This guide is for travelers who want clarity before buying anything. Amsterdam has different city passes, some offering amazing value, others not so much. I am comparing them here for you and giving you my honest local opinion. I am a Dutch local tour guide and know a thing or two about Amsterdam prices, attractions and pass options.
If you’re visiting Amsterdam for the first time and want to save money without rushing, there is a right city pass for you. The choice depends entirely on how you travel. I’ve tested all the main Amsterdam city passes myself. Below is how I sort them for you. Take a few minutes to read this. It will save you regret once you arrive.
The Short Answer
If you want the simplest decision:
- Mostly museums + public transport → get the I amsterdam Card (the classic card, I link to here)
- Museums + attractions like Heineken or Zaanse Schans → get the Go City All-inclusive Pass (Heineken is unique in this pass)
- One day only → the Tiqets Amsterdam Pass can work or single tickets
Those are the three real options. All the other cards are noise. Now let me explain why, and where people tend to 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 they buy a pass that doesn’t match how they actually want to travel, or 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
Read all about the “I amsterdam Card” in my review here. It has the full list of experiences, updated every week, so it is always current.
Tip: Get your pass early so you can start booking time slots for popular attractions – you can’t book time slots without it, so don’t wait until you arrive to buy it.
I recommend this pass when someone tells me:
“I want to visit different museums and not worry about transport.”
Where It Beats the Go City Pass
If you plan to visit three or more museums, the I amsterdam Card gives you far more museums to choose from. It also comes with unlimited tram, bus and metro travel, which the Go City Pass does not.
Where the Go City Pass Beats It (see card details below)
- The Heineken Experience is included with Go City, not discounted.
- Go City also includes the Zaanse Schans half-day tour, at no extra cost.
- The House of Bols experience, cocktail included, is covered by Go City.
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)
- Still some big museums: Rijksmuseum, Moco, Stedelijk
- A’DAM Lookout and This is Holland, included
- House of Bols Experience, cocktail included
- Zaanse Schans half-day tour at no extra cost
- One canal cruise
- Valid for 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days
Read my full Go City pass review on the “Go City Pass Amsterdam” for more details.
Tip: Get your museum pass as soon as you decide you want it. Just like with I amsterdam, 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. The I amsterdam Card is much more museum-focused.
I see visitors get real value here because:
- Heineken alone already offsets a large part of the price, and a lot of people have it on their list anyway
- Tours and attractions remove planning stress
- It works well for 2–3 active days
The Catch
- Not included: Public transport
- Not included: Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank (no city pass has these two 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.
Who It Suits
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 Card is the obvious choice.
I personally prefer the All-inclusive version, not the Explorer Pass. See my review for the differences.
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3. Tiqets Amsterdam Pass
Best for one short, busy day
This is not a full city pass, but it is marketed as one.
What You Get
- One major attraction (often Van Gogh Museum)
- Canal cruise
- 1–3 days of public transport
- Small discounts on other tickets
Tip: Get this pass early, especially if you want to choose the Van Gogh Museum as your included 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 I Would Buy
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 museum lover who enjoys unexpected discoveries and public transport convenience, the I amsterdam Card is the better fit.
Staying longer?
I sometimes see travelers use both. Start with Go City, then switch to I amsterdam for more museum days.
Get a Second Opinion on Your Plan
If you’d like a second set of eyes on your plan, I offer planning calls where we talk through:
- Pace
- Priorities
- What is 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.
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If this guide helped you plan, a donation covers the costs behind it and keeps Hidden Holland free to read. It’s never expected, but always appreciated. Dank je wel.
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. For this reason I recommend buying your pass in advance. You can buy it before you activate it. This gives you time to make your reservations before slots sell out.
What if I don’t visit everything on my Amsterdam City Pass?
Normal. Nobody visits everything. A pass is a menu, not a checklist. You usually get your money’s worth after 2–3 attractions per day, and many people easily do four.
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?
Book early time slots, visit mid-week, and focus more on smaller attractions. It also makes the day feel calmer, and more like you are discovering the city.
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