With world-famous museums and remarkable attractions, Amsterdam attracts over 19 million visitors every year. The high demand for Amsterdam’s attractions often means long queues and high ticket prices.
To make sightseeing faster and more affordable, Amsterdam has introduced the I amsterdam City Card. This sightseeing card gives free entry to many of Amsterdam’s best attractions, unlimited public transportation and several additional benefits.
But what exactly is included, what is not, and is the I amsterdam City Card really worth it? In this article, we’ll walk you through all the advantages and limitations of Amsterdam’s city card and show you how to save the most money.
Contents
What is The I amsterdam City Card?
The I amsterdam City Card is a sightseeing pass that includes free entry to a wide range of museums and attractions, unlimited public transportation and discounts on certain activities. Its main goal is to help visitors save time and money while exploring the city.
The main benefits of the I amsterdam City Card are:
- Avoid queuing: With the I amsterdam City Card, you don’t need to queue for museum tickets. Some attractions may still require you to reserve a date or time slot online, but many only ask you to show your card at the entrance for direct access.
- Save on entry fees: Tickets to Amsterdam’s museums and top attractions cost an average of €20. Paying this for every attraction quickly adds up. The I amsterdam City Card offers free access to over 70 museums and attractions. In addition, several other attractions are available at a 25% discount, which can still lead to significant savings.
- Easy transportation: The card includes unlimited use of Amsterdam’s public transportation network. You can use any GVB bus, tram or metro, making it easy to get around the city without worrying about buying separate transport tickets.
What’s included in the I amsterdam City Card?
The City Card covers over 70 attractions in and around Amsterdam, as well as additional discounts and special offers. It includes most of the sights that first-time visitors want to see. However, there are also a few important exclusions that you should be aware of.
Included in the I Amsterdam Card
- Free entry to 70+ attractions in Amsterdam and surrounding areas, including many of Amsterdam’s best museums
- Unlimited public transport within Amsterdam; metro, tram, bus and ferries (GVB network) for the card’s duration
- One free canal cruise
- One 24h bike rental
- Free entry to several attractions in the greater area, among others in Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Haarlem, Muiden and Enkhuizen
- Discounts and special offers at certain rides, tours, restaurants or shops
NOT Included in the I Amsterdam Card
- Van Gogh museum and Anne Frank House.
- National public transportation. NS trains (national trains) connecting Amsterdam with other cities.
- Public transportation (buses, trams, trains) beyond the GVB network. GVB is only in Amsterdam. Although there are some attractions you can visit in places like Zaanse Schans or Haarlem, the use of local public transportation (outside GVB) is not included.
Plans & Pricing
The price of the I amsterdam City Card depends on its validity period. Prices start at €65 for a 24-hour card. If you’re staying in Amsterdam for several days, you can purchase a multi-day pass. The longer the validity, the more you typically save.
You can buy the card online before your trip. It’s automatically activated the first time it’s scanned at an attraction or on public transport. From that moment, the card is valid for the number of hours you selected.
| I Amsterdam City Card | Price (incl. tax) |
| 24 hours (1 day) | €65 |
| 48 hours (2 days) | €90 |
| 72 hours (3 days) | €110 |
| 96 hours (4 days) | €125 |
| 120 hours (5 days) | €135 |
Is the I amsterdam City Card Worth It?
Now that you know what the I amsterdam City Card includes, let’s look at whether it’s worth the price. For this example, we use a 48-hour pass (€90 per person) and some of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions.
To keep things simple, the calculation below is based on one person. If you’re traveling as a couple or in a group, you can easily multiply the savings by the number of people.
| Attraction | Price with I Amsterdam Card | Regular Price (as of January 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| I Amsterdam City Card (2 Days) | €90 | |
| Day 1: | ||
| Amsterdam Canal Cruise | Free | €19 |
| Rijksmuseum | Free | €25 |
| NEMO Science Museum | Free | €21.50 |
| Van Gogh Museum | €25 | €25 |
| Use of public transportation (GVB one-day ticket) | Free | €10 |
| Day 2: | ||
| A’DAM Lookout | Free | €20 |
| This is Holland (5D Flight Experience) | Free | €25 |
| Madame Tussauds | Free | €25 |
| Bike rental | Free | €14.50 |
| Total amount spent / person: | €115 | €185 |
Based on this sample calculation, you’ll save over €70 euros per person when using the I amsterdam City Card.
Our example reflects a realistic two-day itinerary for the average traveler. On day one, you visit some of Amsterdam’s most famous museums and enjoy the city from the water on a canal cruise. On day two, you explore a few contemporary attractions in the morning and cycle through Amsterdam’s parks in the afternoon.
You can maximize your savings by planning strategically. For example, buy a one-day card and visit as many included museums and attractions as possible on that day. On another day, you can explore attractions that are not included or enjoy Amsterdam’s many free sights. If you have more time, the card also gives you free access to attractions in the surrounding region, such as Zaanse Schans and Volendam.
Our Conclusion
The I amsterdam City Card is a great way to save both time and money. If you’re planning to visit at least two museums (with entrance fees of €20-25 each) and take a canal cruise (averaging around €20), the card already pays for itself. If you’re an early riser and like to pack your days with sightseeing, you can easily cut your overall costs in half compared to buying individual tickets.
Free Amsterdam Travel Ressources
Visiting Amsterdam for the first time? We’ve plenty of articles that help you plan your trip! Check out our articles on Amsterdam. Looking for more inspirations for museums? Head over to our detailed article on the 12 best museums in Amsterdam.
