If you’re in Amsterdam and looking to maximize your travel spending, consider purchasing the I amsterdam City Card. The card offers free admission to most museums and attractions in Amsterdam with a few notable exceptions being Anne Frank House (not covered by the card) and House of Bols (25% discount on tour price). With most places charging 9.00€ or more for admission, the savings can be considerable, especially if you’ll be in Amsterdam for at least 48 hours and plan to visit as many sites as you can.
We’ve found that when we pay the full cost for entrance to museums with a steep admission price, we feel the need to spend a huge chunk of time there to get our money’s worth. But, with the I amsterdam City Card, it’s possible to see a number of places, spending as much or as little time as you like in each, and not feel like you’re wasting money. And, an added benefit, depending on the museum or attraction, is that cardholders can sometimes skip the line to get in.
To get an idea of the savings you might enjoy, here’s a sample agenda for 2 days in Amsterdam:
Day 1: Price of Admission (euros)
Houseboat Museum 4.50
Amsterdam Museum 13.50
Het Grachtenhuis Museum 12.00
Bijbels Museum/The Cromhouthuizen 10.00
Van Gogh Museum 18.00
Stedelijk Museum 17.50
Day 2:
Scheepvaartmuseum 16.00
Het Rembrandthuis 13.00
Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder 11.00
Willet-Holthuysen Museum 10.00
Museum van Loon 9.00
Museum Geelvinck-Hinlopen Huis 9.00
Total Cost of Admission 143.50
Cost of 2-day I amsterdam City Card 74.00
Savings 69.50€
Some of the major museums and attractions offering cardholders FREE admission include:
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Amsterdam Museum
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Het Rijksmuseum
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Bijbelsmuseum / The Cromhouthuizen
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De Nieuwe Kerk
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De Oude Kerk
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Het Grachtenhuis (Museum of the Canals)
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Het Scheepvaartmuseum
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Houseboat Museum
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Museum het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House Museum)
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Museum Geelvinck-Hinlopen Huis
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Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder (Our Lord in the Attic)
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Museum van Loon
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Museum Willet-Holthuysen
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Stedelijk Museum
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Van Gogh Museum
And some offering discounts include:
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Heineken Experience: 25% off regular admission price
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House of Bols: 25% off tours
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Pancakes! Amsterdam: 25% off the breakfast menu (until 13:00)
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Restaurant Da Portara Via: 25% off a regular pizza
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Wagamama: 25% off the entire bill
The I amsterdam City Card also offers one FREE canal cruise per cardholder and FREE public transport for unlimited use of Amsterdam’s GVB public transit system (within your selected time of 24, 48, or 72 hours.) Not valid on Connexxion, EBS, or RET.
The card can be purchased online via the iamsterdam.com website and at various locations throughout Amsterdam, including the Tourist Offices at Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Centraal Station.
How much does it cost:
I amsterdam City Card for 24 hours = 59€
I amsterdam City Card for 48 hours = 74€
I amsterdam City Card for 72 hours = 87€
To use the card, just present it at the ticket counter at participating museums and attractions, or use it to ‘check in’/’check out’ at the card readers of GVB public transit (buses, trams, metro). The museums and attractions option on the card is activated with the first use at a museum or attraction and the transportation element is activated with the first use on GVB public transit. To find out more about what’s included with your I amsterdam City Card and any changes or updates that may apply, be sure to check the iamsterdam website.
Summary
Reviewer
Mike Young
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Reviewed Item
I amsterdam City Card
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