This guide is for travelers who want clarity before buying anything.
If you’re visiting Amsterdam for the first time and want to save money without rushing, there is a right city pass for you — but the choice depends entirely on how you travel.
I’ve tested all the main Amsterdam city passes myself, and I see visitors regret the wrong choice every week. Below is how I’d sort this for you, not for Google.
The Short Answer
If you want the simplest decision:
- Mostly museums + public transport → get the I amsterdam City Card
- Museums + attractions like Heineken or Zaanse Schans → get the Go City All-Inclusive Pass
- One busy day only → the Tiqets Amsterdam Pass can work or single tickets
That’s it.
Now let me explain why, and where people usually go wrong.
Why City Passes Are Often Worth It (If You Choose Correctly)
Amsterdam is not a cheap city.
Most major museums and attractions cost €25–30 per person. If you visit two or three major places per day, a city pass usually pays for itself.
But some people still lose money on these cards — usually because they buy a pass that doesn’t match how they actually want to travel, or because they prefer a slower pace. If that’s you, a city pass may not be the right choice.
1. I Amsterdam City Pass
Best if you plan to visit several museums and use public transport
What You Get
- Entry to 70+ museums, including:
- Rijksmuseum
- Stedelijk Museum
- Rembrandt House
- Maritime Museum
- Unlimited public transport (tram, bus, metro)
- One canal cruise
- Artis Zoo, A’DAM Lookout, This is Holland included
Valid for 24 to 120 hours
More information about the “I Amsterdam City Card” in my review here
📌 Get your pass early so you can start booking time slots for popular attractions – you can’t book time slots without it.
Why I Recommend It
If you plan to visit three or more museums, you usually break even quickly — often on day one. It also makes getting around easier, because you don’t have to buy tickets constantly.
I recommend this pass when someone tells me:
“I want to take my time in museums and not worry about transport.”
What to Know Before Buying
- ❌ Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank are not included
- ❌ No Heineken or countryside tours
- You still need to book time slots after purchase
Best For
Culture-focused travelers who prefer a calm pace and want the largest choice in museums on one card.
👉 I would not buy this if museums are not your main priority.
2. Go City Amsterdam – All-Inclusive Pass
Best if you want museums and non-museum attractions
This pass focuses on high-value attractions rather than museum volume.
What You Get
- Heineken Experience (included, not discounted)
- Rijksmuseum, Moco, Stedelijk
- A’DAM Lookout, This Is Holland
- House of Bols cocktail
- Zaanse Schans half-day tour
- One canal cruise
- Valid for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days
Read my full pass review on the “Go City Pass Amsterdam“
📌 Get your museum pass early – you can’t book time slots without it, and the best times at popular attractions, tours, and museums fill up fast!
Why I Often Recommend The Go City Pass
If this is your first visit to Amsterdam, this pass gives you a good mix of culture and classic experiences. That’s a big difference compared to the I amsterdam Card, which is much more museum-focused.
I see visitors get real value here because:
- Heineken alone already offsets a large part of the price, since with Go City it’s free
- Tours and attractions remove planning stress
- It works well for 2–3 active days
The Catch
- ❌ No public transport included
- ❌ Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank are not included
- Fewer museums than the I amsterdam Card
Public transport in Amsterdam is easy and inexpensive, so I don’t see this as a deal-breaker for most people.
Best For
First-time visitors who want variety and don’t want to plan every detail.
I see more people enjoy the Go City Pass than the I amsterdam Card — even though many assume the I Amsterdam city card is the obvious choice.
👉 I personally prefer the All-Inclusive version, not the Explorer Pass. I’ve seen it work better for many guests than the I amsterdam Card — especially if museums aren’t your main focus.
3. Tiqets Amsterdam Pass
Best for one short, busy day
This is a compact option, not a full city pass.
What You Get
- One major attraction (often Van Gogh Museum)
- Canal cruise
- 1–3 days of public transport
- Small discounts on other tickets
📌 Get your ticket early, especially if you want to choose the Van Gogh Museum as your free museum. Time slots sell out quickly!
When It Makes Sense
I only suggest this if:
- You have one day in Amsterdam
- You want Van Gogh Museum included
- You already know that what’s included in this pass fits your plans
When I Would Skip It
If you’re staying longer than one day, the other passes usually offer more flexibility and better value.
Which Amsterdam City Pass Is Best for You?
When you’re unsure, a Go City Pass for 2–3 days is, in my experience, the safest all-round choice for first-timers.
It covers Amsterdam’s biggest highlights, removes a lot of planning stress, and works well with a realistic pace.
If you’re a serious museum lover who enjoys long visits and public transport convenience, the I amsterdam City Card is the better fit.
Staying longer?
I sometimes see travelers use both — Go City first, then switch to I amsterdam for more museum days.
Still Not Sure What Fits Your Trip?
If you’d like a second set of eyes on your plan, I offer planning calls where we talk through:
- Pace
- Priorities
- What’s actually worth your time
- Practicalities
- Tips only a local knows
That often saves people more than the cost of the call.
How I See People Get the Most Value (My Tips)
A few things I always tell my guests:
- Group attractions by area. City card days work best when you don’t cross the city.
- Book time slots right after purchase. The good ones go first.
- Start early at big museums. Once the tour buses arrive, the atmosphere changes quickly.
- Know when to stop. If you’re tired, the pass stops adding value.
- Multi-day passes work better. The pace is calmer, and the per-day cost drops.
- Have mobile internet. Both passes work on your phone, and you need internet to use it.
What About the Van Gogh Museum?
Neither pass includes it (high demand means they control their own ticketing). Buy your Van Gogh ticket separately and factor these extra costs into your budget.
Skip This “Amsterdam Pass”
I don’t recommend the Amsterdam Explore Pass.
The points system limits what you can realistically visit, and I see better value with the passes above.
Did This Article Help?
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Frequently Asked Questions Amsterdam City Passes
Do I need to book time slots for every museum and attraction?
Yes, for most major museums. Book as soon as you buy the pass. For smaller museums and attractions you do not need a timeslot.
What if I don’t visit everything on my Amsterdam City Pass?
That’s normal. Passes are about choice, not doing it all. You usually get your money’s worth after 2–3 attractions per day.
Are these Amsterdam passes worth it for a short 1-2 day visit?
Yes, if you focus on higher-ticket attractions.
How do I avoid crowds at popular Amsterdam attractions?
Early time slots, mid-week visits, and fewer locations per day.
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