Amsterdam Card Comparison: My Experience with Clear Recommendation

My Experience Report on the I Amsterdam City Card for Attractions in Amsterdam

As in many cities, there is an opportunity in Amsterdam to save money while sightseeing with an all-inclusive city pass. The I Amsterdam City Card has already been used by more than 2 million visitors and is the most well-known city card for Amsterdam. It offers numerous free admissions and discounts. But is it worth it? We tested the tourist pass and its alternative, the Amsterdam all-inclusive Pass.

We tested the card during our last short trip to Amsterdam and will share our experiences. Are you currently planning a short trip to Amsterdam? Then read on to find out if the Amsterdam Pass is worth it for sightseeing in Amsterdam and what alternatives exist.

In this article, we'll show you how to find the best sightseeing pass for your city trip to Amsterdam! The test reveals the advantages and disadvantages of the Amsterdam City Card and what alternatives you have.

Enjoy our comparison of the Amsterdam City Card!

What is the I Amsterdam Card?

In more and more cities, sightseeing passes for attractions, sights, and tours are being offered. These "city passes" are special cards that allow you to visit a specific number of attractions and museums.

The advantages are clear:

1 ticket for multiple attractions, so you don't have to constantly keep an eye on your travel budget.
A city card is often cheaper than buying individual tickets for everything.
Priority entry, you can skip many lines at the popular attractions in Amsterdam and use separate entrances. This saves you not only time but also money. Brilliant, isn't it?
You discover many more places included that you otherwise would not have visited.
Ideal: Almost all city passes include a ticket for the popular hop-on-hop-off bus.
Some city cards are only valid for a certain number of days, while others are valid for a set number of activities. You have the choice and are thus maximally flexible.
Sometimes, public transport rides, airport transfers, tickets for the hop-on-hop-off bus, or discounts for restaurants and shops are included.

Alternative Tourist Cards for Amsterdam

In this article, you will find all the information, including the pros and cons of the respective discount passes for Amsterdam. If you don't want to read everything, scroll directly to the comparison of the Amsterdam passes in table form.

My favorite: Amsterdam all-inclusive Pass from Go City
Explorer Pass (attraction-based, includes 7 attractions, from which you can choose 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7)
Amsterdam Digital Pass

Tips & Experience for the Best Amsterdam Pass 2025

The 'I Amsterdam' card is the official sightseeing pass of the city of Amsterdam for attractions and sights. It is designed to help tourists (and you) easily use public transportation and save time waiting for entry tickets. The name of the city card is actually derived from the English phrase 'I am Amsterdam'.

In addition to the I Amsterdam City Card, there are three other city passes for Amsterdam: the Amsterdam all-inclusive Pass (often just called the Amsterdam Pass), the Explorer Pass, and the Amsterdam Digital Pass. We tested the sightseeing passes and here report on our experience. In the conclusion, we'll tell you which pass was worth it for us!

During multiple trips, we tested different discount passes. If you, like us, want to see as many attractions as possible and also participate in some really cool tours, the Amsterdam all-inclusive Pass or the I Amsterdam City Card are the best tourist passes for sightseeing.

My current comparison of Amsterdam cards has shown me again that the Amsterdam all-inclusive Pass (now includes Keukenhof and the tulip fields ticket) and the I Amsterdam City Card work best (personally, I prefer the former).

Most recommended choice:

For stays of 2 to 3 days, the Amsterdam all-inclusive Pass is the best-selling city pass.
For targeted visits to the attractions, the Explorer Pass with 3 attractions (the most popular option) is worth it.

Want to make spontaneous decisions and only see a few highlights?

Then it's best to buy the tickets individually. This way, you remain flexible and don't feel pressured to do as much as possible. However, you should expect to spend more money on admissions in total.

Nevertheless, we recommend you buy these tickets online to avoid long lines.We always buy these at Get Your Guide. Here we often find tours that no other provider offers.

When does it make sense to buy the I Amsterdam City Card?

Insights & Tips on Using the Passes - Are They Worth It?

Our most important conclusion: Without rushing, you can visit 3 - 5 attractions per day.

However, the sightseeing passes don't always pay off: During peak travel times in summer, an estimated 90% of visitors have a city pass to skip lines. Therefore, even at the separate entrances for cardholders, there might be a line!

If you want to visit many attractions and tours daily, this discount card is definitely worth it for you.

At many of the top attractions, you save up to 50% with the passes. In many places, you won't have to queue at ticket counters and can go directly to the entrance.

Moreover, you automatically keep better track of your travel budget: You pay for the 'All-inclusive' sightseeing ticket once and can use it everywhere. Therefore, during your trip, you won't have to recalculate whether your budget allows for another attraction or not. Entry is free for the most important attractions. That's what we like best.

1. If You Are Visiting Amsterdam for the First Time

Are you visiting Amsterdam for the first time and want to check out the top attractions and the most famous museums in Amsterdam? Want to take a canal and city cruise? All these attractions are included in the three Amsterdam city passes.

Even for tourists who have been here several times, the Amsterdam City Card could be worthwhile! Because often, in addition to the absolute highlights, many other great tours and lesser-known attractions in Amsterdam are included in these passes. The comparison of the Amsterdam cards will help! Further down, you'll find a comparison in table form.

2. When You Want to Visit Many Attractions and Museums

Are you like us and want to see as much as possible during city trips? Then buying a city card for Amsterdam is definitely worthwhile. It's roughly said that you need to visit 2-3 attractions per day for the pass to pay off. The more you see and the longer you are in the city, the more worth it a pass becomes.

Tip: For short stays of just one or two days, it's often difficult to compensate for the purchase price of the pass through sightseeing and participating in tours. Or you may need to rush to accomplish "enough." For Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Explorer Pass (a popular choice for 3 attractions) is suitable for a short trip with little time.

The longer you stay, the more the passes like the Amsterdam all-inclusive Pass (the most popular option for 2 or 3 days) usually pay off. That's why we often stay for 4-5 days or even longer in cities. The I Amsterdam Card and the Amsterdam Pass are available for 5 days, ideal!

3. One Card Instead of Individual Tickets: Pay Once, 1 Ticket for Everything

A major advantage is that you only pay once for sightseeing passes. Once you're in Amsterdam, you don't have to recalculate whether admission tickets still fit into your travel budget. With many passes, tickets for hop-on-hop-off bus tours and boats are included, perfect for getting an overview of the city.

We really appreciate the free use of public transport provided by many city passes as a fantastic bonus!

Favorite: Amsterdam all-inclusive Pass

Discover more than 30 top attractions in Amsterdam with the Amsterdam Pass and save up to 50%. With the inclusive pass, you can see and experience as much of the city as possible over 1, 2, 3, or 5 days. Included are not only the popular 360-degree sky deck of the A'DAM LOOKOUT but also the Heineken Experience, as well as world-famous museums such as the renowned art collections in the Rijksmuseum.

The all-inclusive pass includes:

Access to over 30 activities on 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days
Popular attractions like Heineken Experience, a canal cruise, Moco Museum (Banksy), Rijksmuseum, and the transfer and ticket to Keukenhof (see my report here)
Everything in one app after booking on your phone
Note: Some attractions may require prior reservation. Follow the instructions in the app or on the website after booking before your visit.

Advantages of the Amsterdam Pass

With this pass, you can also visit each attraction once during its validity period.

Here you can view the complete list of attractions

+30 attractions included
Includes Rijksmuseum
Includes Heineken Experience
A'DAM Lookout viewpoint included
Includes hop-on-hop-off boat
Transfer & ticket to Keukenhof
Mobile pass, digital on your phone. No need to pick up on-site
Overview of all included attractions
90 days cancellation option

Disadvantages of the Amsterdam Pass

Van Gogh Museum as a top attraction is missing

Experience with the Amsterdam Pass

This pass includes many of the main attractions. However, you should pay attention to the details: Not only are attractions in Amsterdam included, but also very popular excursion destinations in the surrounding area. Keukenhof (entrance included), Zaanse Schans windmill village, Volendam, Edam & windmill bus tours, or Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague live guided tour are just a few of them.

Alternative 1: I Amsterdam City Card

This is what the I Amsterdam City Card for attractions in Amsterdam looks like — photo by viel-unterwegs.de

Free entry to currently more than 70 museums, attractions, and activities. Including top sights like the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, A'DAM Lookout, Rembrandt House, Moco Museum, NEMO Science Museum, the Tulip Museum Amsterdam, and many more.

Public transportation: Metro, tram, ferries, and bus (except airport transfer)

Canal cruise through the historic canals of Amsterdam as well as the classic canal cruise (a must if you're in Amsterdam).

Excursion to Keukenhof, the largest tulip garden in the world

Travel like the locals: rent a bike for free for a day

Brief Information:

Free admission to 70 attractions and museums
Free canal cruise
Public transport free (metro, tram, bus, and ferries) - except for airport transfer
Rental bikes included
Great excursions included (Keukenhof)
Additional discounts in restaurants & shops
Validity: 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h, or 120h (1-5 days)
Great I Amsterdam City Card app, where you can easily select your attractions and tours. With the included city map, you can easily discover nearby attractions, museums, and other sights.
Details on the I Amsterdam Card

Advantages of the I Amsterdam City Card:

The validity is calculated from the first use in hours and not in days. Example: If you use the pass at 3 PM, it is valid from that time for 24 hours, until the next day at 2:59 PM. You can activate the ticket for public transportation independent of your I Amsterdam City Card.
All main attractions are included.
Additional discounts, e.g., for cheese & wine boat tours or for the Dutch National Opera & Ballet.
Only this pass includes public transportation, including night buses. (Note: The card must be held up to the reader both when entering and exiting!)

Disadvantages of the I Amsterdam City Card:

Unfortunately, no ticket for the hop-on-hop-off bus or boat is included (only in the Amsterdam Pass).
Anne Frank House is not included. However, this real top attraction is not free in any other pass either. You need to reserve tickets in advance.
Reservation for a time slot at the Van Gogh House is only possible once you have the card. Unfortunately, this is also not possible via the I Amsterdam City Card app.
No airport transfer (we advise you to take the train to Amsterdam).
No discounts for children or young people. They pay the full price for the card.
Order online, pick up on-site at the I Amsterdam store at Amsterdam Central Station, or choose the digital version online.

How the I Amsterdam City Card Works:

My Experience with the I Amsterdam City Card

The purchase is worthwhile if you want to visit many museums. Since the museums in Amsterdam are expensive, the I Amsterdam Card pays off pretty quickly. Only the Heineken Experience (25% discount) and the Anne Frank House are not included, but the latter is also not included in any other city pass. However, the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Moco Museum (for Banksy fans), Zaanse Schans windmills, and the Rembrandt House- for which you can reserve entrance online with this card- are all included. Currently, there are only a few attractions you can visit without reservation. Finally, the popular hop-on-hop-off bus (starting late March) & boat tour is included again, as well as a do-it-yourself foodie tour.

The included excursions (Keukenhof) are also fantastic. Currently, for most attractions, time slots must be reserved. Information about the time slots can be found on the official website. This can often be done spontaneously. If you're in Amsterdam for a long weekend, you should avoid visiting the museums on a Sunday.

That the public transportation is included was a nice bonus for me.

Conclusion: Is It Worth Buying?

The longer you're in Amsterdam, the more the city card pays off. We spent 5 days in Amsterdam and saved a lot of money. During our next visit, we had the city card for 3 days (the most popular pass). With this card, we were able to save more than 50 euros per person.

If staying briefly for 1 to 2 days, you should carefully check if the Amsterdam Card is worth it. In my experience, it is not, but everyone has different preferences.

Alternative 2: Explorer Pass

With the Explorer Pass, choose the version for 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 top attractions in Amsterdam and explore the city at your own pace. You have 60 days to use your Explorer Pass. With this Go City pass, you can save up to 40% compared to buying individual tickets for attractions.

Enjoy the view on the 100 Highlights Cruise, learn more about the brewing process with the Heineken Experience, or soar in the 5D flight simulator with THIS IS HOLLAND over the Netherlands.

If you have important favorites that you want to visit, the Explorer Pass is perfect for you.

The Explorer Pass Includes:

Available: Choose from 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 attractions
Amsterdam's top attractions and tours (see also the 1st choice Amsterdam all-inclusive Pass)
Rijksmuseum, Royal Experience, Heineken Experience, and more
Pass comes via app on your smartphone, scan QR code on-site and redeem credits
Note: Some attractions may require prior reservation. Follow the instructions in the app or read the information on the Explorer Pass website before your visit.

Also Good: Amsterdam Digital Pass

The Digital Pass from Tiqets is not a classic "all-inclusive" sightseeing card. Rather, it's a ticket for particularly popular attractions in Amsterdam. The pass is not time-based, meaning you can take your time visiting the included sights over a week.

You can freely choose the date for visiting the attractions. However, since you must specify exact dates, you can't be as spontaneous with this pass as you might think. Last-minute date selection is only possible on the day of your visit if the desired slots are still available.

Included in the offer:

Ticket for Van Gogh Museum (skip the line)
Ticket for Rijksmuseum (skip the line)
1-hour canal cruise
Airport transfer (one-way train ticket)
2 audio guides for a self-guided Amsterdam tour
10% off additional bookings at Tiqets.de

My Experience with the Amsterdam Pass

Note: For the canal cruise, a specific time for execution is indicated. For the two museums, you must select a time slot.

If you sum up all the admission prices, you save only minimally (1.60 euros, to be exact). If you want to visit exactly these attractions and book additional tickets at Tiqets.de, you can save an additional 10% on bookings. In my opinion, the pass only makes sense if you need the airport transfer.

For me, self-guided tours via the app hold no value and therefore no price advantage compared to individual tickets. Since I'm not arriving in Amsterdam by airplane, the airport transfer is of no value to me.

Conclusion: But everyone is different. If you're specifically looking for this offer, you should consider purchasing the Amsterdam Digital Pass.

Table: Comparison of City Cards

Conclusion on the Amsterdam City Passes

The best pass for us remains the Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass (it pays off starting from 2 days) and the official I Amsterdam City Card! Particularly ideal for 2025 is the included ticket to Keukenhof with transfer and ride on-site with the whisper boat.

Even if you don't want to buy a pass, I still recommend reserving most tickets long in advance. Especially for the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, or Rijksmuseum as these are often booked out for several weeks!

Check out my tips for the best museums in Amsterdam here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit attractions with the Amsterdam Card multiple times?

Unfortunately not. You can only visit each attraction once with the Amsterdam Card. Your ticket will be electronically scanned and invalidated upon entry.

How much does the "I Amsterdam Card" cost?

The "I Amsterdam" card for 72 hours (3 days) costs €100, the card for 48 hours (2 days) costs €85. Just a 3-day ticket from the GVB costs €20. For €100, you can visit numerous museums and tours over three days and save quite a bit of money.

When is the Amsterdam Card valid?

Your city card is automatically activated upon first use. After activation, it is valid depending on your selection for 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours (not days, but counted from activation).

Can I also buy the I Amsterdam City Card on-site?

Yes, you can buy the city card at the Stationsplein (Train Station) or in the I Amsterdam Store (Arrival Hall 2 at the station). However, it is usually cheaper online. I recommend purchasing the digital version.

That was our comparison of the Amsterdam Pass. We hope it helped you find the right tourist pass for your visit.

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"I Amsterdam" City Card Experience & Test: Is Buying It Worth It? (+ Alternatives)