A combination ticket, also known as a combo ticket, is a single ticket that grants admission to multiple attractions or events. Combination tickets are popular options for tourists visiting a new city or families looking to maximize their entertainment budget. Here’s a closer look at how combination tickets work and who they benefit.
What is a Combination Ticket?
A combination ticket combines admission to two or more attractions or events into a single discounted ticket. It’s essentially a package deal that bundles together entry to places a visitor is likely to go. Combination tickets are commonly offered by theme parks, museums, zoos, aquariums, and other tourist destinations.
For example, a theme park may offer a combination ticket that includes admission to both their amusement park and attached water park. Or a city may offer a combo ticket that provides access to 5 top museums and historical sites. Combination tickets make it easy and affordable to experience more than one place.
Types of Combination Tickets
There are a few different types of combination tickets you may encounter:
- City passes – These provide admission to various attractions within a city like museums, observation decks, bike rentals, and more. City passes allow you to customize your own package.
- Attraction bundles – Packages that include entry to attractions owned by the same company. Like a zoo and aquarium combo.
- Themed packages – Focus on attractions related to a theme like kids activities or historic sites.
- Flexible passes – Offer a set number of admissions that you can use at different attractions in any order.
The offerings vary widely, but combination tickets make it easy to access all the best attractions in an area at a discounted rate compared to purchasing individual tickets.
How Combination Tickets Save Money
The main perk of combo tickets is the opportunity for significant savings. Purchasing admission to multiple places individually would cost far more. Combination tickets provide a discounted bundled rate. Exact savings depend on the specific ticket, but you can typically save 20-60% with a combo ticket. Some key ways they save you money include:
- Discounted individual rates – Each included attraction is offered at a lower rate than if purchased separately.
- Reduced combo pricing – The full package price is discounted further compared to adding up individual tickets.
- No processing fees – Combination tickets allow you to avoid multiple per ticket fees.
In many cases, a combination ticket works out to less than the price of two regular admissions. Families and travel groups stand to benefit the most from these money-saving deals. You can enjoy more attractions for less with carefully selected combo tickets.
When to Buy Combination Tickets
As a general rule, combination tickets represent the best value when you plan to visit most or all of the included attractions. Buying a packed combo ticket makes sense in these situations:
- Vacationing in a new city
- Visiting with out-of-town guests
- Entertaining kids during school breaks
- Knocking out a bucket list of attractions
- Cramming a lot into a short trip
Evaluate your itinerary and attraction interests to decide if a combo pass makes financial sense. For maximum savings, utilize every included ticket. But even using a few admissions generally adds up to a good deal.
Popular Types of Combination Tickets
Combination or multi-attraction tickets come in all shapes and sizes. Here are some of the most common types you’ll encounter when researching combo ticket options:
Theme Park Bundles
Theme parks commonly offer combination tickets bundling access to both their main amusement park and a secondary park like a water park or adventure park. For example, a SeaWorld combo could include their animal park and Aquatica Waterpark. These bundles provide an easy way to experience it all.
City Tourist Passes
Tourist passes allow you to customize an itinerary of top city attractions. Build-your-own combo options include museum passes, observation deck passes, and activity passes like bike rentals. Brands like CityPASS operate in over a dozen major U.S. cities.
Museum Combinations
Nearby museums often partner to offer combination tickets at a discounted rate. If there’s a cluster of museums that interest you, look for joint tickets to save. Science, art, and history museums commonly offer money-saving bundles.
Dining & Activity Combos
Some combination tickets pair an activity like a boat tour or show with a meal, snack, or drink. It’s a convenient way to make an experience feel like a special event. Sports stadiums, entertainment venues, and restaurants commonly provide these types of deals.
Shuttle Passes
Charging one flat rate for unlimited transportation access is another way to save. Tourist shuttle passes allow you to park your car and ride to all the top area attractions. Mountain resorts, national parks, and other destinations offer shuttle combo deals.
Whether your ideal combo is theme parks or museums, the options are practically endless. Do some research to find the perfect city pass or attraction bundle to match your travel style and itinerary.
Buying Combination Tickets
Combination tickets are sold directly by attraction partners, tourism bureaus, and third-party vendors. Here are some of the most common ways to purchase combo deals:
- Directly from attraction websites
- City tourism office or bureau
- Authorized resellers like CityPASS
- Hotel concierge or travel agent
- Ticket retailer booths and kiosks
- Online travel booking sites
For the best rates and flexibility, purchase tickets well in advance if you know your itinerary. Combo tickets often sell at higher gate prices. Look for discounts on bulk combo passes for families and groups. Also keep an eye out for seasonal promotions and limited-time deals.
Using Your Combination Ticket
Combo tickets couldn’t be easier to use. Present your single ticket at each included attraction to gain admittance. Here are some tips for smooth combo ticket use:
- Study all the included attractions, exclusions, and expiration dates.
- Print paper tickets or download an app for mobile tickets. Hard tickets aren’t always needed.
- Bring a photo ID to verify identity. Combo tickets are non-transferrable.
- Confirm operating days and hours since these vary by attraction.
- Check attraction websites for reservations or early entry access with your combo pass.
At each place, simply provide your combination ticket to the staff along with any required identification. It’s really that easy to tap into your bundled savings as you explore the city!
Combination Ticket Restrictions
While combination tickets offer plenty of flexibility, they do come with some common restrictions to be aware of:
- Limited validity period – Tickets expire within 1-30 days typically.
- Fixed attractions – No swapping included attractions.
- No refunds – Unused combo tickets are non-refundable.
- Non-transferrable – Only the purchaser may use the pass.
- Blackout dates – May block major holidays or peak times.
Also watch for fine print exclusions like premium shows or experiences not covered by your pass. Overall though, combo tickets do grant easy, discounted access to all the included attractions with minimal hassle.
Maximizing Combination Ticket Savings
Follow these tips to get the most bang for your buck from combination tickets:
- Research all your must-see attractions before buying to identify the best combo option.
- Allow enough days to use all the tickets before they expire.
- Check attraction hours and locations to efficiently plan your visit order.
- Take advantage of early entry or reservations offered with the pass.
- Pack snacks and meals to save time and money between attractions.
- Price out individual tickets vs. a pass to pinpoint real savings.
Combination tickets promote efficiency by streamlining logistics. Bundle admissions to maximize your time and budget on trips filled with sightseeing and activities.
Benefits of Combination Tickets
Combination tickets offer a long list of benefits that travellers love:
- Saves money compared to individual tickets
- Discounts on additional services like parking or food
- Convenience of one easy payment
- Simplified entry with just one ticket needed
- Flexibility to customize your experience
- Efficient for crowded itineraries and short trips
- Options to choose your perfect pass
- Incentives like early entry and coupons
Combo deals make trip planning and logistics a breeze. With a single pass, you can pack in days filled with non-stop attraction hopping. Combination tickets allow you to affordably experience the best a destination has to offer.
Potential Drawbacks
Combination tickets can be extremely valuable in many cases, but they aren’t perfect. Some potential downsides include:
- Upfront costs seem high even though you’ll save overall.
- Require research and planning to ensure you use all the tickets.
- May feel rushed trying to use all admissions in a short validity window.
- Limitations on blackout dates or levels of entry.
- No refunds for unused tickets.
- Often only good for consecutive days.
You’ll need to weigh costs vs. convenience when deciding if a combo pass is right for your situation. Conduct thorough research before purchasing to ensure the ticket you choose delivers the value you expect.
Examples of Popular Combination Tickets
To give you a better idea of real-world combination tickets, here are some top-selling combo deals in major U.S. cities:
| City | Sample Combo Ticket | Attractions Included |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | New York CityPASS | Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, The Met, Top of the Rock or Guggenheim, Ferry Access |
| Los Angeles | Go Los Angeles Card | Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, SeaWorld, Dolby Theatre Tour, Madame Tussauds + more |
| Chicago | Chicago CityPASS | Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, Art Institute |
| San Francisco | San Francisco CityPASS | California Academy of Sciences, Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise, Aquarium of the Bay, Exploratorium, Conservatory of Flowers |
| Boston | Boston CityPASS | Museum of Science, Skywalk Observatory, New England Aquarium, Museum of Fine Arts, Harvard Museum of Natural History |
Major cities offer endless combo ticket possibilities. Do your research to find the right one that aligns with your budget and itinerary. With so many options, combination tickets make it easy to experience the best of popular destinations.
Tips for First Time Combination Ticket Buyers
If you’ve never used a multi-attraction pass before, keep these tips in mind:
- Read the fine print so you know what’s included and any restrictions.
- Compare overall savings to buying individual tickets.
- Factor in transportation time between attractions.
- Check attraction hours since these often vary.
- See if fast passes or early entry are included.
- Consider a flexible build-your-own pass for maximum customization.
- Purchase tickets early to take advantage of pre-sale discounts.
- Download apps and receipts you’ll need to access attractions.
Combo tickets take the stress out of visiting multiple places in one trip. Focus on fun instead of logistics. Combination deals allow you to affordably pack in more attractions on every vacation.
Conclusion
Combination or combo tickets bundle admission to multiple attractions for one discounted price. They provide an easy way to save money while enjoying everything a destination has to offer. With creative itinerary planning, combination tickets allow you to experience far more for far less.
Look for combo ticket deals that match your interests and schedule. Do thorough research before purchasing to ensure you’ll get your money’s worth. Read all fine print details and restrictions. With smart combo ticket selection, you can simplify your vacation and unlock big savings. Combination passes represent a hassle-free way to maximize both time and budget on trips filled with sightseeing, tours, museums and more.
