Amsterdam is synonymous with many things:
Picturesque streets, canal cruises, quaint buildings, vintage windmills, museums, and bicycle tours.
This city welcomes its visitors with open arms to soak in its culture.
Taking part in all of these can lighten up your wallet, but don’t you worry!
We have something that will keep your wallet fat and still satiate the wanderer in you.
You get free entry to museums and discounts at concerts and restaurants with an I Amsterdam city card.
Enjoy the city’s waterways with a free canal cruise and its streets with a bicycle tour.
Want to know more? Here’s everything you need to know about the I Amsterdam city card.
What is I Amsterdam Card?
The I Amsterdam city card is Amsterdam’s official city card since 1966.
It allows you to explore the city at an affordable price.
Instead of paying for multiple tours, attractions and museums individually, you can buy an I Amsterdam pass and enjoy all of them at a fixed price.
Your city card offers free entry to over 70 museums and attractions, unlimited use of Amsterdam’s public transportation, and canal cruises.
You will also get discounts on other sites and enjoy Amsterdam to the fullest.
What attractions does it cover?
Your I Amsterdam city card has multiple options depending on the duration.
There are 24-hour, 48-hour,72-hour, 92-hour, and 120-hour cards for your convenience.
Here are some of the attractions your I Amsterdam card covers:
Museums and attractions.
Your I Amsterdam card has a treasure trove of unique museums that you can check out
| Allard Pierson, Collections from the University of Amsterdam | Amsterdam Museum |
| Amsterdam Castle, Muiderslot | Amsterdam Pipe Museum |
| Rijksmuseum | ARTIS Micropia |
| Hermitage Amsterdam | Frans Haals Museum |
| Nemo Science Museum | Amsterdam Museum |
| National Maritime Museum | Rembrandt House Museum |
| Foam | Eye Film Museum |
| Willet-Holthuysen Museum | Hortus Botanicus |
| Geelvinck Pianola Museum | Amsterdam City Archives |
| Amsterdam city Museum | Houseboat Museum |
Your I Amsterdam card doesn’t provide entry to the Van Gogh Museum.
Click here to buy tickets to the Van Gogh Museum.
These are just a few to mention; depending upon your duration, you get to see more!
However, don’t think that your Amsterdam tour covers museums only.
Here are some added attractions too!
| A’DAM lookout |
| ARTIS Amsterdam Royal zoo |
| Amsterdam Do-it yourself foodie tour |
| Amsterdam Fortress Island Pampus |
| Fun forest |
| Windmills at De Bonte Hen, De Kat, De Schoolmeester. |
Besides these, you get discounted entry at the Amsterdam Icebar, Madame Tussauds, Fabrique des Lumieres and other exciting places.
While your I Amsterdam City card may give you free access to many museums, you may have to pay extra to visit special exhibitions in museums.
Free Public Transportation
Wondering whether visiting so many locations would cost you big on transport? Worry not!
Your I Amsterdam Pass allows you to make the best of Amsterdam’s public transportation for free!
Travel to your attractions on any GVB ( blue and white) bus, tram, or metro.
However, there are certain things you should remember:
Trams and metros in Amsterdam generally stop running after 12.30 am.
Your I Amsterdam city card doesn’t provide access to NS trains.
It also doesn’t cover public transport in Haarlem, Zanse Schaans, Volendam, Marken, Muiden, and Enkhuizen.
To avail public transport in these regions, buy the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket!
But that’s not all, here are some other things to do in Amsterdam with your I Amsterdam Pass:
Take a Free Ferry
Apart from GVB buses and trams, you also use GVB’s free ferries across Amsterdam’s waterways.
Some service routes are
| Roderij Volendam Marken ferry |
| Amsterdam to Zanse Schaans free ferry |
| Amsterdam Central Station to Buiksloterweg |
| Zamenhof Straat to Azartplein |
| IJplein to Amsterdam Central Station |
| Pontseiger to NDSM |
| Hempontplein to Zaandam |
Rent a Bicycle!
Want a more active way to tour Amsterdam and visit its surrounding locations? We’d suggest renting a bicycle!
Your Amsterdam pass allows you to rent a bike for a full day.
Many of your attractions are close by, and you’ll find dedicated cycle lanes throughout the city.
Canal Cruise in Amsterdam
Now, here’s a romantic way to explore Amsterdam!
If you are a couple and want a romantic getaway, boarding a canal cruise in Amsterdam is one of the best things to do.
And fortunately, you don’t have to pay extra while boarding one.
With an I Amsterdam Pass, you can freely board an Amsterdam canal cruise.
Pick one free cruise in each city, and you are good to go!
Here is a table of canal cruises in Amsterdam:
| Canal Cruises | Departure locations |
|---|---|
| Amsterdam Circle Line BV | Anne Frank House, Prinsengracht 261 |
| Blue Boat Company | 1. Stadhouderskade 501, opposite Hard Rock Cafe 2. Stadhouserskade 550, opposite Heineken Experience |
| Lovers Canal Cruises | 1 Prince Hendrikkade 25, opposite Central Station. 2. Leidsekade 97, opposite Hotel American. 3. Leliegracht 51, next to Anne Frank House |
| Stromma | Stromma Central Station Bridge-Prins Hendrikkade 37Stromma Damrak pier 5- Damrak pier 5Stromma Rijksmuseum-Stadehouderskade 520 |
Each city’s opening hours, departure times, and boarding locations are subject to city conditions. Please check the websites of canal cruise companies for any recent information.
What other benefits do I get?
You save a lot of money!
If you are to pay for more than 70 sites individually, it’ll cost you a fortune!
For example, here are the prices of entry tickets to a few locations in Amsterdam:
| Attractions | Prices of tickets |
|---|---|
| Rijksmuseum | €21 |
| ARTIS Royal zoo | €25 |
| Micropia | €18 |
Together, these four sites can cost you €64 alone!
However, with an I Amsterdam card, you can see most attractions at one price, thus saving a lot of money.
Also, its free transportation feature is a big money saver.
Discounts on dinner and lunch
Apart from attractions, transport, and canal cruises, your I Amsterdam city card also has concessions on a wide range of eateries.
Some of these are:
| Restaurants | Address | Discounts |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant-Cafe in De Waag | Nieuwmarkt 4, 1012 CR Amsterdam, Netherlands | 25% discount on lunch ( excluding drinks) |
| Blue Amsterdam | Winkelcentrum Kalverpassage, Singel 457,1012 WP Amsterdam, Netherlands | 25% discount on lunch (excluding drinks) |
| PANCAKES Amsterdam | Berenstraat 38, 1016, GH Amsterdam, Netherlands | 25% discount on breakfast (served until 1:00 pm) |
| Restaurant De Hoop | Kalveringdijk 15, 1509 BT, Zaandam, Netherlands | 25% discount on lunch (excluding drinks) |
These are only a few; more options are awaiting you in Amsterdam!
So what are you waiting for?
Book an I Amsterdam Pass without delay!
Whom is the card good for?
Active Travellers/ Planned Packers
If you are an active traveler who wants to see multiple attractions in a limited number of days, this pass is the best way to get around Amsterdam.
Its free transportation feature and various options allow you to plan your itinerary in the city effortlessly.
All you have to do is to prepare the number of days you want to stay in Amsterdam.
Add as many sites as you want to see during that time and buy a card accordingly.
Families and small groups
Families and friends wishing for a budget-friendly travel destination and a good holiday can benefit from this card.
If you are staying in Amsterdam for multiple days, this card is a budget-friendly option as it covers your daily costs.
You can take your children to different locations for free!
You can only buy 10 I Amsterdam passes per booking.
Hence, this pass doesn’t meet your requirements if you are in a large group.
But don’t worry, we have another card for you!
How much does the I Amsterdam Pass cost?
As said before, the I Amsterdam card comes with multiple options depending on your duration.
There are five kinds of tickets:
| Card Option | Ticket Price (€) |
|---|---|
| City Card 24-hours | €65 |
| City Card 48-hours | €90 |
| City Card 72-hours | €110 |
| City Card 96-hours | €125 |
| City Card, 120-hours | €135 |
Your Amsterdam pass provides free access to adult visitors and minors aged 12 years and older.
Younger children either have free access to the sites or receive discount tickets on transport.
How to choose your best option?
Your best choice depends upon your duration of stay in Amsterdam.
If you leave Amsterdam before the period of your pass, you will not avail of its benefits.
Hence, we suggest you buy a card whose period you can use fully.
Where can I buy the I Amsterdam Card?
Your I Amsterdam Card is available for purchase online.
You have to pick the number of tickets you want to buy.
How to use the pass
You can activate your card when you use it first.
For example, if you choose a card with 48-hours validity, it will run out 48 hours after activation.
When visiting a museum or a site, don’t forget to show your card at the ticket counter.
You can use your card only once at every location.
You can board only one canal cruise in each city.
Choose any boarding area, and show your card at the counter.
You can access GVB trams and buses by checking in and out with your card during every journey.
Final Thoughts
Is the I Amsterdam City card worth it? Yes!
This card allows you to make the most of Amsterdam and is as flexible as your itinerary.
It also allows you to save big during your stay in the city.
And that is why these passes are in high demand and tend to sell off quickly!
Hence don’t delay and buy the pass before giving your loved ones a trip to remember!
Featured Image: iamsterdam.com