Is the I amsterdam City Card Worth It? An Honest Verdict and How to Get the Most Out of It
Is it worth it?
- Worth itYes if you'll ride trams and visit the Rijksmuseum, A'DAM Lookout, a canal cruise and a few more museums in 2-3 days.
- Skip itNo for the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House or Royal Palace. None is accepted.
- Skip itNo if you'll walk or cycle everywhere. Transport is a big part of the value.
- 24-120 hours
- Trams, buses, metro
- Rijksmuseum + canal cruise
What is The I amsterdam City Card?
The I amsterdam City Card is Amsterdam's official card: unlimited trams, buses and metro, free entry to 70+ museums and attractions and a canal cruise, for 24 to 120 hours.
In Amsterdam it's the only pass with trams and the metro, which matters if you're staying outside the canal ring.
Realistic for museum days with tram travel; much less so if you cycle everywhere.
- Length
- 24-120 hours
- Transport
- Trams, buses, metro
- Rijksmuseum
- Free with a slot
- Van Gogh Museum
- Not accepted
How to get the most value out of The I amsterdam City Card
The Rijksmuseum and A'DAM Lookout alone are €41.50, so a day of museums plus trams usually covers it.
| Don't | Do this instead |
|---|---|
| Turn up at the Rijksmuseum without a slot | City Card holders go free but still need a booked time slot. |
| Plan the Royal Palace on the card | It isn't accepted (about €13.50 directly). |
| Skip the A'DAM Lookout | It's free with the card (€16.50 directly) and needs no time slot. |
| Turn up at the Rijksmuseum without a slot | Card holders go free but need a booked time slot. |
| Ride trams in the canal ring rush hour | Trams through the centre are packed 8-9 am and 5-6 pm; walk short hops. |
| Head to the Rijksmuseum without checking how busy it is | Check the Rijksmuseum's live crowd level on beatthecrowd.co first. If it's busy, do another Amsterdam sight on your pass and come back later. |
Before you set off for the Rijksmuseum, check how busy it is right now on beatthecrowd.co. An hour in a queue is an hour of your pass gone.
Check live crowds in Amsterdam →Who The I amsterdam City Card is for
Good fit
- 2-3 day visitors using trams
- The Rijksmuseum, A'DAM Lookout and a canal cruise are on your list
- You like museums
Skip it if
- Your must-sees are the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House
- You'll cycle or walk everywhere
- 24-120 hours
- Trams, buses, metro
- Rijksmuseum + canal cruise
What the pass covers
The card covers 70+ museums and attractions, a canal cruise and public transport.
- Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House and the Royal Palace aren't accepted. Book the first two directly; both sell out.
- Trains, including from Schiphol, aren't included.
The big sights
- RijksmuseumBook a slot€25 directly; book a free slot.
- A'DAM LookoutIncluded€16.50 directly; no slot needed.
- Canal cruiseIncludedI amsterdam's own cruise ticket is €17 for adults.
- Van Gogh MuseumNot included€25 directly.
- Anne Frank HouseNot included€16.50 directly.
- Royal PalaceNot includedAbout €13.50 directly.
- 24-120 hours
- Trams, buses, metro
- Rijksmuseum + canal cruise
Pass vs individual tickets
The Rijksmuseum (€25), A'DAM Lookout (€16.50) and I amsterdam's own canal cruise (€17) come to €58.50, against €67 for 24 hours. A day of trams closes most of the gap; one more museum and the card pays off.
What the card covers, priced directly
| Attraction | Adult ticket bought separately |
|---|---|
| Rijksmuseum | €25 |
| A'DAM Lookout | €16.50 online |
| I amsterdam canal cruise | €17 |
| Total separately | €58.50 + trams |
| I amsterdam City Card, 24 hours | €67 |
- 24-120 hours
- Trams, buses, metro
- Rijksmuseum + canal cruise
Fine print
- Activation
- Starts at first use.
- Transport
- Trams, buses and metro. Not trains or the airport train.
- Reservations
- Many museums, including the Rijksmuseum, need a booked slot.
- Refunds
- Cancel through I amsterdam's form for a refund only if the card hasn't been activated; once activated, it can't be cancelled. Unactivated cards stay valid for a year from purchase.
Is it safe? Where people lose money
- Reassuring: The I amsterdam City Card is the city's official card, from Amsterdam's tourist board.
- Reassuring: Refunds: Cancel through I amsterdam's form for a refund only if the card hasn't been activated; once activated, it can't be cancelled. Unactivated cards stay valid for a year from purchase.
- Watch out: No Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House or Royal Palace.
- Watch out: Check in and out on every tram ride.
Where people lose money
| Don't | Do this instead |
|---|---|
| Plan the Royal Palace on the card | It isn't accepted (about €13.50). |
| Use it for the Schiphol train | Trains aren't covered; buy that ticket separately. |
| Queue at the Rijksmuseum at peak time | Check beatthecrowd.co for the Rijksmuseum's quiet hours before you go. |
Queuing is the easiest way to lose value in Amsterdam. Check which sights are quiet right now on beatthecrowd.co, starting with the Rijksmuseum.
Check live crowds in Amsterdam →- 24-120 hours
- Trams, buses, metro
- Rijksmuseum + canal cruise
Alternatives
Planning your order and avoiding queues is the simplest way to get full value: see how busy Amsterdam’s attractions are right now →
- 24-120 hours
- Trams, buses, metro
- Rijksmuseum + canal cruise
FAQs
Is the I amsterdam City Card worth it?
+
Yes if you'll use trams and visit the Rijksmuseum (€25), A'DAM Lookout (€16.50), a canal cruise and a few more museums within the card's hours.
Does it include the Van Gogh Museum?
+
No. The Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House and Royal Palace aren't accepted.
Do I still need to book the Rijksmuseum?
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Yes, a free time slot.
Does it include the train from Schiphol?
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No, trains aren't included.