Observation decks are among the most popular tourist attractions in every city. From the dizzying heights of skyscrapers to the sweeping views from mountain tops, observation decks offer visitors a chance to take in stunning panoramic views of a city or landscape from a unique vantage point.
Travel experts at Omio have analyzed 70 of the world’s most popular observation decks and their entrance fees which reveal the best and most affordable views for budget-conscious travelers.
In almost every city, observation decks are among the most popular attractions for tourists. This ranking reveals the wide range of ticket prices, starting at $1.14 for the Torre Panorâmica in Curitiba (Brazil) to the Empire State Building in New York City (United States), where the entrance costs around $79.
Top 10 best observation decks for travelers on a budget
Rank | Destination | Observation deck | Height | Ticket | Price per ft. |
1 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Top of Africa | 732ft | $1.67 | $0.002 |
2 | Istanbul, Turkey | Istanbul Sapphire | 856ft | $2.68 | $0.003 |
3 | Curitiba, Brazil | Torre Panorâmica | 359ft | $1.14 | $0.003 |
4 | Riga, Latvia | Riga TV tower | 1,207ft | $3.96 | $0.003 |
5 | Cairo, Egypt | Cairo Tower | 614ft | $2.14 | $0.004 |
6 | Belgrade, Serbia | TV tower Avala | 673ft | $2.78 | $0.004 |
7 | Plzeň, Czech Republic | Cathedral of St. Bartholomew | 338ft | $1.56 | $0.005 |
8 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Christ the Redeemer | 2,297ft | $14.36 | $0.006 |
9 | Barcelona, Spain | Torre de Collserola | 945ft | $6.00 | $0.006 |
10 | Warsaw, Poland | Palace of Culture and Science | 945ft | $5.68 | $0.007 |
Top 8 observation decks in the United States
Rank | City | Observation deck | Height | Ticket | Price per ft. |
1 | Chicago | Willis Tower | 1,450ft | $30 | $0.021 |
2 | Las Vegas | The Strat | 1,148ft | $24 | $0.021 |
3 | New York City | One World Trade Center | 1,791ft | $47 | $0.026 |
4 | Chicago | 875 North Michigan Avenue | 1,499ft | $40 | $0.027 |
5 | New York City | Top of the Rock | 850ft | $43 | $0.051 |
6 | New York City | Empire State Building | 1,453ft | $79 | $0.054 |
7 | Seattle | The Needle | 604ft | $37 | $0.062 |
8 | New York City | Statue of Liberty | 305ft | $24 | $0.08 |
The World’s best observation decks
“Top of Africa” offers the best price for money
The popular viewing platform “Top of Africa” (732ft) on the top floor of the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg offers visitors a unique panoramic view as far as Soweto and the best deal for the money. The entrance fee only costs $1.67 and beats all other observation decks surveyed in the price per foot category ($0.002 per ft). The deck is finally scheduled to reopen in summer 2023.
The Sapphire Istanbul is the most affordable viewing point in Europe
The observation deck of the Sapphire skyscraper offers travelers the best view over the Turkish city of Istanbul. A ticket to the top floor of the 856ft tall building costs $2.68, which makes it the most affordable observation platform in Europe. Located on the European side of the city of Istanbul, the Sapphire is the only observation deck that provides a view over two continents: Europe and Asia.
The TV tower of Riga is the cheapest TV tower
The TV tower of Riga based in Latvia offers the world’s best value for money. The entrance fee to one of the highest freestanding structures on the continent costs around $3.96. The observation deck is located at 1,207ft and visitors to the Riga TV tower can enjoy a unique view over the Baltic Sea. The platform will open for visitors later this year after extensive renovation. The good deal of this experience becomes even more evident when compared to the platform fee at The Needle in Seattle, Washington. A ticket for the most popular TV tower in the US costs $37, but only offers a view from 604ft.
From $24 to $79: Observation decks in the US are rather expensive
The Empire State Building in New York City is probably the most famous observation platform in the world. The viewing deck attracts around 3.5 million visitors per year. The study reveals that visiting a skydeck in the US is rather expensive. The most expensive observation deck is the Empire State Building and a ticket to the 102nd floor costs around $79.
Good that the Big Apple offers plenty of alternatives. The deck of the One World Trade Center only costs about $47 and a ticket to the Top of the Rock observation deck costs about $43.
The Statue of Liberty offers the worst deal for travelers. The monument that includes a viewing deck in the crown is only 305ft tall but one ticket costs $24. A ticket to The Strat in Las Vegas is also around $24 but at least the building is 1,148ft tall.
The best deal for an observation deck in the US is the Willis Tower in Chicago. A ticket to the visitors’ floor on top of the 1,450ft tall building costs only $30.
Seoul and Tokyo have the best deals for budget-conscious travelers in Asia
One of the most famous tall buildings in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The skyscraper is 2,717ft and the tallest building in the world. The observation deck on the 124th and 125th floors offers a panoramic view of the Emirate of Dubai and the Persian Gulf. Travelers reach the deck by elevator in just 60 seconds. The entrance fee is around $46.
The study found that the Asian’s best-price-for-money-view can be found at the N Seoul Tower in South Korea. The skyscraper measures 1,214ft and the admission costs only around $12. The second best deal is the Skytree in Tokyo, Japan. The TV tower is 2,080ft and the third tallest monument in the world. The viewing platform of the Skytree is on the 350th floor and a ticket costs around $23.
Further information on the study, the methodology and all sources can be found at the following website: www.omio.com/c/worlds-best-budget-views
