Photo by Dllu on Wikimedia Commons
Is Empire State Building worth it on a budget?
DependsOn a budget
Choose one observation deck and buy the standard 86th-floor ticket. The open-air view is the essential Empire State experience; premium times and the 102nd-floor upgrade add cost without changing the verdict.
$44+ for the 86th floor; $79+ for the 102nd and 86th floors; $5 booking fee per transaction
The restored lobby and exhibits build anticipation before the elevators do their work. On the 86th floor, wind, noise and the metal railing make the view feel connected to the street far below. The obvious limitation is also the decisive one: the Empire State Building cannot appear in its own panorama. Extra charges for peak times and the 102nd floor add up quickly, so the standard deck is enough for most visitors.
- Price
- $44+ for the 86th floor; $79+ for the 102nd and 86th floors; $5 booking fee per transaction
- Time
- 1.5–2 hrs
- Last verified
- 2026-07-16
Is Empire State Building worth it…
How we verified
- The official visitor site describes two observation decks and publishes current hours, ticket and accessibility information. · esbnyc.com
- The 86th-floor main deck is an open-air observatory with 360-degree views. · esbnyc.com
- Official tickets currently start at $44 for the 86th floor and $79 for the 102nd and 86th floors, with a $5 booking charge per transaction. · esbnyc.com
- Supporting source · timeout.com
- Supporting source · esbnyc.com
- Supporting source · wherearethosemorgans.com