Is The I Amsterdam Card Worth It? Yes, is my answer for the right visitor.
The I Amsterdam Card can pay for itself if you visit just three major attractions and use public transport for two days. But if you vist more museums you start to see even bigger savings.
Most culturally-focused travelers save €60-150 per person, but only if you plan strategically.
As a local Amsterdam tour guide who has tested this card in person, I know exactly when these passes deliver value (and when they don’t).
There are two very good, and very distinctive city cards in Amsterdam. The “I Amsterdam Card” what this article is all about and the “Amsterdam Go City Pass”. Not sure which Amsterdam City Card is for you? Then read my comparison article here.
In a nutshell, if you plan to focus your Amsterdam visit on museums, the “I Amsterdam card” is superior. If you prefer attractions and guided tours the Go City Pass is better option.
For most visitors wanting to focus on museums the “I Amsterdam Card” offers the better value.
I Amsterdam Card: From €65
Get The I amsterdam Card
Free entry to 70+ museums including the Rijksmuseum. Plus free, unlimited use of GVB public transport (bus, tram & metro).
I recommend buying a multi-day card. Per-day prices become much cheaper. And you can slow down your pace.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know First About the I Amsterdam Card
Current “I Amsterdam Card” Prices:
- 24 hours: €65
- 48 hours: €90
- 72 hours: €110
- 96 hours: €125
- 120 hours: €135
The prices are per person, and public transportation (tram, metros, and GVB buses) is included for the duration of your card.
As you can see the longer the card is valid, the better daily rates you get —from €65 down to €27 per day. But only buy what you’ll actually use.
But if you have the time, the lower per day price really helps you to slow down. You feel less the need to cramp in as much as possible to get a good deal.
Ready to buy? You can get your “I Amsterdam Card” here.
Example 48-Hour and 72-Hour Itineraries With I Amsterdam Card
Here’s an example how the math can work for an average user with a 48 or 72 hour I Amsterdam card, these are average savings you can exept.
Each itinerary is realistically doable. If you want you could do even more (and save more):
- Rijksmuseum: €25
- Museum of the Canals: €17.50
- This is Holland: €27
- A’dam Lookout: 16.50
- Canal cruise: €18
- ARTIS Zoo: €29.50
- Resistance Museum: €16
- MOCO Museum: €17.95
- Public transport: €15.50 (2 days)
Total value: €182.95 vs. card cost: €90 = Savings of €92.95
72-Hour Extended Tour: Add Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem (€17.50), Teylers Museum (€17.50) and Canal Boat Tour in Haarlem (€12) to the above. Total value: €229.95 vs. card cost: €110 = Savings of €119.95
Ready to start saving? Get your I Amsterdam Card here →
I Amsterdam Card: From €65
Get The I amsterdam Card
Free entry to 70+ museums including the Rijksmuseum. Plus free, unlimited use of GVB public transport (bus, tram & metro).
I recommend buying a multi-day card. Per-day prices become much cheaper. And you can slow down your pace.
What’s Included in the I Amsterdam Card?
Here are the Major Free Attractions (Over 70 total):
- Rijksmuseum – Dutch Masters collection
- ARTIS Zoo – Historic city zoo
- MOCO Museum – Modern art including Banksy
- This is Holland – 5D flight experience
- A’DAM Lookout – Panoramic city views
- Stedelijk Museum – Modern art and design
- Rembrandt House – Artist’s former home and studio
- Maritime Museum – Naval history
- NEMO Science Museum – Interactive science (geared towards kids)
- Museum of the Canals – Learn the UNESCO Amsterdam Canal Ring came to be
Beyond Amsterdam (All Free):
- Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem
- Muiderslot Amsterdam Castle – Medieval castle
- Zaanse Schans attractions – Multiple windmills and museums
- Zuiderzee Museum, Enkhuizen – Maritime heritage
- Volendam-Marken ferry- Scenic fishing villages
- Singer Laren Museum – Art and sculpture garden
Transportation & Rentals:
- Unlimited GVB public transport (buses, trams, metro, ferries)
- 24-hour bike rental (multiple providers)
- Canal cruise (your choice of operators)
Free Bonuses:
- Free genever shot at De Drie Fleschjes (18+)
- Free casino entrance at Holland Casino (18+)
- Free Haarlem walking tour guide
Complete List What’s Included in the I Amsterdam Card (Click Toggle to Open)
Free Museums in Amsterdam:
- Allard Pierson – Collections of the University of Amsterdam
- Amsterdam Museum
- Amsterdam Pipe Museum
- Amsterdam Tulip Museum
- Arcam – Amsterdam Centre for Architecture
- ARTIS-Groote Museum
- ARTIS-Micropia
- Diamond Museum Amsterdam
- Embassy of the Free Mind
- Eye Filmmuseum
- Foam Photography Museum
- Geelvinck Pianola Museum
- Grachtenmuseum Amsterdam – Museum of the Canals
- H’ART Museum
- H’ART Museum – Museum of the Mind | Outsider Art Museum
- Hortus Botanicus – Botanical Garden
- Houseboat Museum
- Huis Marseille – Museum for Photography
- Jewish Cultural Quarter – Jewish + Holocaust Museum
- Jewish Cultural Quarter – Portuguese Synagogue
- Luther Museum Amsterdam
- Moco Museum
- Molen van Sloten
- Museum De Dageraad
- Museum Our Lord in the Attic
- Museum Het Rembrandthuis
- Museum Het Schip
- Museum Tot Zover – Museum about life & death
- Museum Van Loon (beautiful canal house)
- Museum Willet-Holthuysen (beautiful canal house)
- NEMO Science Museum (mostly for kids)
- STRAAT (street art and graffiti)
- De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam (New Church)
- Oude Kerk (Old Church)
- Rijksmuseum
- Het Scheepvaartmuseum – National Maritime Museum
- Stadsarchief Amsterdam – City Archives
- Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam – Modern Art & Design
- Verzetsmuseum – The Dutch Resistance Museum
- Wereldmuseum Amsterdam
Free Museum Beyond Amsterdam:
- Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot
- Cobra Museum of Modern Art Amstelveen
- Dutch Fortress Museum Naarden – Vesting
- Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem
- Museum of the Mind | Dolhuys
- Singer Laren Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Teylers Museum, Haarlem
- Verwey Museum Haarlem
- Volendams Museum
- Zaan Time Museum
- Zaans Museum – Zaanse Schans
- Czaar Peterhuisje – Zaandam
- Kuiperij Tiemstra (Coopery) – Zaanse Schans
- Wevershuis (Weavers’s House) – Zaanse Schans
- Zaansche Molens en Molenmuseum – Zaanse Schans
- Zuiderzee Museum, Enkhuizen
Free Attractions:
- A’DAM LOOKOUT
- Amsterdam Self Guided Food Tour
- Amsterdam Fortress Island Pampus
- ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo
- GASSAN Diamonds
- Royal Coster Diamonds
- The Ultimate Flight Experience – THIS IS HOLLAND
Free Transport & Services:
- Unlimited GVB public transport
- 24-hour bike rental
- Canal cruises (choice of operators)
- Volendam-Marken ferry
- Rent & Event bike rental in Volendam
Other Services (Free):
- Haarlem Tourist Office (free walking tour brochure)
- Holland Casino Amsterdam City Centre (free entrance + drink)
25% Discount Attractions I Amsterdam Card
Popular Experiences (25% Off):
- Heineken Experience (free with Go City Pass)
- Madame Tussauds (free with Go City Pass)
- Johan Cruijff Arena tour
- House of Bols Experience (free with Go City Pass)
- BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project
- Amsterdam Dungeon (free with Go City Pass)
- Rembrandt Experience Amsterdam (free with Go City Pass)
- Nxt Museum digital art
- Fabrique des Lumières
Entertainment (25% Off):
- Boom Chicago comedy shows
- Roller Dreams 80s skating
- The Upside Down Amsterdam
- Het Kattenkabinet
- Fotograaf Volendam
Cultural Venues (25% Off):
- Badhuistheater
- Bimhuis – Jazz
- Scala – Foodbar & Theater (30% discount on English performances)
- Muziekgebouw – Contemporary & classical music
- Nationale Opera & Ballet
Other Services (10% Off):
- I amsterdam Store (10% discount on merchandise)
Tips To Make Your I Amsterdam Card Worth It
Buy the digital version: Download the I Amsterdam app and activate when you’re ready to start. I find it much easier to use and you can’t lose it.
Pro tip: Did you know you activate transport and attractions separately. The first scan at a tram or metro activate the transit part on the card, the first scan at a museum or attractions activate the attraction part. This really helps to maximize your card hours.
Book timeslots immediately after purchase for major museums, especially Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk. Making a timeslot booking will not activate the card. But you need a purchased card, before you can make timeslot reservation. Get your early is my advice!
Start late morning/early afternoon on your first day to squeeze an extra morning from your card. All you need is to get in somewhere on that last day. Once inside you can stay as long as you want. It’s like getting a free day.
Also Good to know:
- Advance timeslot reservations required for major museums
- Card works only for consecutive hours once activated
- Some attractions offer 25% discounts instead of free entry (see my complete list above)
How to Use Your I Amsterdam Card
For transport: Hold your phone’s QR code below the scanner in the trams (do not tap the front). The red light should turn green. For the metro scan your QR face down on the entry barriers.
For attractions: Show your digital card at entry points. Most museums scan quickly.
Troubleshooting: If scanners don’t work, show staff your phone screen. They’re used to helping tourists. Do not worry too much if checking out when you tram does not work. The scanners are not the best.
Important Limitations of the I Amsterdam Card
Not included are :
- Van Gogh Museum – requires a separate booking or a combo package (see below)
- Anne Frank House (€16) – requires separate booking on their own website.
- Airport transport to/from Schiphol
- Regional trains outside Amsterdam
- Attraction surcharges for special exhibitions
Want to include Van Gogh Museum access? Get the I Amsterdam and Van Gogh combo pass here →
Combination Package
I amsterdam Card + Van Gogh
Free entry to 70+ museums like the Rijksmuseum. Plus the Van Gogh Museum. Includes public transportation too.
I recommend buying a multi-day card. Per-day prices become much cheaper. And you can slow down your pace.
When to Skip the I Amsterdam Card
I recommend you choose individual tickets if you:
- Visit fewer than three attractions
- Prefer walking to public transport
- Focus mainly on Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, and Anne Frank museums
- Stay only 24 hours
You can purchase individual tickets for the three major attractions here (all require advance booking):
- Rijksmuseum (ticket + 2 drink offer, which saves money, and the Rijksmuseum cafe is just wonderful)
- Van Gogh Museum Tickets
- Anne Frank House Tickets
Frequently Asked Questions I Amsterdam Card
Does the I Amsterdam Card include Van Gogh Museum?
No, neither the I Amsterdam Card nor Go City Pass includes Van Gogh Museum. You’ll need separate tickets which you can buy here, which should be booked weeks in advance.
Can I share my I Amsterdam card with my travel partner?
No, each person needs their own card. The digital version is tied to one phone, and most attractions track usage to prevent sharing.
What happens if I lose my phone with the digital I Amsterdam card?
Contact I Amsterdam customer service immediately with your order confirmation. They can usually reissue the digital pass to a new device. Keep your confirmation email as backup.
Does the I Amsterdam Card work for airport transport?
No, Schiphol Airport transport isn’t included in the I Amsterdam Card. But it’s not expensive to travel from the airport to the city. Take the train (€5.20) to Central Station, then activate your card for city transport. Or use the “Zuid” station. Just 5 minutes from the airport (€3.50) and take the super useful metro 52 from there (which is included in the I Amsterdam Card. or Tram 5. The train prices are valid if you use contactless payments. If you buy a ticket from the ticket machine or desk at the airport there is a €1.50 per ticket surcharge. Here is my article on all you need to know about train tickets in the Netherlands.
My Recommendation
Buy the 48 or 72-hour card if you:
- Plan to visit 3+ major attractions
- Want transport flexibility
- Enjoy exploring also smaller museums spontaneously
The 72-hour option offers the best balance of value and time flexibility for most travelers.
The card isn’t just about saving money—it’s about convenience. No ticket lines, no transport hassles, and the freedom to pop into interesting smaller museums you might otherwise skip.
I Amsterdam Card: From €65
Get The I amsterdam Card
Free entry to 70+ museums including the Rijksmuseum. Plus free, unlimited use of GVB public transport (bus, tram & metro).
I recommend buying a multi-day card. Per-day prices become much cheaper. And you can slow down your pace.
If this guide helped you decide, buy me a coffee to support more honest travel advice.
Thank you for your excellent work!Mum and I will be in Amsterdam between 29th December and 01 st January.
I have downloaded ‘I am ‘ app and decided to buy two 48 hours tickets for me and mum.If I buy the card through you this month and get %5 discount, can I start to use it on 30th December when we arrive Amsterdam ?
Have a lovely time ……
Hi, I’m so excited for you and your mum to visit Amsterdam during New Year. Yes, you can absolutely buy the card now and enjoy the current promotion. The clock will not start running until the first time you activate the card in your app. There is an activation button. You do this at the first museum or when you want to take a tram ride on December 30th. That’s when your hours start running. You load the card immediately in the app, without activating it. It won’t expire before you get here. I appreciate your purchase, it supports this website. Thank you and I hope you’ll have an amazing time here. Gerrit