost: From €55 for 2 days Includes: Over 60 museums (Louvre, Orsay, Versailles), public transport (with the Paris Pass version), skip-the-line access
Best For: Culture lovers, first-timers, and anyone doing 3+ attractions per day
Extra Value: Great combo when paired with a Seine cruise or Montmartre walking tour
2. Berlin WelcomeCard (Germany)
Cost: From €24 for 48 hours Includes: Free public transport in zones ABC (including airport), discounts at 180+ attractions and restaurants
Best For: Travellers moving across different parts of the city and planning museum visits
Extra Value: Includes Museum Island pass and discounts on boat tours
3. Vienna City Card (Austria)
Cost: From €17 for 24 hours Includes: Unlimited public transport and discounts at museums, restaurants, and shops
Best For: Practical travellers wanting reliable transport and occasional cultural visits
Extra Value: Add-on options available (like airport transfer and hop-on-hop-off buses)
4. Amsterdam City Card (Netherlands)
Cost: From €60 for 24 hours Includes: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, canal cruises, public transport
Best For: Art lovers and those using trams and ferries frequently
Extra Value: Includes a free ferry to NDSM Wharf and entry to botanical gardens
5. Barcelona Card (Spain)
Cost: From €48 for 72 hours Includes: Transport, museums, and 70+ discounts across the city
Best For: Travellers focused on museums and architectural sites
Extra Value: Great savings if paired with multiple Gaudí site visits
6. Prague Card (Czech Republic)
Cost: From €79 for 3 days Includes: Entry to over 60 attractions, including Prague Castle and Jewish Quarter, plus river cruise
Best For: History enthusiasts and first-time visitors
Extra Value: Big savings on Prague Castle entry alone
7. Lisbon Card (Portugal)
Cost: From €22 for 24 hours Includes: Public transport (including funiculars and elevators), museums, and Jerónimos Monastery
Best For: Travellers using metro + trams, and museum-goers
Extra Value: Includes train to Sintra and Cascais
8. Stockholm Pass (Sweden)
Cost: From €69 for 1 day Includes: 60+ attractions and boat/bus tours
Best For: Sightseeing-packed days with a focus on royal palaces and archipelago cruises
Extra Value: Expensive attractions like Vasa Museum and boat tours make this worthwhile
9. Budapest Card (Hungary)
Cost: From €33 for 72 hours Includes: Free public transport, museum access, thermal baths discount
Best For: Spa lovers, history buffs, and tram-hopping travellers
Extra Value: Includes walking tours and discounts on boat cruises and baths
10. London Pass (UK)
Cost: From £89 for 1 day Includes: Entry to 80+ attractions including Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and Thames cruise
Best For: Intensive sightseeing days with a packed schedule
Extra Value: Skip-the-line access at many top sights
How to Evaluate If a Tourist Card Offers Value
Before buying any city pass, do a quick calculation:
- List the attractions you realistically plan to visit
- Add up the individual costs of each ticket
- Compare it to the price of the pass
- Factor in transportation savings (if the card includes it)
- Consider time savings with fast-track access
If the total exceeds the pass price, you’re looking at real travel savings.
Travel Hacks to Maximise Your City Pass
1. Start Early on Your First Day
Most passes are activated from the first scan, not by calendar date. Starting early allows you to maximise the time period (especially for 24/48-hour cards).
2. Use Offline Maps and Apps
Download the city’s transport app and maps to avoid wasting time or incurring roaming charges.
3. Combine with Free Walking Tours
Many cities offer excellent tip-based walking tours. Combine free activities with your pass-based days to extend your budget.
4. Look for Combo or Regional Cards
In regions like Tuscany, Bavaria, or the French Riviera, you may find combined passes that cover multiple cities or nearby towns.
5. Don’t Overstuff Your Itinerary
Trying to squeeze in eight attractions in one day just to “make the card worth it” will exhaust you. Prioritise high-value and interest-based experiences.
Key Takeaway
Tourist cards in Europe are powerful tools when used strategically. They’re not just about slashing ticket costs—they streamline your travel, save time, and offer a deeper engagement with the cities you explore. With hundreds of cities offering their own version of a city pass, finding one that suits your itinerary and travel style is easier than ever.
Travel Smart, Spend Less, See More
Whether you’re soaking in Budapest’s thermal waters, wandering Lisbon’s hilltop castles, or perusing Parisian masterpieces, city tourist cards let you experience more of Europe for less. Thoughtfully deployed, they transform your trip from budget-conscious to budget-brilliant.
So do the maths, pick your pass, and get ready to unlock more for every euro. Because in Europe, smarter travel is just a card away.
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