best amsterdam travel card

The Big Amsterdam Card Comparison: Which One Is The Best In 2024?

Explore amsterdam on a budget.

Amsterdam is full of sights and great activities. However, an eventful Amsterdam vacation can come at a big price. But did you know you can easily save up to 50% with an Amsterdam City Pass? I’ll tell you how it works!

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• Amsterdam City Pass Saving Calculator

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How Does an Amsterdam City Pass Work?

If you travel a lot, you may be familiar with various money-saving passes that have different offers from city to city. But they all have one thing in common: They help you save money without any effort . These passes can be really worthwhile, especially where there is so much to discover, like in Amsterdam . Overall, you can save up to 50% with the Amsterdam City Pass. So, how do the Amsterdam Passports work?

There are two different types of Amsterdam City Passes: day-based and attraction-based .

Travel-type 1: Validity by number of days

Day-based passes are based on the number of days or hours. You can discover as many attractions as you like during your chosen validity period. It’s virtually an all-you-can-eat deal with unlimited entrees—just during a specific timeframe. The days are always consecutive , and since you pay a fixed price for your Amsterdam Card in advance, the more attractions you visit, the more money you save.

Travel-type 2: Validity by number of attractions

Attraction-based passes are based on the number of attractions you plan to visit. For example, you can buy a pass for five attractions and visit them flexibly within 30 days . This allows you to spend a day without sightseeing. The more expensive the attractions you visit, the more you save because you pay a fixed price for your pass beforehand.

Amsterdam City Passes Comparison

In Amsterdam, you have the choice between four different passes. It is impossible to make a general statement about which is the best. It all depends on what you want to see and how you travel. We have taken a closer look at the Amsterdam City Pass offers for you.

* The Amsterdam City Passe s can be purchased on two different websites with the same price and conditions : 1) on the official website, or 2) on Get Your Guide. We suggest using Get Your Guide because the cancellation process is easier and less complicated if you need to change your plans.

Buying Online Saves Money & Time!

With an I Amsterdam Card, you save time and money! Instead of worrying about tickets on the spot, you have everything covered with the I Amsterdam Card. So, for example, you can go to the Van Gogh Museum and show your pass there, and you’ll get your ticket in return. You can safely leave your wallet in your pocket. Those who buy online can also benefit from additional discounts.

1. I Amsterdam Card

Once purchased, the I Amsterdam Card gives you free access to over 70 museums and attractions. The choice of validity period is between 24-120 hours (i.e., 1 to 5 days). You can decide which attractions you visit quite flexibly and spontaneously. In addition to the free admissions, there are other discounts for your use. You can find a complete overview here .

I Amsterdam Card Prices (adult/child*):

• 24 hours: 65 euros
• 48 hours: 90 euros
• 72 hours: 110 euros
• 96 hours: 125 euros
• 120 hours: 135 euros

The same I Amsterdam Card prices apply for children.

Savings with Amsterdam Card

Depending on the validity of your passport, you pay 26-65 euros per day with the I Amsterdam Card. The more days you book, the lower the price per day. Still, the day pass can be worthwhile for just 2 attractions .

To give you a better insight, you can have a look at this sample bill with the Amsterdam Card.

• Nemo Science Museum: 17,50 Euro
• Rijksmuseum: 23,50 Euro
• Artis Royal Zoo: 25 euros
• Stedelijk Museum: 22,50 Euro
• Canal trip: 18 euros
• Moco Museum: 23 Euro
• Cost of individual tickets: 129.50 euros
• Cost of the I Amsterdam Card for 2 days: 85 euros
• Saving: 44,50 Euro

BUY I Amsterdam Card

2. Go City Amsterdam All-Inclusive

The Amsterdam Go City Pass is day-based . You can choose the validity period between 1, 2, 3, or 5 days . During the time (consecutive days), you can visit as many of over 50 museums and attractions as you like. It doesn’t matter which one you watch. You don’t have to set them in advance!

Amsterdam Go City Pass Prices (adult/child*):

• 1 day: 64 Euro/24 Euro
• 2 days: 89 Euro/44 Euro
• 3 days: 104 Euro/54 Euro
• 5 days: 129 Euro/64 Euro

*For children between 3-12 years, you pay just under half for the pass.

Savings with Amsterdam Go City Pass

With the Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass, you pay between 20 and 51 euros per day. Even the 1-day pass can be worthwhile from 2-3 attractions.

• Canal cruise: 18 euros
• A’DAM Lookout: 14,50 Euro
• Heineken Experience: 23 euros
• Cost of individual tickets: 124.50 euros
• Cost of Amsterdam City Pass for 2 days: 89 euros
• Saving: 35,50 Euro

Buy Amsterdam All-Inclusive

3. Amsterdam Go City Explorer Pass

The Amsterdam Go City Explorer Pass is attraction-based. It lets you choose 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 activities from a list of over 25 top attractions and tours. The pass is valid for two years and becomes active only when you visit the first attraction. From start of use, you then have 60 days to visit the remaining attractions.

Amsterdam Go City Explorer Pass prices (adult/child*):

• 3 attractions: 59 Euro/24 Euro
• 4 attractions: 74 euros/44 euros
• 5 attractions: 89 Euro/54 Euro
• 6 attractions: 99 euros/64 euros
• 7 attractions: 109 Euro/69 Euro

Savings with the Amsterdam Go City Explorer Pass

Broken down to the attraction, you’ll pay between 13-15 euros per attraction with the Amsterdam Go City Explorer Pass. To see how a passport can help you save, here’s a sample calculation.

• Heineken Experience: 21 euros
• Canal cruise: 18 Euro
• Moco Museum: 23 euros
• Cost of individual tickets: 100 euros
• Cost for the Amsterdam Go City Explorer Pass with 5 attractions: 89 Euro
• Savings: 11 Euro

BUY Amsterdam Explorer Pass

4. Amsterdam Pass

Amsterdam Pass Price

• Infant (0-3): free of charge
• Child (4-13): 7 euros
• Jugendlicher (14-17): 10 Euro
• Erwachsener (18): 36 Euro
• Adult (19+): 62 euros

Savings with Amsterdam Pass

Broken down to the activities, you pay about 15 euros per activity with the Amsterdam Pass. To see how easy it is to save with the Amsterdam Pass, here is an example calculation:

• Van Gogh Museum: 22 euros
• Canal cruise: 19 euros
• City Audio Guide App: 9,50 Euro
• Single ticket costs: 74 Euro
• Amsterdam Pass cost: 62 euros
• Savings: 12 euros

Buy Amsterdam Digital Pass

Which Amsterdam City Pass is the Best?

My personal favorite is the I Amsterdam Card because it includes most of the best Amsterdam attractions . In comparison, the Amsterdam Go City Explorer Pass can only be used for a maximum of seven attractions. So, you should know beforehand what you want to visit and see if seven activities are enough for you. The Amsterdam Go City Pass and the I Amsterdam Pass are missing some top attractions for me. But for those who place great value on touring, the Amsterdam Go City Pass can be worthwhile.

In short, just because the I Amsterdam Card is my personal favorite doesn’t mean the pass is the best choice for you too. To help you find the best Amsterdam city pass for you, let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences.

Similarities & Differences

Any Amsterdam City Pass, if you use it correctly, will let you save up to 50%. After purchase, you have one year to activate your card, which is done automatically the first time you use it. From that moment, depending on the pass, the time or number of attractions you have chosen will start running. Note: None of the passes include the Anne Frank House.

The three important questions you should ask yourself as you make your decision are:

• Do I prefer a day-based or attraction-based pass?
• Will I stay in Amsterdam, or do I plan to travel to other Dutch cities as well?
• Are all the sights I want to visit included in the pass?

What is Included in the Amsterdam City Passes

Here, you can see, at a glance, which attractions and activities are included in the different passes.

Even More About Amsterdam

Have you not had enough of Amsterdam yet? You can find more interesting articles about the Dutch capital here:

Frequently Asked Questions About Amsterdam City Passes

How much is the amsterdam card.

Depending on which Amsterdam Card you choose, you’ll spend anywhere from €43 to €135. You can break down the fixed price to the attraction or the day to see more easily how much you save per attraction or day. There are also additional discounts for children on some passes. Often, they pay only half.

Where Can I Buy the I Amsterdam Card?

The best way to buy your Amsterdam card is online. Why? Because you save money and time there. You can benefit from discount promotions online. Plus, you won’t have to worry about anything when you get there since you’ll already have all the admissions covered. Once the purchase is complete, you will receive the pass by email.

Amsterdam City Pass Savings Calculator

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Which Amsterdam Pass should I Get?

Why an amsterdam pass, oriane & angel.

There is so much to do in Amsterdam, that it’s worth thinking about buying a pass .

Choosing a pass for Amsterdam requires knowing:

• The length of one’s stay in Amsterdam , as there are 1-day to 5-day passes and unlimited passes
• The tours you want to do : museums, attractions …
• Your transportation needs in Amsterdam : tram, subway, transfer from airport

Nothing complicated, but essential to afford great savings ! Yes save money, because the price of the pass is far less than the sum of all admissions and transportation .

In addition, the pass brings you the advantage of reserving in advance your slots to visit museums that are most of the time full when you get there at the last moment. No unpleasant surprises, frustrations, or endless queues that tire you out and make you lose precious vacation time!

Solution 1: the Amsterdam Pass I Amsterdam Card which is ideal for visiting Amsterdam's most beautiful museums like the Rijksmuseum, and dozens of other museums, but also enjoy unlimited GVB public transportation!

If you want to visit a lot of museums in Amsterdam, in addition to the must-see Rijksmuseum , and you’re staying from 1 to 5 days and want to enjoy unlimited public transportation, this is the perfect pass: I Amsterdam City Card . Indeed, with the I Amsterdam City Card you get:

• Free admission to the Rijksmuseum
• Free admission to over 40 other museums in Amsterdam
• A cruise on the Amsterdam canals
• Unlimited free public transportation (streetcar, metro, bus)
• The possibility of free bike rental
• Discounts of 25% on dozens of attractions

CONCLUSION: This I Amsterdam Card pass is extremely comprehensive and advantageous, its price is according to its duration, from 1 day up to 5 days as it includes public transport streetcar, bus metro.

( So it’s up to you to choose the right duration, this pass is very advantageous when you need public transport, otherwise it’s better to choose the SOLUTION 2 presented below.  Note that with this pass if you want to visit the Van Gogh Museum you will simply have to buy it in addition to the I Amsterdam Card pass via the link in this page ).

List of museums with free admission with the City Card I Amsterdam

• Van Gogh Museum
• Rijksmuseum
• EYE Filmmuseum
• A’DAM Lookout (entrance with I Amsterdam City Card until 6:00 PM)
• ARTIS Royal Zoo
• Science Center NEMO
• Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
• Rembrandt House Museum
• Hermitage Amsterdam
• Amsterdam ArenA Stadium Tours
• Amsterdam Tulip Museum
• Allard Pierson Museum
• Amsterdam Diamond Factory and Museum
• Amsterdam Museum
• Amsterdam Pipe Museum
• Cromhouthuis Biblical Museum
• Cobra Museum Amstelveen
• Foam – Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam
• Geelvinck Piano Museum
• Portrait Gallery of the Golden Age – Hermitage
• Outsider Art Museum – Hermitage
• National Holocaust Memorial – Jewish Cultural Quarter
• Hortus Botanicus – Botanical Garden
• Huis Marseille – Museum for Photography
• Klederdracht Museum – Dutch Costume Museum
• ARTIS – Micropia
• De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam
• Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder – Our Lord in the Attic
• Multatuli Huis – Multatuli Museum
• Portuguese Synagogue – Jewish Cultural Quarter
• Museum Het Rembrandthuis – Rembrandt House Museum
• Het Scheepvaartmuseum – The National Maritime Museum
• Museum Het Schip – Amsterdam School Arts and Architecture
• Stadsarchief Amsterdam – City Archives
• Tassenmuseum Hendrikje – Museum of Bags and Purses
• Museum Tot Zover – Funeral Museumr
• Tropenmuseum
• Museum Van Loon
• Verzetsmuseum – Dutch Resistance Museum
• Museum Willet-Holthuysen
• Het Grachtenhuis – Museum of the Canals
• Molen van Sloten & Kuiperijmuseum
• Woonbootmuseum – Houseboat Museum

Free attractions with the City Card I Amsterdam

• Amsterdam Dungeon
• Amsterdam Icebar XtraCold (18+)
• Holland International – Candlelight/Cheese Cruise with wine or cocktail
• Heineken Experience (18+)
• De Hollandsche Manege – museum of the Dutch Riding School
• House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience (18+ years)
• Ticket to Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
• Museum of Prostitution – Secrets of the Red Light District
• Museumphoto
• THIS IS HOLLAND
• Body Worlds
• Moco Museum
• Outsider Art Museum – Hermitage
• Multi-stop bus: cheese, windmills and village

Instructions

Your Amsterdam PASS is sent instantly and the pass on your mobile phone is enough to enter the museums.

However, if you wish, you can exchange your mobile ticket for your I amsterdam City Card at the I amsterdam shop at the north entrance to the Central Station (De Ruijterkade 28 B t / m D, 1012 AA Amsterdam). Open Monday – Friday 10.00 – 19.00 & Saturday – Sunday 9.00 – 18.00.

After making your reservation, please make sure to book a time slot on the website of the host establishment.

Select the free cancellation and cancel until 23:59 the day before your visit.

You can book this pass directly below and receive it immediately by email.

With this I Amsterdam City Card you will only miss the entrance to the Van Gogh Museum

Why buy a ticket for the van gogh museum.

The Van Gogh museum attracts more than one million visitors per year. On the spot the reservation is random, after waiting in line for more than 1 hour you may be told that you have to book on the internet. A limited number of tickets are available for each departure time, we advise you to book several weeks in advance.

Solution 2: the Amsterdam Digital Pass which has the advantage of including the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum and a Cruise, and not being limited in time!

If you want to visit the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum and don’t need public transportation, this is the perfect pass: Amsterdam Digital Pass . Indeed, with the Amsterdam Digital Pass you get:

• Free line-cutting admission to the Rijksmuseum at a time slot you choose
• Free cut-line admission to the Van Gogh museum at a time slot you choose
• An Amsterdam canal cruise at a slot you’ll choose
• An audio tour guide app

CONCLUSION: This Amsterdam Digital Pass is advantageous if you don’t need public transportation, and want to visit the Van Gogh Museum.

( With this pass you don’t get free admission to other museums unlike Solution 1, but you get huge discounts on the youth pass ).

Options to the first two cases: you may need to complete your pass by booking your A/R from Schiphol airport in advance

Option: the ticket from schiphol airport to amsterdam.

If you arrive at Schiphol Airport, you may need tickets to go from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam city centre. With the Amsterdam Airport Express, you can enjoy a fast and convenient transfer between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the city centre. The shuttle leaves every 8 minutes from platform B17. With this service you can go directly to Stadionplein, Emmastraat, Museumplein, Rijksmuseum or Leidseplein.

From there you can easily reach many Amsterdam hotels. If you are travelling at night, the same N97 bus runs twice an hour between 1:00 and 5:00 in both directions.

You can also buy museum tickets on our dedicated page!

give us your ideas and tips or queries by mail Oriane&Angel - Amsterdam.style

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Amsterdam City Pass: Which Amsterdam Tourist Card Should You Buy?

Europe , The Netherlands , Travel Essentials

A Complete Comparison for Tourists: I Amsterdam Card, Amsterdam Pass,  Museumkaart, Go City Amsterdam, and Holland Pass

Is I Amsterdam Card worth it? Oh, wait! What is Holland Pass? What is Museumkaart? Is Amsterdam City Pass the same as I Amsterdam Card? Which Amsterdam tourist card should I buy?

These were precisely the questions in my head when I was planning my Amsterdam trip. It is great to have many options; on the other hand, sometimes more options mean more research and headaches.  

I will explain and compare the five most popular Amsterdam City Pass es : I Amsterdam Card, Amsterdam Pass, and Go City Amsterdam, Museumkaart, and Holland Pass. This Best Amsterdam City Pass Guide should help you decide which card best fits your need and bring you the most savings for your itinerary.  

Spoiler:  I will show you how/why I ended up selecting Museumkaart for my trip. But I don’t think Museumkaart is for everyone. By following my process, you can choose the best option for yourself.

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Disclosure : This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase by clicking some of these links, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you . Click here to read full disclaimer. 

Why buy an Amsterdam City Pass?

You are planning your Amsterdam itinerary and want to visit the most popular attractions in the city. In that case, an Amsterdam tourist card can save you money and time .

An Amsterdam city pass usually covers top Amsterdam attractions, such as Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam canal cruise, and more. Purchasing one of the Amsterdam passes typically comes out to be cheaper than getting an individual ticket. Also, you won’t need to waste your time lining up at every ticket office.

The question is, which Amsterdam City Pass should you buy?

Good to Know : Most Amsterdam museums require you to book your date and a time slot even if your admission is covered by an Amsterdam City Pass.   

I Amsterdam Card: Best for the First-Time Visitors

I Amsterdam Card (or I Amsterdam City Card) is the official all-inclusive city pass by the City of Amsterdam. This probably is the first tourist card to come up in search when you look into a discount card. And it is the most popular option and widely recommended for tourists .

I Amsterdam Card is the most comprehensive all-in-one pass for Amsterdam. Therefore, I think it provides the best value for first-time visitors as they most likely wish to hit up the  most popular Amsterdam museums»  and attractions. This card offers  free admissions and discounts to 70+ museums and top attractions .

Only I Amsterdam Card includes unlimited public transportations , such as tram, metro, bus, and ferry, for the period you purchased. This can be an advantage if you plan to take public transportation. Public transpositions are expensive, and the cost can add up quickly. For example, GVB 1-hour ticket is €3.20 or a day pass is €8.50.

Note that you can  buy GVB 1-7 Day Pass  without I Amsterdam Card. Although unlimited public transportation in Amsterdam was pretty appealing, I didn’t really need it. I purchased GVB one-day pass on my first day to take a tram to a hotel. I took advantage of the pass all day long. Amsterdam is small enough for me to walk, so I walked the following three days.

I’d recommend I Amsterdam Card if you visit Amsterdam only and have Amsterdam museums and attractions in your itinerary . If you don’t want to overthink, get this pass, as it most likely gives the best value for most Amsterdam travelers.

The longer your stay is, the better the value gets. Personally, the 24-hour pass doesn’t seem like a great value. But I’d consider anything above 48 hours. Let’s say, you visit Van Gogh Museum (€19) and Rijksmuseum(€20), take Amsterdam Canal Cruise (€19.5) and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (€21), and use GVB 2-day pass (€14.50). If you add one more activity to this itinerary, you are already saving money.

I Amsterdam Card Price (2022)

• 24 hours: €65
• 48 hours: €90
• 72 hours: €110
• 96 hours: €125
• 120 hours: €135

* Amsterdam GVB transportation one-day pass (€8.50) is expired 2 a.m. the next day.

What’s Included in I Amsterdam Card 

• Unlimited public transportations, such as tram, metro, bus, and ferry
• Free admission to most Amsterdam museums – including Rijksmuseum, MOCO, NEMO Science Museum, Rembrandt House, etc.
• Tickets to Amsterdam Canal Cruise, Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot, Hortus Botanicus, and Artis Royal Zoo
• Discounts for many Amsterdam attractions, including Heineken Experience, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, and Madame Tussauds
• Bike rental for one whole day
• Zaanse Schans Card (outside of Amsterdam)

What’s Excluded in I Amsterdam Card 

• Update: As of 1 June 2022, the Van Gogh Museum is no longer affiliated with the I Amsterdam City Card.
• Tickets to Anne Frank House and Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments
• Schiphol Airport Express

How to use I Amsterdam Card

• Purchase I Amsterdam Card online here
• Select the duration of your stay and order your card online. You may pick it up at a local store or download a digital City Card on your cell phone.
• Book your time slots for all museums and attractions in advance. (Select “I Amsterdam Card” at checkout.)
• The card is activated at first use.
• Show your card or scan your digital City Card.

Click here to purchase I Amsterdam Card >>

READ MORE | How best to use Amsterdam City Pass? Check my 4-day Amsterdam Itinerary  >> 

Museumkaart for Tourists: Best for Museum Lovers

Museumkaart (The Netherlands Museum Pass) provides free admission to museums only . What’s great about this pass is that you will have  unlimited access to 400 museums in the Netherlands , including Anne Frank House. 

Although Museumkaart is intended for Dutch residents to visit museums all year long, tourists can also enjoy the benefits for 31 days*. If you are interested in seeing all museums you can on your Netherlands trip, as I did, it might give you the best value. 

This pass does  not  offer any complimentary transportation or discounts on attractions in Amsterdam. But it is the only card that offers free admission to Anne Frank House and De Haar Castle (Kasteel de Haar) .

Therefore, I would not recommend it if your main interest lies in Amsterdam attractions. Other passes can give you much more savings if you plan to visit only a couple of museums and many other attractions in Amsterdam. 

Good to Know : Wait, but why 31 days only? My guess is that the temporary card you receive at the point of purchase is valid for 31 days. And probably that’s why they say Museumkaart for tourists is good for 31 days only. But as long as you can register with a Dutch address online to receive a physical card, it should be good for a year. 

Museumkaart Price (2022)

• €64.95 for adult
• €32.45 for age under 18

* Ticket price includes €4.95 administration fees.

What’s Included in Museumkaart 

• Free admissions to participating museums
• Unlimited access to 400 museums in the Netherlands, including Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum
• Free entrance to De Haar Castle
• Discounts at some museums such as Veneer Centrum Delft

What’s Excluded in Museumkaart 

• Public transportations
• Attractions & Activities
• Amsterdam Tulip Museum

How to use Museumkaart

• Purchase your card in person at any participating museum. (If you don’t have a Dutch bank account, you can’t buy online.)
• You will immediately receive a temporary card.   Your card is activated at purchase.
• Make sure to register your card online. The registration process is in Dutch. (Use Google translate. You can also try to figure out words similar to English.)
• Physical address in the Netherlands (I used a hotel address in my next destination)
• Digital photo of yourself (similar to a passport photo)
• Email address
• Phone number (I used my temporary French cell phone number)
• If not registered, your temporary card is still good for 31 days.

READ MORE | I almost gave up visiting Anne Frank House as the tickets were sold out. But I got this tip directly from the Anne Frank House personnel and successfully secured a spot. Read what you need to know before visiting Anne Frank House and tips to purchase tickets in high demand  >> 

The Amsterdam Pass: Best Basic Amsterdam City Pass

Amsterdam City Pass (or Amsterdam Pass) is a discount card for a limited number of attractions in the city. It offers free admission to select locations only and additional 10% discount vouchers at other attractions.

I think it works best for travelers who want to visit a few select museums and attractions. The quintessential Amsterdam experiences are covered in this basic pass – whether free admission or discounts.

However, if you are a traveler who likes to jam-pack your day with lots of museum visits and attractions, this pass might be too limited for your travel style.

Good to know : This is the only pass that includes the one-way airport train ticket.

Amsterdam City Pass Price (2022)

• Adult (age 19+) €71
• Adult (age 18): €45
• Youth (age 14-17): €19
• Children (age 4-13): €15

* Ticket price includes €1.75 processing fees.

What’s Included in Amsterdam City Pass 

• One-way train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station
• Skip-the-line tickets for Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum
• Canal Cruise tour
• Audio Guide App for Amsterdam City Tour
• Audio Guide App for Self-Guided Tour of Dam Square
• 10% discount on museums, including MOCO, NEMO Science Museum, FOAM, MOCO Museum, Amsterdam Museum, the Stedelijk Museum, etc.
• 10% discount on attractions, including Heineken Experience, Madame Tussauds, Bike Tours, Coffee Shop Tour
• 10% discount on day trips, including Rotterdam, Den Haag, Brussels, and Bruges

What’s Excluded in Amsterdam City Pass 

• Tickets to Anne Frank House

How to use Amsterdam City Pass

• Select your visit dates and order your Amsterdam City Pass online . (Note: I noticed that sometimes this pass goes unavailable. Try again in a few days if that happens.)
• Receive your tickets and discount code by email.
• Book your time slots  for all museums and attractions in advance. (Select Amsterdam City Pass at checkout.)
• Use your digital card on your smartphone.

Click here to purchase Amsterdam City Pass >>

READ MORE | 9 Unique Amsterdam Hotels + My Honest Review of a Reasonably-priced Luxury Hotel >> 

Go City Amsterdam: Best for Amsterdam Day Trippers

Go City Amsterdam (or Go Amsterdam Pass) is another all-inclusive city pass that offers free admission to 30+ attractions and activities in Amsterdam.

What’s great about this pass is that it also offers many excursions outside of Amsterdam. For the following 4 guided bus excursions, you can pick one with a 1/2/3-day pass, or two with a 5-day pass:

• Volendam, Edam & Windmills Bus Excursion
• Zaanse Schans Bus Excursion
• Alkmaar Cheese market Bus Excursion
• Keukenhof Bus Excursion

Or, you can even choose a Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague day tour from Amsterdam. By the way, I enjoyed my visit to Rotterdam ( click to read : 12 Fun Things to do in Rotterdam>> ) and  Delft  very much. I highly recommend exploring charming Holland towns beyond Amsterdam!

Go City offers the best value for day-trippers from Amsterdam . If you are interested in exploring the city and making day trips from Amsterdam, definitely worth considering Go City Amsterdam.

Go City Amsterdam Price (2022)

• 1 Day: €66 or €33 for age 4-12
• 2 Day: €91 or €46 for age 4-12
• 3 Day: €112 or €57 for age 4-12
• 5 Day: €145 or €74 for age 4-12

What’s Included in Go City Amsterdam 

• Free admission to Rijksmuseum, MOCO, Diamond Museum, and Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot
• Access to Jewish Cultural Quarter (Jewish Historical Museum, Portuguese Synagogue, National Holocaust Memorial and Museum, and Children’s Museum)
• Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour
• House of Bols
• Macbike rental for one full day
• Pedal Boat Rental
• Day trip bus excursions, including Zaanse Schans, Keukenhof, Alkmaar, and Volendam/Edam/Windmills
• Zaanse Schans Card
• Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague Day Tour

What’s Excluded in Go City Amsterdam 

• Anne Frank House admission
• Purchase Go City Amsterdam Pass online.
• Valid for 12 months after purchase. Once activated, you can use the pass for the duration of the period you purchased.

Click here to purchase Go City Amsterdam Pass >>

Holland pass: best for selective options in multi cities.

Important Update : At the time of writing, Holland Pass is not available. It is unclear whether this pass is discontinued for good or temporarily unavailable. I am sharing details from my past research for informational purposes.

Holland Pass (or Amsterdam Holland Pass) gives the most flexibility for travelers to the Netherlands. For one month, it can be used in multiple cities – Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. And you can purchase the level of tickets you need.

Holland Pass offers free admission to the attractions, including Heineken Experience, Amsterdam Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, Madame Tussauds, Xtra Cold Ice Bar, Artis Royal Zoo, Hortus Botanicus, Keukenhof Garden, etc. For your comparison, I Amsterdam Card offers discounts on some of these while Museumkaart doesn’t cover any of these at all.

To get the most bang for the buck, you will need to research what’s gold vs. silver credits , then plan your spending accordingly. I personally find this tier system complicated to use. Say you want to visit Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum (both Gold Tickets). You have to purchase the Holland Pass Medium or Large. And, you need to plan to visit Rijksmuseum before Van Gogh as only your first Gold ticket can be redeemed at Rijksmuseum.  

Holland Pass Price (2020)

• Large: €80 (6 tickets = 3 Gold + 3 Silver)
• Medium: €60 (4 tickets = 2 Gold + 2 Silver)
• Small: €45 (3 tickets =1 Gold + 2 Silver)

What’s Included in Holland Pass 

• Free admission to most Amsterdam Museums
• Complimentary access to attractions such as Amsterdam canal cruise, Heineken Experience, Amsterdam Tourist Bus, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, Madame Tussauds, Xtra Cold Ice Bar, Artis Royal Zoo, hurts Botanicus, etc. 
• Includes GVB 24hour pass
• Free admission to Keukenhof Garden
• Tickets to Amsterdam activities such as pub crawl, bike rental, and canal bike.  
• After using all your credits, more discounts are available for many museums, attractions, restaurants, and shops.

What’s Excluded in Holland Pass 

• Public transpositions in Amsterdam

How to use Holland Pass

• Purchase online for a physical card (pickup in Amsterdam) or digital pass
• Valid for one month after first use.
• Only the first Gold ticket is good for the Rijksmuseum.
• Use it in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht

READ MORE | 5 Best Amsterdam Museums Worth Visiting >> 

Bon Voyage!

The Van Gogh museum is not included with the Amsterdam pass anymore.

Hi Michelle – It sucks the Van Gogh Museum is excluded from the pass! Thank you for taking the time to share this recent update. I will reflect the change in my content. Hope you had a wonderful trip to Amsterdam. 🙂

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Public Transport Tickets in Amsterdam 2024 (Complete Guide)

Choosing the right transport ticket in Amsterdam has become a rather complicated affair for both visitors and locals. In this guide we take a detailed look at all available Amsterdam public transport tickets and how they work.

We give you our top choices to help you pick the best one or to purchase a combination of different tickets to get the most from your stay in Amsterdam.

Our top Amsterdam public transport ticket recommendations are the following multiday tickets which can offer excellent value if used well:

Public transport within Amsterdam is run by city transport company GVB – from trams which criss-cross the city to the metro and buses which travel further out.

In addition there are trains operated by NS (Dutch Railways) which connect Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport and the rest of the Netherlands.

Regional buses (Connexxion/EBS/Arriva) can take you on excursions to some nearby places of interest.

Note, every traveller aged 4 or over must have their own ticket. When making a journey you are required to check-in (when boarding) and check-out (on exiting) by holding your ticket against one of the card readers or scanning a valid QR-code.

In Amsterdam this applies for trips on trams, trains, the metro and buses – the GVB city ferries are free!

Now let’s look at each type of Amsterdam public transport ticket in more detail – prices are for 2024.

1. GVB Day/Multi-Day Tickets

Best Value & Validity

GVB day tickets are valid from 1 to 7 days and allow you unlimited travel on the GVB network in Amsterdam day and night (GVB buses, metro and trams). It is the best value ticket available for Amsterdam transport. You can buy the GVB Multi-Day Tickets online here

GVB tickets are activated on first check-in and the validity is on a 24 hours basis – so you can handily use them over 2 consecutive calendar days within the 24 hour period.

When activating GVB day tickets, don’t forget to note your first check-in time.

GVB day tickets can get you to all the main sights in and around Amsterdam.

This includes Dam Square, Anne Frank House, Artis Zoo, Albert Cuyp Market/Heineken Brewery, Leidseplein, Museumplein (Rijksmuseum/Van Gogh Museum), Olympic Stadium, RAI Convention Centre, Westergas; stations at Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam Bijlmer-ArenA (Johan Cruijff ArenA/Ziggo Dome), Amsterdam Noord, Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Amsterdam Zuid; and further afield to Amstelveen/Amsterdamse Bos and IJburg beach.

These tickets are great for exploring around different Amsterdam neighbourhoods and will help you get around easily if you have a pre-planned city itinerary.

GVB tickets are NOT valid on NS trains – so you cannot travel to destinations in the region or other Dutch cities! They are not valid on the airport train .

They are also not valid on any Connexxion/EBS/Arriva regional bus services.

These are the prices of the GVB day tickets available:

The GVB tickets are now downloaded and used through the GetYourGuide app as a QR code. This saves the need from having to pick-up physical tickets at one of the GVB ticket offices.

The GVB Child Day Ticket is valid for 24 hours for those aged 4-11 . Children must be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. It is currently not available for advance purchase online.

Children aged 0-3 travel free, children 12 or over must buy the standard adult ticket.

Note, only the 24 hours ticket can be purchased on board a tram – by card payments only, cash is not accepted. At ticket machines in metro stations only the 1-4 day cards are available.

We therefore recommend purchasing online in advance to secure your choice of card – particularly if you want the better value cards with longer validity.

GVB Day/Multi-Day Ticket: Summary

The GVB multiday tickets offer really great value and allow visitors to move around freely on trams, buses and the metro in Amsterdam.

• Excellent value with low cost-per-ride if used well
• Flexible choice of validity at 1-7 days
• Valid for 24 hour segments
• Reduced price child day ticket available
• Not valid on airport train or 397 airport bus
• Not valid for travel outside Amsterdam

Order GVB multi-day tickets here

GVB airport ‘loophole’

Note, it is technically possible to travel between Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and the city using a GVB-only card by taking GVB bus 369 from Schiphol Airport/Plaza to Amsterdam Sloterdijk. This has a journey time of 30 minutes.

Connections at Sloterdijk are GVB bus 22 (Central Station) or GVB tram 19 (to Diemen Sniep via Leidseplein).

We do however recommend you take the much faster train to/from the airport!

Group Travel in Amsterdam

Travelling with a large group around Amsterdam? Whether you are here with a student group or have a large group of visitors to a conference or work event – the GVB day tickets can be a convenient and economical way to get around.

Please note that every individual must have their own ticket and check-in and check-out accordingly.

For group travel you can purchase up to 30 GVB multi-day tickets in one transaction here – however these now need to be used through the GetYourGuide app.

If you want to pick-up physical tickets then you can also pre-purchase up to 99 tickets in one transaction of the following: Amsterdam Travel Ticket and Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (both these include a GVB ticket component).

TIP: For very large groups travelling together it is probably better to take the metro if possible. See our  Metro Map of Amsterdam

2. Amsterdam Travel Ticket

Best for airport trip and using trains around Amsterdam

This is an all-in-one product which includes a 1, 2 or 3 day GVB unlimited travel card plus travel between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam – valid on NS trains or 397 Amsterdam Airport Express bus. You can buy the 1/2/3 day Amsterdam Travel Ticket online here The Amsterdam Travel Ticket in 2024 is priced as follows: 1 day ( €18.00 ), 2 day ( €24.00 ) and 3 day ( €30.00 ).

Please note that this product has validity on a “calendar day basis” rather than 24 hours, so the card expires at 0400 in the morning after the last valid day.

TIP: You always get more potential value activating the card earlier in the day.

So for example, if you activate (check-in) a 1 day card anytime on a Wednesday (0000-2359) the card will expire Thursday at 0400. If only activating the card late in the evening (and before midnight) you would have wasted most of the day’s potential use.

The NS train portion is valid in 2nd class for unlimited travel between Schiphol Airport and any of the following stations in Amsterdam: Amsterdam Centraal, Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam Bijlmer-ArenA, Duivendrecht, Amsterdam Holendrecht, Amsterdam Lelylaan, Amsterdam Muiderpoort, Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam Science Park, Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Amsterdam Zuid.

One hidden benefit is that you can also use it for unlimited train journeys (2nd class) between any of the above Amsterdam stations .

For more info on Schiphol travel see Getting from Schiphol to Amsterdam

In addition it is valid for unlimited travel on the 397 Amsterdam Airport Express bus operated by Connexxion. You must always make your final journey back to the airport (bus or train) before the card expires.

The GVB portion of the ticket can be used on GVB Amsterdam trams , buses, metro and night buses in the Amsterdam metropolitan area. Note, it is NOT valid for travel further around the region or to other Dutch cities.

The 3 day ticket is the best value and works out at a very reasonable €10.00 per day.

If you are staying longer than 3 days you can either consider using consecutive Amsterdam Travel Tickets successively or mixing/matching with other ticket types.

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is an OV-chip smart card so you are required to check-in and check-out for each journey.

Basically this ticket is handy for anyone on a short visit to Amsterdam who is arriving/departing from Schiphol Airport. Because of the train component, it is also really good for those staying in and around Amsterdam Sloterdijk or Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena as you can jump onto the train to Amsterdam Central whenever needed.

Most payment methods are accepted and after booking you can always cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund if your plans happen to change.

You receive a voucher and simply pick up your pre-purchased tickets at the following points: Public transport machines (grey, blue and red) at Amsterdam Schiphol airport (24 hours); NS ticket & service desks at at Amsterdam Schiphol airport , Amsterdam Central Station or Amsterdam Sloterdijk ; at the GVB service points at Amsterdam Zuid , Amsterdam Bijlmer-Arena or Amsterdam Noord .

You can also purchase this ticket over-the-counter (subject to availability) at the following at Schiphol Airport: NS Tickets & Service desk, Iamsterdam visitor centre (Schiphol Arrivals 2) or AKO newsagent.

Amsterdam Travel Ticket: Summary

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket can be a good value choice for those on a shorter visit needing the airport trip included. It is recommended if you are staying around Schiphol Airport, Sloterdijk or Bijlmer Arena.

• Includes unlimited airport train and bus
• Hidden benefit: Unlimited train use between any Amsterdam stations
• Valid on all GVB Amsterdam transport
• Calendar day validity rather than 24 hours
• No child tickets available

Order the Amsterdam Travel Ticket here

3. Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

Best for Excursions

This is a 1 day ( €21.00 ), 2 day ( €31.50 ) and 3 day ( €40.50 ) ticket which is valid on all public transport in the greater Amsterdam region . This includes NS trains (2nd class), all regional buses (Connexxion, EBS and Arriva Keukenhof services) and all GVB Amsterdam buses, metro and trams. You can buy the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket online here

Like the above Amsterdam Travel Ticket, this product is valid on a “calendar day basis” only rather than 24 hours. The card is activated on first check-in and expires at 0400 in the morning after the last valid day. Once again, you must check-in and check-out for each journey taken.

This ticket is a little more expensive than the GVB multiday tickets and Amsterdam Travel Ticket due to its larger catchment validity area.

This ticket is recommended if you plan to make side trips to various places of interest around the greater Amsterdam region. It is valid to the following destinations:

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Hoofddorp, Haarlem, Old Holland area (Waterland fishing villages like Edam, Volendam and Marken/Zaanse Schans windmills/Zaandam), Amsterdam Beaches (Ijmuiden/Zandvoort), Flowers of Amsterdam (Aalsmeer/Keukenhof), Castles & Garden area (Muiden/Naarden/Hilversum) and the New Land area (Almere/Lelystad).

This handy Amsterdam & Region Ticket map (opens as a pdf) from Iamsterdam shows the valid travel area and transport options:

Again the 3 day ticket is the best value and works out at only €13.50 per day. As a comparison, the standard fare (2024) for a return day trip by train from Amsterdam Central to Lelystad would already set you back €23.60.

So if you plan your itinerary well then the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket could save you quite a bit of money.

TIP: If you have an Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket and want to travel to destinations outside the catchment area – like Utrecht, Leiden, Delft, Den Haag, Rotterdam and Kinderdijk – then use your ticket to travel to the outer edge of the zone and buy your onward tickets from there (rather than from Amsterdam Central). For example, for Utrecht travel from Hilversum or Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena.

Most payment methods are accepted. After booking you can always cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund if your plans happen to change.

You receive a voucher and simply pick up your pre-purchased tickets at the following points: Public transport machines (grey, blue and red) at Amsterdam Schiphol airport (24 hours); NS ticket & service desks at at Amsterdam Schiphol airport , Amsterdam Central Station , Amsterdam Sloterdijk ; GVB service points at Amsterdam Zuid , Amsterdam Bijlmer-Arena or Amsterdam Noord .

The ticket may also be purchased (subject to availability) at I amsterdam Visitor Centres and main ticket offices of Connexxion, EBS, GVB and NS.

TIP: If you plan to stay longer than 3 days you could consider buying multiple tickets for consecutive use or mixing and matching with GVB multi day tickets.

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket: Summary

The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket can be very useful if you plan to make excursions outside of Amsterdam. Because it is valid on numerous transport providers it also saves you from having to buy separate tickets each time.

• Despite the higher price, good value can be extracted from this ticket
• Valid on all GVB transport in Amsterdam
• Valid on airport train and bus
• Unlimited transport around entire Amsterdam region
• Not valid for travel outside region (eg – to Rotterdam, Leiden, The Hague, Utrecht)

Order the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket here

4. GVB 1 Hour Ticket / Bus Tram Metro (BTM) 1.5 Hour Ticket

In Amsterdam the single can be bought as a disposable OV-chip card and is valid for 1 hour travel on GVB public transport (bus/metro/tram) including any transfers. It costs €3.40 and is activated on first check-in.

Single tickets should only really be considered if you are going to make just 1 or 2 trips in a day. It will usually be slightly cheaper to use the distance fare rate using OVpay (contacless debit card) or credit on an OV-chip card .

If you plan to make 3 or more trips then buy a 1 day GVB ticket or a multi-day ticket.

The GVB single can be bought at GVB sales desk/ticket machines (cash/debit/credit cards accepted) or on board trams/buses from drivers/conductors (no cash accepted on board, debit/credit cards only).

Check-in and check-out using the card readers is required, including when making a transfer to another form of transport.

Note, the GVB 1 hour ticket is NOT valid on the Schiphol airport train, 397 Amsterdam Airport Express bus nor on any GVB night bus service.

There is also a 1.5 hour Bus Tram Metro (BTM) ticket which costs €6.50 and is good for travel during the day around Amsterdam and the region on GVB (bus/metro/tram) plus Connexxion and EBS bus services. It is not valid on night buses.

5. Holland Travel Ticket

This ticket was introduced to make it easier for visitors to navigate the Netherlands on one single ticket. It is valid for 1 day on all Dutch public transport in the country including trains (2nd class), buses, trams and metro. You can buy this disposable OV-chip card ticket at service desks and ticket machines at NS rail stations.

The ticket is activated on first check-in and you must check-in and check-out for each journey leg.

The standard Holland Travel Ticket costs €70 and can be used anytime during the day.

The off-peak Holland Travel Ticket costs €48 and is only valid for travel after 0900 (Mon-Fri). It is valid all day at weekends and public holidays.

If you plan to do a lot of travelling in the Netherlands on a single day (either in terms of distance or using different forms of transport) then this ticket could offer good value as well as not having to buy separate tickets.

For example, a standard day return from Amsterdam to Maastricht costs around €60 – so using the off-peak Holland Travel Ticket can save some money and allow multiple stopovers.

TIP: To maximise this ticket buy the off-peak version and use it at the weekend, starting out as early in the day as possible.

However, it is certainly not a good option if you just plan to remain in and around the Amsterdam area. There is no 1st class option available.

6. Amsterdam Airport Bus Tickets

Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397 operates between Schiphol and Elandsgracht in central Amsterdam. It does not run to/from Amsterdam Central station.

A single Bus Tram Metro (BTM) ticket costs €6.50 , a child (4-11) day ticket costs €1 .

You can also buy a single or return ticket online here

7. Waterland Day Ticket

Head out of Amsterdam and visit historic Dutch fishing villages such as Edam, Volendam, Monnickendam and Marken. A Waterland day ticket costs €12.50 for adults, €3 for children 4-11 and is valid the entire day (until 0100) on all EBS buses serving the Waterland and Zaandam area. It is not valid on Connexxion buses or night buses.

EBS buses now depart from Amsterdam Noord or Noorderpark station which can be reached by metro line 52.

Waterland tickets can be bought at the public transport desk of the OV Servicewinkel shops at Amsterdam Central, EBS bus drivers or the I amsterdam tourist information at the front side of Amsterdam central station. The card is activated on first check-in, with check-in and check-out required for each trip.

For more see our Waterland Amsterdam page

However the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket gives a lot more options, including using the metro and visiting other places of interest.

8. OV-Chip Card – pre-paid credit

The re-usable OV-chip card is a plastic smart card (like London’s Oyster Card) where you can add travel credit onto its “e-purse” and use it for journeys on any mode of Dutch public transport .

We don’t recommend this card for short-term visitors – use singles or the above multi-day cards instead.

There are 2 types of OV-chip card available: a so-called anonymous OV-chip card (anyone can buy/use this) or the personal OV-chip card (a personal photo card for Dutch residents). Note, see OVpay below for direct payment using contactless debit/credit cards/mobile.

An anonymous card with zero credit costs €7.50 (non-refundable) and will last 4-5 years.

The anonymous OV-chip card can be purchased at any NS train station (including Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central) and at other transport providers such as GVB. It can also be purchased at newsagents and supermarkets – some cards can be bought already pre-loaded with credit.

When purchasing an “empty” card from a transport provider, you should load some credit (at least €10-€20, maximum allowed is €150) onto the e-purse of the card – it can then be used for travel on any form of public transport in Amsterdam or the Netherlands. Note that some cards may need to be pre-activated for use on the rail network at a NS ticket desk or machine.

OV-chip card fares are calculated at fixed rates based on distance travelled. Travelling with the e-purse on buses/metro/trams tends to be a little cheaper than buying single tickets. You will need a minimum of €4 e-purse credit which is taken off as a deposit on check-in; at check-out the €4 is refunded and the standard fare is deducted from the card balance.

For GVB travel in Amsterdam, there is a fixed boarding fee of €1.08 and then a variable distance fee of €0.196 per km which is actually calculated to every 50 metres of travel.

What this means is a 3km journey will cost about €1.67; a 10km trip costs €3.04 – cheaper than the €3.40 disposable 1 hour ticket above.

If you need to make a transfer you must check-out and then check back in – if this is within 35 minutes you do not pay the boarding fee again.

For train travel, the standard one-way fare is charged. You need a minimum of €20 e-purse credit on the card to check-in at a station. As above, the €20 is initially taken off as a deposit and is returned on check-out with the one-way fare taken off the card balance. If you fail to check-out you will lose the €20.

The anonymous OV-chip card may be suitable for visitors who plan longer stays in the country with lots of public transport trips or those planning multiple visits to the Netherlands.

The OV-chip card can be useful in not having to buy separate tickets each time. You do need to keep a careful eye on the e-purse balance to ensure that minimum credit is available, especially for train travel.

The anonymous card can also be used by other people though not at the same time – everyone travelling together must have their own card.

9. OVpay – check-in/out by contactless debit/credit card

It can be used using the following foreign (non-Dutch) cards: Maestro, V pay, Mastercard and Visa.

As with the OV-chip card, standard one-way fares will apply for your journey . At the end of the day the transport company will debit your total use with them in one transaction.

This option makes the OV-chip card effectively redundant for visitors. However, if you have a non-euro contactless payment card then you may want to check your provider’s forex transaction fees before using.

Paying the standard one-way fares is fine for a small number of journeys. However if you want to maximise value then consider purchasing day and multi-day tickets as described above.

10. NS Train Tickets

There are a number of train stations in Amsterdam (see: train network map of Amsterdam ) and the railway can sometimes be a fast and useful way to travel around the periphery of the city as well as getting to the airport.

There are various ticket format options for travel on NS Dutch Railways:

• disposable tickets – either one-ways or day returns in OV-chip format – for travel that day or on a future specified date up to 1 week ahead. A €1 fee for a disposable ticket is charged on top of the standard fare.
• using a personal or anonymous OV-chip card
• buying an e-ticket or mobile ticket online which has a barcode to go through barriers

Children aged 4-11 can buy a Rail Runner ticket which costs €2.50 and is valid the entire day on any train in 2nd class (or in 1st class if accompanied by a 1st class adult ticket holder).

The standard fare between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central is €4.90 + a €1 fee for a disposable ticket.

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket mentioned above offers unlimited travel between all Amsterdam stations as well as Schiphol airport.

For a detailed overview of rail tickets check our How to Buy a Dutch Train Ticket guide.

11. I amsterdam City Card (GVB transport + attractions)

For those who like the idea of a combined transport ticket and free entry to attractions, the I amsterdam City Card could be an option. Aimed at visitors, this official pass offers unlimited GVB transport within Amsterdam and entry to the likes of the Rijksmuseum, Johan Cruijff ArenA Tour and A’DAM Lookout. (Note, Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum not included) .

A free canal cruise and 1 day bike rental are also included.

Validity options are 24 hours ( €60 ), 48 hours ( €85 ), 72 hours ( €100 ), 96 hours ( €115 ), 120 hours ( €125 ). Although not cheap if used carefully it can lead to savings – and you avoid the hassle of buying tickets each time.

You can book the I amsterdam City Card online here

The 120 hour (5 day) card offers the greatest value coming in at €25 per day. Read our full I amsterdam City Card review here on how to maximise the card.

Amsterdam Travel with Discounts

Apart from some child products, non-resident visitors are NOT entitled to any discounts on public transport. Discounts are only available for eligible residents with a personal OV-chip card – those aged 4-11 and 65+ will automatically receive a 34% discounted fare rate when using the e-purse on their card.

Cheap child day tickets are available with GVB transport, NS trains and Connexxion/EBS buses. Note that the Amsterdam/Amsterdam & Region/Holland Travel Tickets do not have a discounted child version. It may be cheaper to buy separate child tickets instead as a substitute.

For residents with a personal OV-chip card who are regular travellers there is the Altijd Korting (Always Discount) product option available to purchase for  €21.55 per month or  €215.50 per year. It gives the holder a 20% discount on bus/metro/tram travel throughout the Netherlands whilst students aged 12-18 get a 40% discount. It is not valid for discounts on NS trains.

GVB Flex is a monthly subscription product from GVB which gives discounted travel in Amsterdam. The main feature is that you can travel anywhere in the Netherlands without the need of using the balance on an OV-chip card. Instead you are invoiced each month. There are 4 products:

• Easy Flex costs  €1.00 per month and gives 10% discount on GVB all day.
• Start Flex costs  €3.00 per month and gives 20% discount on GVB only between 2000-0400.
• Flex costs €5.50 per month and gives 20% discount on GVB all day.
• Extra Flex costs €15.00 per month and gives 40% discount on GVB all day.

It is possible to switch subscriptions each month.

The Net Abonnement (Network Season Ticket) subscription offers unlimited travel on bus, tram and metro throughout the Netherlands. It is not valid on trains. It costs  €335.45 per month or  €3,354.50 per year.

Other Amsterdam Public Transport Ticket Types

Night Bus Tickets – A single ride on a GVB night bus costs €5.40 . It can be bought from the driver (no cash accepted) as a disposable OV-chip ticket or added as a product onto an anonymous or personal OV-chip card. The card is valid for 90 minutes and includes transfers to other GVB night buses.

GVB Group Ticket – This allows a group of 5 people 1 day’s travel on the GVB network. Unfortunately this is a restricted ticket in that it can only be bought and used via the GVB app. The group must always travel together and each traveller has a unique barcode which has to be managed via the purchaser’s phone – so checking-in and -out is not a particularly seamless process. It costs €25 .

GVB Bicycle Ticket – Bikes can be taken onto tram 26 or the metro but only outside the rush hour (0700-0900/1600-1830). A bicycle ticket costs  €2.20 and is valid for the entire day. It can be added as a supplement to a personal or anonymous OV-chip card. Alternatively there is a disposable 1 hour card + bicycle which costs €5.60 .

NS Bicycle Ticket – Bikes can travel on trains outside the weekday rush hours; and at anytime at weekends and during July and August. A bicycle ticket ( €7.50 ) is required which is valid for 1 day. You must store your bike in the special carriages labelled with the bike sign. Folded bikes can be carried for free.

Don’t forget, you also need a valid train ticket for travel as well!

GVB Ticket Offices

You can purchase any GVB public transport ticket type at the “GVB Tram Bus Metro Ferry” Service & Tickets office at Stationsplein outside Amsterdam Central station (city side). Opening hours are daily 0830-1900.

This is also where you can pick-up some pre-purchased online tickets.

There are similar GVB Service & Tickets offices at the following stations:

• Amsterdam Bijlmer-ArenA (open 0830-1900 Mon-Fri, 1000-1800 Sat-Sun)
• Amsterdam Zuid (open 0830-1900 Mon-Fri, 1000-1800 Sat-Sun)
• Station Noord (open daily 1000-1800)

Some GVB tickets can also be purchased over-the-counter at service points at the following shops/newsagents: Primera, Bestseller, Vivant, Techador and Cigo .

GVB automatic ticket machines accept cash (coins and notes) and debit/credit cards and can be found at all metro stations and stops. There are also GVB vending machines along some tram stops – these only accept card payments.

There are also special public transport ticket machines and GVB ticket machines located at Amsterdam Central:

Buy your GVB tickets online here

This article was first published in 2010 and has been continuously updated since then. Last update 6 March 2024.

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

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I amsterdam City Card Honest Review + Guide: How to Make the Most of It!

Last Updated: February 24, 2024

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Wondering if the I amsterdam Card is worth the high price tag? This review will tell you everything you need to know!

As I’m sure you all know, I loves me a good deal. 

When left alone in big, touristy cities like Amsterdam, it’s quite inevitable that I morph into a pathological deal hoarder, dodging tourist traps left and right while going to truly absurd lengths to get my money’s worth.

And this is precisely how I found myself armed with a 24h I amsterdam card on a recent visit, eager to milk as much value from it as possible. I guess you can say it worked out, because I eventually saved me over 180 euros in a twenty four hour period.

Yup, that’s right, I visited Amsterdam’s top must-dos – 10 museums including heavyweights like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, plus a sweet sunset canal cruise, all for only 60 euros. NOTE: As of 2022, the Van Gogh Museum is no longer included .

Intrigued? At the risk of sounding like a midnight infomercial, you can do it too, all with the help of an I amsterdam card . *dreamy harp music*

Save this I amsterdam Card Review for Later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

If you’ve never heard of it, the I amsterdam card  is a city card that grants you access to the city’s top attractions for one bundle price, and having used it twice now, I know all the tricks to making the most of it.

SO, if you’re wondering whether the I amsterdam card is a good choice for you, keep reading. This honest review will tell you everything you need to know, along with must-know tips to ensure you make the most of this (admittedly very pricey) city pass.

NOTE: While I amsterdam gifted me a city card during a visit I had back in 2016, this review is based solely on my recent 2019 experience, which I paid for completely myself for the purpose of an unbiased review. Enjoy!

I amsterdam Card: A Quick Overview

First off, let me get it out of the way that I HATE the way this card’s name is spelled. iAmsterdam would look way better, or even I Amsterdam, but the capital I and lowercase a? I’m triggered.

But anyways, back to the card.

The I amsterdam card is an all-in-one city pass for Amsterdam that gives you access to dozens of major museums/attractions, public transportation, and a canal cruise, all for a set time period (ranging from 24 hours to 120 hours).

The appeal here is simple: you buy one card, you pay once, and then you can save a lot of money on attractions as you explore the city.

NOTE: Over 70 of Amsterdam’s biggest attractions like the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt Museum, Rijksmuseum and a canal cruise are included with this card, but the one major exception that is NOT included is the Anne Frank House, so keep that in mind.

In my opinion, the I amsterdam card offers unbeatable value if you’re an avid sightseeer, or if you are someone who values flexibility, ease of mind and spontaneity over budget. Click here to check prices and reviews.

There is a catch of course. The I amsterdam card, while a good value if used properly, is one of the priciest city cards out there.

The cheapest one for 24h is already 60 euros, with the most expensive one being 125 euros for 120 hours. It’s certainly no drop in the bucket, since you’re probably spending hundreds on accommodation and other expenses already…. So I understand your hesitation.

Honestly, if you want to limit yourself to a few select attractions while in Amsterdam, the I amsterdam card is probably not a good value.

If you are a fast paced sightseer though and want to see as much of Amsterdam’s museums/attractions as possible, this card is really worth considering.

Below I’ll break down the costs of the card and also tell you all about how I used it, and tips on making the most of it.

I amsterdam Card Cost Breakdown

How much will buying an I amsterdam card set you back?

This depends on how many days you purchase it for. The cheapest card is the 24h one at 60 euros, which allows you to soak up all the card benefits for a 24 hour period.

The most expensive card grants you access for 120h (125 euros), with the cost per day of course going down as you purchase longer passes.

I admit this city card is expensive, but I promise you can 100% get the value of the card back (and then some) if you use it strategically, which I’ll teach you to do below!

Here is a table summarizing the prices for I amsterdam cards in 2024:

What is Included in the I amsterdam Card?

When it comes to city passes in Amsterdam, the I amsterdam card is pretty tough to beat in terms of perks and value. Here is what the pass gets you:

Free access (and some discounts) to 70+ museums and attractions in Amsterdam: The main perk of getting an I amsterdam card is that it includes access to dozens of popular Amsterdam attractions and museums, including big ones like the Rijksmuseum.

Access to all public transportation networks in Amsterdam: As long as your I amsterdam card is valid, you can use it to ride public transportation in Amsterdam, from buses and trams to the Metro. All you need to do is tap your card, making the process a breeze.

A free Amsterdam canal cruise: One of the most iconic (and must-do) activities in Amsterdam is a little whirl on its canals, and a free canal cruise with various companies is included in the I amsterdam card.

Free I amsterdam guidebook: A lesser advertised perk, but I loved getting a little red pocket-sized travel book with my I amsterdam city pass that lists out the many attractions around Amsterdam included in the card. This was a really nice souvenir and was super helpful in planning my trip.

Other freebies around the city: While I don’t feel that these are high value perks, I should still mention that the I amsterdam card gives you access to certain freebies around town like little taster samples of genever at De Drie Fleschjes, a free coffee at the Dutch Fortress Museum Naarden-Vesting, and more.

Discounts on bike/boat rentals, performances and other attractions : Last but not least, you can also think of the I amsterdam card as a giant red coupon, because you get a lot of different discounts on it for bike and boat rentals, musical performances and even other big attractions around the city like the Heineken Experience and Bodyworlds. While I don’t think these are the best things to do in Amsterdam, they still make it to a lot of visitors’ bucket lists, so that’s another perk to consider if you’re on the fence.

Ease of mind: Beyond the physical perks of this city pass, I think it’s also important to mention many of the benefits that are equally as important, but not necessarily tangible, one of them being ease of mind. While for sure, purchasing individual tickets might end up being cheaper, the ease of mind that a pass like the I amsterdam card really is invaluable. With it, you can enter pretty much any museum, attraction or tram, scan your pass and go.  If your goal is to have a stress-free trip where you need to make as few decisions as possible, then having this card will really help in that regard. It is also very helpful with…

Spontaneity and flexibility: When I have a packed itinerary, I’m usually very plan-oriented. What I found though was having this I amsterdam card really made me more spontaneous! If I happened upon a museum or attraction while exploring, I would check if my I amsterdam card would get me in. 90% of the time, it did, and I would pop in for a look. This is how I explored less common spots in Amsterdam like the Portuguese Synagogue.

How I Used my 24h I amsterdam Card

On my most recent Amsterdam trip, I decided to buy myself a 24h I amsterdam card in an attempt to see and do as much as possible.

Of course, the following itinerary is jam-packed, and definitely not something I would recommend for a first-time visitor.

This was a very tiring itinerary but I did it to a) test out the various attractions in Amsterdam and report back on what I think is worth it and b) to test the limits of this card and see how much you can reasonably do with it!

Below I list out all the spots I was able to hit up in 24 hours, along with how much a regular ticket would have been.

As you’ll soon see, you can EASILY get your value back with this card if you hustle.

Here’s a breakdown of what I did (although this is purely for your reference! I wouldn’t recommend replicating it unless you drink ten cans of Red Bull):

Stop #1: Van Gogh Museum

Regular ticket price: €19

NOTE: As of 2022, the Van Gogh card is sadly no longer included in the I amsterdam card! I’ve left my experience below for your reference.

I started my I amsterdam city pass journey at the Van Gogh Museum, one of the most famous museums in Amsterdam.

NOTE: This was actually, believe it or not, an accident.

Here’s what happened: I actually didn’t think I’d get to visit the Van Gogh museum because with the I amsterdam card, time slots must be booked in advance, and I had been told they were all gone for the day.

BUT as I sipped a beer and stuffed my face with bitterballen in a cute pub, I found a last minute ticket slot for the next day and booked it. A few minutes later, I glanced down at my email confirmation and realized in my munchin’ stupor, I booked it for THAT DAY and not the next.

Realizing I only had 30 minutes to make the reservation, I literally stuffed four bitterballen in my mouth and ran across town, making it just in time for my 2pm reservation.

SO, with my I amsterdam 24h card, this meant that I would have until 2pm the next day to make use of my pass… The Van Gogh museum was great – I really enjoyed it and consider it a must for anyone familiar with his work (AKA everyone on planet Earth).

It was fascinating getting to learn more about him as an artist, and put all his most famous works into context with his life story.

However, it quickly got too stuffy and crowded for me, so it was onwards to the next…!

Stop #2: The Stedelijk Museum

Regular ticket price: € 18,50

One good thing about visiting the Van Gogh museum first is that you are then in Museumplein, and within close walking distance to many of Amsterdam’s other most famous museums (which are pretty much all included in the I amsterdam card!)

After visiting the Van Gogh musuem, I headed over to the Stedelijk Museum dedicated to modern art and design. I enjoyed it a lot – the space was beautiful and a lot of the displays were bold and interesting.

Modern art lovers definitely need to stop by here, if even to look at this thoroughly pessimistic wall:

Stop #3: Rijksmuseum

Regular ticket price: €20

Of all the museums in Amsterdam, this one is probably the most famous. The Rijksmuseum is to Amsterdam as the Louvre is to Paris.

Funnily enough, it took me my fourth visit to actually come here, and I’d say it was definitely worth it.

The hidden library (which is hilariously difficult to find) is a gorgeous highlight, but the entire museum itself is just SO massive and beautiful – well worth a stop, especially when it’s free and included in the card.

Note: it gets very crowded here. I intentionally timed my visit for near closing time, so the crowds were significantly less than during peak hours, but it was still very busy.

You’ll find that crowds near the entrance are the worst, and quickly thin out as you get deeper into the museum, so my best tip is to go in, walk as far as possible, then work your way backwards to the exit.

Stop #4: Amsterdam Pipe Museum

Regular ticket price: €10

This was one of my favourite museums I visited in Amsterdam, mainly because it was so quirky and different.

Tucked away in a little pipe shop, you’ll find one of the world’s largest collections of elaborate pipes, staffed by enthusiastic pipe experts who volunteer at the museum for fun.

It’s a tiny museum located in a little canal house, so won’t eat too much time out of your schedule, and is just so darn quirky and  cute.

PS: At this point, you might notice that I have already made up the entire 60 euro value of the 24h pass, and I still have the next day to go! Combining all four of these stops I made, the admissions would have totalled to 67.50, meaning I’ve already saved myself 7.50 at this point. Pretty wild right?

Stop #5: Huis Marseille – Museum for Photography

Regular ticket price: €9

Amsterdam has a few different museums dedicated to photography, but I chose the Huis Marseille because of its proximity to other I amsterdam city card sights and its picture perfect garden, which I got to visit during Secret Garden Days a few years ago.

While the displays rotate, it’s quite cool to visit this museum because it’s spread across two canal houses, so you get to admire beautiful thought-provoking displays while snooping around the interiors of the house. Really fun, and of course, included in the I amsterdam card, so how could you go wrong?

Stop #6: LOVERS Canal Cruise

Regular ticket price: €18

If I could pick one activity as a must-do in Amsterdam, this would be it.

Sure it’s painfully cliched, but a canal cruise in Amsterdam really is one of the best ways to see the city.

Enjoying one at sunset is the best idea too with an I amsterdam card because a) the city is especially droolworthy when it starts to light up and b) a canal cruise is pretty much the only activity you an do on the card after 6pm, so if you want to make the most of your card’s validity time, save your cruise for after all the other attractions have closed.

Stop #7: NEMO Science Museum

Regular ticket price: € 17.50

The next day, I woke up bright and early to visit some more museums with my I amsterdam card. Remember, I scanned my pass for the first time at the Van Gogh museum at 2pm, which meant I had until 2pm the next day to frolic around and visit more attractions.

I was staying very close to the NEMO Science Museum, so I was the eager beaver who was there as soon as the doors opened.

To be honest, as I entered, I quickly realized that this was not my kind of museum. It’s one of those interactive science museums more meant for kids (I have been to loads in my day), so I took a quick look around and enjoyed the view from the roof.

The rooftop view was honestly my #1 motivation for coming to this museum, but I found out later there’s a set of stairs you can follow just outside that give you access WITHOUT paying for the museum.

So, if you aren’t terribly interested in kiddie science stuff, I would skip using the I amsterdam card here and instead just come for the free view another time.

Stop #7: The National Maritime Museum

Regular ticket price: € 16.50

A short walk away from the NEMO Science Museum is the National Maritime Museum, which I found surprisingly interesting and cool.

This is another museum that’s popular with kids and school trips (especially in the model replica of the boat) but if you venture further into the different corridors of the museum (it’s huge!), you’ll find a lot of cool little treasures  and educational displays about the maritime history of the Netherlands, with the happy bonus of much, much fewer crowds.

Stop #8: The Tropenmuseum

Regular ticket price: €15

Truthfully, if I were to pick my least favourite museum I visited with my I amsterdam card, it would be the Tropenmuseum.

While in theory, I would love to stand behind a museum dedicated to ethnology, the majority of the displays left me feeling a little bit uncomfortable.

Many of the items on display were acquired as a result of colonial theft ( something they are actively trying to rectify ), and many parts of the museum still reflected to me the origins of this museum as a Museum of Colonisation (which was its original intent when it opened in 1864).

Back in this day, the museum’s goal was to showcase artifacts and “treasures” from its overseas colonies, as well as demonstrate life in these colonies.

As I’m sure you can imagine, such displays would often perpetuate tropes of “the other” and sustain stereotypes about other cultures from around the world.

For this reason, I really did not enjoy my time at the museum, although it seems that they are making an active effort to decolonize the museum and improve the way they communicate about other cultures, which is at least a step in the right direction.

All that said, with such a rich diversity of museums to visit in Amsterdam, I wouldn’t choose this to be the place to learn about global cultures because many of the exhibitions to me felt sanitized of any colonial wrongdoing…. probably to tone content down for kids.

ANYWAYS, getting off my soapbox, I wouldn’t recommend this museum, plus it’s quite far from other main attractions so I don’t personally feel it’s worth going out of your way to visit, although the building that houses it is truly gorgeous.

Stop #9: The Portuguese Synagogue

Regular ticket price: €6.50

I really wish I had spent more time exploring Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter, but I only had time to visit one of its museums, so I chose the beautiful Portuguese Synagogue.

This synagogue can be visited quite quickly and is a beautiful place to escape the bustle of the city and learn a bit more about the city’s Jewish heritage.

NOTE: Don’t come in here expecting to visit the gorgeous Ets Haim Jewish library, the oldest functional Jewish library in the world. It’s sadly not open to the public during these visits.

Stop #10: Museum Willet-Holthuysen

Regular ticket price: €12.50

There are a handful of house museums that you can visit in Amsterdam which aim to show you what life was historically like in those beautiful canal houses people love to photograph so much.

The most popular of these house museums include Museum van Loon and Museum Willet-Holthuysen, both of which are included in the I amsterdam card. I chose to visit Willet-Holthuysen and loved it!

The garden here is gorgeous and the house itself is wonderfully opulent. It can get a little crowded if there are a lot of visitors, but I visited in the early afternoon and it was fine.

Stop #11: The Museum of Bags and Purses

Regular ticket price: €13

NOTE: Unfortunately this museum officially closed during the pandemic and was never able to re-open. I’ve left the info below just for your reference.

Another one of Amsterdam’s quirkier offerings is the Museum of Bags and Purses.

I really enjoyed my time here – the staircase is an unexpectedly beautiful hidden gem, and the contents of the museum (literally different bags and purses) was really interesting. Many don’t realize how the development of fashion ties so deeply into the evolution of women’s rights, but the two go hand in hand and it’s all very fascinating to see… plus, it’s one of the largest bag collections in the world, so why not?

The best part is this museum is relatively unknown to most first time visitors, so you an expect very few crowds here compared to the main museums in Amsterdam.

Stop #12: Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder

Last but not least, just before 2pm (the expiry of my city card), I slid into the Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder, one of my favourite stops on my I amsterdam card crawl!

This 17th century canal house is home to a fascinating secret church, one of many “clandestine churches” that popped up in the 1600s when Catholics weren’t able to worship in public anymore due to the rise of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Built into the top floors of a canal house, this secret attic church is one of the most interesting secrets of Amsterdam, and the audio guide tour which leads you through the many floors offers fascinating insight on the history of the house and what life was like back in the day.

Really, this is one of the few museums where I listened to every number on the audio guide! It’s that good. I highly recommend it.

……. And so, by the end of this 24 hours, I visited the equivalent of 188 euros worth of museums and attractions for only 60 euros! That’s over 120 euros of savings. Pretty wild right?

NOTE: This also doesn’t include the many tram rides I took (at least 4, but I lost count).

So, as you can see, getting your money’s worth with this card is a piece of cake, even if you don’t rush from attraction to attraction like I did.

Final Tips for Making the Most of Your I amsterdam card

So, if you are planning to buy an I amsterdam card, I’ll leave you with a few final tips so that you’re able to maximize the value of it. Trust me, follow these tips and there’s no way you won’t get your money’s worth.

1. Make note of the museums that open/close early and plan around them

The operating hours at Amsterdam’s many museums and attractions can vary a great deal, so I highly recommend you make note of the ones that you want to see and then write down which ones open/close the earliest. Planning is crucial!

You should know for instance that while most museums open at 10am, two notable exceptions are the National Maritime Museum and Van Gogh Museum, which both open at 9am.

Similarly, while most museums close at 5, a few are open later than that. Museums that close at 6pm include the Huis Marseille, the Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam (actually open until 9pm Thursday/Friday), the Stedelijk Museum, and the Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder. The Botanical Garden is also open late until 7pm during the summer.

By planning your schedule around these museums/attractions, you’re able to maximize the duration of your I amsterdam pass validity.

2. Star your desired attractions on Google Maps to see what’s close together

A big mistake one could easily make with the I amsterdam card is jumping from attraction to attraction without lumping the close ones together.

I always star my ‘to do list’ on Google Maps so that I have a visual representation of all the different spots I want to visit.

This way, I know I’m not wasting time darting across town (or doing day trips) when I could easily clump many spots together.

3. Save a time-consuming museum or attraction for last

An important thing to note is that so long as you arrive at the museum and scan your ticket before your I amsterdam card expires, you’re free to enter.

This means that if your card expires at 4pm, so long as you redeem your ticket by 3:59pm, you can stay at the museum as long as you need to, even until closing time.

This is SUCH a key piece of info to keep in mind if you want to make the most of your I amsterdam card because now you know to save one of the most time-consuming activities for last!!

For me personally, I knew I wanted to spend a good deal of time in the Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder, which closes later than most museums too at 6pm, so I saved that one for last and entered right before my card expired at 2pm.

4. Do the most popular museums as soon as they open or close

There are some museums in Amsterdam that are busy no matter what, like the Rijksmuseum.

If you want to enjoy the most peaceful experience possible at big names like this, then head to them as soon as they open/close.

An exception to this would be the Van Gogh museum, which enjoys a relatively controlled crowd amount given its mandatory reservation/timeslot policy.

That said, the time slot system doesn’t prevent people from staying for a really long time, so the morning would still be the best time to book a visit slot if you want to avoid crowds.

5. Activate your pass in the afternoon, not the morning

This tip is most relevant for 24h I amsterdam card holders, but keep in mind that these cards are valid for x number of hours after you validate them, (e.g. 24 hours post activation, 48 hours post activation, etc).

For me personally, I found it best to activate mine in the afternoon (at 2pm) because this gave me two days essentially to use the pass, and I got to take a break and rest in the evening.

On the other hand, if you were to activate your pass at 9am, then you would have to get through all your sights on that first day, which is a lot more tiring than splitting it up into two like I did.

6. If you are buying a short-term I amsterdam card, don’t fill your day with non I amsterdam card activities

Last but not least, I should note that if you are working with a 24h or 48h I amsterdam card, you really need to plan your days properly to ensure you get the most value out of your passes.

I would strongly recommend that you group all your I amsterdam card activities together and save additional activities for after your card expires.

In other words, don’t activate your I amsterdam card in the morning at the Rijksmuseum, then hop over to the Anne Frank House (not included) before doing something else! Instead, save any non-I amsterdam card activities for days when your card isn’t valid.

So, is the I amsterdam Card Worth It? The Final Word

If you plan to visit a lot of museums and attractions in Amsterdam, I do really think the I amsterdam card is great value.

To figure out whether or not it’s right for you, simply write down all the attractions you want to see when you’re in Amsterdam, find out their full price tickets and total them up. If they total more than 60 euros, odds are good that the I amsterdam card would be worth it.

If however, you’re more of a relaxed traveler and you don’t really want to hop around from attraction to attraction throughout your trip, then you’re better off paying for 1-2 attractions you want to see instead of getting the card.

That said, don’t forget that a huge part of the card’s value is in the ease of mind and convenience it brings – especially when it comes to public transportation, so if you like being able to relax without thinking too much about cost, then this pass really is a great purchase.

Due to time constraints, I was only able to demonstrate the use of a 24h I amsterdam card, but as you can see in the price breakdown below, the cost per day decreases significantly as you purchase longer passes, which means you’ll easily get your money’s worth if you decide to stay in Amsterdam for a longer time.

My overall conclusion is yes, the I amsterdam card is worth it if you know how to strategically make use of it, and with the tips I mentioned above, I’m sure you’ll be able to do just that!

For your reference again, here are the different passes you can buy and their costs:

Any more questions about the I amsterdam card?

Let me know in the comments below! Have a great trip 🙂

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

5 thoughts on “I amsterdam City Card Honest Review + Guide: How to Make the Most of It!”

I have never been to Amsterdam but I definitely want to go there. I love the city cards that include so many activities with them. I think they give you the best bargains. I think the fact that it includes city transportation is awesome. That can save a lot by itself! Great post!

Yes city cards can definitely be a great deal when used properly!! Thanks for reading, Amy 🙂

Thanks for these useful tips. My friends went to Amsterdam and got this card and recommend me to get it. You have convinced me to use it.

Awesome to hear! It’s definitely great value if you know how to use it properly. Have a great trip!

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I Amsterdam City Card: guide, review and comparison

The I Amsterdam City Card is the official tourist pass offering free or discounted admission to over 70 museums and attractions in the city, a canal cruise and unlimited use of all means of transport , such as bus, metro and tram, of the public transport company GVB. In addition, you can rent a bicycle free of charge for 24 hours, regardless of the duration of the chosen card.

The benefits of the card are not limited to the city centre, but are also valid in some areas around Amsterdam , for example in the villages of Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken.

Thanks to the I Amsterdam City Card, you can save money on entrance fees to attractions, travel freely on public transport , take a cruise on the city’s canals and enjoy a 25% discount at numerous restaurants, bars, concerts and theatre performances.

The I Amsterdam City Card is certainly the most convenient and practical way to experience the city as a tourist.

What is included in the I Amsterdam City Card

The I Amsterdam City Card includes free entry to almost all of the city’s major museums and discounts at many attractions. It also allows unlimited use of city transport for as long as the card is valid. In short, the I Amsterdam City Card includes:

• Free admission to Amsterdam’s major museums and attractions
• Unlimited use of public transport GVB (bus, tram and metro ) in the Amsterdam city area
• A free canal cruise
• Discounts on other attractions, such as the Heineken experience or Madame Tussaud’s
• Discounts and freebies at some popular clubs and restaurants, such as Van Dobben or Blue Amsterdam.
• Free admission to attractions in some locations outside Amsterdam, such as Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Marken, Haarlem, Enkhuizen, Muiden, Naarden and Laren
• Free ferry trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans
• Free ferry trip from Volendam to Marken
• Bike rental for 24 hours

Attractions included in the I Amsterdam City Card

There are more than 70 museums and attractions included in the I Amsterdam City Card, such as the famous Rijksmuseum , the ARTIS Royal Zoo , the brand new Moco Museum , the NEMO Science and Technology Museum , the Stedelijk Museum , or Rembrandt’s House Museum : see the complete list below. Unfortunately, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House are not included.

• Allard Pierson Museum
• Amsterdam Museum
• Amsterdam Pipe Museum
• Amsterdam Tulip Museum
• Arcam (Amsterdam Centre for Architecture)
• ARTIS (Amsterdam Zoo)
• ARTIS-Micropia
• ARTIS – Groote Museum
• Cobra Museum of Modern Art Amstelveen
• Diamond Museum and Factories
• Do-It-Yourself Gastronomic Tour
• Embassy of the Free Mind
• EYE Film Instituut Nederland
• Fashion for Good
• Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam
• Fun Forest Amsterdam
• Gassan Diamonds
• Geelvinck Pianola Museum
• Het Grachtenhuis – Grachtenmuseum Amsterdam
• Hermitage Amsterdam
• Hermitage – Museum of the Mind
• Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
• Huis Marseille, Museum for Photography
• Joods Historisch Museum
• Luther Museum Amsterdam
• Moco Museum
• Sloten Mill and Kuiperijmuseum
• Multatuli Museum
• De Dageraad Museum
• Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder
• Rembrandthuis
• Museum Het Schip
• Museum Tot Zover
• Museum Van Loon
• Willet-Holthuysen Museum
• De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam
• Outsider Art Museum – Hermitage
• De Oude Kerk
• Rijksmuseum
• Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum
• NEMO De Studio
• Stadsachief Amsterdam
• Stedelijk Museum
• THIS IS HOLLAND
• Tropenmuseum
• Verzetsmuseum – Resistance Museum
• Woonbootmuseum – Houseboat Museum
• Frans Hals Museum
• Teylers Museum
• Verwey Museum
• Free canal cruise

In Volendam/Marken

• Rederij Volendam Marken (ferries)
• Volendam Museum

In Enkhuizen

• Zuiderzeemuseum

In Zaanse Schans

• Zaans Museum and Verkade
• Kuiperij Tiemstra (cooperage)
• Wevershuis – The Weavers’ House
• House of Tsar Peter the Great, Zaandam
• Molen Van Sloten
• Museum Zaanse Tijd
• De Bonte Hen (oil mill)
• De Kat (paint mill)
• De Schoolmeester (paper mill)
• Het Jonge Schaap
• Muiderslot (Muiden Castle)
• Fort Island Pampus
• Dutch Fortress Museum Naarden-Vesting
• Singer Laren

Public transport

The Card also includes a season ticket for GVB public transport , recognisable by the blue logo, which includes buses (also night buses), trams, ferries and the underground throughout the city. Unlimited use of all means of transport is possible for the entire validity of the card.

To use GVB means of transport, scan your City Card every time you get on and off the bus, tram and metro.

In addition, if you prefer to get around the city by bicycle , with the I Amsterdam Card you can rent one free of charge for 24 hours, regardless of the duration of the chosen card.

Transport outside Amsterdam and travel on NS trains, trains and buses operated by Connexxion, Arriva and EBS are not included.

Canal cruises and other tours

With the City Card you are entitled to a one-hour canal cruise using one of the following tour operators: Blue Boat, Stromma, Lovers Canal Cruises and Amsterdam Circle Line BV.

There is no need to book in advance, you can board the boat at your desired time as long as there is room.

Discounted admissions

The I Amsterdam City Card not only offers free access to all the attractions and public transport mentioned above, but also offers a 25% discount on many other places of interest and activities, including the Heineken Experience , Madame Tussauds Wax Museum , the Amsterdam Dungeon and the Body Worlds museum.

Museums and Attractions

• Amsterdam Dungeon
• Tour of the Johan Cruyff Arena
• Body Worlds
• Dutch cheese and wine or cocktail cruise
• Fabrique des Lumières
• Heineken Experience
• House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience (18+)
• Het Kattenkabinet
• Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
• Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience
• STRAAT Museum
• Bike rental and bike tours
• Mokumboat.com – Boat rental for self-drive tours

Restaurants and gastronomy

• Pancakes Amsterdam
• The Pancake Bakery
• Restaurant de Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis
• Restaurant Wagamama – Asian restaurant
• Taverne de Visscer

Music and Theatre

• Bimhuis – Jazz
• Boom Chicago – English improvisational comedy theatre
• Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ – Contemporary music
• National Opera & Ballet – Dutch National Opera and Ballet

What is NOT included in the I Amsterdam City Card

The I Amsterdam City Card gives you access to many attractions, however tickets to the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House are not included in the pass; in order to visit them, you will need to purchase tickets on their respective pages.

Connections to the airport

Although a public transport pass is included, the connection between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Station is not included . To cover this journey you will have to buy a separate ticket for the NS train or the Airport Express bus.

Extra-urban transport

It should be noted that trains and buses outside Amsterdam are never included in the card, so transport to Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken is also not included in the I Amsterdam Card (but the ferry from Volendam to Marken is included).

You therefore need to buy individual tickets or take the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket , the pass that allows you to travel for 1 to 3 days in and around Amsterdam.

How much does the I Amsterdam City Card cost

The I Amsterdam City Card can be valid for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours , depending on the duration, the price changes of course.

The I Amsterdam City Card does not offer discounts for children but has a one-off cost for everyone. Many museums offer discounts and free admission for children, but the card is already affordable for children over the age of 10, who are often excluded from special rates.

How to buy and redeem the I Amsterdam City Card

The I Amsterdam City Card can be purchased online following this page and can be picked up at the I Amsterdam Store at Central Station , Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00 and on Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00. It is activated the first time it is used, whether it is a journey on transport or entry to a museum.

The card is also available in digital format and works on smartphones via the I amsterdam City Card app, both for Android and iOS. After purchasing it online, download the app and register using the unique CC code. Remember to activate the card only when you are in Amsterdam and are ready to start using it.

The I Amsterdam City Card is not nominative and can only be passed on to others until it is activated. After the first activation, the card becomes personal and cannot be passed on to a third party.

Is the I Amsterdam City Card worthwhile?

The I Amsterdam City Card is the most widely used tourist pass for tourists visiting Amsterdam and there is no doubt that if you will be in the Dutch capital with the intention of visiting several museums, intend to move around by transport and don’t want to miss out on a canal cruise , this card is certainly a great way to save money .

However, let’s do a simulation, let’s assume you buy a 48-hour (2-day) pass for €85 .

Let’s first consider the cost of public transport, without the card we would have to buy a 48-hour GVB ticket which costs €15.00. That leaves us with €70 to compensate for entering museums and many attractions and for taking a canal cruise at the very least. Assuming a fairly varied visit of museums, attractions and activities:

The total without the card would be at least 138.35 Euro, while with the 48-hour I Amsterdam City Card it is only 85 Euro, a saving of over 53 Euro .

Not to mention the additional discounts you would be entitled to for example when entering the Heineken Experience or Body Worlds, where you would save an additional €5 per ticket, or when hiring a bike.

Clearly, the I Amsterdam City Card is only worthwhile if you want to visit several attractions and take a canal cruise. In case you only want to see a few museums or are only interested in public transport, the best choice would be a GVB cumulative ticket and pay separately for the individual admissions.

Other Amsterdam city cards

In addition to the I Amsterdam City Card, there are other city cards that will allow you to save money on museums and attractions, or on transport; each has different features, so if you don’t want to buy the more popular I Amsterdam City Card, choose the one that suits you best.

Amsterdam Go City Explorer Pass

The Amsterdam Go City Explorer Pass takes a different approach: the pass allows you free entry to 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 of the city’s attractions from the list below.

• Rijks Museum
• This is Holland
• Moco Museum – Banksy and more
• A’DAM Lookout
• Cruise 100 highlights
• Live guided tour of Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague
• Bon Ton Tour
• Rembrandt experience in Amsterdam
• Cocktail House of Bols
• Royal Experience – Royal Coster Diamonds
• Keukenhof Tour (seasonal – return in spring)
• Zaanse Schans Map
• Pedalo 1 hour
• MacBike bike hire
• Houseboat Museum
• Ferry to Muiderslot Castle (seasonal – April to October)
• Muiderslot Castle in Amsterdam
• Volendam, Edam and windmill tour
• Diamond Museum Amsterdam
• Jewish Cultural Quarter
• Zaanse Schans Tour
• Het Rembrandthuis Museum
• Once Upon a Time Museum
• AMAZE Amsterdam – immersive audiovisual experience by ID&T
• Shopping in Roermond (seasonal)

Lasts for a maximum of 60 days and is activated on your first visit to a museum. It does not include transport , so it comes in handy if you plan to travel on foot and want to visit a few museums with plenty of time to spare.

Amsterdam Go City All-Inclusive Pass

Similar to the previous one, but in this case the duration is per day instead of per number of attractions. You can choose a duration of 1, 2, 3 or 5 days and it too does not include transport. The list of available attractions is the same as the Go City Explorer Pass.

Tiqets Amsterdam Pass

Tiqets’ innovative Amsterdam Pass is actually a combination ticket: with one pass you can buy admission to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, you can take part in a boat tour and you can download an app with an Amsterdam travel guide. In addition, you get a 10% discount on tickets to other attractions on the Tiqets website.

The card is the only one that includes the Van Gogh Museum , but it is convenient if you only intend to visit the attractions included in the Pass and nothing else! It does not include transport.

Cards and passes for public transport

If you are not the museum type but still want to get around the city and optimise your travels, get a transport card . We have listed them on the Amsterdam Transport page, but we will summarise them briefly here as well.

The best-selling, allows unlimited travel on all GVB trams, buses, metros and ferries. It does not include travel on regional buses of the Connexxion, EBS and Syntus companies, nor NS trains. It also does not include travel to and from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on the NS regional train.

It can last from 1 to 7 days.

Amsterdam Travel Ticket

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is more comprehensive than the previous one and allows, in addition to unlimited travel on trams, buses, night buses, metros and ferries operated by GVB, travel by train between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and any of the following Amsterdam train stations: Amstel, Bijlmer Arena, Central Station, Holendrecht, Lelylaan, Muiderpoort, RAI, Sciencepark, Sloterdijk, Zuid and Duivendrecht.

The ticket is also valid on the Amsterdam Airport Express and the Connexxion-operated buses 397 and Niteliner N97 , which depart from the Schiphol Airport Bus Platform.

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

If you want to dedicate a day or more to discovering the surroundings of Amsterdam, the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is the ticket for you: it includes unlimited travel on trains in the Amsterdam Region as well as all means of transport operated by the transport companies GVB, EBS and Connexxion, in the centre of Amsterdam and its region, including the Amsterdam Airport Express and the 397 and N97 buses from Schiphol Airport.

During the Keukenhof opening season this ticket is valid for buses 852, 858, 859 operated by Arriva and line 50 operated by Connexxion .

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Amsterdam Travel Ticket 1 Day, 2 Days or 3 Days

€  18,00 – €  30,00

Public Transport Amsterdam Travel Ticket, 1, 2 or three days. Easy traveling from the National Airport Schiphol by fast train to Amsterdam and than continuing by tram or metro down town Amsterdam with one ticket. The best buy for short stay in Amsterdam.

• Description
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• Reviews (6)

Amsterdam Travel Ticket

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket entitles you to travel limitless from the international airport Schiphol to Amsterdam and in Amsterdam – day and night – on bus, tram and metro, 1,2 or 3 days for € 18,00, € 24,00 and € 30,00 respectively!

The day card is valid for 1 day.

This is the best sold ticket for tourists that want to travel from Airport Schiphol to and visit Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket costs:

• 1 day € 18,00
• 2 day € 24,00
• 3 day € 30,00

Where to buy?

• Webshop: We prefer to buy your ticket in our webshop.
• GVB Tickets & Info: Amsterdam Central Station (Stationsplein), Bijlmer ArenA Station, Lelylaan Station & Zuid Station

How to use the Amsterdam Travel Ticket

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is valid for 1, 2 or 3 days on any of the routes listed on the public transport guide. Using your Amsterdam & Travel Ticket is easy:

• Tickets are valid for 1, 2 or 3 day’s. Your ticket is activated the first time you check in on a tram, bus or metro.
• You must check in and out with your card every time you enter and exit one of the vehicles.
• Tickets are valid on all metro, tram and bus lines operated by GVB, Connexxion and NS, including night buses.
• If you have additional questions or your ticket appears to be defective, you can go to one of the sales locations listed above for assistance.

6 reviews for Amsterdam Travel Ticket 1 Day, 2 Days or 3 Days

Francis (verified owner) – 27 June 2017

Great And Speedy Service

Robert – 13 July 2018

Ordering was easy and we were able to pick it up a few days later at Schiphol Airport. All went smoothly

Andy (verified owner) – 23 December 2019

Easy to order and delivered to the UK in 5 days. Couldn’t be simpler

Sven N (verified owner) – 18 March 2023

Bestellung super easy. Abholung in Schiphol. Tolles Nahverkehr System in den Niederlanden

Lou (verified owner) – 25 February 2024

Great service. Ordering was easy and was delivered to the UK within 5 days.

Bruno (verified owner) – 4 June 2024

Trasporti pubblici efficienti, in orario e mantenuti benissimo. Con l’Amsterdam Travel Ticket di 3 gg abbiamo viaggiato benissimo ovunque. Unica pecca il fatto che non ci abbia consentito di arrivare a Zaanse Schans, avremmo dovuto fare un altro giornaliero per ciascuno (9×4=36 euro) dopo avere già speso 120 euro, francamente troppo.

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Amsterdam Tourist Pass: I Amsterdam City Card, Go City Amsterdam Pass and The Amsterdam Pass [2024]

Traveling in Amsterdam is not cheap, but you can travel smartly by choosing the best Amsterdam tourist card!

This post compares the three most popular travel cards for tourists in Amsterdam in detail, so you can easily pick the best one for yourself!

I will dive into each card in detail, but below is a quick overview in case you only have a little time.

Table of Contents

Complete comparison for Amsterdam tourist card: I Amsterdam City Card, Go City Pass, and The Amsterdam Pass

What is the best card to explore Amsterdam?

There’s no best pass since it depends on what attractions you want to visit.

Is the Go City Amsterdam Card worth it?

Suppose you want a card that covers all the popular attractions, like the Heineken Experience, Rijksmuseum, A’DAM LOOKOUT, Canal tour, House of Bols cocktail experience, etc. In that case, this is the best card for you. (you can see the complete list here)

Why is it so popular?

They have two options: All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass.

All-Inclusive Pass is sold like a day pass, available from 2-day to 5-day pass, while Explorer Pass is based on how many attractions you want to visit.

With Explorer Pass , if you enter 5 places in a day, it only costs EUR 18 per attraction.

If you buy them separately, it is EUR 22 on average per attraction. Most must-go attractions also open in the evening; you have over 12 hours to enjoy Amsterdam!

Who Should buy an Amsterdam City Pass?

Unlike Go City Amsterdam Pass, which covers only the most famous attractions, the I Amsterdam City Card covers more than 60 museums and attractions in Amsterdam.

If you want to visit museums not included in Go City Amsterdam Pass, I Amsterdam City Card is your best choice. Besides, the I Amsterdam City Card also includes public transportation in Amsterdam, so you can take the metro, tram, bus, and ferry for free.

Can I visit Van Gogh Museum with I Amsterdam City Card?

It is impossible to enter Van Gogh Museum with I Amsterdam City Card from 2022.

I Amsterdam City Card does not include Van Gogh Museum anymore. If you want to visit the museum, you can buy I Amsterdam City Card + Van Museum Tickets Special Deal . or check out The Amsterdam Pass or buys Van Gogh Museum and Canal Cruise Combination ticket .

What’s special about The Amsterdam Pass?

If Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Canal Cruise are at the top of your list of things to do in Amsterdam, The Amsterdam Pass is for you.

The Amsterdam Pass is Amsterdam’s only travel card guaranteeing a spot at the very popular Van Gogh Museum. Best choice for art lovers, so you can visit the world-famous The Night Watch by Rembrandt at Rijksmuseum and the masterpiece from Van Gogh at Van Gogh Museum.

What about Holland Pass

Not available after 2021, so you can only choose between the I Amsterdam City Card, Go City Amsterdam Pass, and The Amsterdam Pass.

Is there an Amsterdam travel pass that includes Anne Frank House?

Anne Frank House is the only channel selling the tickets; you cannot buy it anywhere else.

If you cannot buy the tickets on the official Anne Frank House website but still want to know more about it, here are your options . If you have more than six weeks before your arrival day in Amsterdam, be sure to read this post about how to buy the tickets and other visiting Anne Frank House tips.

Go City Amsterdam Pass is the only pass that includes The Life of Anne Frank Tour. If you cannot buy admission tickets, it might be an excellent choice to buy Go City Amsterdam Pass.

Complete comparison for public transportation cards in Amsterdam: Amsterdam Region & Travel Ticket (ARTT), Amsterdam Travel Card, and GVB Pass

Which day pass to have in Amsterdam?

If you only need unlimited travel by bus, tram, and metro in Amsterdam, the GVB day pass is your best friend.

Suppose you live at hotels close to Amsterdam Sloterdijk or Schiphol Airport. In that case, Amsterdam Travel Ticket is your best choice since it also covers train tickets . Taking the bus or metro from Amsterdam Central station takes much longer.

Traveling from Haarlem, Zaandam, Amsterdam and Region Travel Ticket is ideal.

Go City Amsterdam Pass: best for people who only want to explore the famous attractions of Amsterdam

If you want to visit top tourist attractions, Go City Amsterdam covers it all. Let us tell you more!

Go City Amsterdam Pass worth it?

It’s definitely worth it.

You can enter top attractions and join popular tours (you will see all the attractions soon in this post) by showing your ticket on the app.

Some places need a reservation, but not difficult to get a spot, so no worries.

The best part is that the more places you visit, the cheaper it is!

Go City Pass Amsterdam price (2024)

There are two types of passes you can choose

How does the All-Inclusive Pass work & price?

• 2-Day Pass EUR 94
• 3-Day Pass EUR 114
• 5-Day Pass EUR 159

How does Explorer Pass work & price?

The price is based on how many attractions you want to visit.

After visiting the first attraction with your app, you can see the remaining attractions within 60 days.

This is perfect for people who want to take their time and don’t want to rush between attractions.

• 3 Choice Pass EUR 59 (EUR 20 per attraction)
• 4 Choice Pass EUR 74 (EUR 18.5 per attraction)
• 5 Choice Pass EUR 84 (EUR 16.8 per attraction)
• 6 Choice Pass EUR 99 (EUR 16.5 per attraction)
• 7 Choice Pass EUR 124 (EUR 17.7 per attraction)

What’s included in Go City Amsterdam Pass

There are more than 25 attractions and tours to choose from for the pass holders; below are the most popular ones:

• Amsterdam Canal Cruise – Recommended
• Heineken Experience [booking required] – Recommended
• A’DAM LOOKOUT – Recommended – Exclusive to Go City Pass
• Rijksmuseum [booking required] – Recommended
• House of Bols cocktail experience – Recommended
• The Life of Anne Frank and Neighborhood Tour – Recommended
• This Is Holland 5D [booking required] – Recommended
• MacBike bike Rental – Recommended
• Moco Museum
• Houseboat Museum
• Amsterdam Tulip Museum
• Diamond Museum Amsterdam
• Zaanse Schans Card

Click here to check the complete list of the places you can visit with the city pass.

What’s not included in Go City Amsterdam Pass

Public transportation is not included.

Suppose you want to travel unlimited by tram, metro, and bus in Amsterdam. In that case, the GVB day pass is your best option.

If you travel from other train stations in the Amsterdam area, like Amsterdam Bijlmer Area, Amsterdam Zuid, Amsterdam Sloterdijk, or Schiphol, plus tram, bus, and metro day pass in the city center, you need Amsterdam Travel tickets .

If you travel to or from nearby cities, like Zaandan, Haarlem, and Almere, purchase Amsterdam and Region Travel Tickets (ARTT) .

How does Go City Amsterdam Pass work

You can choose All-Inclusive Pass (Day Pass) or Explorer pass (choose from 3-7 attractions).

After paying, you will get the activation code; once activated, you can visit the attractions and tours by showing your app. It’s straightforward.

If you have an Explorer pass, you have 1 year to visit the attraction once the code is activated.

Important things to know when buying Go City Amsterdam Pass

Some attractions or tours need a reservation; generally, booking the time slot you want is easy.

How to fully utilize Go City Pass Amsterdam – My Tips!

Join the Anne Frank and Tulip tours, visit places like Heineken Experience, Rijksmuseum, A’DAM LOOKOUT, and Moco Museum, and rent a MacBike for the day to cycle in the city. You don’t need to pay for public transportation because you can travel freely by bike and experience what it is like to cycle in Amsterdam.

I Amsterdam City Card: the only card that combines museum tickets and public transportation, best for museum lovers

Is i amsterdam city card worth it.

Go City Amsterdam Pass only includes the popular attractions, but I Amsterdam City Card covers almost all the museums in Amsterdam; if you want to enter places like Artis Royal Zoo, Eye Film Museum, Muiderslot Castle, or other sites, I Amsterdam City Card is your best option.

I Amsterdam City Card price (2024)

• 24-hour pass EUR 60
• 48-hour pass EUR 85
• 72-hour pass EUR 100
• 96-hour pass EUR 115
• 120-hour pass EUR 125

What’s included in I Amsterdam City Card

You can visit many sites with this card; below is the summary:

• The card includes attractions, tours, and the GVB tram, metro, and bus.
• Admission to more than 60 museums, including top-rated places like Artis Royal Zoo, Nemo Science Museum, Rembrandt House, Eye Film Museum, Foam museum, Hermitage Museum, The National Maritime Museum, House Boat Museum, Pipe Museum, etc.
• Heineken Experience, House of Bols, and Fabrique des Lumières
• The Pancake Bakery and Blue Amsterdam Cafe.
• Cheese and Wine Cruise and The Amsterdam Dungeon.
• Canal Cruise, Hop-On, and Hop-Off Boat, multiple bike rental shop

What’s not included in I Amsterdam City Card

Entrance to Heineken Experience and House of Bols is not included, but you get 25% off with the city pass.

The Amsterdam Pass: best for people who only want to visit Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Canal Tours

Is the amsterdam pass worth it.

If Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Canal Cruise are the must-visit places in Amsterdam and you don’t plan to visit other attractions, yes!

The Amsterdam Pass price (2024)

The price is EUR 62.

What’s included in The Amsterdam Pass

• Entrance to Van Gogh Museum
• Entry to Rijksmuseum, a perfect place to enjoy the masterpiece from Rembrandt
• Canal Cruise Ticket
• Amsterdam City Audio Guide
• 10% discount code for any bookings on Tiqets. You can use it for The Rembrandt House Museum if you are a big art fan! It’s cheaper than buying it at the door or on their website.

What’s not included in The Amsterdam Pass

This card only includes the places listed above; if you want a public transportation card, you can have a GVB day pass , Amsterdam Travel Tickets , or Amsterdam and Region Travel Tickets (ARTT) .

If you love cycling, book a bike in Amsterdam!

Important things to know when using The Amsterdam Pass

Since this card guarantees your spots at Van Gogh Museum, you must choose the visit date upon purchase.

My pro tips for using The Amsterdam Pass

Be sure to use a 10% discount code to book other tickets on Tiqets, so you can make the most from your trip.

Have you decided which card to buy yet?

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The Ultimate Guide to Amsterdam Passes- Which is Right for You?

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Amsterdam is an amazing, bustling city with so much to offer visitors. And Amsterdam passes give you the opportunity to visit the best attractions in the city at a discounted rate, allowing you to see and do more for less!

There are a few different options for city passes in Amsterdam. The most popular, and the ones we’ll be reviewing here, are the I amsterdam Card, Go City All-Inclusive Pass, the Go City Explorer Pass, the Amsterdam Digital Pass, and Museumkaart . We have also added a review of the Amsterdam and Region Travel Ticket so you can find the best transportation option for your trip.

Given that there are so many options,  you might be wondering which of the Amsterdam passes is best. Well, the card that is best for you will really depend on how long you’re staying and what sorts of things you want to see while you’re in Amsterdam. In this article we’ll break down the details so that you know exactly which type of pass is best for your specific itinerary. 

Before our trip to Amsterdam, we spent a lot of time researching all the different options and we thought we’d save you some time by compiling all of that information here. We ended up using several of these cards and found that they saved us money and time during our trip to Amsterdam.

Read on for everything you need to know to pick the best pass for your visit to Amsterdam! 

For a perfect Amsterdam itinerary, see this post !

Best overall value: I amsterdam City Card

Best for a flexible schedule: Go City Explorer Pass

Amsterdam Passes at a Glance

I amsterdam city card.

The I amsterdam City Card is one of the most comprehensive cards offered for tourists in Amsterdam. It includes access to over 70 museums, use of public transportation, bike rental, a canal cruise, and exclusive discounts for restaurants and events.

The card card is all-inclusive and can be purchased as a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 day pass. The cost for each additional day is less than the previous days, so there’s an incentive to add additional days to your card. 

This card is ideal for those who like to pack a lot into their days, as you have a lot of attractions to choose from and you will maximize the benefit of your pass by visiting as many as possible each day.

• 24-hour pass: €65
• 48-hour pass: €90
• 72-hour pass: €110
• 96-hour pass: €125
• 120-hour pass: €135

How to get the I amsterdam City Card

You can order the I amsterdam City Card online here .

Download the app and show your card on the app at attractions and on public transportation (the bus currently doesn’t have a way to scan the QR code, so just show it to the driver).  

Pro tip: Take a screenshot of the QR code on your pass in case your pass won’t load when you need to use it. We learned this one the hard way…

If you want a physical copy, you can order online and pick up your card at the I amsterdam Store in Amsterdam Central OR you can purchase and pick up a card at one of the many sales locations throughout Amsterdam (see physical sales locations here ).

The card activates when you first use it and expires at the end of the designated time period you chose (for example, 24 hours later for a 24-hr pass).

You can get a refund for non-activated cards regardless of purchase date.

Features of the card

• Access over 70 museums and other main attractions in Amsterdam
• Discounts at restaurants and attractions
• Public Transportation- access to buses, trams, subway, and ferries
• 1 hour canal cruise
• Full day bike rental

Top Attractions included in the I amsterdam Card:

• Rijksmuseum
• NEMO Science Museum
• Artis Royal Zoo
• Muiderslot Castle
• A’DAM Lookout
• National Maritime Museum
• Van Gogh Museum
• Rembrandt House
• Zaanse Schans
• Dutch Resistance Museum
• +many more!

Is the I amsterdam City Card worth it?

The short answer is yes! This card is a great value and covers so many museums, attractions, and other perks in the city that you really can’t go wrong with this pass.

The longer answer is that whether or not the I amsterdam is worth it for you depends largely on how many items you plan on fitting into a day. For the one-day pass, as long as you’re visiting at least three attractions, it will usually save you money to get the pass. For the multi-day passes, you need to fit even less in the day in order for the pass to save you money. 

And because the pass covers public transportation, it’s convenient and cheap to make your way around the city.

After researching all of the Amsterdam passes, we purchased a 3-day I amsterdam pass (along with the Museumkaart and Regional Transportation Pass) and were very pleased with our experience. We were able to visit all the attractions that we wanted to see and and found it to be easy to use and cost-effective.

Go City All-Inclusive Pass

The Go City All-Inclusive Pass includes many of the must-see attractions in Amsterdam, including access to 20 museums, a canal boat cruise, a bike rental, a pedal boat cruise, and a hop on-hop off boat tour. 

This is a time-based pass and can be ordered in a 1, 2, 3, or 5 day version. 

Public transportation is not included, but it does have transfers to many of the attractions that are harder to reach, such as Zaanse Schans, Muiderslot, and Keukenhof.

This pass doesn’t include as many attractions as the I amsterdam card, however it does include entrance to Keukenhof and day trips to Delft, Rotterdam, and the Hague, which the other passes do not. 

• 1 day pass- €39 (Child- €19)
• 2 day pass- €59 (Child- €29)
• 3 day pass- €79 (Child- €39)
• 5 day pass- €109 (Child- €49)

How to get the Go City Pass

Order your pass online . Download the app to access your pass on your phone or print it out. The pass is activated when you visit your first attraction.

This card is based on calendar days, NOT 24-hour period, so be sure to activate it in the morning to maximize the use of the pass. 

Non-activated cards are eligible for a refund within 90 days of purchasing the pass.

Features of the Card

• Access to many top attractions in Amsterdam
• Canal boat cruise
• Bike rental
• Hop on-hop off boat tour
• Pedal boat rental

Top attractions included in the card

• Muiderslot Castle + ferry transfer
• Zaanse Schans + bus transfer
• Keukenhof entry, transfer, and boat tour
• Amsterdam Tulip Museum
• Moco Museum

Is the Go City All-Inclusive Pass worth it?

The Go City All-Inclusive Pass is a good option for those who plan on taking day trips from Amsterdam and/or visiting Keukenhof in the spring.

This card is cheaper than I amsterdam, however it provides access to fewer attractions and does not include public transportation. On the other hand, it does include access to Keukenhof as well as day trips from Amsterdam, which the I amsterdam City Card does not.

Go City Explorer Pass

For those who want to create their own specialized itinerary, the Go City Explorer Pass gives you the option of adding exactly the attractions you want to your pass. And you don’t have to choose which attractions you want to see at the time you buy the pass, just select how many attractions you want to visit and make the big decisions later.

The other benefit of this card is that it is not time based, so you can spread your visits out for a more leisurely experience. Once you activate your pass, you have 60 days to use it. 

• 3 choice pass- €43 (Child- €17)
• 4 choice pass- €56 (Child- €23)
• 5 choice pass- €68 (Child- €28)
• 6 choice pass- €79 (Child- €34)
• 7 choice pass- €89 (Child- €39)

How to get the Go City Explorer Pass

Order your pass online , then download the app to have access to the pass on your phone. You can also print a hard copy of your pass. 

The pass is activated when you visit your fist attraction and then you have 60 days to use the rest of your visits. 

• Pick between 25 options 
• Options include: museums, transfers to top attractions, canal cruise, bike rental, pedal boat rental, and hop on-hop off boat tour

Top attractions to choose from

• Muiderslot Castle 
• Ferry to Muiderslot Castle
• Zaanse Schans 
• Zaanse Schans Bus Excursion
• Heineken Experience
• THIS IS HOLLAND
• Rotterdam, Delft, and the Hague Live Guided Tour
• Tour de BonTonhop on-hop off boat tour
• Royal Experience- Royal Coster Diamonds
• Houseboat Museum
• Volendam, Edam, and Windmills Bus Excursion
• Diamond Museum
• Pancakes Amsterdam
• Jewish Cultural Quarter
• Amsterdam Pipe Museum
• Tony’s Chocolonely

Is the Go City Explorer Pass worth it?

The Explorer Pass is ideal for travelers who want to be able to go at their own pace. If you don’t want to be constrained by a time limit or don’t have very many attractions that you want to visit, this pass is a great option.

However, remember that the three-day All-Inclusive Go City Pass costs slightly less than the 7-option Explorer Pass at only €79, but allows you to visit as many attractions as you want during those three days. So if you think you’ll want to use more than 7 of the options in three days, you’ll want to go with the Go City All-Inclusive Pass or I amsterdam City Card.

Amsterdam Digital Pass

For a basic pass that includes just the main attractions, you might consider the Amsterdam Digital Pass. This pass includes Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and a canal tour. The card also provides a 10 percent discount at other Amsterdam attractions, such as the Heineken Experience,

For a basic pass that includes just the main attractions, you might consider the Amsterdam Digital Pass. This pass includes Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and a canal tour. The card also provides a 10 percent discount at other Amsterdam attractions, such as the Heineken Experience, Madame Tussauds, and excursions to Keukenhof, the Hague, and Volendam.

Unlike many of the other passes, the Amsterdam City Card is not time-based, allowing you to explore at your leisure. 

This pass is completely online, so you don’t have to worry about picking up a physical copy of the card in Amsterdam.

How to get the Amsterdam Digital Pass

Order the pass online and receive your tickets by email.

• Skip the line entry to 2 top museums
• A canal tour
• Airport transfer from Schiphol Airport to city center
• Audio guide self-tour
• 10% discount on many Amsterdam museums and attractions
• 10% discount on bicycle tours and excursions

Is the Amsterdam Digital Pass worth it?

The main benefit of this pass is that it isn’t time based. This is perfect for someone who is taking a more leisurely trip because you can spread out your visits in any way that is convenient for you.

However, if you plan on visiting more attractions and can fit more into a day, the one-day I amsterdam pass costs about the same price and includes nearly all of the features of this card, plus a lot of other attractions as well.

So really the benefit of the pass depends on what kind of trip that you’re taking, but it is a bare bones card with limited features.

Museumkaart 

Museumkaart is the museum pass of the Netherlands, providing access to more than 450 museums all across the country. Unlike the other cards, it is ONLY for museums and does not provide access to other popular attractions in Amsterdam. 

They recently changed some of their policies, so there’s a lot of incorrect information out there about this pass, which we quickly found out as we were researching for our trip. 

It used to be that it was easy for tourists to purchase the version of the pass that provides holders of the pass free access to its vast array of museums for one year. But now to buy a pass online, you need a Dutch bank account. 

However, you can buy a temporary pass as a tourist in the Netherlands, you just need to do so in person. This temporary pass costs €65 and grants you access to five museums over a span of 31 days. 

You can also register your pass online to have the permanent pass sent to a physical address (you can use your hotel address) within five days. However, if you’re changing hotels a lot or changing cities this can be a little tricky to coordinate. Just remember that you have to have already purchased a temporary pass first, in person, to get a permanent pass unless you have a Dutch bank account.

• €64.90 for adults, €34.45 for those under 18 years of age
• Free access to over 450 museums throughout the Netherlands
• **Temporary pass: free access to 5 museums over 31 days

How to get the temporary pass

Go in person to one of the museums that sells the Museumkaart and purchase the pass. When you purchase the card, that counts as your first use of your five use limit for the temporary pass, whether you enter the museum or not. So be sure to purchase the pass at a time when you are prepared to use it.

You can find a list of the museums that sell the pass here .

How to get the permanent pass

To get a permanent pass, you will need to get a temporary pass in person and then register your temporary pass online.

To register your card, you will need to submit a photo of yourself.

Your pass will be shipped to an address of your choice (you can use your hotel room) within 5 days. Once you receive the physical pass in the mail, the card provides access to all included museums for one year.

Top Amsterdam attractions included in the Museumkaart pass

• Anne Frank House
• Amsterdam Royal Palace
• Jewish Museum
• Zaans Museum
• +30 others in Amsterdam
• +over 400 other museums throughout the Netherlands

Is the Museumkaart Card worth it?

The Museumkaart used to be a great deal for museum lovers, as it provided access to over 400 museums all across the country. While it is still a great value for locals, it’s trickier now for tourists to get the maximum benefit from this pass.

However, even if you can’t get the permanent pass, the temporary card can still save you money on museums. Because the temporary pass only includes five visits, this breaks down to €13 per museum, so this option will only be worth it for you if the five museums you visit are over that cost (which many of them are). 

This pass is obviously not as good of a bargain for tourists as it used to be, but it can be worth it depending on which museums you plan to visit. It can also be useful if you’re planning on visiting other areas in the Netherlands, because unlike the other passes it’s also valid for museums in other cities. For example, if you’re planning a day trip to Utrecht or Haarlem, there are locations there that are on the pass as well. 

This is also the only pass that is accepted by the Anne Frank House. 

For our trip, we chose to purchase both the I amsterdam and the Museumkaart passes. We used the I amsterdam for most of the attractions in Amsterdam and reserved the Museumkaart for the Anne Frank Museum and museums in Utrecht and Haarlem. 

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

The Amsterdam and Region Travel Ticket provides access to public transportation for Amsterdam and the surrounding area, including trains, trams, metro, and buses. You can purchase a card for 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days and the more days you purchase, the greater the savings.

This card is solely for transportation and does not include any other attractions in Amsterdam . This pass is good to use in conjunction with some of the other Amsterdam attraction passes which either don’t include transportation or only include transportation in the city proper.

When we were headed to Zaanse Schans, we saw several people turned away from the bus because they didn’t have the correct transportation pass. We felt so disappointed for them, so don’t let that be you! Plan ahead to make sure you have the correct transportation ticket for the places you want to visit. 

• 1 day: €20.53
• 2 day: €29.48
• 3 days: €38.43
• Unlimited access to trains, trams, buses, metro in Amsterdam and the surrounding area

How to get the Regional Travel Ticket

The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket can be purchased online , at the I amsterdam Visitor Center at Amsterdam Central Station, or other participating locations. If you order online, you will need to present your voucher and pick up your ticket (called OV-chipkaart) at a designated ticket machine or desk.

Is the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket worth it?

If you’re planning on staying in Amsterdam proper for the duration of our visit, you likely will not need this card. However, if you plan on visiting places such as Muiderslot Castle, Zaanse Schanse, or Haarlem, the Regional Travel Ticket will provide access to public transportation to get you to those locations.

This is a nice complement to the I amsterdam, Museumkaart, and Amsterdam Digital passes. While the I amsterdam Card includes public transportation, this is only for transportation in Amsterdam proper. If you plan on going further afield, for example to Muiderslot Castle or Zaanse Schans, you’ll need a Regional Travel Ticket. And Museumkaart and the Amsterdam Digital Pass do not include transportation at all.

The Go City passes have the option to include transportation to some of the populr locations outside of the city, which means you might not need a Regional Travel Ticket if you get one of those passes.

How do I use my pass at places that require a reservation?

Many of these attractions require reservations online for a specific time slot. In order to use your pass for these attractions, simply make your reservation online, indicating when asked which card you are using, and then show your card upon arrival. 

Your card will not activate when you book your reservation, it activates when you first visit an attraction.

Final Thoughts 

There are so many amazing sights and attractions in Amsterdam that you’ll probably want to get a city pass to reduce the cost of all the attractions and activities you’ll want to experience.

There are several different Amsterdam passes to choose from, and all of them can be good options depending on what features you’re looking for. Whether you’re hoping to have a day packed full of activities or would rather take things at a more leisurely pace, there’s a pass for you!

All of these passes are a great way to save money on some of the best attractions in Amsterdam, so let our guide help you pick the right one for your trip!

Other posts you might be interested in:

Visiting Keukenhof and Lisse Tulip Fields- Everything You Need to Know!

9 Amazing Things to Do in Rotterdam with Kids

Best Amsterdam 4 Day Itinerary (+ Helpful Tips!)

Related Posts:

Which Amsterdam City Pass to Buy

Last Updated: March 9, 2024

Gerrit Vandenberg

Gerrit shares his love for the Netherlands from his home near Amsterdam, helping thousands plan unforgettable trips to the lowlands. Discover his inspiring journey "From a critical health scare to celebrating Holland's charms" . If you want to send Gerrit a quick message, you can contact him here .

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I enjoy sharing useful tips about the beauty of this county.

Are you wondering which Amsterdam City Pass is Worth Every Penny?

You’ve come to the right place. There are different passes to choose from, and in this article, I explain which passes are the best and why.

I have used most of these cards myself, and I bring a local insight to help you make the right choice.

Discover the top Amsterdam attractions pass deals in this comprehensive article.

There are five types of passes in Amsterdam. They are:

I amsterdam City Card

• Go City Pass Amsterdam (All-Inclusive and Explorer Passes)
• Museum Card
• Amsterdam Pass
• Combo Tickets

We dive into the advantages and disadvantages of the different options in the post. After reading it, you know precisely which pass is best for you and saves you the most money.

Enjoy this Amsterdam City Cards review and comparison, and if you’ve made a choice, let me know in the comments below!

Table of Contents

Amsterdam city passes to the rescue.

Most Amsterdam museums and attractions don’t exactly come cheap. Many experiences cost between €20 and €30. You’re lucky if you find something around the €15 price mark. A trip to Amsterdam can become expensive quickly.

Now this is okay when you do one or two things, but costs quickly add up if you’re filling your day with Amsterdam attractions. 

And there are many. Amsterdam is a great city to explore with so many things to do .

Amsterdam has a rich museum culture , and the city is so photogenic you want to see it from every angle.

Costs should not be an issue when deciding what to do and not to do.

Hello, Amsterdam City Passes.

Amsterdam has some really good passes , and also one that I’m not so sure about. PS : That is the Amsterdam Pass by Tiqets, but more about that later.

The good passes really do help you save money because they allow you to visit many locations in Amsterdam without paying at each one.

It’s nice to spend money just once and then forget about it and just enjoy the sights.

Why is a Tourist Pass A Good Idea?

• They are convenient – just one pass gives you access to many attractions.
• You see more – because you include things you otherwise would not.
• Value for money – with these passes, you pay less than at-the-door prices.

Which Amsterdam City Passes Are There?

There are six different city pass options to compare.

Which one to choose?

Let me help choose the right pass for you.

Amsterdam has two main cards for visitors. The I amsterdam card  (which is the most popular card and issued by the city). And the Go City Pass quickly wins popularity to.

Other options have specific audiences/use cases, and one option I advise you to ignore all together.

This pass offers free entry to 70+ museums and unlimited city transport access.

Focus on museums

Not for you if you don’t like museums

Go City All-Inclusive Pass

All-inclusive access to 35+ Amsterdam attractions and tours for the selected days.

Focus on attractions

Not for you if you want to focus on museums

Go City Explorer Pass

Choose your desired number of attractions, and explore at your own pace within 60 days.

Great if you have more time

Not for you if you want to maximize your days.

Museumkaart (Museum Card)

Access to 400+ museums across The Netherlands for a year. For locals and ex-pats.

You don’t like museums

Amsterdam Pass Van Gogh / Rijks

This is not a real pass. It’s a combination ticket coined as a pass. There are cheaper options.

Better alternatives

Combination Tickets

Combinations deals on the larger Amsterdam attractions that do offer a discount.

Perfect if you just want a few things

Not for you if you want to do a lot.

1. I amsterdam City Card

One of the two Comprehensive Amsterdam Passes. This is the city’s number one pass. The town operates it, and money made with the card is invested back into the local economy.

This card gives free access to about 70 museums and attractions, including Artis Zoo and a canal boat tour.

The pass also includes unlimited public transportation in Amsterdam (not to and from the airport). In addition to the 70 free attractions, they offer a 25% discount on many attractions that are not included in the card.

This card is museum-centered. If you love visiting museums, then this is the card for you. If you don’t, it’s more challenging to get your money’s worth. It’s still possible: do a canal cruise, the 5D This is Holland flight, Artis Zoo, make use of trams and metro’s and it easily recoups the daily fee. But most likely, you’re better off with the Go City Pass below.

This card is valid for a 24-hour period (24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours). This is an advantage because if you plan carefully, you can add a “free day.”

Unique Benefits of this Card:

• The only card that has Artis Zoo.
• The only card that gives you a choice in canal cruise operators.
• Except for the Museum Card (normally for locals), it has the most museums in Amsterdam included.
• It gives discounts on top of the 70 free attractions.
• The card also includes city (GVB) public transport.
• It offers free access to sights outside the city like Haarlem and Volendam.
• You use the card digitally on your phone.

Cons of the Card:

• It’s light on attractions. Things like the Heineken Experience are not included.
• If you’re not using the museum component, its hard to get your money’s worth.
• The card does not include the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.

Here is my complete guide to the I amsterdam Card .  Learn more if it’s worth it for you! It’s a super handy resource.

Ready to buy your I amsterdam Card >>

Get Your Card

I Amsterdam City Card

Pros ✔ Free Entry to over 70 museums ✔ Free Public Transportation with GVB

Cons 𝗫 Van Gogh not included (see solution below) 𝗫 Not many attractions, other than museums (canal tour inclusive)

I recommend buying a multi-day card . Per-day prices become much cheaper, and you don’t have to rush that much.

PS: If you plan to use the card in places like Haarlem, Volendam and Enkhuizen your transportation is not included. My recommendation then is to also get an Amsterdam and Region travel ticket . It’s a low-cost travel card that allows regional transportation on all modes of transit, and it even includes train rides to and from Amsterdam airport.

2. Go City All-Inclusive Pass Amsterdam

The other comprehensive Amsterdam Pass is the Go City Pass.

This pass is very different from the other card. It has fewer things to do included but it’s more centred around (otherwise expensive) top attractions in Amsterdam.

They have exclusive deals with attractions in the city like the Heineken Experience, Madame Tussauds, The Rembrandt Experience, and the Dungeons.

And, unique to them, tours are included. Like the 3,5 hour tour to the Zaanse Schans windmills. I really enjoyed this one when I used the pass.

It is not difficult to get your money’s worth with the Go City Pass.

The All-Inclusive pass offers free admission to over 35 attractions around the city.

There is no cap on the number of attractions you visit but you can visit each location only once. The pass is good for the number of consecutive days you choose.

You can choose between one, two, three, or five-day passes. Note that these are calendar days, not 24-hour periods.   

Unique benefits of this pass:

• The only pass that includes Heineken, the Dungeons, and Madam Tussauds
• The only pass that offers free admission to the House of Bols Experience, which includes a FREE cocktail! And I can tell it was a proper cocktail.
• I like the included Introduction Walk and the Self Guided Food Tour walk
• Zaanse Schans windmills guided tour is included
• Attractions and Tours oriented

Cons of the all-inclusive pass:

• It’s light on museums, if you plan to visit many, the I amsterdam Card is better
• The pass allows for only one visit to each attraction
• The pass does not include public transportation (24-hour bike rental is)
• You have no choice in Amsterdam canal cruise operators. The pass only includes Stromma, but I had no problem using it and enjoyed my cruise.
• The pass doesn’t include admission to the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House Museum.

You can read my full review of the Go City pass in detail here.

Or purchase the Go City All Inclusive Card directly here >>

Go City Amsterdam Pass

Pros ✔ Free Entry Heineken, ADAM tower, Cruise ✔ Cocktail At Bols, This is Holland + more ✔ Free Half-Day Tours to Zaanse Schans

Cons 𝗫 Van Gogh not included (see solution below) 𝗫 Not many museums besides Rijks & Moco 𝗫 No public transport included (a bike is)

3. Go City Explorer Pass Amsterdam 

This card is similar to the other Go City Amsterdam pass, with one main difference: instead of choosing the number of days, you choose the number of attractions (any number between 3 and 7) depending on how many attractions you want to visit.

The price is determined by the number of attractions. You can use your “credits” within 60 days. This is perfect if you don’t want to Jam Pack consecutive days and want to take things a little bit slower. 

I created an extensive review about both Go City Amsterdam Passes, and it has everything you need to know. From what’s included to prices and my own itinerary.

• You don’t have to use it on consecutive days. You have 60 days to use your credits

Cons of the Explorer pass:

• Not everything that is included in the all-inclusive pass is also included in the Go City Explorer pass (mainly tours)
• The per-attraction price is higher than the all-inclusive price works out to

You can purchase the Explorer Pass here >> .

4. Museumkaart (Museum Card) 

The Museumkaart, or museum pass, museum card (in Dutch officially Museumjaarkaart) is an interesting pass since it gives you access to over 400 museums in the Netherlands for a whole year.

It’s the only true pass that has the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank included.

Thus is this the pass to buy?

Most likely not.

The Museumkaart (or the Museum Year Pass) is most suitable for locals and expats living in Amsterdam / The Netherlands for an extended period and for those who have a Dutch address, but it can also be of value to short-term visitors. 

This is how:

You need a Dutch address to register the card and a Dutch bank account to receive a permanent unrestricted card valid for a whole year.

Without that, tourists can buy a temporary card from any participating museum for the total yearly fee (currently 2024: €75.00). Still, the temporary card is only valid for 30 days and has a maximum of 5 visits.

Even if you don’t exchange it within that month for a permanent card, five visits are (mostly) still cheaper than individual tickets.

But remember it’s museums only (nationwide), no attractions, boat tours, or transportation. Museums only.

The I amsterdam card can be purchased for the same price and includes pretty much the same museums (except the Van Gogh or the Anne Frank), and offers more amenities like a canal cruise, free public transportation, et cetera. 

I think most people benefit most from purchasing the I amsterdam Card as a tourist + a separate ticket to Van Gogh .

• It has almost all the museums in the Netherlands included. Including Anne Frank and the Van Gogh (time slots still required)
• If you have a Dutch address and bank account, it’s a steal since it allows unlimited access as often as you want (also for the same museum) for 365 days
• Perfect for museum lovers

Cons of the Museum card:

• It does not include attractions
• It does not include transportation
• If you don’t have a Dutch postal address and bank account or you’re here for a short time only, you can use the temporary card for just five visits.

5. Amsterdam Pass – (Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum)

This is a “pass” coined by a ticket reseller. It’s not a pass: they sell you two tickets plus an “audio tour” for the same price as you would pay individually.

There are no savings. You pay more because of the audio tour component.

For the same amount, you buy the temporary museum card (number 4) and get both museums, plus three extra free museums on top.

You can very well skip this card. I’ll link to it to be complete, but I don’t want to sell it to you to make a commission. It’s just not a good deal.

6. Combination Tickets

If you’re not looking for all-inclusive passes but instead for savings on two or a few popular attractions in Amsterdam, you might want to look at the Combi tickets from Tours and Tickets .

They offer all kinds of deals on the larger attractions of Amsterdam. There are so many combinations to make, like Artis Zoo and Micropia or the Rijksmuseum and a Canal Tour.

Just browse all the combination tickets available and see if there is anything in the mix for you.

This is great for tourists in Amsterdam who want to do a few things, and a total discount pass would be overkill. It still saves money compared to the at-the-door prices.

Bonus tip: Canal Cruise Ticket

Created by the same people as the I amsterdam Card is the Canal Cruise Ticket .

What makes this pass convenient is that they have a deal with all large canal cruise boat providers. You pay one low price and choose which boat you want to board.

I like Stromma or the Amsterdam Boat Cruise. But if Lovers is more convenient for you, you can hop on their boats, too. Each ticket is good for one cruise.

If you’re interested in this Canal Cruise ticket you can find it here.

Day Trip Tours in Holland and Beyond

I always recommend going out into the country on your own or with a private tour guide for the best in-depth experience and avoid the touristy sale pitches along the way.

But Day Tours are not always a bad thing. They’re easy and affordable.

I have included a list here, although it’s not a pass. They do have multiple destinations and attractions in one package.

There are both full and half-day tours available from Amsterdam.

Day trips from Amsterdam

• Volendam, Zaanse Schans, Edam, Marken (including lunch)
• Delft, The Hague, Rotterdam (including Madurodam)
• Giethoorn Day Trip, including the famous engin eering feat of the Afsluitdijk
• Bruges Day Trip (Belgium)

Half day tours

• Zaanse Schans Windmill tour
• Volendam en Marken (the all-in tour includes the boat ride – best value)

Tips for Using Your Chosen City Card

Here are some best practices to maximize the value of your card while still having fun.

My grandmother always said, “Everything that has ‘too’ in front of it is not a good thing.” That includes trying to do too many things in one day.

So here are a few tips to get the most out of your card:

• Group activities near each other—for example, around Amsterdam Central Station or the Museum quarter—to save on travel time.
• Look at the opening hours of the included attractions and do the things that close the earliest first to keep the most flexibility in your day.
• For the big museums like the Rijksmuseum, always go as early as possible. Once the tour buses arrive, it gets crazy.
• Get your money’s worth, but also know when to stop with the all-inclusive passes. When you get too tired, it’s not fun anymore.
• Download the pass’s app and load your card into it as a digital pass. It’s easy to use and gives you all the practical information at your fingertips.
• Check if time slot bookings are required, and if so, get your card at least 2-4 weeks before your trip so you can book them in time.
• Once in Amsterdam, you need only show up at the venue and have your card scanned. You activate your pass by scanning it at the first attraction.

Now you know about how to use your passes at many Amsterdam attractions, all you have left to do is make a choice.

I provided links to all of the Amsterdam tourist passes mentioned in this post to make purchasing one easy. If you’re not ready to buy the pass yet, why not save this link so you can return to it later?

I would love to read about the cards or tickets you choose to get, so please drop a line in the comments below. I read and answer them all personally. 

If you want more information on the two largest passes, the “ I Amsterdam Card ” and the “ Go City Pass ,” just click the words to be linked to my in-depth articles about each of them.

PS : Wondering what my purchasing advice is?

• If you mainly enjoy museums, the I amsterdam Card  is ideal. Buy a card for the number of hours you’re in the city.
• If you are not interested in museums, the Go City Pass is a good option
• If you like museums and attractions, why choose between Go City or “I Amsterdam”? Why not get both? If you have enough time I would get a 2-day pass for each and enjoy the best of both worlds

One note on the one-day passes. Some operators offer a one-day pass. Although you can still get your money’s worth, it will be relatively harder because per day price is high. You’ll reap the most savings with a multi-day pass.

Now it’s time to enjoy the city of Amsterdam. Safe travels!

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Is a Amsterdam City Pass for you?

I’d love your thoughts: If so which which one has your preference? Will you go for a combination of passes? Or just one? Or for your own solution?

Let's start a conversation below this article 💬.

11 thoughts on “Which Amsterdam City Pass to Buy”

Great information, I love how you’ve explained all the pros and cons of each. thanks!

You’re welcome! Not each pass is created equal, I’m glad this helped making a choice. Safe travels.

Thanks for this breakdown, all the choices are so confusing to a non-local!

I completely understand. I’m glad this helped!

We are visiting Amsterdam later this year (along with a few other european cities) and I have been doing research about how to travel and where to go and visit. I am finding your blog so useful!! I have read several articles now. I have been making notes on all the interesting facts, so hopefully we have a great trip 🙂

I’m positive you’ll have an amazing time. Especially since you’re already started researching it and found local tips. Just so now I do offer coaching calls , where I will review your planned itinerary and optimize it so you’ll have an even bigger change of success. We’ll look at realistic planning, if you’ve added potential tourist traps / not worth your time items, I’ll help with the practicalities like best mode of transport, which lines to take (if you’re opting for public transport) things like that. And there is plenty of room for all your questions. Absolutely optional, but just wanted to you to know it’s there.

Thank you for explaining the “Pros” and “Cons” of each Amsterdam city pass! There is a lot of helpful travel information in your post.

Good to hear, I hope it helped!

Gerrit, we will be in Amsterdam for 4 days in June, we want to get a city pass, but I am having trouble finding the right one. I did check your info, here are our interests: VanGogh, Ann Frank, Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt, and Heineken experience, amstel tour, canal cruises, city transport, great coffee shops, good restaurants and just walking around…..

Hope you can help thanks Pat from Philadelphia,USA

It’s tricky I understand. I would get a 2-Day I amsterdam Card . Enjoy the canal tour in there, the Rijks, city transport. Then get a 2-day Go City Pass for a tour, Heineken Experience etc. Both have great city walk tours included, including a self-guided food tour. This is Holland is a fantastic attraction to do on the passes as is the Adam Lookout tower. I would not be too hang up on transport as I wrote in my article since it’s quite cheap. If you group activities that start/are around Central Station (tours, This is Holland, Adam Lookout, and Canal Tour) you barely need transport. For a one-way, just tap a contactless payment card like your credit card for the lowest fare. Heineken is just two stops on the Metro line 52 from Central Station, stop Vijzelsgracht). For Anne Frank and Van Gogh you always need separate tickets. They’re not in a city pass. Here is a combination ticket for the I Amsterdam Card AND the Van Gogh Museum . It’s saves you €5. Get them ASAP because both sell out in advance. I hope this helps. Have a wonderful time in Amsterdam. And if you’d like to meet me in person. You might be interested in a city walk with me personally in June. Gerrit

Thanks Gerrit you have been very helpful….I will keep the city walk in mind as we get closer. Pat

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Amsterdam: Public transport tickets & Passes Overview, current prices (2024)

Whether you are looking for a single ticket, a day pass or an Amsterdam Travel Card, here you will find all the information you need. In this guide we present the most important tickets for visitors. So you can easily find the right ticket for your stay in Amsterdam.

Important information about buying tickets:

• You cannot buy tickets on buses and trams from the driver.
• Many of the tickets are available online and can be purchased before your trip. You will find more information below.
• Almost all public transport in Amsterdam is organized under the tariff system of the municipal transport company GVB “Gemeente Vervoer Bedrijf”. This makes it much easier for passengers, as a day ticket is valid on the metro, trams and GVB buses.

#1 Single rides with the OV chip card / “e-purse” or OVpay

If you are staying in amsterdam for a longer period of time but do not want to use public transport very often.

A charger for the OV-chip card – credit card fees may apply (image: travelguide.amsterdam)

The OV card / e-purse system is not that simple, especially if you don’t visit the Netherlands often.

How does the OV card / e-purse work?

The OV card works like a prepaid cellphone card. You can load the card with a certain amount of money at a machine and then use it up.

For a single ride, you will pay a fixed base price plus a set amount per kilometer driven. Thus, you are paying for the distance traveled. The distance is measured exactly every 50 metres and charged accordingly. There is no such thing as a classic one-way ticket , which costs a certain amount regardless of the distance travelled (flat rate). The OV chip card / e-purse can be used in trams, buses, as well as the Metro.

• Every passenger over the age of 4 must have a chip card.
• The card must be topped up with at least €4 before each journey to ensure that there are sufficient funds to cover the fare.

E-purse – prices

A rechargeable and anonymous chip card, without personalisation with a passport-type photo, costs €7.50 (without adding credit). There is a €2.50 service charge for withdrawing any remaining balance.

Standard fare: base price: €1.08 per trip plus 19.6 cents per kilometer traveled

Children (4–11 years) get a discounted fare: base price: 71 cents per trip plus 12.9 cents per kilometer traveled

Another payment system was introduced in 2023: OVpay. You can pay for a single journey on local public transport directly with your credit or debit card. All you have to do is present your payment card to a scanner when boarding and alighting. The fare will be automatically debited from your account.

Paying with OVpay – important information:

• You must always check in and out with the sa me bank card. Otherwise, the billing system will not be able to determine the correct fare.
• For single journeys, you will need a separate payment card for each passenger.
• In addition to the fares, credit card or exchange rate fees may also apply.
• A journey with an age discount (e.g. children’s fare) is not yet possible with OVpay.
• Don’t forget to check out with your payment card when you get off the bus. The fare depends on the distance traveled. If you do not check out, you will be charged an incorrect, usually higher fare.
• There is no daily limit, as there is in London. This means that you can pay significantly more per day with OVpay than with a day ticket (see below).

#2 GVB single day ticket or multi-day-ticket: Easy & affordable – ideal for visitors & tourists – optional Airport Express bus

Cheap & easy: the single-day-ticket with a validity of 1 – 7 days. Buy online and save time and stress in Amsterdam.

GVB single and multi-day tickets are popular with visitors to Amsterdam. They are easy to use and affordable.

What does this ticket offer?

• This ticket gives you unlimited travel on all GVB trams, city buses and the metro (day and night) throughout Amsterdam and you don’t have to keep an eye on your balance like you do with the e-purse.
• It is flexible in terms of time. Tickets are available for a single day and for up to 7 days , from 24 to 168 hours. The clock starts ticking at the time of first use.
• There is a day ticket, especially for children aged 4 to 11. The kids’ ticket is only valid for a single day. You can purchase more than one child’s day ticket if required.
• You can buy the ticket online before your trip (no surcharge – click here) .
• This ticket is not valid for other regional bus companies, such as Connexxion or EBS, or in trains of the Dutch railway company NS

GVB Day Ticket + Airport Transfer Schiphol Airport ↔ City Centre

→ You can find more information about the Amsterdam Travel Ticket here

→ More information about the various options for airport transfers, including travel times and prices

Current prices for GVB day and multiple-day tickets

Prices are at the lower end for a European city. The longer the validity, the lower the price per day.

Fares (2024) :

Children’s ticket (4–11 years) for 1 day / 24h: €4.50 – multiple tickets can be purchased for longer stays.

Standard fare:

1 day / 24h: €9 2 days / 48h: €15 3 days / 72h: €21 4 days / 96h: €26.50 5 days / 120h: €33 6 days / 144h: €37.50 7 days / 168h: €41 (€5.85 per day)

Our tip: buy online to save time and stress You can buy your ticket online before your trip via the English-language website of the authorised GVB ticket seller without having to pay a surcharge (click here) . This will save you stress later, as you won’t have to deal with the fare system and ticket machines after your flight. If you are travelling via Schiphol Airport, you can also buy the Amsterdam Travel Ticket online (day ticket for local transport + airport transfer by express bus or train).

GVB Ticket Child

Children aged 0-3 travel free on Amsterdam’s public transport. For children between 4 and 11 years of age, the GVB children’s day ticket is available at a reduced price.

Children aged 0–3 years can use public transport in Amsterdam free of charge. There is a reduced day ticket for children between the ages of 4 and 11. It currently (2024) costs €4.50. There is no multi-day pass for children.

If you need a children’s ticket for several days, the easiest way is to buy several one-day children’s tickets. You can buy GVB children’s day tickets online together with adult tickets.

Where is the GVB day ticket valid?

The GVB day ticket is valid on the entire GVB tram, underground and bus network.

→ Map / city map Amsterdam: GVB day ticket coverage

If your destination or accommodation is outside the validity area, you might be interested in the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket (see below). This ticket is valid for the entire region around Amsterdam.

# 3 Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket: Trips around Amsterdam + airport transfer included

The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket entitles you to:

• Unlimited use of all GVB streetcars, city buses, metro (day and night) and ferries . This allows you to travel within the city of Amsterdam in the same way as the GVB Day Ticket (see above).
• In addition, you can also use the buses of the Connexxion and EBS companies . These bus companies serve destinations outside the Amsterdam city area. The GVB day ticket (see above) is not valid on these buses. This also includes the Airport Express Bus 397 (shuttle bus to the airport) .
• Trains  in the Amsterdam region with the national railroad company NS are included.

You can buy this ticket before your trip via the GVB authorized ticket portal (click here) . This will save you time and stress during your stay in Amsterdam.

Current prices for the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (2024)

With the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket you can travel in a much larger area than with a GVB day pass. Therefore the price is higher.

Current prices for the “Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket” Valid for 1 day: €21 Valid for 2 days: €31.50 Valid for 3 days: €40.50

The validity period is different from the GVB day ticket. The “Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket” is valid from the first check-in until 04.00 a.m. after the last valid day (depending on whether you have the 1, 2 or 3 day version). The day starts at midnight.

For example: If you use a 2-day ticket for the first time from midnight on Wednesday, then your ticket will be valid until 04:00 on Friday morning.

Where is the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket valid?

Here is a map showing the area covered by the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket.

→ Map / Plan: Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

#4 Amsterdam Travel Ticket (ATT)

Day ticket + transfer by train or bus to schiphol airport.

The “Amsterdam Travel Ticket” – day ticket for public transport + airport transfer – online booking saves time and avoids stress

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket (ATT) is an extension of the GVB single day or multi-day-ticket described above. It can be considered an extension because with this ticket you also have the option of using the following unlimited times for your transfer to and from Schiphol airport :

• Unlimited 2nd class rail travel between train station “Schiphol Amsterdam” Airport and any train station in Amsterdam (Amstel, Bijlmer Arena, Amsterdam Centraal Station , Holendrecht, Lelylaan, Muiderpoort, RAI, Sciencepark, Sloterdijk, Zuid and Duivendrecht)
• The Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397) operated by Connexxion and the Niteliner (bus N97).

This ticket also entitles you to unlimited travel on all GVB trams, (night) buses, metro and ferries in the whole of Amsterdam. However, its validity is regulated differently. The “Amsterdam Travel Ticket” is valid from the first check-in until 4 AM following the last valid day (depending on whether you have booked the 1, 2 or 3 day option). The day starts at midnight. For example: if you start using a 2-day ticket at midnight on Wednesday, then it will be valid until 4 AM on Friday.

Please note: This ticket is not valid on buses that are operated by other transport companies such as EBS and Arriva or on any bus other than the Amsterdam Express (bus 397) and the Niteliner (bus N97) operated by Connexxion.

Our tip: buy online and save time and stress abroad

You can buy the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket” via this English-language website This will save you stress on arrival. You won’t have to deal with ticket machines after your flight.

Current pricing for the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket”

Prices are higher than a simple day ticket as it includes your airport transfer. A return trip from the airport to the city centre on the Airport Express Bus 397 currently costs €11.75. Taking this into account, the Amsterdam Travel Ticket is affordable.

 Current fares for the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket”

Validity 1 day:   18 Euro Validity 2 days: 24 Euro Validity 3 days: 30 Euro

Tickets with longer validity are not currently available.

→   Overview: Transfer Schiphol Airport ↔ Amsterdam city centre – all transport options (bus, train, taxi,…) incl. journey times and current prices.

#5 “I Amsterdam” card: Day ticket + discount card for sightseeing

Day ticket for public transport + free / reduced entry to attractions.

The I Amsterdam card is the official sightseeing pass for the city of Amsterdam. It is designed to help visitors navigate the maze of public transport fares and entrance tickets. The name is derived from the play on words “I am Amsterdam”. If you are also planning to visit the attractions and famous sights of the city, then the ‘I Amsterdam’ card may be of interest to you. It is a combination of day passes for public transport and discounted admission to tourist attractions.

The “I Amsterdam” card is a combination ticket and offers the following benefits:

“I Amsterdam” – just one ticket for public transport + free admission to attractions

Tip: Buy the ‘I Amsterdam’ card, GVB day ticket or entrance ticket online without paying a surcharge.

Insider tip: you can purchase the “I Amsterdam” card via this English-language website before your trip. This will save you the hassle and possibly even the credit card fees that you might incur if you pay on arrival.

Pricing for the “I Amsterdam” card (as of 2024)

1 day – 24 hours: €60 2 days – 48 hours: €85 (€42.50 per day) 3 days – 72 hours: €100 (€33.33 per day) 4 days – 96 hours: €115 (€28.75 per day) 5 days – 120 hours: €125 (€25 per day)

#6 Overview: Day tickets in Amsterdam

#7 group tickets for travel groups or school trips.

In addition, these tickets can be purchased online at no extra cost via this English language website .  There is no need to handle a large sum of money at a local ticket machine while your group waits impatiently. You will receive a receipt for your online purchase, which makes accounting for a group much easier.

#8 GVB 1 hour ticket

With the GVB 1 hour ticket, you can use all GVB lines within one hour. The ticket is unfortunately not available online. Current price 2024: €3.40 for adults

#9 FAQ 2024

Local transport Amsterdam: How much does a day ticket cost 2024?

The prices for the day ticket are very reasonable for a European metropolis. With a longer period of validity, the price per day decreases significantly.

Regular fare 2024: 1 day / 24 hours: 9 € 2 days / 48 hours: 15 € 3 days / 72 hours: 21 € 4 days / 96 hours: 26,50 € 5 days / 120 hours: 33 € 6 days / 144 hours: 37,50 € 7 days / 168 hours: 41 € (5,85 € per day)

More information about other tickets, online tickets, tickets for children … in our travel guide

Which public transport ticket is best for Amsterdam tourists?

The day or multi-day ticket of the city’s public transport company GVB is very popular with visitors to Amsterdam. With this ticket, you can easily use local transport (metro, bus, tram) in the Amsterdam city area . It is very cheap compared to other European metropolises. More information about other tickets, online tickets, tickets for children … in our travel guide

How much does a single ticket cost for public transport in Amsterdam?

There is no classic single ticket for Amsterdam public transport. Single journeys can be paid for with the “OV / E- Purse card”. It works in a similar way to a prepaid mobile phone card. You can load an amount of money onto this card at a machine. You can then use this credit to pay for local transport. A reloadable, anonymous e-purse card (without passport photo) costs 7.50 euros (without credit).  It is easier to use local transport with a day or multi-day ticket.

Where can I buy local transport tickets in Amsterdam?

You can buy local transport tickets in Amsterdam at vending machines or sales points of the local transport company GVB. You can also buy many tickets online. This saves time and stress in Amsterdam. You can find more information and our tips on buying tickets in our Amsterdam travel guide.

Is the GVB Day Ticket Amsterdam valid on the Schiphol Airport Express Bus 397?

The regular GVB day pass does not include the airport transfer by express bus or train. However, you can buy a combined ticket consisting of a day ticket for public transport + airport transfer (express bus or train). This combined ticket is called the “ Amsterdam Travel Ticket ”.

Is an airport transfer included with the Amsterdam Travel Ticket?

With the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket” you can use the following unlimited transfer options to and from Schiphol Airport :

• Train travel in 2nd class on NS trains between Schiphol Amsterdam station and any station in Amsterdam (Amstel, Bijlmer Arena, Amsterdam Centraal Central Station, Holendrecht, Lelylaan, Muiderpoort, RAI, Science Park, Sloterdijk, Zuid and Duivendrech)
• Amsterdam Airport Express (Bus 397) and Niteliner (Bus N97)

I was a tourist in Amsterdam and lived in the DAM square area from 28th September 2019 to 1st October 2019. I request you to please issue a 12 hour ticket for 4.0 Euro. The 24 hour ticket which I bought for 8 Euro becomes a bit redundant since trams are not there in the late hours up to early morning. We usually party till about 2 am and then the walk back from Bull Dog Palace at Leidseplein Square to Dam Square becomes arduous and dangerous since we are not in our senses. I used line 2, 14, 24 and 26 extensively during our stay there.

good information

Liebes Amsterdam Travel Guide Team,

erstmal Kompliment! Sehr gute Seite mit hilfreichen und übersichtlichen Informationen.

Wo finde ich eine Liste aller Teilnehmer wie Geschäfte, Kultureinrichtungen und Restaurants usw. die den 25% Rabatt durch die I Amsterdam Karte geben? Gibt es eventuell eine App oder ähnliches um auch die Standorte auf einer Karte zu sehen und eine gute Reise Route finden zu können? Falls nicht, wie kann ich Teilnehmer herausfinden? Oder muss ich in jedem Laden vor Ort einzeln nachfragen?

Vielen Dank im voraus! 🌷

Hallo Egga, vielen Dank für Dein Kompliment. Das ist eine tolle Motivation, weiter an unserem Reiseführer zu arbeiten.

Es gibt eine App “I amsterdam city card” für Apple und Android Geräte. Diese kann man nach dem Kauf herunterladen und sieht dann alle teilnehmenden Geschäfte / Restaurants.

Viel Spaß in Amsterdam!

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• Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

Whether by train, tram, bus or metro – discover Amsterdam in a day (or three!)

• Traveller Information

Get around Amsterdam the easy way with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket – a travel card that delivers carefree travel on public transport. Depending on the length of your stay, choose between 1, 2 or 3 day tickets, for € 21, € 31.50 or € 40.50 respectively. Make your way around the Dutch capital with a travel ticket that’s valid on trains, trams, buses and the metro.

Buy your tickets

See Amsterdam in a day

After you’ve got your transport sorted comes the fun part – deciding what you want to see. Luckily, the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket offers fuss-free travel across all public transport, meaning you don’t have to waste time in ticket queues. Simply use the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket to hop on a bus (or train, tram or the metro!) and you’re halfway there. Want to visit the Anne Frank House? Easy, with Tram 13 from Central Station. Onto the Heineken Experience? Make that Bus 170. With the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket, staying longer than a day is easy. Simply choose a two or three day ticket, and the only thing you have to decide on is your itinerary. 

Discover the city’s surrounds 

If you’ve got a few days in Amsterdam, why not see what surrounds the capital? With two and three day Amsterdam & Region Travel Tickets, it’s easier than ever to see what lies beyond the city centre. Take Bus 391 to Zaanse Schans and step back in time to the old Dutch world of windmills and chocolate. Planning your trip in April? Use the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket and take Bus 858 straight from Schiphol Airport to visit the charming tulip fields of the Keukenhof. Or jump aboard the Sprinter Train to Zandvoort aan Zee and spend the day at the Dutch Coast. With an Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, nowhere is too hard to get to.

Save on travel costs

Say goodbye to single-use public transport tickets. With the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, you can get access to the entire city and regional public transport network, in a single transaction. Save on time and transport costs with a one, two or three-day Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, and explore Amsterdam and its beautiful surrounds at your leisure. 

Useful information

• The ticket can be bought from NS counters, participating other carriers (EBS, Connexxion and GVB) and via third parties.
• 1-day (€ 21.00), 2-day (€ 31.50) and 3-day (€ 40.50) tickets are available
• Included is a handy map showing places of interest in and around Amsterdam

Train You can use the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket for unlimited travel by train (2nd class) between any of the following stations in Amsterdam and the Amsterdam region: Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA, Amsterdam Central Station, Amsterdam Holendrecht, Amsterdam Lelylaan, Amsterdam Muiderpoort, Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam Sciencepark, Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Amsterdam Zuid, Duivendrecht, Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, Halfweg-Zwanenburg, Haarlem, Haarlem Spaarnwoude, Overveen, Zandvoort aan Zee, Zaandam, Zaandam Kogerveld, Purmerend Weidevenne, Purmerend, Purmerend Overwhere, Koog aan de Zaan, Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, Hoofddorp, Diemen, Weesp, Almere Poort, Almere Centrum, Almere Muziekwijk, Almere Parkwijk, Almere Buiten, Almere Oostvaarders, Lelystad Centrum, Diemen Zuid, Naarden-Bussum, Bussum Zuid, Hilversum Media Park and Hilversum Sportpark, Bloemendaal, Santpoort Zuid, Santpoort Noord, Driehuis, Uitgeest en Beverwijk.

Tram, bus, metro, ferry The ticket is valid on all trams, buses, night buses, metros and ferries run by the Amsterdam transport company GVB, EBS, Keolis and Connexxion in Amsterdam and the Amsterdam region.

Available at the I Amsterdam Visitor Centres, selected hotels and campsites and ticket counters of the participating public transport companies, including:

• NS Tickets & Service Schiphol (open 24/7) and other train stations in Amsterdam and Amsterdam Region.
• GVB Tickets & Info: Amsterdam Central Station (Stationsplein), Bijlmer ArenA Station, Lelylaan Station & Zuid Station.
• EBS Tickets & Info: Amsterdam Central Station (IJ River side), Purmerend Tramplein, Edam bus station.
• Connexxion Tickets & Info: Schiphol Airport/Plaza (Bus Platform 9, open daily from 8.30 -17.30).
• Amsterdam Central Station.
• Schiphol Airport, Arrivals 2 at Schiphol Plaza (Holland Tourist information)

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Which Amsterdam Tourist Pass or Card is Best?

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
• All-Inclusive
• Pick Your Attractions
• Preset Package
• Museum Pass
• Nightlife Ticket

Tips From Locals and Travelers

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.

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

A  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.

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.

• Price per day: €52.50 - Adult | €27.50 - Child (age 4-12)
• Price per day: €41.67 - Adult | €23.33 - Child (age 4-12)
• Price per day: €35.20 - Adult | €22.20 - Child (age 4-12)

More information or to purchase . 

What’s Included

• Hop-on-Hop-off Boat Tour
• Rijksmuseum
• 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

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.

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

Purchase an I Amsterdam City Card . 

• Unlimited use of GVB public transport (bus, tram, and metro)
• Canal cruise
• Van Gogh Museum
• Stedelijk Museum
• Rembrandt House Museum
• Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
• Nemo Science Museum
• Hermitage Amsterdam
• Detailed city map 

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

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

• Price per activity: €21.67/Adults | €14.67/Children
• Price per activity: €20.25/Adults | €13.50/Children
• Price per activity: €19.20/Adults | €12.80/Children
• Price per activity: €18.50/Adults | €12.33/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

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)
• 10% off tickets to a dozen museums, including:
• The Stedelijk Museum
• Amsterdam Museum
• NEMO Science center
• FOAM and more

10% credit towards attractions and activities including:

• Heineken Experience
• Madame Tussauds
• BODY WORLDS
• Ripley's Believe it or Not!
• Amsterdam Bike Tours
• Coffee Shop Tour

10% off out-of-town trips including:

• 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
• The Zaans Museum
• World of Windmills
• Teylers Museum
• Experience Volendam Museum
• €44/Adults (14+)
• €42/Child (4-13)
• €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:

• 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
• 1-Day Pass: €55/Adults | €45/Children
• Price per day: €33/Adults | €28.50/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):

• Anne Frank House
• Joods Historisch Museum (JHM) (Jewish Historical Museum)
• Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)
• Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House)
• Scheepvaartmuseum Amsterdam (Maritime 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 .

• 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:

• Chicago Social Club
• Air Amsterdam
• Club Escape
• Blue Ivy Nightclub
• Club John Doe
• Club Panama
• Free Drink Included
• 2-for-1 Cocktails
• Powerzone Bowling Deals
• 2 for 1 Laser Tag and Mini Golf
• €10 for 1 Day
• €12 for 2 Days
• €20 for 7 Days
• There is a €1 fee per ticket purchased.

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:

• Hop-On-Hop-Off Buses
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About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

And much, much more, north america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

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6 Best Travel Cards for Amsterdam

Getting an international travel card before you travel to Amsterdam can make it cheaper and more convenient when you spend in Euro. You'll be able to easily top up your card in USD before you leave the US, to convert seamlessly to EUR for secure and flexible spending and withdrawals.

This guide walks through our picks of the best travel cards available for anyone from the US heading to Amsterdam, like Wise or Revolut. We'll walk through a head to head comparison, and a detailed look at their features, benefits and drawbacks.

6 best travel money cards for Amsterdam:

Let's kick off our roundup of the best travel cards for Amsterdam with a head to head comparison on important features. Here's an overview of the providers we've picked to look at, for customers looking for ways to spend conveniently overseas when travelling from the US:

Each of the international travel cards we’ve picked out have their own features and fees, which may mean they suit different customer needs. Keep reading to learn more about the features, advantages and disadvantages of each - plus a look at how to order the travel card of your choice before you head off to Amsterdam.

Wise travel card

Open a Wise account online or in the Wise app, to order a Wise travel card you can use for convenient spending and withdrawals in Amsterdam. Wise accounts can hold 40+ currencies, so you can top up in USD easily from your bank or using your card. Whenever you travel, to Amsterdam or beyond, you’ll have the option to convert to the currency you need in advance if it’s supported for holding a balance, or simply let the card do the conversion at the point of payment.

In either case you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees whenever you spend in EUR, plus some free ATM withdrawals every month - perfect if you’re looking for easy ways to arrange your travel cash.

Wise features

Wise travel card pros and cons.

• Hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market rate
• Spend seamlessly in EUR when you travel
• Some free ATM withdrawals every month, for those times only cash will do
• Ways to receive payments to your Wise account conveniently
• Manage your account and card from your phone
• 9 USD delivery fee for your first card
• ATM fees apply once you've exhausted your monthly free withdrawals
• Physical cards may take 14 - 21 days to arrive

How to apply for a Wise card

Here’s how to apply for a Wise account and order a Wise  travel card in the US:

Open the Wise app or desktop site

Select Register and confirm you want to open a personal account

Register with your email, Facebook, Apple or Google ID

Upload your ID document to complete the verification step

Tap the Cards tab to order your card

Pay the one time 9 USD fee, confirm your mailing address, and your card will be on the way, and should arrive in 14 - 21 days

Revolut travel card

Choose a Revolut account, from the Standard plan which has no monthly fee, to higher tier options which have monthly charges but unlock extra features and benefits. All accounts come with a smart Revolut card you can use in Amsterdam, with some no fee ATM withdrawals and currency conversion monthly, depending on the plan you pick. Use your Revolut account to hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and get extras like account options for under 18s, budgeting tools and more.

Revolut features

Revolut travel card pros and cons.

• Pick the Revolut account plan that suits your spending needs
• Hold and exchange 25+ currencies, and spend in 150 countries
• Accounts come with different card types, depending on which you select
• All accounts have some no fee currency exchange and some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly
• Some account tiers have travel perks like complimentary or discounted lounge access
• You need to upgrade to an account with a monthly fee to get all account features
• Delivery fees may apply for your travel card
• Fair usage limits apply once you exhaust your currency conversion and ATM no fee allowances
• Out of hours currency conversion has additional fees

How to apply for a Revolut card

Set up your Revolut account before you leave the US and order your travel card. Here’s how:

Download and open the Revolut app

Register by adding your personal and contact information

Follow the prompts to confirm your address and order your card

Pay any required delivery fee - costs depend on your account type

Chime travel card

Use your Chime account and card to spend in Amsterdam with no foreign transaction fee. You’ll just need to load a balance in USD and then the money is converted to EUR instantly with the Visa rate whenever you spend or make a withdrawal. There’s a fee to make an ATM withdrawal out of network, which sits at 2.5 USD, but there are very few other costs to worry about. Plus you can get lots of extra services from Chime if you need them, such as ways to save.

Chime features

Chime travel card pros and cons.

• No Chime foreign transaction fees
• No ongoing charges for your account
• Lots of extra products and services if you need them
• Easy ways to manage your money online and in app
• Virtual cards available
• You'll need to inform Chime you're traveling to use your card abroad
• Low ATM limits
• Cards take 7 - 10 days to arrive by mail

How to apply for a Chime card

Here’s how to apply for a Chime account and order a travel card in the US:

Visit the Chime website or download the app

Click Get started and add your personal details

Add a balance

Your card will be delivered in the mail and you can use your virtual card instantly

Monzo travel card

Monzo cards can be ordered easily in the US and used for spending in Amsterdam and globally. Monzo accounts are designed for holding USD only - but you can spend in EUR and pretty much any other currency easily, with no foreign transaction fee. Your funds are just converted using the network exchange rate whenever you pay or make a withdrawal.

Monzo doesn’t usually apply ATM fees, but it’s worth knowing that the operator of the specific ATM you pick may have their own costs you’ll need to check out.

Monzo features

Monzo travel card pros and cons.

• Good selection of services available
• No foreign transaction fee to pay
• No Monzo ATM fee to pay
• Manage your card from your phone conveniently
• Deposits are FDIC protected
• You can't hold a foreign currency balance
• ATM operators might apply their own fees

How to apply for a Monzo card

Here’s how to apply for a Monzo account and order a travel card in the US:

Visit the Monzo website or download the app

Click Get Sign up and add your personal details

Check and confirm your mailing address and your card will be delivered in the mail

Netspend travel card

Netspend has a selection of prepaid debit cards you can use for spending securely in Amsterdam. While these cards don’t usually let you hold a balance in EUR, they’re popular with travelers as they’re not linked to your regular checking account. That increases security overseas - plus, Netspend offers virtual cards you can use to hide your physical card details from retailers if you want to.

The options with Netspend vary a lot depending on the card you pick. Usually you can top up digitally or in cash in USD and then spend overseas with a fixed foreign transaction fee applying every time you spend in a foreign currency. You’ll be able to view the terms and conditions of your specific card - including the fees - online, by entering the code you’ll find when your card is sent to you.

Netspend features

Netspend travel card pros and cons.

• Large selection of different card options depending on your needs
• Some cards have no overseas ATM fees
• Prepaid card which is secure to use overseas
• Manage your account in app
• Change from one card plan to another if you need to
• You may pay a monthly fee for your card
• Some cards have foreign transaction fees for all overseas use, which can be around 4%
• Selection of fees apply depending on the card you pick

How to apply for a Netspend card

Here’s how to apply for a Netspend account and order a travel card in the US:

Visit the Netspend website

Click Apply now

Complete the details, following the onscreen prompts

Get verified

Your card will arrive by mail - add a balance and activate it to get started

PayPal travel card

PayPal has a debit card you can link to your PayPal balance account, to spend in Amsterdam as well as locally, in person and online. One advantage of PayPal is that there are lots of easy ways to add money in USD - but bear in mind that when you spend in EUR you’ll likely pay a foreign transaction fee of 2.5%. ATM fees apply when you make out of network withdrawals, too, which can push up the costs depending on how you use your card.

PayPal travel cards aren’t connected to your checking account which makes them a handy and secure way to spend, particularly if you already have a PayPal balance account.

PayPal features

Paypal travel card pros and cons.

• Globally accepted card
• Easy ways to top up your PayPal balance including cash and check
• Popular and reliable provider
• Use your card for spending online easily as well
• 2.5 USD fee for out of network ATM withdrawals
• 2.5% fee when you spend in a foreign currency
• Other charges may apply depending on how you fund and use your account

How to apply for a PayPal card

Here’s how to apply for a PayPal account and order a travel card in the US:

Visit the PayPal website or download the app

Click Get Sign up or log into your existing account

Add your personal details to create an account, or tap Request a card if you already have a PayPal account

Follow the prompts to order your card

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card is a card you can use for secure and convenient payments and withdrawals overseas.

You can use a travel money card to tap and pay in stores and restaurants, with a wallet like Apple Pay, or to make ATM withdrawals so you'll always have a bit of cash in your pocket when you travel.

Although there are lots of different travel money cards on the market, all of which are unique, one similarity you'll spot is that the features and fees have always been optimised for international use. That might mean you get a better exchange rate compared to using your normal card overseas, or that you run into fewer fees for common international transactions like ATM withdrawals.

Travel money cards also offer distinct benefits when it comes to security. Your travel money card isn't linked to your United States Dollar everyday account, so even if you were unlucky and had your card stolen, your primary bank account remains secure.

Travel money vs prepaid card vs travel credit card

It's helpful to know that you'll be able to pick from several different types of travel cards, depending on your priorities and preferences. Travel cards commonly include:

• Travel debit cards
• Travel prepaid cards
• Travel credit cards

They all have distinct benefits when you head off to Amsterdam or elsewhere in the world, but they do work a bit differently.

Travel debit and prepaid cards are usually linked to an online account, and may come from specialist digital providers - like the Wise card. These cards are usually flexible and cheap to use. You'll be able to manage your account and card through an app or on the web.

Travel credit cards are different and may suit different customer needs. As with any other credit card, you may need to pay an annual fee or interest and penalties depending on how you manage your account - but you could also earn extra rewards when spending in a foreign currency, or travel benefits like free insurance for example. Generally using a travel credit card can be more expensive compared to a debit or prepaid card - but it does let you spread out the costs of your travel across several months if you'd like to and don't mind paying interest to do so.

What is a prepaid travel money card best for?

Let's take a look at the advantages of using a prepaid travel money card for travellers going to Amsterdam. While each travel card is a little different, you'll usually find some or all of the following benefits:

• Hold and exchange foreign currencies - allowing you to lock in exchange rates and set a travel budget before you leave
• Convenient for spending in person and through mobile wallets like Apple Pay, as well as for cash withdrawals
• You may find you get a better exchange rate compared to your bank - and you'll usually be able to avoid any foreign transaction fee, too
• Travel cards are secure as they're not linked to your everyday USD account - and because you can make ATM withdrawals when you need to, you can also avoid carrying too much cash at once

Overall, travel cards offer flexible and low cost ways to avoid bank foreign transaction and international ATM fees, while accessing decent exchange rates.

How to choose the best travel card for Amsterdam

We've picked out 6 great travel cards available in the US - but there are also more options available, which can make choosing a daunting task. Some things to consider when picking a travel card for Amsterdam include:

• What exchange rates does the card use? Choosing one with the mid-market rate or as close as possible to it is usually a smart plan
• What fees are unavoidable? For example, ATM charges or top up fees for your preferred top up methods
• Does the card support a good range of currencies? Getting a card which allows you to hold and spend in EUR can give you the most flexibility, but it's also a good idea to pick a card with lots of currency options, so you can use it again in future, too
• Are there any other charges? Check in particular for foreign transaction fees, local ATM withdrawal fees, inactivity fees and account close fees

Ultimately the right card for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

What makes a good travel card for Amsterdam

The best travel debit card for Amsterdam really depends on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money.

Overall, it pays to look for a card which lets you minimise fees and access favourable exchange rates - ideally the mid-market rate. While currency exchange rates do change all the time, the mid-market rate is a good benchmark to use as it’s the one available to banks when trading on wholesale markets. Getting this rate, with transparent conversion fees, makes it easier to compare costs and see exactly what you’re paying when you spend in EUR.

Other features and benefits to look out for include low ATM withdrawal fees, complimentary travel insurance, airport lounge access or emergency cash if your card is stolen. It’s also important to look into the security features of any travel card you might pick for Amsterdam. Look for a card which uses 2 factor authentication when accessing the account app, which allows you to set instant transaction notifications, and which has easy ways to freeze, unfreeze and cancel your card with your phone.

For Amsterdam in particular, choosing a card which offers contactless payments and which is compatible with mobile wallets like Apple Pay could be a good plan. Card payments are extremely popular in Amsterdam - so having a card which lets you tap and pay easily can speed things up and make it more convenient during your trip.

Ways to pay in Amsterdam

Cash and card payments - including contactless, mobile wallet, debit, credit and prepaid card payments - are the most popular ways to pay globally.

In Amsterdam card payments are common in most situations. You’ll be able to make Chip and PIN or contactless payments or use your favourite mobile wallet like Apple Pay to tap and pay on the go. It’s still worth having a little cash on you just in case - and for the odd situations where cash is more convenient, such as when tipping or buying a small item in a market.

Which countries use EUR?

If you have EUR, you should be able to use it in a few countries. You may decide to keep your travel card topped up with a balance for this trip to Amsterdam or for the next time you’re headed somewhere which uses EUR.

What should you be aware of when travelling to Amsterdam

You’re sure to have a great time in Amsterdam - but whenever you’re travelling abroad it's worth putting in a little advance thought to make sure everything is organised and your trip goes smoothly. Here are a few things to think about:

1. Double check the latest entry requirements and visas - rules can change abruptly, so even if you’re been to Amsterdam before it’s worth looking up the most recent entry requirements so you don’t have any hassle on the border

2. Plan your currency exchange and payment methods - you can change USD to EUR before you travel to Amsterdam if you’d like to, but as card payments are common, and ATMs widely available, you can actually leave it until you arrive to get everything sorted as long as you have a travel money card. Top up your travel money card in USD and either exchange to EUR in advance or at the point of payment, and make ATM withdrawals whenever you need cash. Bear in mind that currency exchange at the airport will be expensive - so hold on until you reach Amsterdam to make an ATM withdrawal in EUR if you can.

3. Get clued up on any health or safety concerns - get travel insurance before you leave the US so you have peace of mind. It’s also worth reading up on any common scams or issues experienced by tourists. These tend to change over time, but may include things like rip off taxis or tour agents which don’t offer fair prices or adequate services.

Conclusion - Best travel cards for Amsterdam

Ultimately the best travel card for your trip to Amsterdam will depend on how you like to manage your money. Use this guide to get some insights into the most popular options out there, and to decide which may suit your specific needs.

How does a Euro card work?

Getting a Euro card can make managing your money easier when you travel to Amsterdam.

Your Euro card will be linked to a digital account you can manage from your phone, so you'll always be able to see your balance, get transaction notifications and manage your card no matter where you are. Just add money to your account in pounds, and - depending on your preferences and the specific card you pick - you can either convert your balance to Euro instantly, or just let the card do the conversion when you spend or make a withdrawal.

If your card gives you the option to hold a Euro balance, there's not normally any extra fee to spend the Euro you have in your account when you're in Amsterdam.

Can I withdraw Euro currency with my card in Amsterdam?

With some cards, you'll be able to add money to your card in United States Dollar, and then convert to Euro instantly online or in your card's app.

Once you have a balance in Euro you can spend with your card with no extra fees - just tap and pay as you would at home. You'll also be able to make cash withdrawals whenever you need to, with no extra conversion fee to pay. Your card - or the ATM operator - may charge a withdrawal fee, but this can still be a cheap, secure and convenient option for getting cash when you need it.

With other cards, you can't hold a balance in Euro on your card - but you can leave your money in United States Dollar and let the card convert your money for you when you spend and withdraw.

Some fees may apply here - including currency conversion or foreign transaction charges - so do compare a few different cards before you sign up, to make sure you're picking the one which best suits your specific spending needs.

Bear in mind though, that not all cards support all currencies - and the range of currencies available with any given card can change from time to time. If your card doesn't let you hold a balance in Euro you might find that fees apply when you spend in Amsterdam, so it's well worth double checking your card's terms and conditions - and comparing the options available from other providers - before you travel, just in case.

Why should I get a Euro card?

Getting a Euro card means you can spend like a local when you're in Amsterdam. You'll be able to check your Euro balance at a glance, add and convert money on the move, and use your card for secure spending and withdrawals whenever you need to. Best of all, Euro cards from popular providers often offer good exchange rates and low, transparent fees, which can mean your money goes further when you're on a trip abroad.

FAQ - best travel cards for Amsterdam

When you use a travel money card you may find there’s an ATM withdrawal fee from your card issuer, and there may also be a cost applied by the ATM operator. Some of our travel cards - like the Wise and Revolut card options - have some no fee ATM withdrawals every month, which can help keep down costs.

Travel money cards may be debit, prepaid or credit cards. Which is best for you will depend on your personal preferences. Debit and prepaid cards are usually pretty cheap and secure to spend with, while credit cards may have higher fees but often come with extra perks like free travel insurance and extra reward points.

There’s no single best prepaid card for international use. Look out for one which supports a large range of currencies, with good exchange rates and low fees. This guide can help you compare some popular options, including Wise, Revolut and Monzo.

Yes, you can use your local debit card when you’re overseas. However, it’s common to find extra fees apply when spending in foreign currencies with a regular debit card. These can include foreign transaction fees and international ATM charges.

Usually having a selection of ways to pay - including a travel card, your credit or debit card, and some cash - is the best bet. That means that no matter what happens, you have an alternative payment method you can use conveniently.

Yes. Most travel debit cards have options to make ATM withdrawals. Check the fees that apply as card charges do vary a lot. Some cards have local and international fees on all withdrawals, while others like Wise and Revolut, let you make some no fee withdrawals monthly before a fee kicks in.

Both Visa and Mastercard are globally accepted. Look out for the logo on ATMs and payment terminals in Amsterdam.

The cards you see on this page are ordered as follows:

For card providers that publish their exchange rates on their website, we used their USD / EUR rate to calculate how much Euro you would receive when exchanging / spending $4,000 USD. The card provider offering the most EUR is displayed at the top, the next highest below that, and so on.

The rates were collected at 09:36:26 GMT on 25 May 2024.

Below this we display card providers for which we could not verify their exchange rates. These are displayed in alphabetical order.

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• Key takeaways

Our top picks for the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards

Comparing the best travel credit cards with no annual fee, more info on our top picks for no-annual-fee travel credit cards: editorial reviews, what is a travel credit card with no annual fee, who should get a no-annual-fee travel credit card, pros and cons of travel credit cards with no annual fee, how to choose the best travel credit card with no annual fee, how to apply for a travel credit card with no annual fee  , are no-annual-fee travel credit cards worth it, faqs: best travel credit cards with no annual fee.

Best Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee for 2024

• Travel credit cards make it easy to earn points, miles or cash back on your most common travel expenses.
• Several travel credit cards have no annual fees, making them even more valuable.
• Our top picks for the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards include the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card , Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card , Hilton Honors American Express Card , and Chase Freedom Unlimited® among others.
• A travel credit card with no annual fee may not be a great fit for your needs if you only travel once or twice a year.
• Cards with no annual fees may have foreign transaction fees, so check the terms of each card carefully if you plan to travel internationally.

Travel credit cards help you earn free hotel stays, airline discounts and other valuable benefits. Add in no annual fee on top of this and you can maximize the value of your travel credit card and enjoy even more benefits on your next vacation. 

Before you apply for a travel card with no annual fee, it’s important to compare your options. To make the process easier, we reviewed seven no-annual-fee travel credit cards to determine which ones pack the biggest punch in terms of interest rates, fees and other considerations.

Join us as we look at the best travel credit card with no annual fee based on the following criteria:

• Earning rates on popular travel categories
• Status matching with hotel and airline loyalty programs
• Reward redemption methods

Our top picks for the best travel credit cards with no annual fee

• Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card: Best for simple rewards
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Best for Delta SkyMiles® loyalists
• Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best for loyal Hilton customers
• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Best for loyal IHG customers
• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Best for extra benefits
• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for road trips in the U.S.
• United Gateway℠ Card: Best for United Airlines loyalists

Best for simple rewards

Capital one ventureone rewards credit card.

Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on all purchases and 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Card Details

More card info

• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR.
• Balance transfer fee of 3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
• Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• No annual fee
• Intro APR offer
• Low spending requirement for welcome offer
• Good or excellent credit recommended
• Few travel perks

Best for Delta SkyMiles® loyalists

Delta skymiles® blue american express card.

Earn 2X miles on Delta purchases, 2X miles at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.), and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases.

• Pay with Miles: take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Terms Apply.
• 20% in-flight savings
• Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
• Low earning rate
• No free checked bags
• No priority boarding

Best for loyal Hilton customers

Hilton honors american express card.

Earn 7X Hilton Honors Points on eligible Hilton purchases, 5X points on eligible U.S. restaurant, U.S. supermarket, and U.S. gas station purchases, and 3X on all other eligible purchases.

• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
• Automatic Hilton Silver status
• 20% bonus points on eligible stays
• Low point redemption value
• Need good or excellent credit to qualify
• Fewer perks than some travel cards

Best for loyal IHG customers

Ihg one rewards traveler credit card.

Earn up to 17x total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, 3x points on purchases on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants, and 2x points on all other purchases.

Best for extra benefits

Chase freedom unlimited®.

Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Best for road trips in the U.S.

Blue cash everyday® card from american express.

Earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000/year spent at U.S. supermarkets (then 1%), 3% back on up to $6,000/year at U.S. gas stations (then 1%), 3% back on up to $6,000/year on online retail purchases (then 1%), and 1% back on all other eligible purchases. Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.

• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months after account opening, then 19.24% to 29.99% variable APR.
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
• 0% APR on eligible purchases for 15 months
• Generous rewards at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations & online shopping
• Rewards cap on spending at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and online retail purchases
• 2.7% foreign transaction fee
• Low rewards rate outside of bonus categories

Best for United Airlines loyalists

United gateway℠ card.

Earn 2X miles on United purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. Earn 1X miles on all other purchases.

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card has everything you need to start any journey off on the right foot. New cardholders can get 20,000 bonus miles simply for spending $500 within three months of opening an account, a great deal for a no-annual-fee card. VentureOne Rewards also gives you 1.25x miles for every dollar spent and 5x miles on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel.

Although VentureOne Rewards has a generous welcome offer, it has a low reward rate on non-travel purchases, so there’s no opportunity to earn extra based on your other spending habits. It’s also reserved for consumers with excellent credit, so it can be difficult to get approved.

▶︎ Read more: Capital One VentureOne review

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is the best no-annual-fee travel credit card for loyal Delta Air Lines customers, as you get to rack up SkyMiles every time you make a purchase. You can use those miles to get free or discounted airfare, cover your checked bag fees, book with Delta Vacations or make in-flight purchases. We also love that the SkyMiles® Blue card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great fit for international travelers.

If you don’t fly frequently, or you prefer to book the cheapest tickets instead of staying loyal to one airline, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card probably isn’t the best fit. Most of the redemption options are Delta-focused, so you won’t be able to use many of your perks if you don’t take at least a few Delta flights per year.

▶︎ Read more: Delta SkyMiles Blue review

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is one of the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards because it helps you earn free nights and other perks at participating Hilton properties. This makes it a great fit for anyone loyal to Hilton over other hotel chains. You earn 7 points per dollar spent on all purchases made with participating Hilton hotels and resorts, 5 miles per dollar spent on dining and 5 miles per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets.

One of the biggest drawbacks of the Hilton Honors American Express Card is that many of the benefits relate to Hilton stays. If you take a lot of day trips rather than overnight ones, you may not be able to use your Hilton Honors Points often enough to justify having the card.

▶︎ Read more: Hilton Honors Amex review

IHG owns more than a dozen hotel brands, so the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card from Chase may be a good fit if you love to stay at IHG properties when you travel. This card gives you 80,000 bonus points if you spend at least $2,000 on purchases within three months of opening an account. You also earn up to 17 points for every dollar spent at IHG hotels and resorts.

Although this card has plenty of perks, it may not be the best fit for your needs if you don’t travel often, or if you prefer to book with non-IHG hotel brands. You also have to spend at least $20,000 on the card each year to qualify for Gold Status with IHG’s loyalty program.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® is one of the best travel cards with no annual fee because it gives you 5% back on all travel booked through the Chase Travel portal and 3% on purchases made at restaurants and drugstores. We love that this card comes with tons of extra benefits, such as a three-month DashPass subscription, 5% cash back on Lyft rides and a three-month Instacart+ membership.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card may not be the best fit if you prefer to book directly with travel vendors rather than using a dedicated travel portal. You also need good or excellent credit to qualify to get approved for this card.

▶︎ Read more: Chase Freedom Unlimited review

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express comes with access to the Global Assist® Hotline and complimentary car rental loss and damage insurance. Global Assist® connects you with trained professionals who can help you make travel plans. You also earn 3% back on your first $6,000 in purchases at U.S. gas stations each year (then 1%), making this card ideal for users who prefer to drive to their destinations instead of flying or taking public transportation.

Blue Cash Everyday makes it easy to earn cash back, but it has a limited number of travel benefits, so it may not be the right fit if you want to maximize your earnings on flights, hotel stays and other travel expenses. It also has a foreign transaction fee, so it’s not ideal for overseas travel.

▶︎ Read more: Amex Blue Cash Everyday review

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/​benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

The United Gateway℠ Card from Chase gives you 2 miles per dollar spent on all United Airlines purchases, making it ideal for users who always fly with United rather than using multiple airlines. Cardholders also get 2X miles on gas station purchases and local transit/commuting expenses.

Many card benefits, such as 25% cash back on in-flight food and drinks, only apply to United purchases. If you don’t book with United very often, you may benefit more from getting a different travel credit card with no annual fee.

No annual fee means you don’t pay a fee each year just to keep your account open. You may have to meet other account requirements, but there’s no cost to maintain your card. 

Travel credit cards give you points, miles and other rewards on common travel expenses, including airfare, hotel stays and train tickets. A no-annual-fee travel credit card gives you the best of both worlds. You can earn rewards based on your travel habits without paying money to keep your account active.

How do travel credit cards with no annual fee work?

When you have a credit card with an annual fee, you have to pay the same amount of money every year no matter how much you use the card. If you have a no-annual-fee credit card , you don’t have to pay a fee to keep your account open.

This is a major benefit for budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without forking over cold, hard cash. If there’s no annual fee, there’s also no need to worry about using the card often enough to break even.

The best travel credit cards with no annual fee are ideal for casual travelers, as there’s no charge to keep your account active. If you don’t travel for a year or two, you don’t have to worry about getting charged for a dormant account.

These cards may also be a good fit for students studying abroad or users who don’t have a ton of experience managing credit. If you plan to study abroad, look for a student credit card with no annual fee that also doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.

• Opportunities to earn points, miles or cash back on your travel expenses
• Access to partner benefits, such as status upgrades within hotel and rental car loyalty programs
• Ability to transfer rewards to partner companies
• May have limited benefits due to the lack of an annual fee
• General-purpose credit cards usually offer more redemption options
• Some companies require you to book through a branded portal to take advantage of your travel benefits

Keep these factors in mind as you search for the best credit card for travel with no annual fee.

Rewards credit cards for travel typically offer points, miles or cash back on each eligible purchase. You can use these rewards to pay for hotel stays, airfare, transit expenses and other travel costs.

Flexible travel options

Some cards have no blackout dates or other restrictions when using your rewards to make travel plans. Others require you to book through a third-party website or a dedicated portal, so you may not be able to cancel your plans without forfeiting your rewards.

The higher the APR on your credit card, the more interest you’ll pay if you don’t pay your balance by the end of your billing cycle. You can get cards with 0% APR , which allows you to make purchases and/or balance transfers at a rate that’s lower than the regular APR.

When comparing travel credit cards, watch out for steep fees such as balance transfer fees, cash advance fees or fees for late payments. Opt for cards with no foreign transaction fees when traveling abroad.

It’s common for travel credit cards to come with additional benefits, such as travel insurance, rental car coverage, shopping protections and extended warranty coverage. You may even qualify for complimentary memberships or statement credits.

Compare no-annual-fee cards with annual-fee cards

If you travel frequently, you may benefit more from having a credit card with an annual fee instead of a card with no annual fee. Annual fees typically offer higher earning rates and more benefits, like a fee credit for global entry or a card with airport lounge access .

Many travel credit cards require good or excellent credit scores . When you’re ready to apply, be prepared to provide your name, address, telephone number, annual income and monthly mortgage or rent payment. You’ll also need to enter your Social Security number on the application.

To apply for a card, visit the issuer’s website and follow the instructions on the form.

How to improve your chances of getting approved for a travel credit card with no annual fee

To improve your chances of approval, apply for a card that matches your credit profile. If your score is in the good range, you’re likely to be denied if you apply for a card that requires excellent scores. 

You can also try prequalifying or applying with a cosigner. If you prequalify for a card, the issuer has already reviewed some of the information on your credit reports and determined that you may fit their approval criteria. Note that prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval; it just makes it more likely.

A cosigner promises to pay back what you borrow if you can’t afford to make your payments. If you decide to apply with a cosigner, make sure the person you choose has a strong credit profile and a steady source of income. Applying with a cosigner with poor credit won’t help you and may even hurt your credit.

No-annual-fee travel credit cards are worth it if you want to earn rewards without worrying about how much you’re earning compared to how much you’re spending to keep the card active. 

You may benefit more from a travel credit card with an annual fee if you travel frequently and want access to even more benefits. If you only travel once or twice per year, consider getting a traditional credit card. You may benefit from earning cash back or points at restaurants, grocery stores and other everyday purchases.

▶︎  Read more: Best credit cards for grocery shopping & best credit cards for restaurants

Are there travel cards with no annual fee?

Yes. Our list of the best travel credit cards with no annual fee has seven entries, so you have plenty of options when it comes to earning travel rewards without having to pay a fee every year.

Which airline credit card does not have an annual fee?

The airline credit cards with no annual fee include the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, American Airlines Aadvantage® MileUp® and JetBlue Card.

Is a travel card with annual fee worth it?

A travel card with no annual fee may be worth it if you want to earn travel rewards but don’t want to worry about how much you are spending to match the rewards to the price of an annual fee.

What is the best credit card to use while traveling?

If you always stay at the same hotel chain, the best card for your needs may be a co-branded card such as a Delta credit card , that helps you earn free nights and other hotel-related perks. 

If you’re loyal to one airline, look for a travel credit card that gives you miles or points to use on airfare and in-flight purchases.

What is the most accepted credit card for international travel?

Many overseas merchants accept Visa and Mastercard. It’s less common for merchants to accept Discover or American Express cards when you’re traveling in a foreign country. When choosing a credit card for international travel, remember to look for a card with no foreign transaction fees.

Which is the best no annual fee travel credit card?

The best travel credit card with no annual fee depends on your travel preferences and overall shopping habits. If you like to buy from the same brands, look for a card that maximizes your earnings on purchases from those brands. Otherwise, look for a card with low fees and plenty of perks.

About the Author

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last five years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

About the Reviewer

Blake Esken has over 15 years of experience in product management and has been a member of the Los Angeles Times staff for over five years.

As part of his role at the Los Angeles Times Commerce Team, Blake acts as the in-house reviewer and fact checker for LA Times Compare. He supervises all content for compliance and accuracy and puts to use skills he has honed through years of experience managing high-stakes projects for a range of industry-leading companies.

He has a strong background in data analysis, compliance, and communication, which allows him to support LA Times Compare through fact-checking in an effort to provide up-to-date and factual information across our content.

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