I amsterdam City Card
The popular I amsterdam City Card allows cardholders free access to over 50 museums and attractions, more than 60 discount offers at restaurants and attractions, a free canal cruise, and unlimited free public transit for the duration of validity. Cards are available for 24-, 48-, and 72-hour periods; each dual-purpose card is activated the first time it is used at an attraction, plus the first time it is used for public transit (the two features are activated independently). While the city card is valid for most major Amsterdam museums, there are some unfortunate omissions, particularly the Anne Frank Huis.
There is no special I amsterdam City Card for children (as opposed to the Amsterdam Holland Pass below). Parents are advised to check in advance whether it is worth it to purchase city cards for their children, as museums typically offer free or discounted admission fees for kids. However, it is worth consideration for children older than 12.
The I amsterdam City Card is available online from the I amsterdam website, or in person at several convenient points of sale: the Holland Tourist Information counter at Arrivals Hall 2 in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol; the tourist information center at Stationsplein 10, opposite Amsterdam Central Station; the Uitburo Ticket Shop at Leidseplein 26; and several other locations (see website for complete list).
Best for: Tourists who want to experience as much of Amsterdam, including its museums and attractions, within one, two, or three days while saving on costs.
Amsterdam Holland Pass
The Amsterdam Holland Pass is more versatile than the I amsterdam City Card. The multiple “editions” of this pass allow visitors to choose based on the number of attractions on their itinerary. Passes are valid for two, five, or seven entrance tickets; fast-track entrance at several major attractions; and a discount card that fetches up to 50% off at selected museums, attractions, shops, and restaurants. The Holland Pass Kids is a special reduced-price card that’s valid for five free entrance tickets.
Each Holland Pass also includes a ticket for free transportation that can be used for one of three options: 1) a 1.5-hour Amsterdam city tour, where tourists are taken on a whistle-stop bus tour of the major landmarks in town; 2) 24 hours of free public transportation in Rotterdam or The Hague; or 3) a free bike rental in Utrecht.
One caveat is that the free entrance tickets bear different icons — a tulip, windmill, or wooden shoe — and are only redeemable at attractions marked with the same icon in the Holland Pass brochure (or website). Still, some attractions are marked with multiple icons, and others offer Holland Pass holders a discount even after their free tickets are exhausted. Therefore, visitors should plan their itinerary beforehand to ensure that their passes will cover all the attractions on their list. Note that the Holland Pass can be used toward the Rijksmuseum (unlike the I amsterdam City Card) but not toward the Anne Frank House.
The pass can be purchased either online from the Holland Pass website or in person at various locations. See the website for a complete list of sales locations.
Best for: Tourists who want to explore a number of Dutch cities and a few museums and attractions while not planning to museum-hop too intensely.
Museumkaart (“Museum Card”)
The National Museumkaart is a straightforward museum pass that is valid for nearly 400 museums across the Netherlands. By “no frills,” we mean that the card offers no free city tours, no free transport, and no discounts for other attractions, restaurants, and shops—just unlimited access to hundreds of museums for a 12-month period. This unlimited access can make the card a stellar deal indeed.
While the Museumkaart is ideal for museum enthusiasts based in the Netherlands, it can also serve short-term visitors whose passion for museums extends beyond the offerings of other tourist discount cards. For example, art lovers who will be in the Netherlands for over a week and wish to visit one or more museums, perhaps across different cities, every day of their trip would find this card advantageous. With the I amsterdam City Card limited to the capital and the Holland Pass restricting entry to a maximum of seven attractions, the Museumkaart is often the best option for culture lovers. Moreover, it is valid for an entire twelve months, making it an excellent choice for travelers who plan to visit the Netherlands multiple times within that time frame.
The Museumkaart is available at hundreds of museums nationwide. For sales locations, visit the Museumkaart website (Dutch only – otherwise, use an online translation tool, or email the Museumkaart Foundation at klantenservice@museumkaart.nl).
Best for: Tourists who want to enjoy a wide variety of museums in various cities and those on an extended stay or frequent visitors to the Netherlands within a 12-month period.
