Is the ‘I Amsterdam City Card’ Worth It? Our In-Depth Review and Verdict
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Planning a trip to Amsterdam and looking for a convenient way to explore the city’s attractions and museums?
The I Amsterdam City Card is your go-to travel companion!
This card is all about making your Amsterdam adventure easy and enjoyable. It doesn’t include transport from the airport, which costs around 5 euros, but that’s actually a plus. You can start using your card right away in the city, saving you time right from the start.
Now, let’s dive into the details and see if the I Amsterdam City Card really lives up to the hype.
We’ll explore the savings you can make just by covering the basics with this handy card.
I Amsterdam City Card Top 5 Takeaways
- Free Transport on the GVB Network (trams, buses, trains, metro, ferry)
- Free Entry to Must-See Museums & Attractions
- Free Canal Cruise
- Discounts at Cafes and Restaurants
- Free Bike Hire (1 day)
Top Tips: The I Amsterdam City Card is activated the first time it’s used. For example, the first tram ride or museum entry, etc. Time this wisely. There’s little point in activating at 8 pm for a short tram ride.
What is the I Amsterdam City Card?
The I Amsterdam City Card is exactly what it sounds like – a super handy pass for anyone wanting to check out Amsterdam’s cool spots, museums, and cruise along its canals.
With this card, you get to zip around the city using the GVB Network public transport for free. It’s also your golden ticket to over 70 museums, tons of attractions, and some sweet discounts.
Even if you just stick to the basics, you’re gonna save some cash.
Plus, you get the freedom to hop on and off trams, buses, trains and ferries all over the city – Mega convienent with so much to do!
Choose a card that fits your stay – they’ve got options for 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours.
And why not kick things off with a walking tour?
You can go for a self-guided one using or join any other walking tour, both with the I Amsterdam City Card. It’s a great way to get a feel for the city.
What’s Included With The I Amsterdam City Card?
Museums Free Entry with the I Amsterdam City Card
- Rijks Museum
- Stedelijk Museum – Museum of Modern Art
- Jewish Museum
- Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot
- NEMO Science Museum
- Museum of the Mind | Outsider Art
- Museum Van Loon | Historisch huis in Amsterdam
- Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam)
- The National Maritime Museum
- Museum of the Canals
- Tropenmuseum
- Amsterdam City Archives
- Eye Filmmuseum
- Nxt Museum
- Moco Museum – Banksy & More
- Museum Het Rembrandthuis
- Zaanse Schans
- ARTIS-Micropia
- Amsterdam Tulip Museum
- Oude Kerk (Old Church)
- Amsterdam Museum on the Amstel
- Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder
- H’ART Museum
- Arcam, the architectural centre of Amsterdam
Museums with Discounts with the I Amsterdam City Card
Free Attractions and Sights with the I Amsterdam City Card
- Amsterdam Light Festival Walking Route
- ARTIS Zoo
- Amsterdam Self Guided Tour
- This is Holland – 5D Flight Experience
- Amsterdam Self Guided Food Tour
- Klimbos Fun Forest
- Molen Can Sloten
- Wevershuis
- Singer Laren
- Kuiperij
- Vereniging de Zaansche Molen (Zaan Windmill Society)
- Fort Pampus
- Czar Peter House
- Jordaan Self Guided Food Tour
Discounted Attractions and Sights with the I Amsterdam City Card
- House of Bols Cocktails Experience
- Johan Cruijff ArenA (Ajax Stadium)
- Heineken Experience
- Madam Tussauds Amsterdam
- The Upside Down House
- Amsterdam Tourist Ferry
- Cheese and Wine Cruise (Stromma)
- STRAAT
- Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience
- Het Kattenkabinet
- Dutch National Opera & Ballet
- Bimhuis
- Nxt Museum
- Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ
- Fabrique des Lumières
- Body Worlds
- De Hoop Op d’Swarte Walvis
- Canal Tour (pedal boat)
- Het Kattenkabinet
- Mokumboot Center
- Taverne De Visscher
- Footgraff Volendam
- The Amsterdam Dungeon
- Fabrique des Lumières
- Boom Chicago
- Roller Dreams
- Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience
Museums and attractions as of January 2024. For full updated list check the I Amsterdam website.
Need a physical map? Head for the I Amsterdam Store in Centraal Station. They’re free and will give you a good bearing on the city and where the sights are located.
Location: De Ruijterkade 28 B t/m D, 1012 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands
I Amsterdam City Card: What We Got Up To!
Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum is an absolute must-visit, even if history or art isn’t usually your thing.
The museum’s collection is captivating and grand in scale. Seeing Rembrandt’s masterpieces, especially the Night Watch gallery, is an unforgettable experience, as is the museum’s renowned library.
Saving €22.90 per person
Top Tip: Just a short walk away, you’ll find the enchanting Vondelpark, often nicknamed the ‘lungs of the city’.
This sprawling green space, covering 470,000 square meters, is not just a park but a slice of history. It was also a popular spot for travelers, including the likes of Anthony Bourdain, to catch some sleep back in those crazy seventies.
With its rich history and natural beauty, Vondelpark is perfect for exploration, especially on a free bike hire.
Canal Cruise
Definitely don’t skip the canal cruise – it’s a highlight, and even better, you can hop on one for free!
You’ll glide through the iconic canals of Amsterdam, gaining a whole new perspective of the city – think of it as Amsterdam’s version of Venice!
The journey is not just scenic but also educational. You’ll pick up many interesting facts about the canals and Amsterdam’s rich history, all from the captain.
Saving €19-25
Museum Van Loom
We stumbled upon Museum Van Loon almost by chance and thought, “Why not give it a try?” It turned out to be a delightful surprise.
This historic house, once home to one of Rembrandt’s students, is brimming with fascinating stories. But it wasn’t just the house that caught our attention.
The garden leading to the courtyard is a masterpiece of precision and beauty.
We even had the good fortune to chat with the landscaper. In Amsterdam, many private gardens are open to the public – some for free, others for a fee, or accessible with a special pass. It’s astonishing how spacious these canal house gardens and courtyards can be.
If you’re a fan of history or gardening, you’ll love the Open Tuinen Dagen (Open Garden Days), which is celebrated on the third weekend of June each year. It’s a fantastic time to explore these hidden green spaces as well as meeting the owners of the properties.
Saving €15.00
Nemo Science Museum
Even though it’s primarily aimed at kids, the Nemo Science Museum is definitely worth a visit – if only for the stunning view from the top! It’s conveniently located near Central Amsterdam and an easy addition to your itinerary.
One of the coolest things? You’ll get the chance to touch a meteorite that’s a mighty 4.6 billion years old.
And talk about a trip down memory lane – seeing mobile phones like the Nokia 3210 on display really put into perspective how quickly time flies!
Saving €17.50
Total Savings: € 15 Per Person (Approx)
For our 4-day trip to Amsterdam, we opted for the 72-hour Amsterdam City Card. By just covering the essentials plus frequent use of public transport, we managed to save about €15 per person.
And that’s not even counting our discounts on food or the free bike hire in Vondelpark.
This gives you a pretty good idea of the savings you can rack up, even if you’re taking a more relaxed approach to sightseeing and museum visits.
Food For Thought For Wandering Explorers
We get it – the charm of Amsterdam is best experienced not through a rigid itinerary, but through leisurely wandering and soaking in the city’s wonders. For those who prefer a laid-back approach, like us, some tough choices might be necessary.
Take the windmills, for example. They’re a stunning sight, but visiting them can take up a good portion of your day.
The same can be said for the zoo. It’s an amazing place to visit, but you’ll need to set aside at least 3 hours.
With a preference for a more relaxed pace, taking time to enjoy long lunches, dinners and plenty of coffee, or simply getting lost in the fascinating maze of Amsterdam’s streets, four days can feel quite short.
This city has a way of charming you into wanting to explore every corner at your own pace.
Top Tips: If you’re incorporating the Anne Frank House into your plans, consider timing your visit after 5 pm.
This strategy is smart because most attractions covered by the I Amsterdam Card close around that time. This way, you can make the most of your card’s validity during the day and visit the Anne Frank House in the evening without conflicting with other activities.
Just remember, Anne Frank House is not included in the City Card and requires advance booking due to high demand
Would We Buy The I Amsterdam City Card Again?
Absolutely, without a doubt!
We’re already looking forward to our next trip to Amsterdam, and the city card will definitely be on our list again. There’s just so much more we want to explore and experience.
Even with a relaxed approach, sticking to the basics, we managed to save money. That alone makes it worth it.
And there are so many places we’re eager to check out next time. The Museum of Canals, with its rich history and intriguing structure, is high on our list. We’re also quite keen to visit the Museum of Resistance and the Oude Kerk. These spots are just calling out to our sense of curiosity and adventure.
Where To Buy The I Amsterdam City Card
The most straightforward option is to get your I Amsterdam City Card directly from the I Amsterdam website. This way, you’ll avoid any complications with third-party bookings, ensuring a smoother experience if you need to address any issues.
Alternatively, you can book the city card through Get Your Guide. A great perk of this option is its flexibility – you can book now and pay later, which can be really convenient for planning your travels.
Final Thoughts on the I Amsterdam City Card
If you want to see the Van Gogh Museum, Ann Frank House and Hous of Bols, which isn’t included, you’ll need to allow time without eating up your City Card.
One experience that isn’t on the list that we totally recommend is AMAZE Amsterdam. It’s unique, out there and a damn good experience.
Check out what we thought here.
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