Company Logo - Home Link

Which Amsterdam Tourist Pass or Card is Best?

Book My Tour!
Updated: February 29, 2024

Sometimes when we're guiding a tour group around Amsterdam, one or more guests will ask us about the best ways to save money on admission to popular attractions.

One of the most common and popular ways to save is by using a tourist pass. This article will provide details about each of the best Amsterdam passes available.

We include an analysis of reviews, prices, what is included in each card/pass, and the pros and cons of each pass.

The passes included in this post have exclusive savings and easy access to many of the most popular destinations in Amsterdam.


BEFORE YOU BUY

There are a variety of different passes to choose from, so it will be important to pick a tourist pass that best fits your plans while in Amsterdam. 

An all-inclusive tourist pass will typically provide admission to a lot of different locations for free, as well as several tours and transportation around the city.

Amsterdam City Passes

Usually, these types of passes can save you the most money (up to 55% off), but it is also usually the most expensive option.

pick your attractions pass will allow you to pick a specific number of attractions to see for one low price.

If you don’t feel like paying for a bunch of activities that you might not have time for, this may be a great way to select only the places you want to experience.

You can also choose a preset-package that includes access to a few specific locations.

These attractions are usually some of the most popular places to visit, but an all-inclusive pass may be a better option if you want to see more while in Amsterdam.

Finally, there is also a museum pass that focuses primarily on museums. If you’re more interested in the art and culture of Amsterdam, this is going to be your best bet.

That being said, this pass offers far less than the others and it is very limited in scope. 

Disclosure: We think you should consider our free tours, but we have also provided other options. While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.


ALL-INCLUSIVE PASSES

There are two passes that can be described as all-inclusive.

This option will allow you to visit several different locations in Amsterdam without paying admission. 


Go City Amsterdam Pass

This is a new all-inclusive pass that offers free admission to more than 25 different attractions in Amsterdam.

In addition to all of the different activities you can enjoy, you will also receive a hop-on-hop-off boat tour.

The Go City Amsterdam Pass is valid for 12 months after your initial purchase, so you can buy it ahead of time and still enjoy it many months later when you go on vacation.

Go City Logo (2023). Image Source: GoCity.com.

Each pass comes with a digital guidebook to help you find your way around the city.

The main difference between the Go City Amsterdam Pass and the I Amsterdam City Card is the price tag and the attractions included.

In addition to a bus excursion to Zaanse Schans, this service also includes the Zaanse Schans Card, which provides access to Zaanse Museum, Zaanse Time Museum, Weaver's House, and Cooperage.

These two benefits alone would cost you more than a 2-day pass, so anything else you'd use the pass to do would essentially be free!


Prices 

The prices below are the full retail price.  The Go City Amsterdam Pass often runs special deals, so be sure to take a look on their website.

  • 2 Days €105 - Adult | €55 - Child (age 4-12)
    • Price per day: €52.50 - Adult | €27.50 - Child (age 4-12)
  • 3 Days €125 - Adult | €70 - Child (age 4-12)
    • Price per day: €41.67 - Adult | €23.33 - Child (age 4-12)
  • 5 Days €176 - Adult | €111 - Child (age 4-12)
    • Price per day: €35.20 - Adult | €22.20 - Child (age 4-12)

More information or to purchase


What’s Included

  • Free Admission to 30+ Attractions such as:
    • Moco Museum
    • House of Bols
    • Johan Cruijff Stadium Tour
    • Volendam, Edam & Windmills Bus Excursion
    • Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague Tour
    • Keukenhof Bus Excursion
    • Zaanse Schans Bus Excursion
    • Zaanse Schans Card
    • Pedal Boat Rental
    • THIS IS HOLLAND
    • Macbike Bike Rental
    • And More!

I AMSTERDAM CITY CARD

If you are planning to visit a lot of different locations in this city, the I Amsterdam City Card may be the best option for you.

Included with this card is access to over 70 museums and attractions.

You also get unlimited rides on the GVB buses, trams, and metros for the period of time you purchased. However, the card does NOT include train travel.

You’ll also enjoy lower rates to a host of restaurants and cafés in the city + a free canal cruise – arguably the best way to see Amsterdam.

The attraction pass also comes with a downloadable map detailing savings at each attraction.

The biggest difference you will notice between this card and other all-inclusive passes is the price tag.

The I Amsterdam City Card is much more affordable than the other option on our list, and it may be a better value for some travelers.

That being said, there are services available with the Amsterdam Pass which are not included with this card such as the hop-on/hop-off bus, Amsterdam boat tour, the Heineken Experience, and Madame Tussauds.


Prices

  • 24-hours: €60
  • 48-hours: €85
  • 72-hours: €100
  • 96-hours: €115
  • 120-hours: €125

Purchase an I Amsterdam City Card


What’s Included


Additional Information

After you purchase your card online, you will receive an email confirmation.

You can choose to have the card delivered to your home for an additional shipping cost or you can pick up your card in Amsterdam at either the Amsterdam Central Station or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

There is no special price for children, but many of the attractions offered are very kid-friendly, so it may still be worth the price.

It is recommended to plan ahead with the purchase of this card.

The downloadable map includes the hours of operations at each destination, so it is best to gauge how long you intend to spend at each location and group together activities in the same area.


Reviews for I Amsterdam City Card

The I Amsterdam City Card comes highly recommended by both the TripAdvisor and GetYourGuide community.

Reviews are extremely positive, with many declaring the card simplifies the hassle of waits for attractions and transport around the city.

Users agree the card is well worth the price, so don’t be deterred from the initial sticker shock.

An overwhelming majority suggest the card makes traveling to the city much more affordable and stress-free.


PICK YOUR ATTRACTIONS PASS

This type of tourist pass allows you to choose a specific number of attractions to enjoy for one low price. You can typically choose from between 3 - 7 activities.

If you're concerned that you won't be able to take full advantage of an all-inclusive pass, this is an excellent alternative that gives you more control over how much money you'll save.


GO CITY AMSTERDAM EXPLORER PASS

In addition to their all-inclusive option, this company also offers an Explorer Pass which allows you to choose between 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 different attractions for one low price.

Unlike their all-inclusive pass, this option is active for a total of 60 days, which means you have plenty of time to use it at your own pace.

Although most of the attractions you'll find on this pass are exactly the same as you'll find on the all-inclusive service, they do offer 7 attractions that are only available on their Explorer Pass.

This is an excellent option for anyone who either lives in the area or plans to spend at least a week in the area.

Depending on which activities you choose, chances are you'll save anywhere from 30% - 50% off general admission prices.

Here are a few of the best attractions included with the Go City Amsterdam Explorer Pass:

  • Rotterdam, Delft, & The Hague Guided Tour | €105
  • Volendam, Edam, & Windmills Bus Tour | €65
  • Keukenhof Garden w/ Transportation | €79
  • Zaanse Schans Bus Excursion | €42.50
  • Hop-on Hop-off Boat Tour | €25
  • Zaanse Schans Card | €23.50
  • Amsterdam Pedal Boat | €25
  • Heineken Experience | €21
  • THIS IS HOLLAND | €21
  • Rijksmuseum | €20
  • And more!

Here are the prices you can expect to pay for each pass:

  • 3 Choice Pass: €65/Adults | €44/Children
    • Price per activity: €21.67/Adults | €14.67/Children
  • 4 Choice Pass: €81/Adults | €54/Children
    • Price per activity: €20.25/Adults | €13.50/Children
  • 5 Choice Pass: €96/Adults | €64/Children
    • Price per activity: €19.20/Adults | €12.80/Children
  • 6 Choice Pass: €111/Adults | €74/Children
    • Price per activity: €18.50/Adults | €12.33/Children
  • 7 Choice Pass: €141/Adults | €79/Children
    • Price per activity: €20.14/Adults | €11.29/Children

Purchase the Go City Amsterdam Explorer Pass.


Things to Consider

No matter which pass you choose, if you use it for the tour of Rotterdam, Delft, & The Hague, you'll already be saving a lot of money.

At just €43 for the 3-choice pass, there are several other tours and activities included that are typically more expensive on their own than the price of the pass.

This is a great pass for just about anyone, but it's especially good for visitors who plan to take multiple tours in and around Amsterdam.

If you're planning to take any day trips outside of the city, this is an especially good tourist pass for an excellent price.


PRESET PACKAGE PASS

These tourist passes include only a specific selection of attractions for free.

In addition to the preset package they provide, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy deals at several additional locations.

For more details on this type of pass, read our before-you-buy section. 


AMSTERDAM CITY PASS

Amsterdam-City-Pass

This pass is a bare-bones service that includes a few attractions that you are very likely to visit while in Amsterdam.

By bundling these items into a pass, you will save some money on admission to specific locations and receive 10% off at many other attractions.

This option is best for people who are only planning to visit a few attractions and prefer the convenience of having your pass before you even arrive in Amsterdam.

Once you have completed booking your pass, you will receive your tickets by e-mail as well as the 10% off promotional credit for your additional attractions.

You can use your smartphone as your ticket, so there is no need to carry a paper pass or a card around.

One thing to note is that the 10% credit on other attractions requires you to book tickets for those attractions here.


What's Included

  • Skip-the-line ticket for the Rijksmuseum (Normal price €22.50)
  • Skip-the-line ticket for the Van Gogh Museum (Normal price €22)
  • Ticket for a 1-hour Canal Cruise (Normal price €19)
  • Audio Tour of Amsterdam City (Normal price €9.50)
    • 10% off tickets to a dozen museums, including:
    • The Stedelijk Museum
    • Moco Museum
    • Amsterdam Museum
    • NEMO Science center
    • FOAM and more

10% credit towards attractions and activities including:

10% off out-of-town trips including:

  • Den Haag
  • Rotterdam
  • Brussels
  • Bruges

Prices 

  • Adults (18+) | € 66
  • Teens (12-17) | €21
  • Children (5-11) | €15
  • Infant (0-4) | €1
  • All ticket prices above include a ticket processing fee of €1,75.

Click here to purchase the Amsterdam City Pass.


Dutch Countryside Card

This digital pass includes an Amsterdam & Regional Travel ticket which gives you access to the following services:

  • Unlimited travel by train (2nd class) between select stations in Amsterdam and the Dutch Countryside.
  • Unlimited travel on all trams, buses, night buses, and metros run by GVB, EBS, and Connexxion, including Airport Express Bus 297 and N97.
  • Access to Arriva and Connexxion lines 852, 858, and 50 which will take you to Keukenhof.

This ticket is an absolute must for anyone who wants to leave the city and see more of the beautiful Dutch countryside.

In addition to the ticket, you'll also get a ticket for a 1-hour Amsterdam canal cruise and an audio tour.

This pass also includes a 10% promotional credit on several other fun activities in and around Amsterdam.

If you're planning to travel outside of the city, here are a few attractions or services you might want to use your 10% credit on:

  • Keukenhof Gardens
  • Zaanse Schans Card
  • The Zaans Museum
  • World of Windmills
  • Teylers Museum
  • Experience Volendam Museum
  • And more!

Prices:

  • 2-Day Pass:
    • €44/Adults (14+)
    • €42/Child (4-13)
  • 3-Day Pass:
    • €54/Adults (14+)
    • €52/Child (4-13)

Purchase this pass or learn more.


Tulip Festival Card

This is a relatively new tourist pass, and it's clearly designed for use during the Tulip Festival at Keukenhof Gardens.

While the pass will only be available for a few months, it's still worth considering if you're interested in seeing all the most beautiful flowers during this event.

Here are the services currently included with the pass:

  • Keukenhof Gardens
  • Amsterdam & Regional Travel Ticket
  • Tulip Festival Digital Guide
  • Amsterdam City Audio Guide
  • 10% off Other Activities

As with the Amsterdam City Pass, this 10% credit can be used on several different popular attractions and activities in and around the city, including the following:

  • Zaanse Schans Tour
  • Windmill Amsterdam Sloten
  • Keukenhof Bike Tour
  • Tulip Farm Tour + Flower Parade
  • And more!

Prices

  • 1-Day Pass: €55/Adults | €45/Children
  • 2-Day Pass: €66/Adults | €57/Children
    • Price per day: €33/Adults | €28.50/Children
  • 3-Day Pass: €78/Adults | €66/Children
    • Price per day: €26/Adults | €22/Children

Purchase the Tulip Festival Card or learn more.


MUSEUM PASSES

Unlike the other options, this tourist pass only provides free admission to museums.

The Museum Pass does not include transportation of any kind or deals on any additional attractions.

That being said, it does give you free admission to museums that are not included with any other pass. 


MUSEUMKAART

The Museumkaart (National Museum Card) is a unique opportunity for museum lovers visiting the Netherlands.

This card provides free access to 33 museums spread across the Netherlands, including the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.

While this card does not include any other low rates for attractions throughout Amsterdam, it is ideal for travelers who plan to spend much of their time in museums.

The card is valid for one year! Unlike other passes, this card is unique in that you can visit the same museums an unlimited amount of times.

Because you have an entire year, you might want to take advantage of that opportunity.

The card can only be purchased once you are in Amsterdam. The Museumkaart is available at museums listed below.

It is easy to purchase; you only have to fill out a form, bring your passport with you and your card will be created.


Museums Included (and where you can purchase the card):

  • Amsterdam Museum
  • Anne Frank House
  • Hermitage Amsterdam
  • Joods Historisch Museum (JHM) (Jewish Historical Museum)
  • Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)
  • Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House)
  • Rijksmuseum
  • Scheepvaartmuseum Amsterdam (Maritime Museum)
  • Stedelijk Museum
  • Van Gogh Museum
  • Verzetsmuseum (Dutch Resistance Museum)
  • And over 20 more!

For more information about these and other attractions throughout the city, check our post covering 60+ Museums in Amsterdam.


Prices 

  • Adults: €75
  • Youth (13-18): €39
  • Children (12 and younger): €39
  • Each pass includes a €4.95 administration fee

Get more information or to purchase.


Reviews for Museumkaart Card

The biggest difference in reviews for the Museumkaart and its competitors is whether or not buyers intend to visit many of the museums while on their stay in the Netherlands.

Many of the reviews from the TripAdvisor community suggest that this is the best option with that in mind.

Some users express frustrations that the card does not include similar deals for other attractions like the I Am Amsterdam or Holland Pass does.

Therefore it is not recommended for tourists looking for deals beyond the scope of museums. 


AMSTERDAM NIGHTLIFE TICKET

If you're a fan of clubs and late nights, then the Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket is for you.

With this ticket, you get two days of unlimited access to over 30 clubs plus more nightlife experiences and drink deals.

This pass is very specifically targeted and perfect if you prefer to stay up until dawn, or even if you just want to make the most of your early evenings.

Some other interesting perks of this card include a €10 Uber ride and €10 Uber Eats credit for first-time use of those services, a free make-up makeover, and late-night games. 


Some Clubs and Experiences Include:

  • Melkweg
  • Chicago Social Club
  • Air Amsterdam
  • Club Escape
  • Blue Ivy Nightclub
  • Claire
  • Club John Doe
  • Radion
  • Club Panama
  • Holland Casino
    • Free Drink Included
  • Hard Rock Cafe
    • 2-for-1 Cocktails
  • Powerzone Bowling Deals
  • 2 for 1 Laser Tag and Mini Golf

Prices

  • €10 for 1 Day
  • €12 for 2 Days
  • €20 for 7 Days
  • There is a €1 fee per ticket purchased.

Tips From Locals and Travelers

Although we do our best to provide all the information you'll need to make an informed decision about buying a tourist pass, we also understand the concern that we might be biased.

Thankfully, we have a really great Facebook Group called Amsterdam Travel Tips where our users will often discuss this exact subject.

Don't believe it? Well, we've collected a few of the best comments from this group as proof!

A lot of people recommend getting a tourist pass to save money on popular attractions, but even when they do, it's also common for them to recomment planning out how you want to use the service.

This is really good advice, and we agree wholeheartedly, because it's very easy to run into a situation where you aren't saving any money if you don't plan things out.

As Robin notes, not only are there other ways to save money while visiting Amsterdam, but it helps to have a strategy to get the biggest possible discount from any tourist pass.

This is another excellent suggestion, because there's always a chance that the pass you want to use doesn't have any of the attractions that you want to visit.

Planning out your trip and the attractions you want to visit before buying a pass is the best way to make sure you're going to get a good deal.

For more helpful advice, make sure to check our Amsterdam Travel Tips group on Facebook.


RELATED POSTS:

About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: February 29th, 2024

And much, much more

Join our free FTBF travel community! As a thank you, you'll receive our free itinerary planner.
Newsletter Form
Back to Top
cross