The I amsterdam City Card is an official city pass available for tourists and visitors to Amsterdam. It provides free entry and discounts to over 70 museums/attractions in and around Amsterdam as well as free use of city public transport. Book the I amsterdam City Card online here
This Amsterdam city pass is issued by ‘amsterdam&partners’, a not-for-profit public-private organisation under its ‘I amsterdam’ brand.
In this article we offer a detailed review of the I amsterdam City Card. We’ll take a look at the costs, benefits and drawbacks of this card, whether the card is worth it and suggest how you could maximise its use.
Officially the card is known as the ‘I amsterdam City Card‘ although some confuse the name as ‘Iamsterdam’ City Card, ‘I am amsterdam’ card or the Iamsterdam City Pass.
I amsterdam City Card FAQ
How much does the I amsterdam City Card cost in 2024?
The I amsterdam City Card in 2024 comes with 5 validity options:
| I amsterdam Card Validity | Price | Cost per day |
| 24 hours (1 day) | €60 | €60.00 |
| 48 hours (2 days) | €85 | €42.50 |
| 72 hours (3 days) | €100 | €33.33 |
| 96 hours (4 days) | €115 | €28.75 |
| 120 hours (5 days) | €125 | €25.00 |
- Widest choice of free museums in and around Amsterdam
- Free GVB Amsterdam transport
- Valid on a 24 hour basis (into the next calendar day)
- Digital card or physical card
- Additional discounts and freebies available
- Not valid for Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank House
- No reduced child rate
Order the I amsterdam City Card (digital) via Tiqets here
From the table you can see that the card becomes successively better value for the longer validity periods. The 1 day card will set you back €60 – in contrast, the difference between a 4 day and 5 day card is only €10.
You can purchase the I amsterdam City Card (digital version) online here
The digital card can be bought online. If you wish to have a physical card take your confirmation to I amsterdam store (IJ-side) at Amsterdam Central station who should be able to switch it over. They can also handle any other queries/issues about the card.
It is open 0900-1900 (Mon-Fri) and 0900-1800 (Sat-Sun)
Are there any discounts for purchasing the I amsterdam City Card for children, students or seniors 65+?
No there are no discount options available for the I amsterdam City Card for children, students and seniors.
Don’t forget that many museums in Amsterdam allow free entry to kids – this means the I amsterdam card is sometimes not worth purchasing for under 10s, depending on the museums you want to visit.
However, if you plan to visit attractions such as NEMO Science Museum and ARTIS Zoo (which both charge standard entry fees to young children) then getting the card could be worthwhile.
Which museums and attractions in and around Amsterdam offer free entry to I amsterdam City Card holders?
There are over 40 museums and 5 attractions in the city which give free entry to I amsterdam City Card holders. The card affords a single visit only – multiple visits are not permitted.
Here is the I amsterdam City card attractions list (with major attractions in bold) and for comparison the regular 2024 entry price:
| Attraction – free entry with I amsterdam City Card | Regular Entry Price |
| A’DAM Lookout | €16.50 |
| Allard Pierson Museum | €14.50 |
| Amsterdam Museum (@H’ART) | €18.00 |
| Amsterdam Pipe Museum (charges €2.50 supplement) | €15.00 |
| Amsterdam Tulip Museum | €5.00 |
| ARCAM Architecture Centre | €4.00 |
| ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo | €25.00 |
| ARTIS-Groote Museum | €17.50 |
| ARTIS-Micropia | €17.50 |
| Diamond Museum | €12.50 |
| Embassy of the Free Mind | €15.00 |
| EYE Film Museum exhibitions | €15.00 |
| Fashion For Good Museum | €10.00 |
| FOAM Photography Museum | €16.00 |
| Fun Forest (climbing park) | €28.95 |
| Grachtenmuseum Amsterdam (Museum of the Canals) | €16.50 |
| H’ART Museum | €22.50 |
| Hortus Botanicus (Botanical Gardens) | €13.50 |
| Houseboat Museum | €6.00 |
| Huis Marseille (Museum for Photography) | €12.50 |
| Jewish Cultural Quarter – Jewish Museum | €22.00 |
| Jewish Cultural Quarter – National Holocaust Museum | €22.00 |
| Jewish Cultural Quarter – Portuguese Synagogue | €22.00 |
| Luther Museum Amsterdam | €8.00 |
| MOCO Museum (Banksy & more) | €24.95 |
| Molen van Sloten (Sloten Windmill) | €8.00 |
| Multatuli Museum | €7.00 |
| Museum De Dageraad | €16.00 |
| Museum Het Schip | €6.00 |
| Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic museum) | €16.50 |
| Museum of the Mind – Outsider Art (@H’ART) | €17.50 |
| Museum Tot Zover (Funeral Museum) | €11.00 |
| Museum Van Loon | €15.00 |
| National Maritime Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) | €18.50 |
| NEMO Science Museum | €17.50 |
| NEMO The Studio | €7.50 |
| Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) | €22.50 |
| Oude Kerk (Old Church) | €13.50 |
| Pianola Museum | €9.00 |
| Rembrandt House Museum | €19.50 |
| Rijksmuseum | €22.50 |
| Stadsarchief (Amsterdam City Archives) | €10.00 |
| Stedelijk Museum – Modern Art & Design | €22.50 |
| This is Holland Flight Experience | €26.50 |
| Verzetsmuseum (Dutch Resistance Museum) | €16.00 |
| Wereldmuseum Amsterdam | €17.50 |
| Willet-Holthuysen House | €12.50 |
During special exhibitions at some major museums you may be asked to pay a small supplement.
Does the I amsterdam city card give free entry to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam?
No, unfortunately the card does not offer free or discounted entry to the Anne Frank House museum. If you wish to visit the Anne Frank House you must buy your tickets with a date/timeslot directly from the museum.
Does the I amsterdam city card give free entry to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam?
No. Since 1 June 2022 the I amsterdam City Card is no longer valid for free entry to the Van Gogh Museum. You would need to buy a separate ticket and book a timeslot to visit the museum.
Which other major museums in Amsterdam are NOT valid for free entry with the I amsterdam city card?
Please be aware that the I amsterdam City Card does not offer free entry to the Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis) and STRAAT Museum.
Does the I amsterdam City Card give free entry to museums outside Amsterdam?
The card is also valid for free entry at the following places:
| Attractions outside Amsterdam | Location |
| COBRA Modern Art Museum | Amstelveen |
| Zuiderzee Museum | Enkhuizen |
| Frans Hals Museum – Hof & Hal | Haarlem |
| Museum van de Geest | Dolhuys | Haarlem |
| Teylers Museum | Haarlem |
| Singer Laren Museum and Sculpture Garden | Laren |
| Batavialand | Lelystad |
| Amsterdam Muiderslot Castle | Muiden |
| Pampus Fort Island – UNESCO World Heritage site | Muiden |
| Dutch Fortress Museum | Naarden |
| Volendams Museum | Volendam |
| Czar Peter House | Zaandam |
| Zaan Time Museum | Zaanse Schans |
| Zaans Museum including Coopery + Weaver’s House | Zaanse Schans |
| Zaanse Schans Mill Museum including windmills | Zaanse Schans |
Note, the included GVB transport pass would only allow you to get to COBRA museum in Amstelveen.
All the other places listed above (except Enkhuizen) can be reached using the separate Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket
How does the I amsterdam City Card work?
For the digital version of the card you need to download the official I amsterdam City Card app for iPhone or Android. The app features an interactive map and gives a full up-to-date listing of locations available on the card.
You follow the instructions to add your card into the app. When you are then ready to use the card in Amsterdam you can simply activate it.
Via the app you can transfer cards to family/group members, though note you can only transfer a card once.
You scan the code when entering a museum/attraction or when checking-in and out of GVB public transport using the card readers.
The physical card is activated on first use – just present or scan your card on each visit. It is also used for checking-in and -out on GVB public transport.
Don’t forget – some museums/attractions require that you book a timeslot in advance online before you arrive. You can do this via the I amsterdam app or website.
What are the public transport benefits with an I amsterdam City Card?
The included transport chip card is valid for GVB public transport in the Amsterdam city area. GVB is the municipal transport company which runs Amsterdam trams, ferries, the Amsterdam metro and some buses.
The public transport ticket has the same time validity as the card – 24 to 120 hours which would normally cost between €9 and €33.
Please note, you cannot use the I amsterdam City card for travel on NS Dutch Railways or any regional buses. This means it is not valid on the airport train or airport bus 397, nor on EBS buses to Waterland and fishing villages.
It can be used on GVB bus 369 between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Sloterdijk station, although this journey is much longer than the train trip.
If you plan to travel around the Amsterdam region you may want to also consider purchasing the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket online here in addition.
With the I amsterdam City Card you also get a free ride on the Batavia Stad Shopping Shuttle bus.
What about bike rental with the I amsterdam City card?
You get a 24 hour free bike rental with one of the following outfits: A-Bikes, AmsterBike, MacBike or Yellow Bikes in Amsterdam or ‘Rent & Event’ at Volendam. This would normally cost around €15.
What canal cruises and boat trips are included with the I amsterdam City Card?
You get one complimentary canal cruise from either Amsterdam Boat Cruises, Blue Boat Company (City Canal Cruise), Stromma (100 Highlights Cruise), Amsterdam Circle Line or Lovers (Romantic boat tour). This standard ticket price would be €15-€20.
You can also choose instead to take a cruise at Smidtje Canal Cruises in Haarlem or a Windmill Cruise at Zaanse Schans.
You can also do the following free boat trips:
The Rederij Volendam-Marken Express ferry between Volendam and Marken; the Zaanferry Zaanse Schans which operates the Amsterdam-Zaandam-Zaanse Schans route.
What if I lose my I amsterdam City Card?
Unfortunately, if you lose the physical card you will not be able to get a free replacement. So take care of the card!
What other discounts do you get with the I amsterdam Card?
The card gives a 25% discount at a number of different attractions and activities:
Attractions:
Amsterdam Dungeon
Body Worlds: The Happiness Project
Fabrique des Lumières
Heineken Experience
Het Kattenkabinet (Cat Cabinet Museum)
House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience
Johan Cruijff ArenA Stadium Tour
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
Nxt Museum
Our House – Museum of Electronic Music Culture
Roller Dreams
Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience
STRAAT Museum (Street Art and Graffiti Museum)
The Upside Down Amsterdam
Shows:
Bimhuis – jazz
Boom Chicago – English language comedy shows
Dutch National Ballet & Opera
Muziekgebouw aan’t IJ – contemporary music concert hall
Transport:
Canal Motorboats rentals
Canal Tours Amsterdam Pedal Boats
MokumBoot (boat rental)
Stromma Cruises
Amsterdam Tourist Ferry to Pampus and Muiderslot Castle (April – October)
The Restaurant de Hoop op d’Swarte Walvis in Zaandam and Taverne De Visscher in Marken give a 25% discount.
Any other freebies?
A free Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour from Dam Square is included, run by outfit Whois Amsterdam.
The Amsterdam Do-It-Yourself foodie tour is included with the I amsterdam City card. This is a guide in pdf format which takes you to 6 shops and market stalls in the colourful De Pijp district. You can try a range of Dutch street food, food must be purchased but discounts for tour participants are offered.
You get a free liqueur or genever shot at De Drie Fleschjes;
Free entrance is granted to Holland Casino Amsterdam.
You can pick up a free walking tour brochure at VVV Harlem Tourist Information.
Finally, the card also comes with a free I amsterdam City Guide magazine which can be picked up at the I amsterdam store.
How can I maximise the use of the I amsterdam City Card?
Because of the current need to book some timeslots in advance, it is absolutely essential you make a plan of all the places you wish to visit with the card.
To maximise benefit of the I amsterdam card you will need to be efficient by doing as follows:
- Clustering visits of museums close to each other to avoid excessive travel. For example, Rijksmuseum, Diamond Museum, MOCO and Stedelijk museums all closely located on Museumplein. Artis Zoo, Verzetsmuseum, Hortus Botanical Gardens, the Jewish Cultural Quarter, Rembrandt House and the Maritime Museum are found in and around the Plantage district.
- Compare opening hours of museums and take advantage of ones with later opening hours. For example, MOCO (normally) stays open until 2100 Fri-Sun; FOAM until 2100 Thu-Fri; Huis Marseille until 2100 on Thursdays. Be aware that some museums are closed on Mondays.
- Break up a cluster of museums visits with a canal cruise or outdoor activity such as a visit to the Hortus Botanical Gardens or the A’DAM Lookout panorama deck.
- Get bonus extra hours by entering a large museum/attraction (such as the Rijksmuseum) just before the card actually expires – so always note your initial activation time carefully. It is the entry time that counts and you can stay in the museum as long as you like – even though the card will have just expired.
Rijksmuseum - During the validity period, focus your visits to attractions included on the I amsterdam card. If you wish to visit the Anne Frank House or Keukenhof flower gardens (both not included) then if possible do these after your card has expired, assuming you have available time.
Are there any other alternatives to the I amsterdam card?
The Go City: Amsterdam All Inclusive Pass is a 2, 3 or 5 day pass which offers free entry to over 25 attractions/tours in and around Amsterdam. See our Go City Amsterdam All Inclusive Pass review
This includes Heineken Experience, Rijksmuseum, A’DAM Lookout, MOCO Museum, Jewish Cultural Quarter and This is Holland. It also includes the Stromma 100 highlights cruise, a 1 hour pedal boat rental and bike rental.
The standard rates are €104 (2 days), €124 (3 days) and €169 (5 days) – though these are sometimes discounted further. You can book a Go City: Amsterdam All Inclusive Pass here
The Go City Pass has better coverage of attractions in Amsterdam and also gives you the option of taking some interesting tours.
Alternatively, the Go City: Amsterdam Explorer Pass allows you 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions to visit over a period of 60 days. Prices are €64 (3 attractions), €79 (4), €94 (5), €104 (6) and €134 (7). You can book a Go City: Amsterdam Explorer Pass here
One big difference to the I amsterdam City Card is that Go City offers reduced child (3-12) rates for its passes – although some of the Go City attractions are not suitable for kids.
You can use the passes on your phone via the Go City app or just show the pass code (phone or print out).
See our full side-by-side comparison: I amsterdam City Card vs Go City All Inclusive Amsterdam Pass
Go City’s Amsterdam All Inclusive Passes and Amsterdam Explorer Passes do not include the public transport component, although you could easily combine this separately by purchasing unlimited Amsterdam GVB travel passes (1-7 days).
What about the Dutch Museumkaart?
The Museumkaart (Netherlands Museum Pass) costs €75 (€39 for children 0-18) which allows unlimited free entry into over 500 museums in the Netherlands for 12 months.
However, if you live outside of the Netherlands then buying a full Museumkaart can be a bit challenging. It can only be purchased online if you have a Dutch address and use Dutch internet banking.
There is the option of the temporary Museumkaart bought over-the-counter at certain museums for the price mentioned. However this is only valid for 31 days and offers only 5 museum visits including the one where you purchase the card.
After that the card stops working and must be registered online for the full version – which is only be sent by post to a EU/UK address.
Verdict: Is the I amsterdam City Card worth it?
The I amsterdam City Card is not particularly cheap at first glance. However, considering entry to major museums and attractions in Amsterdam can now run at €15-25 each time, you can certainly make some savings on a card purchase with a well-planned and executed itinerary.
The major benefit of the card has always been the convenience of an all-in-one transport and museum/attraction pass – with a few freebies and discounts thrown in.
Having to pre-book timeslots these days is a bit of a hassle and may take some spontaneity out of your visit. Even without a card you would still have to pre-book many visits anyhow.
The loss of the Van Gogh Museum has also slightly devalued the card.
For residents/expats and frequent visitors we would probably recommend the Museumkaart as it is valid for the whole year.
For others (especially first-time visitors) we would certainly recommend the I amsterdam City Card.
Let’s consider the best value 120 hour (5 day) card which costs €125 (€25 per day). If we take away the public transport 5 day ticket price component (€33), a canal cruise (€16) and bike rental (€15) the card would effectively cost €61 which is a shade over €12 per day.
With 2-3 museum/attraction visits per day you could easily recoup the value of the I amsterdam City Card and save money.
In addition, the I Amsterdam card also gives you the opportunity to experience a broad array of Amsterdam cultural activities and create some interesting itineraries.
You can buy the I amsterdam City Card digital card online here
Last update 26 March 2024. This article was originally published in 2008 and has been regularly updated.
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