The I Amsterdam City Card can offer exceptional value, but is the I Amsterdam Card worth it for you.
As a local resident and tour guide I am in Amsterdam year-round. I know how expensive the city can be.
But also how you can save on your expenses.
I know immediately when things change. This is different then many blog post you find online from people who only visit once or a few times, and used the card once.
I‘ve tested the card myself. I loved it.
One of the mistakes (first-time) visitors make is NOT using a city card and pay way too much.
The I Amsterdam City Card is the official tourist pass and packs a lot of value into one pass.
You’ll get free entry to most major museums (except Van Gogh, and Anne Frank), over 70 museums and attractions, a canal cruise, and unlimited public transport in Amsterdam.
The card even throws in a 24-hour bike rental and covers several attractions in nearby cities like Haarlem and Zaanse Schans.
Table of Contents
What does the I Amsterdam Card Cost in 2025?
Let’s start with the costs, the new 2025 prices are:
- €65 (24h)
- €90 (48h)
- €108 (72h)
- €123 (96h)
- €135 (120h)
The longer you stay, the better the daily rate – from €60 down to €25 per day. And the easier it is to get your money’s worth.
Amsterdam Card Worth It? This is How You Buy It
It’s easy to buy your card with the link below.
You support me and the upkeep of this website by doing so without extra cost.
The card can then easily be activated on your phone once you get to Amsterdam.
Get Your Card
★★★★
From €65
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.
Using Your Card
The digital card is now the standard – download the I Amsterdam app before your trip.
After purchase, you’ll receive a code to activate your card in the app.
Don’t activate until you’re ready to start using it.
PS: Did you know you can activate the public transportation part separate from the attractions part – thus optimizing the hours you have with on your card.
Prefer a physical card? Email the provider after purchase to request one. Then collect it at the I Amsterdam Store at Central Station upon arrival. But I don’t recommend this.
For public transport, scan your card’s QR code (or from the app) under the check-in device (not on top like locals do). Hold it below the device under the red light.
The card works on all GVB transport within Amsterdam – buses, trams, metros, and ferries.
Important to know: it doesn’t work in regular trains, and transit outside of Amsterdam city.
Included in the I Amsterdam Card
The I Amsterdam City Card includes free entry to almost all of the city’s major museums, and some attractions.
On top of that if offers discounts at many attractions, that are not. included.
You can also use it for unlimited city transportion for as long as the card is valid.
In short, the I Amsterdam City Card includes:
- Free admission to Amsterdam’s major museums and some attractions.
- Unlimited use of public transport GVB (bus, tram and metro), ferries are free for everybody.
- A free canal cruise (you can choose between providers)
- Discounts on other attractions, such as the Heineken experience or Madame Tussaud’s
(but you may want to consider the Go City City Pass. The main competitor of the I Amsterdam Card, because they include these attractions for free). - Discounts and freebies at some popular places, such as Van Dobben (some of the best croquettes you will try).
- Free admission to attractions outside Amsterdam, such as Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Marken, Haarlem, Enkhuizen, Muiden, Naarden and Laren
- Free ferry trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans Free ferry (but I recommend the train or bus which is WAY faster and more practical)
- A boat trip from Volendam to Marken (which is so worth it) Here is my article on Volendam and Marken.
- Bike rental for 24 hours
Top Attractions Included
In Amsterdam
- Rijksmuseum (€25) – World-class Dutch Masters collection
- This is Holland (€23.50) – 5D flight experience over the Netherlands
- ARTIS Zoo (€26.50) – Historic city zoo with amazing architecture
- MOCO Museum (€21.95) – Modern Art (like Banksy)
- Canal Cruise (€19) – Must-do Amsterdam experience
Beyond Amsterdam
- Zuiderzee Museum (€17.50) – Open-air museum showcasing Dutch maritime life
- Muiderslot Castle (€17.50) – Medieval castle with stunning gardens
- Zaanse Schans Windmills (€6)- Free entry to working windmills
- Volendam-Marken Ferry (€10) – Scenic trip between fishing villages
- Frans Hals Museum Haarlem (€17.50) – Dutch Golden Age masterpieces
Strategic Itineraries
48-hour city itinerary (Save €62.95 per person)
Day 1
- Morning: This is Holland (€23.50)
- Afternoon: Rijksmuseum (€25)
- Evening: Canal cruise (€19)
- Public transport: €9.50
Day 2
- Morning: ARTIS Zoo (€26.50)
- Afternoon: MOCO Museum (€21.95)
- Evening: Amsterdam Lookout (€18.50)
- Public transport: €9.50
Total value: €153.45 vs card cost: €90 = €63.45 savings
72-hour cultural itinerary (Save €89.95)
Days 1-2: Follow 48-hour itinerary above (€153.45)
Day 3
- Morning: Frans Hals Museum Haarlem (€17.50)
- Afternoon: Zuiderzee Museum (€17.50)
- Public transport in Amsterdam: (€9.50)
Total value: €197.95 vs card cost: €108 = €89.95 savings.
PS: Is you squeeze in an extra morning by start using your card the first day around 11 or noon, I recommend going to the Lord on the Attic Museum, it’s so cool!!
I won’t say anything more but you might find a hidden church (full-sized) in a regular home, truly Harry Potter magic.
Transportation Included I Amsterdam Card
Included
- All GVB transport in Amsterdam
(that means all local buses, trams, metros, ferries) - Free bike rental for 24 hours
- Volendam-Marken ferry (a great day trip, read my post here)
Not Included
- Airport transport is NOT included
- Regional trains and buses (like to Zaanse Schans)
- Non-GVB buses
Important Limitations of the Card
- Both Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House are not included
- Airport transport isn’t covered either
- Advance time slot reservations needed for major museums (instructions in app)
- Card activates on first use, valid for consecutive hours only. Which is also a benefit. If you plan wisely you can squeeze out an extra day.
Alternative Amsterdam City Passes
Go City Pass Amsterdam (from €89)
- I love this card
- Better for attractions over museums (but it does include main museums)
- Includes Heineken Experience and (self-guided) food tours
Read my full review and get buying instructions here.
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (€21/day)
- Best for mainly using public transport if you make trips in the region (airport, Haarlem, Volendam, Zaanse Schans etc).
Individual Tickets
- Best for 1-2 attractions per day
- Better when focusing on excluded museums
Reviews About the I Amsterdam Card
Most visitors report the card works smoothly for museum entry and transport.
People like most the convenience of not buying individual tickets and the freedom to visit smaller museums spontaneously, which is excellent a great benefit of the card.
Occasional complaints focus on peak-season museum availability – another reason to book time slots immediately after purchase.
People also sometime complain about the card not working when entering trams and buses. Tips to make it easier: have the QR open on your phone, screen bright, and hold it below the device, below the red light. If you not working show the driver and you’re all set. No need to stress.
I’ve also seen complaints about people upset it was not usable from the airport to the city. That I already warned for. The airport is not in the city, and not included in the card! Buy a super cheap train ticket to the city, and then use your I Amsterdam Card.
Get The Most Out Of It
- Book multi-day passes for better daily prices
- Reserve time slots immediately after purchase
- Start using mid-afternoon to get an extra morning
- Combine city attractions with day trips
- Use the included bike rental strategically, but before you do read my post on biking in Amsterdam first.
Remember: The I Amsterdam Card is not only about saving money – it’s just as much about convenience.
No ticket lines, no transport hassles, and the flexibility to pop into smaller museums you might skip if paying separate.
Get Your Card
★★★★
From €65
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.
The Complete List: Included in the I Amsterdam Card
Museums That Offer Free Admission
Museums and Attractions for Free In Amsterdam:
- Allard Pierson Museum
- Amsterdam Canal Cruise (choice of operators)
- Amsterdam City Archives – (with paid exhibitions)
- Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour (Who is Amsterdam)
- Amsterdam Museum (Amstel location)
- Amsterdam LookOut Tower
- Artis Zoo Amsterdam
- ARTIS-Groote Museum
- ARTIS-Micropia
- ARCAM Architecture Center Amsterdam
- Bike Rental In Amsterdam (different providers)
- Canal Houses Museum
- Dageraad Museum
- Diamand Museum Amsterdam
- Embassy of the Free Mind
- Eye Filmmuseum
- Fashion for Good Museum
- Foam Photography Museum Amsterdam
- GASSAN Diamonds
- Geelvinck Pianola Museum
- Hermitage Amsterdam (now called: H’ART Museum)
- Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
- Houseboat Museum (Woonbootmuseum)
- Jewish Museum (includes the Holocast Museum)
- Lord In The Attic – Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder Museum
- Luther Museum
- Maritime Museum Amsterdam
- Marseille House, Photography Museum
- Moco Museum – Banksy and more
- Multatuli Museum
- Museum het Schip – De Amsterdamse School
- Museum van de Geest – Outsider Art
- Museum van Loon
- NEMO Science Museum
- New Church Amsterdam
- Old Church Amsterdam (Saskia’s grave, Rembrandt’s first wife)
- Pipe Museum
- Portuguese Synagogue
- Rembrandt House (Rembrandthuis)
- Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum) Amsterdam
- Rijksmuseum
- Self-Guided Amsterdam (Walk/Bike/Sail) Tour
- Self-Guided Food Tour De Jordaan
- Self-Guided Food Tour De Pijp
- Stedelijk Museum (modern art)
- Tot Zover Museum
- Tulip Museum
- This is Holland
- Willet-Holthuysen Canal House
- World Museum (former Tropenmuseum)
Museums and Attraction Included Outside of Amsterdam:
- Amstelveen – Cobra Museum Art Modern Art
- Amstelveen – Climbing Fun Forest
- Enkhuizen – Zuiderzeemuseum
- Haarlem – Frans Hals Museum
- Haarlem – Museum van de Geest (psychiatry)
- Haarlem – Smidtje Canal Cruises
- Haarlem – Teylers Museum
- Haarlem – Verweij Museum
- Laren – Singer
- Muiden – Fortified Island Pampus
- Muiden – Muiderslot Castle Rijksmuseum
- Naarden-Vesting – The Dutch Fortress Museum
- Volendam – Bicycle Rental (free rental)
- Volendam – Boattour Volendam-Marken Express
- Volendam – Volendams Museum
- Zaandam – Czaar Peterhuisje
- Zaanse Schans – Kuiperij
- Zaanse Schans – Museum Zaanse Tijd
- Zaanse Schans – Weaver’s House (Wevershuis)
- Zaanse Schans – Windmill Society
- Zaanse Schans – Zaans Museum & Verkade Experience
Free Gifts with Your I amsterdam Card to Collect
Besides free museums and attractions you can also collect a few free gifts. These are:
- De Drie Fleschjes – Free shot of genever (18+).
- Holland Casino Amsterdam – Free entrance (18+).
- Holland Casino Sloterdijk – Free entrance (18+).
- VVV Haarlem – Free walking tour guide.
Discounts With The I Amsterdam City Card
As you can you see from the long list above there is plenty to do for free in Amsterdam and surroundings towns and cities.
But on top, they offer even more locations that give a 25% discount when you show your card.
But note that some are 100% free with the Go City Amterdam Pass. So definitely check that card out as weel.
- Amsterdam Dungeons
- Body Worlds
- BIM Huis (Jazz Concerts)
- Boom Chicago Comedy Club (English)
- Canal Motor Boats (Rent a Boat)
- Canal Pedal Boats
- Cheese and Wine Cruise Stromma (Fridays and Saturdays)
- Dutch National Opera and Ballet
- Fabrique des Lumières – Immersive Art Experience
- Ferry to Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot
- Heineken Experience
- House of Bols Experience
- Johan Cruijff Arena
- Kattencabinet (Cat Museum)
- Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
- Muziek Gebouw Aan ‘t IJ (Concerts)
- Mokum Boat (Rent Your Own Boat)
- Nxt Museum Amsterdam
- Open Boat Canal Cruise Stromma
- Our House Amsterdam (House Music)
- Rembrandt Experience Amsterdam
- Roller Dream – 80’s Indoor Roller Skating Rink – Amsterdam Noord
- STRAAT Museum NDSM – Street Art
- Upside Down Museum Amsterdam
- Volendam Custome Photo
Restaurants:
- Taverna De Visscher in Marken
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