The Amsterdam Pass includes admission to the most popular sights, museums and attractions in Amsterdam. In this article, we’ll give you a full review of how to save in Amsterdam and whether the card is a good choice for you.
Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in Europe. But it is also one of the most expensive. Admission to many sights and attractions is around 20 €. You can calculate the entrance fee from the article about Amsterdam.
One way to save money in Amsterdam is with a tourist card. Amsterdam has two basic ones, and today we’ll take a closer look at them.
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON SIGHTSEEING IN AMSTERDAM?
AMSTERDAM PASS OR AMSTERDAM EXPLORER PASS
Amsterdam Pass is a tourist card that has been designed in collaboration with Amsterdam’s sights, museums and attractions, so you can save on admission fees or make it easier to discover and travel to your favourite Amsterdam spots.
Amsterdam Pass is offered in two versions so that everyone can choose according to their budget and needs:
- Amsterdam Pass (or Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass) is based on purchasing the period of time you will use the discounted card – you can choose between 2, 3 or 5 days.
- With Amsterdam Explorer Pass you choose how many attractions you want to visit – 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions in total 30+ attractions. You have 60 days from activation to visit the selected sites, so you are not limited by time.
We will now discuss both cards in more detail.
AMSTERDAM PASS (AMSTERDAM ALL-INCLUSIVE PASS)
Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass is a contactless card that gives you free entry to more than 30 sights, museums and attractions in Amsterdam for a pre-selected number of days.
What are the benefits of Go Amsterdam Pass?
Included are top attractions such as the Rijksmuseum, Moco Museum, Madame Tussauds Museum, Heineken Experience, 5D attraction This is Holland, A’DAM viewpoint, a trip to Rotterdam, The Hague and Delft including a boat trip, a visit to Zaanse Schans windmills or Keukenhof Tulip Fields (only in spring when the tulips are in bloom).
Sightseeing cruise through the canals around the most beautiful places in Amsterdam. The cruise also includes an audio guide in 19 languages – English, German, Spanish, for example.
Free bike rental for the whole day.
The card is valid for 2, 3 or 5 days, so you can buy as many days as you need depending on the length of your stay.
You have 2 years to activate your card, so if you plan to visit Amsterdam in the next few months, it’s worth getting your card as soon as possible. The price of admission to the various sights is continuously increasing and the price of tourist cards must also increase.
Free cancellation within 90 days. If you change your mind within 3 months, you will be refunded without giving a reason.
How does the Amsterdam Pass work?
You buy an Amsterdam Pass for a selected number of days, so you can schedule which attractions you want to visit and when. The card is available for 2, 3 or 5 days.
Valid for calendar days, i.e. you need to think in advance whether it’s worth activating your card late in the afternoon or in the morning. Regardless of whether you activate your card at 9:00 am or 4:00 pm, it counts as 1 day.
After you purchase your card, you will receive an email confirmation and a link to download the Go City app. You download the app, enter your order number and you’re ready to go.
If you prefer a paper version, you can print the Amsterdam Pass from the confirmation email.
You can then activate the card by scanning the QR code on your phone when you enter the first attraction (or by scanning the paper version).
What museums and attractions are included in the Amsterdam Pass?
The Amsterdam Pass includes access to more than 25 venues, attractions and excursions in and around Amsterdam:
- Rijskmuseum (23,50 €)
- Heineken Experience (21 €)
- Canal cruise (19,50 €)
- Keukenhof Tulip Fields including transport and skip-the-line (39 €; only in spring when the tulips are in bloom)
- Excursion to Rotterdam, The Hague and Delft including a boat trip (105 €)
- Bike rental for the whole day (14,75 €)
- A´DAM Lookout lookout (14,50 €)
- Museum Moco (23 €)
- Stedelijk Museum (22,50 €)
- 5D attraction This is Holland (23,01 €)
- AMAZE Amsterdam (26,95 €)
- Muiderslot Castle (15,50 €)
- Ferry on a historic boat to Muiderslot Fortress (13,50 €)
- Windmills Zaanse Schans including shipping (42,50 €)
- Trip to the Dutch villages of Volendam, Edam and the windmills (44,50 €)
- …and many more (A complete list of attractions can be found here)
Please note: Reservations are required for some attractions – specific information can always be found at the location (especially for tours or ferries). Here is a link to the booking page.
What is the price of the Amsterdam Pass?
Prices for the Amsterdam Pass vary depending on how many days you buy the card for – there are 2, 3 or 5 day passes available.
The prices are as follows:
Are there limits on the card?
Yes, but in truth you don’t get a chance to use them all. The limits correspond to the amount of admission you would normally pay without the card. They are so high that even when running around the sights from morning to evening you can’t exceed them.
- 2 days: adult 510 max. credit / child 390 max. credit
- 3 days: adult 615 max. credit / child 490 max. credit
- 5 days: adult 810 max. credit / child 615 max. credit
Let’s give an example to get a better idea of how limits work. You can buy an Amsterdam Pass for 2 days for 94 € and have 510 credits available (see above). You’ll want to visit the Rijskmuseum, the Moco Museum just down the road, take a canal tour and learn more of Holland’s history in the great 5D simulation This is Holland. Finish the day with a view of Amsterdam in the evening from the A’DAM Lookout.
The next day take a trip to the Dutch villages of Volendam and Edam to see the windmills. You have used a total of 148 credits and you can still visit attractions for 362 credits on these 2 days. In addition, you saved 54 € on the entrance fee.
How much will I save?
We’ll use a real-life example to show you if the card is worth it. At least 3 days are ideal to better explore Amsterdam. The itinerary could look something like this:
- day in Amsterdam: canal cruise 19,50 €, Rijskmuseum 23,50 €, Heineken Experience 23 €
- day in Amsterdam: bike rental 16,50 €, A´DAM Lookout 14,50 €, 5D This is Holland 23 €, Moco Museum 23 €
- day: trip to the Zaanse Schans windmills and the Dutch countryside including transport 43 €
For 3 days you would have paid a total of 186 € without the card. The Amsterdam Pass costs 125 € for 3 days, i.e. in this case you would save 61 €.
You can buy the card online through the official website of the retailer. After purchase, you will receive a confirmation email with full instructions.
AMSTERDAM EXPLORER PASS
With Amsterdam Explorer Pass you buy the number of attractions you plan to visit and experience in Amsterdam.
What are the benefits of Go Amsterdam Explorer Pass?
Free entry to 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions out of a total of 30+ attractions and experiences in and around Amsterdam. Amsterdam Explorer Pass includes entry to the Rijskmuseum, Moco or Stedeljik, a guided trip to the Keukenhof, pedal boat hire, This is Holland, A’DAM Lookout or a trip to the windmills and the Dutch countryside.
Sightseeing cruise through the canals around the most beautiful places in Amsterdam. The cruise also includes an audio guide in 19 languages – English, German, Spanish, for example.
Free bike rental for the whole day.
The card is activated by entering the first attraction and is valid for the next 60 days, so you are not limited by time.
Free cancellation within 90 days, so they will refund your money within 3 months without giving any reason.
You have 2 years to activate the Amsterdam Explorer Pass, so you can enjoy Amsterdam for 2 years at current prices.
How does the Amsterdam Explorer Pass work?
You choose which attractions you want to visit and accordingly
choose the Amsterdam Explorer Pass. Choose from 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions from a package of over 30+ attractions, tours and points of interest in the city. Amsterdam Pass and Amsterdam Explorer Pass can only be booked online. This is an advantage because you can have your card paid for in no time with a confirmation in your email.
You can then download the Go City app together with the Amsterdam Explorer Pass. You can also print a paper copy. You don’t have to go anywhere anymore.
The Amsterdam Explorer Pass is activated by presenting it at the gate of the first attraction. You scan it, and hurry in.
What museums and attractions are included in the Amsterdam Explorer Pass?
The Amsterdam Explorer Pass includes entry to more than 30 sites, attractions and excursions in and around Amsterdam:
- Rijskmuseum (23,50 €)
- Heineken Experience (21 €)
- Canal cruise (19,50 €)
- Keukenhof Tulip Fields including transport and skip-the-line (39 €; only in spring when the tulips are in bloom)
- Excursion to Rotterdam, The Hague and Delft including a boat trip (105 €)
- Bike rental for the whole day (14,75 €)
- A´DAM Lookout lookout (14,50 €)
- Museum Moco (23 €)
- Stedelijk Museum (22,50 €)
- 5D attraction This is Holland (23,01 €)
- AMAZE Amsterdam (26,95 €)
- Muiderslot Castle (15,50 €)
- Ferry on a historic boat to Muiderslot Fortress (13,50 €)
- Windmills Zaanse Schans including shipping (42,50 €)
- Trip to the Dutch villages of Volendam, Edam and the windmills (44,50 €)
- …and many more (A complete list of attractions can be found here)
What is the price of Amsterdam Explorer Pass?
Prices for the Amsterdam Explorer Pass vary depending on how many attractions you choose – there are 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions on offer, which you have 60 days to visit.
The prices are as follows:
Is the card worth it?
The more places you plan to visit, the more the card pays for itself. This is also true if you plan to visit more expensive attractions such as the Rijskmuseum, Moco Museum, This is Holland or take a tour of the surrounding area.
Alternatives: I am Amsterdam City Card
Amsterdam City Card is the official tourist card, ideal for those who plan to make the most of their visit to Amsterdam.
The main advantage is access to more than 70 museums and attractions in the city – free entry to the Rijskmuseum, canal cruises, the ARTIS zoo, the MOCO or Stedeljik museums, NEMO, Rembrandt House or This is Holland. It does not include A’DAM Lookout, Anne Frank Huis and Van Gogh Museum.
The card gives you unlimited transport within Amsterdam (metro, buses, trams, ferries). You can also rent a bike for free for 24 hours.
What is the price of the Amsterdam City Card?
Is the Amsterdam City Card worth it?
It depends on what you plan to visit. To get the most out of your card, it’s a good idea to plan your paid attractions near you.
To give you an idea, here’s the itinerary for day 1: In the morning you’ll go to the Rijksmuseum (23,50 €), then enjoy a boat cruise (16 €), after the boat cruise you’ll visit the MOCO museum (22,95 €) and finish the day with the fun attraction This is Holland (23 €), in which you’ll take a helicopter ride over the tulip fields. Also included will be unlimited transport for 1 day in Amsterdam (9 €).
In total, you would pay 94,45 € without the card in this case, i.e. you save 34,95 €.
Where to buy Amsterdam City Card?
Simply buy your card online and then downloaded to your phone via the app. A detailed description is explained at the link. At the entrance to the attraction or when boarding public transport, all you have to do is scan the card from the app.
Best booking resources for visiting Amsterdam
Via Booking.com we search for all accommodation. It is the largest accommodation portal in the world and you will find everything from modern hotels, cosy guesthouses to seaside villas.
Get Your Guide is a huge booking system for buying tickets, guided tours and all sorts of activities. In one place you can read other travellers’ experiences and book tickets to the Vatican Museums, a cruise on the Danube or a desert safari in Dubai.
This was our review and comparison of tourist cards in Amsterdam. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM ITINERARY: We’ve put together a bucket list on things to do in Amsterdam (detailed overview of entrance fees, opening times, photos and maps, transport, accommodation, prices and other tips).
Plan your trip with our 3-day itinerary for Amsterdam. Do you have less time? Here is the itinerary for 1 day in Amsterdam.
In this article, we share tips on things to do in Amsterdam with children.
These are the best hotels in Amsterdam for every budget. Find out about Schiphol Airport and how to get from the airport to the city centre. Here is a detailed guide to transport in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Pass FAQ: How to save in Amsterdam
You simply purchase the card online and then download it via the app or print it from the confirmation email. When you enter, just scan the code from your card or QR code from your mobile phone.
The tourist card includes the most famous places in Amsterdam, such as the Rijskmuseum, the Moco Museum and the Heineken Experience. You can also choose from several excursions in the surroundings, such as the Dutch mills of Zaanse Schans or the Keukenhof Tulip Fields.
The price varies depending on how many days you plan to visit Amsterdam. Read more about the price of Amsterdam Pass.
