Smart Traveller Tool
I Amsterdam City Card 2026:
Is It Worth It?
The City Card covers 70+ attractions and unlimited public transport. It costs up to €145. Whether it's worth it depends entirely on your itinerary — not averages. Use the calculator below to find out in 30 seconds.
72h Card Price
€105
Most popular duration
Rijksmuseum alone
€22.50
+ Van Gogh €22
Break-even point
3–4
Major attractions
Attractions included
70+
Museums, cruises, transport
2026 Pricing
How Much Does the City Card Cost?
The I Amsterdam City Card is available in five durations. Prices are per adult — children aged 4–11 receive a 25% discount, and children under 4 are free.
24 Hours
€65
per adult
48 Hours
€85
per adult
72 Hours
€105
per adult
★ Best Value
96 Hours
€120
per adult
120 Hours
€145
per adult
Buy online before you arrive — it's the same price as at the desk but you get instant digital access via the iamsterdam app. The card activates on first use, not purchase date, so buy in advance without losing a day.
What You Get
What's Included in the City Card?
The card covers free admission to major museums, unlimited public transport, and a free canal cruise. Here are the highlights — the full list runs to 70+ venues on the iamsterdam website.
Rijksmuseum€22.50 if bought separately. Dutch Golden Age masterpieces — Vermeer, Rembrandt, Hals.
Van Gogh Museum€22 if bought separately. The world's largest Van Gogh collection. Book a timed slot in advance.
Stedelijk Museum€19.50 if bought separately. Amsterdam's modern and contemporary art museum.
EYE Film Museum€12 if bought separately. Stunning architecture and rotating film exhibitions across the IJ.
NEMO Science Museum€17.50 if bought separately. Hands-on science museum — great for families.
Free Canal Cruise€18–25 if bought separately. One free cruise included — use the Blue Boat Company or Lovers cruise.
Unlimited GVB Transport€9.50/day if bought as day ticket. Trams, metro, and buses for your full card duration.
Hortus Botanicus€15 if bought separately. One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, in the heart of the city.
⚠️ Not Included — You Still Need to Book These Separately
Anne Frank HouseNot included. Book months ahead at annefrankhouse.org — it sells out in summer.
Moco MuseumNot included. Banksy and modern art — book separately at mocomuseum.com.
Heineken ExperienceNot included. The brewery tour — book online at heinekenexperience.com.
Keukenhof GardensNot included (seasonal). Book at keukenhof.nl — open March to May only.
Free Savings Calculator
Is It Worth It for Your Trip?
Tick what you're actually planning to do. We'll add up the individual prices and compare them to the card cost — you'll know in 30 seconds.
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Insider Advice
5 Tips for Getting the Most from the City Card
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01Activate it on your first museum visit, not when you arrive. The card is valid from first use, so don't tap it on the airport train — wait until your first museum or tram ride in the city centre.
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02Book timed entry for Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum in advance. The card covers admission, but you still need a timed-entry slot. Book through the museum websites — free with the card, but slots fill quickly in summer.
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03Use the canal cruise on day one. It's a great introduction to the city layout and counts as a €18–25 saving immediately. Multiple cruise operators are included — check the iamsterdam app for current partners.
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04The 72-hour card hits the sweet spot. The price per day drops significantly from the 48h (€42.50/day) to the 72h (€35/day). Unless you're on a strict 1–2 day schedule, the extra €20 is almost always worth it.
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05Anne Frank House is not included — book it months ahead. This is the most common mistake. Tickets are only available on the official website and sell out far in advance during peak season.
Common Questions
I Amsterdam City Card FAQ
For a 2-day trip, the 48-hour card at €85 is worth it if you're doing the Rijksmuseum (€22.50) + Van Gogh Museum (€22) + transport for 2 days (€19) + a canal cruise (€18). That's already €81.50 — borderline. Add one more museum and it tips clearly in favour of the card.
No. The City Card is personalised and non-transferable. Each person needs their own card. It's linked to the iamsterdam app on your phone, and some venues will check ID against the card.
Online at iamsterdam.com (recommended — same price, instant digital access), at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, or at I amsterdam Visitor Centres in the city. Buying online means you can activate the digital card on arrival without queuing.
No. The card covers GVB public transport — Amsterdam's trams, metro, and city buses. It does not cover NS intercity trains, including the train between Amsterdam Centraal and Schiphol Airport. You'll need a separate OV-chipkaart or NS ticket for that journey.
Probably not. If you're spending most of your time wandering the canals, eating, and exploring markets, you won't hit the break-even point. Buy museum tickets individually as you go, and get a day GVB ticket (€9.50) for transport — it'll work out cheaper.
The 96-hour card costs €120 (€30/day) and the 120-hour card costs €145 (€29/day). At 4–5 days the price per day difference is minimal. At this length of stay, consider whether you'll realistically visit museums every day — you might be better off buying day passes as needed.
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