Amsterdam Card and Pass - Comparison and guide to choice

Amsterdam Cards and tourist passes are indispensable tools for those visiting the Dutch capital.
With these passes, you can access Amsterdam's best attractions while saving significantly compared to buying individual tickets.

There are four main types of Amsterdam passes, each with different features and benefits designed to suit different types of travelers and itineraries.

In this comprehensive guide to Amsterdam passes, we will look in detail at all Amsterdam tourist cards, explaining how they work, what they include and which one is best to choose based on your travel needs.

Amsterdam passes: which one to choose to save money?

Like many other European capitals, Amsterdam offers a range of tourist passes that allow you to save money on attraction tickets and enjoy exclusive benefits.
If you are planning a trip to the Dutch capital, choosing the right pass can help you optimize costs and enjoy a more complete experience.

Currently, four types of tourist cards are available:

• I Amsterdam City Card
• Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass
• Amsterdam Explorer Pass
• Amsterdam Pass

Each pass has a specific function, includesaccess to Amsterdam's main attractions, and offers additional services useful to visitors.

All of these passes are valid, but the best choice depends on your travel style.
To help you identify the one best suited to your needs, in this guide we will look in detail at the advantages, disadvantages and features of each option so that you can make the right choice with ease.

I Amsterdam City Card

L'I Amsterdam City Card is the most comprehensive tourist pass for those who want visit the main attractions of Amsterdam carefree.

This all-inclusive pass offers a wide selection of free admissions and also includesunlimited use of public transportation, making it a practical and economical choice for exploring the city.

Let's find out in detail how it works and why it might be the best choice for your trip.

What does the I Amsterdam City Card include?

L'I Amsterdam City Card offersfree access to more than 100 attractions and museums in Amsterdam, making it one of the most affordable options for those who want to explore the city without spending a fortune on individual tickets.

✅ Major museums and attractions
The pass includes admission to a wide selection of museums and places of interest. However, it does not include the Van Gogh Museum, one of the most popular attractions, which must be purchased separately if you want to see it.
In return, it includesfree admission to the Rijksmuseum, one of the city's most important museums.

✅ Canal Cruise
One of Amsterdam's most iconic experiences is included in the pass: a sightseeing cruise on the canals, perfect for viewing the city from a picturesque perspective.

✅ Unlimited public transportation
With the I Amsterdam City Card you can travel unlimited (for the duration of the card) on GVB buses, streetcars and subways, recognizable by their blue logos.
This option is valid only within the Amsterdam urban area.

✅ Discounts and free admission to special museums
In addition to the main museums, the pass offers free or discounted admission to some of the city's more unusual and original attractions.

You can check theofficial list of attractions included in I Amsterdam City Card.

📌 Attention to reservations
Some attractions require mandatory reservations directly on the official website of the facility. You can check which ones require reservations and how to make them on the official pass page.

📌 C anal cruise does NOT require a reservation
To access the canal cruise, just show up directly at one of the contracted tour operators listed in the list of attractions included in the pass.

How does the I Amsterdam City Card work?

The I Amsterdam City Card is available in five time-based formats to choose from depending on the length of your stay: 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours.

📲 Activation and use

After purchase, the pass is available in digital format and can be downloaded directly to theofficial I Amsterdam City Card app, where it will be displayed as a QR code.

✅ To access attractions: just show up on the chosen day and time and show the QR code at the entrance.
✅ To travel on public transportation: get on a GVB streetcar, bus or metro and scan the QR code or show it to the driver/controller.

The pass is automatically activated the first time it is used, either to enter an attraction or to travel on public transportation. Once activated, it remains valid for the number of consecutive hours purchased.
When the selected time expires (24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours), the QR code ceases to function and the pass cannot be reused or reloaded.

How much does it cost? The prices

Prices for the I Amsterdam City Card vary according to the hours you decide to purchase, following the rates I leave below:

The cost of the I Amsterdam City Card depends on the duration you choose. Here are the current rates:

• 24-hour pass (1 day): € 65
• 48-hour pass (2 days): €90
• 72-hour pass (3 days): € 108
• 96-hour pass (4 days): €123
• 120-hour pass (5 days): €135

👶 Children under 10 years old: the pass is not worthwhile for them, as many of the included attractions are free or discounted for children under 10 years old.

The pass offers excellent value for money, especially for those who want to visit multiple attractions and use unlimited public transportation.

I Amsterdam City Card: is it worth it?

Economically, theI Amsterdam City Card is an advantageous choice.

Given that the average cost of an attraction is about €25, and assuming we see at least 3 per day, already with the 24-hour card we have a savings of about €10 per person, compared to not having the pass.
Savings that increase greatly in the larger denominations.
Re-counting with the 120-hour card (5 days), we will have 15 attractions to visit (in our assumption). We will spend about €375, while the card costs only €135. A savings of as much as €240 each!

• Guaranteed savings: the pass provides access to many attractions while spending much less than buying individual tickets.
• Public transportation included: unlimited travel on GVB streetcars, buses, and subways at no extra charge.
• Extra discounts: reductions on other museums and activities for additional savings.
• Zero thinking: a practical solution that eliminates the stress of buying each ticket separately, making travel arrangements smoother.

🔎 When does it pay off the most?
If your goal is to explore Amsterdam thoroughly while saving money, visiting as many attractions as possible and taking advantage of public transportation, then this card is a perfect ally.

Where to buy the I Amsterdam City Card?

TheI Amsterdam City Card can be purchased online through two main channels:

🔹 Official website
🔹 Tiqets (recommended option)

💡 Why choose Tiqets?
By purchasing on Tiqets, you have the advantage of being able to cancel your purchase up to one day before departure and get a full refund, at no additional cost.

After purchase, you will receive the pass in digital format directly to your smartphone, ready to be used at attractions and on public transportation.

Validity and Refunds

The I Amsterdam City Card offers different redemption options depending on the channel of purchase:

If you purchase the I Amsterdam City Card on the official website, you have a 30-day limit within which to cancel your order to receive a full refund by sending an e-mail to citycard@iamsterdam.com.
If, on the other hand, you purchase iton Tiqets as recommended, you can cancel your order up to 24 hours before departure (of the date you indicated during purchase), and get a full refund.

Once activated, the pass remains valid for the number of hours purchased (24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours). When the time expires, the QR code ceases to function and the pass can no longer be used.

Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass (Go City)

L'Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass is distributed by Go City, a leading company in creating tourist passes for major cities around the world.

Like the I Amsterdam City Card, this pass includes admission to many museums and tourist attractions, offering significant savings over buying individual tickets. Its name suggests an all-inclusive approach.

Unlike the I Amsterdam City Card, this pass does not include GVB public transport (streetcars, buses and metro).

The absence of public transportation (exclusive really only of the former) does not affect the validity of the pass, whose main goal is to save money on entrance fees to museums and tourist experiences. For those who wish to move freely by public transportation, a dedicated pass can always be paired with it.

In summary, the presence or absence of public transportation should not be the main criterion for choice: what matters is the type of experiences included and the savings achieved compared to buying individual tickets.

What it includes

TheAmsterdam All-Inclusive Pass offers access to numerous attractions, guided tours and exclusive experiences (about 50), allowing you to discover the city while saving money compared to buying individual tickets.
❗ Important: The pass does NOT include the Van Gogh Museum, one of the most visited museums in the city.

A plus of this Amsterdam card is the presence of exclusive guided tours, both in the center of Amsterdam and in areas outside the city

The complete list is available on the official website, where you can also find useful information such as opening hours and directions on how to get to each location.

Advance reservations are required for some attractions. A list of places that require reservations and instructions for selecting a day and time to visit are available on the official pass website.
The following link lists the places that require mandatory reservations; simply choose the attraction you are interested in and follow the instructions on the site to reserve a specific day and time.

How does the all-inclusive Amsterdam Pass work?

L'Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass is available only in digital format and can be purchased with a validity of 1, 2, 3 or 5 days.

Allows access to all attractions included in the pass within the chosen validity days.
Available digitally on the Go City app or printable as a paper version.

Activation and use

The Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass follows a calendar day validity, not an hour validity.
This means that the first day of use always ends at midnight, regardless of the time of activation.

How to optimize the use of the pass:

• If you activate it in the afternoon (e.g., 4 p.m.), the first day still expires at midnight, reducing the effective time available.
• To make the most of the pass, it is advisable to activate it in the morning so that you have a full day of visits.
• If you arrive in Amsterdam in the late afternoon or evening, it may be more convenient to activate it the next morning and buy one day less, saving on the total cost.

Planning ahead for activation can make a difference in pass optimization and value for money.

All-Inclusive Amsterdam Pass Prices

All-Inclusive Amsterdam Pass rates also vary depending on the duration chosen:

• 1-day pass -> € 74 for adults, € 54 for children (3 - 12 years old)
• 2-day pass -> €119 for adults, €69 for children (3 - 12 years old)
• 3-day pass -> € 149 for adults, € 89 for children (3 - 12 years old)
• 5-day pass -> € 199 for adults, € 114 for children (3 - 12 years old)

Discount Codes and Offers Available

The prices shown above are list prices, but the Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass is almost always on offer on the official website, with discounts ranging from 10 to 20 euros depending on the duration of the pass chosen.

How much can you save with the Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass?

The affordability provided by this pass is important.
To understand the affordability of this pass, let's do a quick calculation based on the average cost of attractions and expected usage.

The average cost of an attraction or tourist experience in Amsterdam is about €25.
Although some experiences (tours) come to cost well over €50.

Simulation of use: 3-day pass

If 3 attractions are visited per day in 3 days, the total number of visits will be 9 attractions.

• Cost without pass → €25 x 9 = €225
• Cost of 3-day pass → €149
• Total savings→ €76

If you are able to visit more attractions or include more expensive experiences, the savings increase further.

The rationale for savings remains the same for 1-, 2-, or 5-day passes.
The numbers change, but the economic advantage over buying individual tickets is clear.

In conclusion, the Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass is a convenient choice for those planning to visit multiple attractions in a few days, especially if you take advantage of experiences with a high admission cost.

Where to purchase the Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass?

The Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass can be purchased exclusively online at the Go City's official website.

>> Be aware that theAmsterdam Explorer Pass is also available on the same site, which works differently.
If you are looking for a pass with unlimited access to attractions for a number of days, be sure to select the Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass and not the Explorer Pass, which we will look at in the next chapter.

Validity and Refunds

The Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass can be used within 1 year from the date of purchase.
This means you can buy it in advance to take advantage of any discounts without the pressure of having to use it right away.

In case of unforeseen events, you are entitled to a full refund within 30 days of purchasing the pass.
To obtain this, you must contact Go City customer service by going to the FAQ page and filling out the appropriate form provided.

Better I Amsterdam City Card or Go City's All Inclusive?

These are the two passes with all-inclusive logic available for Amsterdam.
In virtually all respects between the two, theI Amsterdam City Card, both as a completeness of offer and from an economic point of view.

Go City's All Inclusive makes sense should you be interested in seeing certain attractions-particularly tours and experiences-that are not included in the City Card inventory.
Or in case you have lots of children in the 3-9 age group, where the City Card is not available, while Go City's All Inclusive can give them more convenient access to the various attractions/experiences.

Amsterdam Explorer Pass

Amsterdam Explorer Pass from Go City is a different option from the previous all-inclusive options we have seen.
Unlike the Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass, which offers unlimited access to attractions for a number of consecutive days, this pass allows you to Choose a fixed number of attractions or tours, with no time constraints.

The Amsterdam Explorer Pass is theideal option for those:

• He does not have a rigid itinerary and prefers to decide on the spot which attractions to visit.
• He wants to visit a limited number of places without feeling constrained to take advantage of the pass every day.
• He prefers to spread his visits over several days without the pressure of having to see everything in a tight time frame.

Let's look in detail at how it works.

How does the Amsterdam Explorer Pass work?

The Amsterdam Explorer Pass is distributed in formats of 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions.
You can freely choose the attractions to visit from those included in the pass.

Once purchased, you will receive the pass in digital format to your e-mail address. You will have a QR Code to keep in your smartphone, or print if you want the spare hard copy as well.
Access is gained by simply scanning the code at the entrance to the included attractions.

The pass is valid for 30 days from the first activation, so you do not need to visit all attractions on consecutive days.
No time or day constraints, you can arrange the itinerary according to your preferences.

Some attractions require mandatory reservations.
Find the list of attractions that must be reserved on this page.
It is always advisable to check in advance whether you need to reserve a spot among those you choose by following the instructions provided on the attraction's official website.

This pass is an excellent choice for those who prefer a trip with no strings attached, allowing themselves the freedom to decide day by day what to visit.

Amsterdam Explorer Pass Prices

Amsterdam Explorer Pass rates vary according to the number of attractions selected:

• Pass from 3 attractions -> € 44 for adults, € 29 for children (3 - 12 years)
• Pass from 4 attractions -> € 54 for adults, € 34 for children (3 - 12 years old)
• Pass from 5 attractions -> € 64 for adults, € 39 for children (3 - 12 years old)
• Pass from 6 attractions -> € 74 for adults, € 44 for children (3 - 12 years old)
• Pass from 7 attractions -> € 89 for adults, € 49 for children (3 - 12 years old)

Discount Codes and Offers Available

The prices shown are list prices, but on the official website the pass is almost always discounted by about €5 to €10 depending on the number of attractions chosen.

Again, the prices given above are list prices, and you can find them practically always discounted on the official website, by about €5 / €10 depending on the size of the pass.

When is Amsterdam Explorer Pass worthwhile?

TheAmsterdam Explorer Pass is particularly advantageous for those who wish to visit attractions selectively, without constraints of time or consecutive days.

Savings analysis
Let's do as before a quick calculation to understand the actual economic benefit:

• The average cost of an attraction is about €25.
• The 3-attraction pass costs €44.
• If we individually purchased 3 inputs we would spend €75

Already with the 3-attraction pass, you save about €31 per person.
For the 4-, 5-, or more attraction versions of the pass, the savings become even more obvious.

Explorer Pass benefits:

• Maximum flexibility: allows you to choose only attractions of real interest, avoiding paying for admissions that you might not take advantage of.
• Better time and budget management: since it is not bound to a number of consecutive days, it allows you to visit Amsterdam more leisurely, without the pressure of having to see everything in a tight time frame.
• More affordable prices: for the same number of attractions visited, the cost is lower than the All-Inclusive Pass.

What does it lose compared to an all-inclusive pass?

The Amsterdam Explorer Pass is perfect for those who want to visit only the attractions of real interest, with no time constraints or consecutive days.
However, it has a maximum limit of 7 attractions, so it is not suitable for those who want a very packed itinerary.
If your itinerary includes more than 7 attractions, an all-inclusive pass might be a more advantageous choice.

The Explorer Pass does not include public transportation or extra discounts, but for those seeking maximum freedom and good savings on a limited number of attractions, it remains one of the smartest options.

Where to buy the Amsterdam Explorer Pass

The Amsterdam Explorer Pass is purchased online through the provider's website (Go City) at the links on this page.
You can then download it on the app to get the digital version.

>> Beware of confusion between Amsterdam Pass Explorer and the Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass (seen above), as both passes are sold at the same site.

Validity and Refunds

As with the Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass, the Explorer pass lasts for 1 year from the date of purchase within which to activate it.
You have 30 days after the date of purchase to cancel the pass and get a full refund.

Refunds are requested by contacting customer service, calling the phone number or using the form at the end of this page.

Amsterdam Pass

L'Amsterdam Pass by Tiqets is a different solution from other tourist passes because it includes a small number of attractions, but it allows you to focus on the city's most iconic spots.

The pass gives access to three main experiences: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam Canal Cruise.
As a fourth benefit, you can choose between an Amsterdam audio guide (multilingual), or a 1,2 or 3-day public transport pass.

Perfect for short stays because of the selection of essential attractions.
Ideal for those who do not want to visit too many attractions, but prefer to focus on the most important ones.
An affordable option for those looking for a pass with a lower price than all-inclusive solutions.

Let's see how it works.

How it works

The pass gives access to three main experiences:

• Rijksmuseum
• Van Gogh Museum
• Amsterdam canal cruise

In addition, a fourth benefit can be chosen from:

• Amultilingual audio guide of Amsterdam
• A GVB public transportation pass valid for 1, 2 or 3 days

It is a selection designed - as mentioned in the introduction - for those who need to get a taste of the city, without delving deeper into the visit (by choice or very short stays / passing through).
The ability to take advantage of transportation is a convenience, making this Amsterdam Pass from Tiqets self-contained and comprehensive, despite being reduced in offerings.

Like all the passes described in this article, Tiqets' Amsterdam Pass is sent via e-mail after purchase.
It can be used directly from your cell phone or printed in hard copy.
To access museums and the cruise, just show the code at the entrance, without having to buy separate tickets.

At the time of purchase, you will need to choose the day and time all attractions included.
It is not necessary to visit all attractions on the same day: the pass has no general time limit, but each admission is tied to the date and time selected when booking.

Tiqets' Amsterdam Pass is therefore a simple and practical solution, perfect for those who want to visit the city's two most important museums without having to deal with booking tickets separately.

Tiqets Amsterdam Pass Prices

The Amsterdam Pass fares are as follows:

• Card for adults (18+ years) -> €82
• Youth card (12-17 years old) -> € 21
  
• Card for children (5-11 years old) -> €17
• Card for infants (0-4 years old) -> €1 (yes, one euro!)

This pass offers an economical and well-structured option for those who wish to visit Amsterdam's two major museums and enjoy a canal cruise, all with a single ticket.

Amsterdam Pass: is it worth it?

Economically, Tiqets' Amsterdam Pass does not offer significant savings over buying individual tickets, as is the case with the other passes reviewed.
The cost of the pass is virtually similar to the sum of the museum and cruise admission tickets, including the audio guide.
If you choose the media pass as a benefit, you get an overall savings, although not as impactful as in the other cases.

Where is the convenience?

✔ Simplified organization - A single ticket for the city's two most important museums and the canal cruise.
✔ Instant booking - Upon purchase, you can choose the date and time of your visits right away, avoiding the risk of finding sold-out seats, especially for the Van Gogh Museum, which is not included in any of the other passes.

For whom is it recommended?

Tiqets' Amsterdam Pass is perfect for those who want to:

• Visit only the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, without exploring other tourist attractions.
• Avoid having to purchase individual tickets and manage reservations separately.
• Take an essential mini-tour of Amsterdam, without a more extensive itinerary.

When is it better to choose another pass?

If your goal is to visit more attractions and have a more complete experience of the city, then one of the other options described in this article may be more convenient.

In conclusion, this pass is not designed for savings, but for convenience and ease of booking.
If you want a broader experience, it is best to opt for a more comprehensive pass.

Where to buy the Amsterdam Pass

The Amsterdam Pass is purchased exclusively online at the Tiqets website.

Validity and refunds

Tiqets' Amsterdam Pass is the only pass on this page that is non-refundable.

Which pass to Amsterdam to choose?

To sum up, choosing the best tourist pass for Amsterdam depends on the kind of experience you want to have in the city.

• Do you want to visit as many attractions as possible and use unlimited public transportation? → I Amsterdam City Card is the most comprehensive pass, with access to museums, transportation and extra discounts.
• Always want an all-inclusive pass, with sought-after tours and experiences, and most affordable for kids 3-9 years old? → Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass (Go City) is the most balanced choice here.
• Prefer to select only a few attractions and have flexibility in days? → Amsterdam Explorer Pass is ideal for those who want to freely choose what to visit and when.
• Want to visit just the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and take a canal cruise? → Amsterdam Pass from Tiqets is the perfect solution for a more essential and organized experience.

If your goal is to see the most while spending the least, all-inclusive passes are best. On the other hand, if you want full freedom of choice, number-of-attractions passes are more suitable.

Amsterdam public transport season ticket

As seen in this guide to choosing the best pass for Amsterdam, some cards already include a city public transportation pass, which is ideal for getting around the city.
If you choose a pass that does not include public transportation (which will be convenient for your trip for other reasons), you will need to worry about considering a separate Amsterdam public transportation pass.

The Dutch city's transport company is called GVB (Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf, which means Municipal Transport Company in Dutch).
To find out about the various subscription and ticket formats available, prices, areas covered, how to pay, and how to buy tickets, I refer you to the handy information page on their official website, which is available in our language (just choose it at the top of the page, there is an area dedicated to language versions).

FAQ about amsterdam Card