Testing the “I Amsterdam” card – is a purchase worth it?
What exactly is the “I Amsterdam” card? Will the purchase of the “I Amsterdam” card pay off for you?
We have tested this offer for you and done the maths. Here you will find the most important information and tips.
“I Amsterdam” card – what is it? How does it work?
The I Amsterdam card is the official sightseeing pass of the City of Amsterdam. It is designed to help visitors navigate the hodgepodge of public transport fares and entrance fees.
The name is derived from the word play „I am Amsterdam“.
The “I Amsterdam” card offers the following benefits
“I Amsterdam” – only one ticket for public transport + free admission to attractions
1 free and unlimited use of the public transportation system operated by the GVB. This includes the Metro, city buses, and trams. Ferries are generally free of charge.
2 free admission to currently more than 50 attractions and museums, among them FAMED attractions such as the Rijksmuseum, the Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo, the NEMO science museum, the Amsterdam tulip museum or a free canal cruise … (more details below)
325% off the regular ticket price to many events (opera, ballet…), attractions, bike rental, and at participating restaurants
“I Amsterdam” card – is it worth buying?
We punched the numbers for this offer using a 72-hour card. Let’s take a closer look at what the “I Amsterdam” card has to offer.
The “I Amsterdam” card includes the free and unlimited use of public transportation. This is comparable to the single-day ticket offered by the GVB, which is currently priced at €21 for a 72-hour time-frame (as of 2024).
The ‘I Amsterdam’ card, which is valid for 72 hours (3 days), costs €100. Compared to the GVB’s 3-day card, this gives you free or reduced-price entry to around 70 sights for an additional €79.
Test – 3 days Amsterdam
We used classic attractions and museums for this example. We didn’t pack the days too full. As well as the museums, we also planned a canal trip and a bike hire.
Admissions alone would total €136.50 in our sample. It would only cost you €79 (€100 – €21 for the public transport ticket) when taking advantage of the “I Amsterdam” card. Thus, you would save €57.50 per person.
Our conclusion:
→ compared to the basic public transport ticket, the additional cost for the “I Amsterdam” card pays off quickly if you are planning on visiting some of the attractions that Amsterdam has to offer.
→ If you only need a ticket for public transportation, then you are better off with a GVB single-day-ticket. Just like the “I Amsterdam” card, this day-ticket for public transport can be purchased online before your trip without having to pay a surcharge – click here –.
→ If you only want to visit a few of the main attractions, it is better to buy a GVB day ticket and pay at each attraction. → More information: Sights and Skip the line tickets
Tip – bypass queues:
purchase the “I Amsterdam” card, GVB single-day-ticket or admissions online
Insider tip: you can purchase the “I Amsterdam” card, the GVB day-ticket for public transport, as well as admission tickets to local attractions before your trip online. In some cases, you will even be able to book “skip the line” – tickets that allow you to bypass the queue.
Prices of the “I Amsterdam” card (2024):
1 day – 24 hours: €60
2 days – 48 hours: €85 (€42.50 per day)
3 days – 72 hours: €100 (€33.33 per day)
4 days – 96 hours: €115 (€28.75 per day)
5 days – 120 hours: €125 (€25 per day)
The price per day drops sharply with longer usage, from €60 per day to €25 per day.
Period of validity:
The validity period for the “I Amsterdam” card is divided into two different parts, public transportation and attractions.
The public transport validity period starts at the time of first use.
The first time the card is used for sightseeing, such as a visit to a museum, the validity period for attractions begins.
When first used, the ticket will be valid for either 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours for public transport and attractions respectively.
“Iamsterdam” card – benefits and discounts in detail
Free admission to sights and museums
| Attraction | Entry / ticket price standard | With “I amsterdam” card | |
| ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo | €25,00 | €0,00 | |
| MOCO Museum | €20,00 | €0,00 | |
| Hermitage Amsterdam (H’ART) | €22,50 | €0,00 | |
| This is Holland – 5D Flight experience | €23,00 | €0,00 | |
| Rijksmuseum | €22,50 | €0,00 | |
| Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam (Modern Art Museum) |
€22,50 | €0,00 | |
| NEMO Science museum | €17,50 | €0,00 | |
| De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam | €16,00 | €0,00 | |
| National Naval Museum (Het Scheepvaartmuseum) |
€17,50 | €0,00 | |
| Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot (Muiden) | €15,50 | €0,00 | |
| ARTIS – Micropia – Microbe museum | €17,50 | €0,00 | |
| Tropical Museum | €15,00 | €0,00 | |
| Jewish culture district (Historical Museum, Portuguese Synagogue, National Holocaust Memorial Museum) |
€17,00 | €0,00 | |
| Zuiderzee Museum (open-air museum) | €18,00 | €0,00 | |
| Amsterdam Museum | €13,50 | €0,00 | |
| Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt house on the canal) |
€17,50 | €0,00 | |
| Handbags and wallet museum on the canal (Tassenmuseum Hendrikje) |
€12,50 | €0,00 | |
| Museum Het Schip (Art and architecture school) |
€12,50 | €0,00 | |
| Outsider Art Museum | €12,50 | €0,00 | |
| Cobra Museum of Modern Art (Amstelveen) | €12,00 | €0,00 | |
| Het Grachtenhuis – Canal Museum | €15,00 | €0,00 | |
| Foam – Photography Museum | €15,00 | €0,00 | |
| Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder (Secret House Church) |
€12,50 | €0,00 | |
| Verzetsmuseum – Dutch Resistance Museum | €11,00 | €0,00 | |
| Archaeological Museum “Allard Pierson” | €10,00 | €0,00 | |
| Bible Museum – Cromhouthuis | €10,00 | €0,00 | |
| Diamond Museum Amsterdam | €10,00 | €0,00 | |
| EYE movie museum | €15,00 | €0,00² | |
| Flute Museum | €10,00 | €0,00 | |
| Museum Willet – Holthuysen | €10,00 | €0,00 | |
| National Costume Museum | €10,00 | €0,00 | |
| Oude Kerk | €10,00 | €0,00 | |
| Botanical Garden – Hortus Botanicus | €9,50 | €0,00 | |
| Geelvinck Pianola Museum | €9,00 | €0,00 | |
| Museum Van Loon | €13,50 | €0,00 | |
| Photography Museum – Huis Marseille | €8,00 | €0,00 | |
| Windmill Museum: Molen van Sloten & Kuiperijmuseum | €8,00 | €0,00 | |
| Funeral Museum – Museum Tot Zover | €7,00 | €0,00 | |
| City Archives – Stadsarchief Amsterdam | €6,00 | €0,00 | |
| Multatuli Huis | €5,00 | €0,00 | |
| Tulip Museum | €5,00 | €0,00 | |
| Houseboat museum – Woonbootmuseum | €4,50 | €0,00 | |
| ²Surcharge for special exhibitions possible | |||
Boat trip on the canals, Rent a bike
| Boat trip on the canals | regular price | With “I amsterdam” card | |
| One-hour boat trip on the canals | €18,00 | €0,00 | |
| 24h bike hire | €14,50 | €0,00 | |
Local transport
| Local transport | regular price | With “I amsterdam” card |
| 24 hours | €9 | €0,00 |
| 48 hours | €15 | €0,00 |
| 72 hours | €21 | €0,00 |
| 96 hours | €26,50 | €0,00 |
| 120 hours | €33 | €0,00 |
| → Free use of the metro, buses and trams of the urban public transport company GVB → Transportation outside of Amsterdam, NS trains, buses from Connexxion, Arriva and EBS are NOT included |
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Iamsterdam Card – free entrance
Free and unlimited use of public transport in Amsterdam
With the Iamsterdam Card you can use all GVB trams, city buses, metro (day and night) and ferries unlimited and for free.
This also saves time, as you don’t have to constantly queue at ticket machines and deal with the fare system.
Amsterdam is a pioneer of a car-free city centre. As a result, the local transport system is modern and fast. Ideal for discovering Amsterdam. (Picture: travelguide.amsterdam)
Free admission to major art museums –
Regular admission €22.50 per museum
Since the Dutch have had a close connection to art and painting for centuries, it is not surprising that the collected objects fill several art museums in Amsterdam.
The Rijksmuseum (Imperial Museum), the MOCO Museum and the Stedelijk Museum (Municipal Museum) are all located around the spacious Museum Square (Museumplein).
Museumsplein: There are several art museums here – instead of e.g. 22.50 euros for a Rijksmuseum ticket (Rembrandt), entry is free with the Iamsterdam card (Image: R. Boed, CC 2.0 license)
Artis Royal Zoo Amsterdam
regular admission €25
with I amsterdam Card: free admission
Amsterdam Zoo is home to more than 750 species and more than 8,000 animals. It was founded in 1838 and is one of the oldest and most famous zoos in Europe.
As the zoological garden is constantly being modernized, it is very popular with visitors to the city.
Entrance fees 2024
Adults (13+): €27.50 at the ticket office, €25 online ticket, free with Iamsterdam Card
Children (3-12 years): €23.50 at the ticket office, €21 online ticket, free with Iamsterdam card
The Royal Amsterdam ARTIS Zoo is not only popular with families (Image: rente42, N.Swales, CC 2.0 licence)
Het Scheepvaartmuseum – Dutch Maritime and Naval Museum
regular entrance €17,50
with I amsterdam Card: admission free
The Dutch Maritime Museum has one of the most important maritime collections in the world. The exhibition is very interesting and modern. The highlight for many visitors is the walk-on historic tall ship anchored in front of the museum.
Not only for children and rainy days an interesting sight.
An exciting maritime museum. With the Iamsterdam Card you save 17,50 € entrance fee. (Image: travelguide.amsterdam)
Boat trip on the canals
regular price €18
with I amsterdam Card: free of charge
A boat trip on the canals of Amsterdam offers passengers a unique perspective of this fascinating city and is a favourite activity for tourists and locals alike.
Whether you want to enjoy the history, the architecture or the romantic atmosphere of Amsterdam, a canal cruise is an exciting experience.
A boat trip on the canals is a relaxed way to get your first impressions of Amsterdam.
Tip – bypass queues:
purchase the “I Amsterdam” card, GVB single-day-ticket or admissions online
Insider tip: you can purchase the “I Amsterdam” card, the GVB day-ticket for public transport, as well as admission tickets to local attractions before your trip online. In some cases, you will even be able to book “skip the line” – tickets that allow you to bypass the queue.
Prices of the “I Amsterdam” card (2024):
1 day – 24 hours: €60
2 days – 48 hours: €85 (€42.50 per day)
3 days – 72 hours: €100 (€33.33 per day)
4 days – 96 hours: €115 (€28.75 per day)
5 days – 120 hours: €125 (€25 per day)
The price per day drops sharply with longer usage, from €60 per day to €25 per day.
Iamsterdam card – frequently asked questions – FAQ 2024
How much does the Iamsterdam Card 2024 cost?
The Iamsterdam Card currently costs:
1 day – 24 hours: €60
2 days – 48 hours: €85 (€42.50 per day)
3 days – 72 hours: €100 (€33.33 per day)
4 days – 96 hours: €115 (€28.75 per day)
5 days – 120 hours: €125 (€25 per day)
The price per day drops sharply with longer usage, from €60 per day to €25 per day.
Insider tip: You can buy online via this website. This saves stress and planning time in Amsterdam.
Iamsterdam Card - what is it exactly?
The “I amsterdam” is a City Card for Amsterdam tourists and offers:
1) free & unlimited use of municipal transport in Amsterdam. This includes the metro (underground), city buses and the tram (tram). Ferries are generally free of charge.
2) Free entrance to currently more than 50 sights and museums, including TOP attractions such as the Rijksmuseum, the Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo, the NEMO science museum, the Amsterdam tulip museum or a free canal cruise …
3) 25% discount to many events (opera, ballet…), attractions, bike rental, participating restaurants and more…
Is it worth it for you to buy the Iamsterdam Card?
→ The extra cost compared to the local transport card day pass pays off quickly if you want to visit some sightseeing highlights of Amsterdam.
→ If you are only looking for a local transport ticket, you are better off with the GVB Day Card. Like the ‘I amsterdam’ card, you can buy this online before your trip at no extra cost.
→ If you only want to visit a few sights or museums, you are better off with a GVB Day Pass and separate entrance tickets. Due to visitor restrictions, many sights only sell tickets with fixed time slots. We therefore recommend buying tickets online, otherwise they may be out of stock at your preferred time.
Iamsterdam Card - tourist trap or bargain?
The surcharge compared to the pure local transport day ticket pays off quickly if you want to visit some of Amsterdam’s sightseeing highlights.
We have calculated this in our travel guide based on a typical 3-day stay in Amsterdam.
Does the I am Amsterdam ticket cover the train from the airport to the city?
Thanks
Hi Robert,
The “I Amsterdam” card does not include the train ride from the airport to the city center. To travel by train you need a Dutch Railways ticket. It currently costs (2023) €4.90 for a one-way trip. It can be purchased online via the website: Online Ticket