I Amsterdam City Card 2026: is it worth it?
Complete ROI guide for expats hosting parents and friends in Amsterdam
Quick summary
The I Amsterdam City Card costs €67-€140 depending on duration (24-120 hours). It covers unlimited GVB public transport, one free canal cruise, and entry to 70+ museums including Rijksmuseum (€25 separately), ARTIS Zoo (€29.50) and NEMO. It does not include Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank House.
For expats in the Netherlands, the card is most useful when hosting visiting family or friends for 2-4 days in Amsterdam. It turns a series of ticketing decisions into one pass and genuinely saves money when visitors plan 2+ major paid sites per day alongside regular tram use.
This guide gives you 2026 prices, honest cost comparisons, ready-made itineraries and a decision checklist so you can decide quickly whether the card is right for your visitors. For a broader Amsterdam hosting guide covering logistics beyond museums, see our dedicated page.
Get the I Amsterdam City Card
- ✓ Free entry to 70+ museums (Rijksmuseum, NEMO, ARTIS Zoo and more)
- ✓ 1 free canal cruise included
- ✓ Unlimited trams, buses and metro in Amsterdam
- ✗ Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House NOT included - book separately
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Table of contents
Hosting visitors as an expat: the real scenario
Once you are settled in the Netherlands, visitors arrive. Parents want to see Amsterdam. Friends plan a long weekend. The question always comes: "What should we do?" And quickly after: "Is that City Card worth getting?"
The typical visitor stays 2-4 days and wants the big three: a major art museum, the canals, and maybe a day trip to Zaanse Schans or the tulip fields. You are juggling work, trains and energy, not on a full holiday yourself. The City Card solves the logistics: no separate tickets, no queue at the door, a clear structure for a "City Card day" where you move efficiently between sites.
This guide assumes you are already living in the Netherlands and your visitors are arriving from abroad to stay with you, or you are meeting them in Amsterdam for a day or a weekend. It covers what the card includes, what it costs in 2026, honest examples of when it pays off and when it does not, and practical itineraries you can share with visitors before they arrive.
If you are also planning day trips beyond Amsterdam, our day trips guide covers Zaanse Schans, Keukenhof, Giethoorn and more, including transport from Amsterdam and the best times to visit.
Amsterdam City Card basics 2026
The I Amsterdam City Card is a pass that runs for a continuous period of 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours from the moment you first activate it. The clock starts on first use - not on purchase, not on installing the app. You can buy well in advance and plan activation to the minute.
2026 prices
| Duration | Price | Approx per day |
|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | €67 | €67.00 |
| 48 hours | €94 | €47.00 |
| 72 hours | €115 | €38.33 |
| 96 hours | €130 | €32.50 |
| 120 hours | €140 | €28.00 |
How the card works
- •Digital by default via the official I Amsterdam City Card app. You receive a CC-code after purchase and add it to the app.
- •Activation happens on first scanning at a museum or attraction, or on first tap on GVB transport. Installing the app or reserving timed slots does not start the clock.
- •The card runs continuously in hours, not calendar days. A 48-hour card activated at 10:00 on Tuesday expires at 10:00 on Thursday regardless of opening hours.
- •No reduced child prices. One price per duration, regardless of age. Children are often cheaper with direct tickets at individual attractions (under-18s free at Rijksmuseum, discounted at ARTIS).
- •The card is personal and non-transferable. One person per card, one continuous period. You cannot pause and resume.
What is included (and not) in 2026
Included in the card
- ✓Unlimited GVB public transport in Amsterdam (bus, tram, metro)
- ✓1 free canal cruise with participating operators
- ✓24-hour bike rental at participating bike shops
- ✓Rijksmuseum (standard adult ticket €25, under-18 free)
- ✓Stedelijk Museum
- ✓Rembrandt House Museum
- ✓ARTIS Royal Zoo and Micropia
- ✓NEMO Science Museum
- ✓Muiderslot Castle
- ✓A'DAM Lookout
- ✓Jewish Cultural Quarter (Jewish Museum, Portuguese Synagogue)
- ✓Many smaller Amsterdam museums (Tulip Museum, Our Lord in the Attic, and others)
- ✓Free or discounted attractions in surrounding towns: Zaanse Schans museums, Zuiderzee Museum (Enkhuizen), museums in Haarlem, Muiden and Naarden, ferry between Volendam and Marken
Note: The full list of participating venues changes. Always check the current list on iamsterdam.com before finalising your itinerary.
NOT included in the 2026 card
- ✗Van Gogh Museum - must book and pay separately (€24 adult, under-18 free). Sells out weeks in advance. Book before your visitors arrive.
- ✗Anne Frank House - requires a separate timed online ticket (€16-€18). Extremely popular, often sold out 6+ weeks ahead.
- ✗NS trains including the Schiphol to Amsterdam Central route
- ✗Regional buses and trains by Connexxion, Arriva and EBS
- ✗Most intercity day trips (Giethoorn, Keukenhof dedicated buses, etc.)
Cost comparison: card vs individual tickets
2026 standard adult ticket prices
| Attraction | Standard adult price |
|---|---|
| Rijksmuseum | €25 (under 18 free) |
| Van Gogh Museum (NOT in card) | €24 (under 18 free) |
| Anne Frank House (NOT in card) | €16-€18 |
| Canal cruise (1 hour) | €16-€24 |
| ARTIS Zoo | €29.50 (age 13+) |
| Micropia | €18 (age 13+) |
| NEMO Science Museum | €19-€25 |
| A'DAM Lookout | ~€17 |
| GVB 1-day ticket | ~€9-€10 |
Example 1: one full day in Amsterdam (24-hour card, €67)
City Card: €67
Rijksmuseum, canal cruise, ARTIS or NEMO, unlimited trams all included
Individual tickets: ~€78
- Rijksmuseum: €25
- Canal cruise: €18
- ARTIS or NEMO: ~€25
- GVB day ticket: €10
Card saves approximately €11 per adult. Any smaller museum visited is extra saving.
Example 2: two days with parents (48-hour card, €94)
City Card: €94
All attractions below included
Individual tickets: ~€147.50
- Day 1: Rijksmuseum €25, canal cruise €18, NEMO €20, GVB €10
- Day 2: ARTIS €29.50, Micropia €18, A'DAM Lookout €17, GVB €10
Card saves more than €50 per adult over two days.
Example 3: three days at a slower pace (72-hour card, €115)
If your visitors plan 1-2 attractions per day with a lot of wandering, the card may not pay off compared to individual tickets. If they maintain 2+ paid attractions per day plus transport, the card still delivers solid savings. The key variable is realistic pace: most families with parents or first-time visitors move more slowly than they plan.
Practical tip: Write down what your visitors actually want to see, look up each price individually, and compare the total to the card price for the relevant duration. The card is not always the answer, but this comparison takes about 5 minutes and removes guessing.
1, 2 and 3-day itineraries
1-day classic Amsterdam (24-hour card)
2-day visit with parents (48-hour card)
Day 1
- Morning: Rijksmuseum (activate card here)
- Midday: Canal cruise, lunch on the water or nearby
- Afternoon: ARTIS Zoo (great for a relaxed walk after a big museum morning)
- Evening: Simple dinner in the Plantage neighbourhood
Day 2
- Morning: NEMO Science Museum (excellent rooftop view, interactive exhibits)
- Midday: A'DAM Lookout or a smaller museum of choice
- Afternoon: Vondelpark stroll, ice cream, quiet time
- Evening: Dinner and departure or overnight stay
3-day culture and side trip (72-hour card)
Follow the 48-hour plan for days 1 and 2. On day 3, take a morning trip to Zaanse Schans where several attractions are included or discounted on the card. In the afternoon, visit Haarlem or the Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen before returning to Amsterdam for the evening.
Note that transport to Zaanse Schans and Enkhuizen requires separate NS train tickets (not covered by the City Card). For visitors who prefer to use the OV-chipkaart for all travel, add day tickets or consider the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket for transport coverage.
For elderly parents or visitors who tire quickly: Consider a 96 or 120-hour card so they can spread the same activities over more days at a slower pace. The per-day cost drops significantly, and there is no pressure to pack everything in.
How to buy, activate and use the card
Where to buy
You can buy directly via iamsterdam.com or via authorised resellers including GetYourGuide, Musement, Headout and Booking.com. Resellers send you a voucher or CC-code which you redeem in the official app. Prices are the same regardless of where you buy.
Activation step by step
- 1Download the I Amsterdam City Card app on your visitors' phone before they arrive.
- 2After purchase, enter the CC-code from the confirmation email into the app.
- 3The card is NOT yet active at this point. The clock has not started.
- 4On the day you want to start, your visitor scans the QR code in the app at the first museum entrance or on a GVB tram or metro. That is when the timer begins.
- 5Subsequent use is straightforward: show or scan the QR code at each attraction and on each tram ride.
Rijksmuseum time slots
Even with the City Card, you must reserve a free timed entry slot for the Rijksmuseum due to visitor caps. Book via iamsterdam.com. Reserving the slot does not activate your card. Do this before your visitors arrive to avoid missing out, especially in spring and summer.
Van Gogh and Anne Frank
The card does not help for Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank House. Both require separate timed tickets purchased directly. Van Gogh Museum tickets can be booked at vangoghmuseum.nl and often sell out 2-4 weeks ahead. Anne Frank House tickets at annefrank.org sell out even faster, often 6 or more weeks in advance. Book both before your visitors buy their flights.
When the card is (and is not) a good deal
Good deal when visitors:
- ✓Enjoy museums and will realistically visit 2+ significant paid sites per day
- ✓Want the canal cruise (included in the card)
- ✓Plan to use GVB trams and metro multiple times each day
- ✓Staying mostly within Amsterdam
- ✓Value the convenience of one pass over managing multiple tickets
- ✓Happy to follow a structured day to extract value
Not a good deal when visitors:
- ✗Plan mostly canal-side wandering, cafes and free viewpoints
- ✗Only want Van Gogh and Anne Frank (neither is in the card)
- ✗Spending several days outside Amsterdam (Keukenhof, Giethoorn, Utrecht)
- ✗Visiting only 1-2 paid attractions total
- ✗Dislike a structured itinerary and prefer to wander spontaneously
The honest test: List what your visitors actually want to do. Price each item separately. Compare the total to the card price. This takes 5 minutes and removes all guessing. Do not buy the card based on the marketing headline. Buy it based on your specific list.
Alternatives to the City Card
GVB day tickets
GVB 1, 2 and 3-day tickets cover unlimited Amsterdam public transport (tram, bus, metro) for a fraction of the City Card price. They include no museum entries. A good option if visitors are doing few or no paid attractions but plan to move around the city frequently. Check current prices on the GVB website or get them via the GVB app.
Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket (ARTT)
The ARTT covers regional transport including NS trains, metro, bus and tram across a wider area including Schiphol, Zaanse Schans and other day-trip destinations. Indicative 2026 prices: 1 day €23, 2 days €34, 3 days €44. The ARTT includes no museum entries. It is particularly useful if your visitors plan multiple out-of-city day trips and need transport to and from Schiphol.
The ARTT and City Card can be combined: use ARTT for regional transport and City Card for museum entries, though check whether the combined cost still beats individual options for your specific itinerary.
Museumkaart
The Museumkaart (€75/year, 500+ museums across the Netherlands) is excellent value for Netherlands residents who visit museums regularly. As an expat, you should have one. For short-stay visitors, it is not ideal: the upfront cost is higher and the card is designed for 12 months of use, not 2-3 days.
Use your own Museumkaart when accompanying visitors to reduce overall group costs. Your Museumkaart covers your entry; visitors use the City Card or separate tickets. This combination often saves the most money.
Amsterdam Museum Pass (with Van Gogh)
Some resellers sell a combined City Card plus pre-booked Van Gogh Museum ticket as a bundle. This can be attractive if you want a single purchase that includes a guaranteed Van Gogh slot alongside the standard City Card benefits. Compare bundle prices carefully against buying the City Card separately plus a direct Van Gogh ticket.
Decision checklist: should you buy the card for your visitors?
Work through these six questions before purchasing. If most answers point toward heavy Amsterdam museum use, the card is likely worth it. If they point toward lighter sightseeing or out-of-city travel, individual tickets will probably be cheaper.
- 1How many full days will visitors spend in Amsterdam (not counting airport transit or out-of-city day trips)?
- 2How many museums or paid attractions per day will they realistically visit, given their energy and pace?
- 3Do they want Rijksmuseum, NEMO, ARTIS Zoo, canal cruise and A'DAM Lookout (card-friendly) or mainly Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House (not in card)?
- 4Will they use GVB trams and metro several times each day to move around Amsterdam?
- 5Are they comfortable with a structured itinerary to get value from the card, or do they prefer spontaneous wandering?
- 6Are they staying mostly in Amsterdam, or planning regional day trips where the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket may be more useful for transport?
Card is usually worth it when answers show:
2-3 full Amsterdam days, 2+ paid attractions per day, heavy tram use, happy to follow a structured plan and staying mostly within the city.
Otherwise:
Price out GVB tickets plus individual attraction entries. Add Van Gogh and Anne Frank separately if wanted. The total will usually be lower than the card price for lighter itineraries.
Get the I Amsterdam City Card
- ✓ Free entry to 70+ museums (Rijksmuseum, NEMO, ARTIS Zoo and more)
- ✓ 1 free canal cruise included
- ✓ Unlimited trams, buses and metro in Amsterdam
- ✗ Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House NOT included - book separately
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is the I Amsterdam City Card worth it for a 2-3 day visit?
It can be, if you plan at least 2 paid attractions per day plus a canal cruise and regular GVB travel. With 2026 prices (Rijksmuseum €25, ARTIS €29.50, canal cruise ~€18, NEMO ~€20, GVB day ticket ~€10), a 48 or 72-hour card costing €94-€115 quickly pays off when you bundle those. If visitors do less, individual tickets are usually cheaper.
Why do some travellers say the Amsterdam City Card is not worth it?
Travellers who mainly walk the city, visit only one or two museums, or focus on Van Gogh and Anne Frank (neither included) often feel the card was unnecessary. The card works best for packed sightseeing days with museums, canal cruise and tram use. If your style is slow cafes and free wandering, single tickets plus a GVB day pass are usually cheaper.
Does the I Amsterdam City Card include Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank House?
No. In 2026 the I Amsterdam City Card does not include Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank House. Both require separately purchased, timed tickets that often sell out days or weeks in advance. Book them before your visitors arrive.
Does the Amsterdam City Card include transport from Schiphol Airport?
No. The card only covers GVB buses, trams and metro within Amsterdam. Airport trains (NS) and regional buses from Schiphol are not included. For airport transfers, buy separate NS or bus tickets, or use an Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket for broader regional coverage.
Can I share one Amsterdam City Card between multiple people?
No. The card is personal and non-transferable for a continuous 24-120 hour period once activated. Only one person can use it, and you cannot pause and resume on different days.
Is there a children's version of the I Amsterdam City Card?
There is no discounted children's card - prices are the same per duration. However, many museums offer free or reduced entry for children (under-18s free at Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh, discounted at ARTIS), so it is often cheaper to buy separate child tickets rather than giving kids a City Card.
Do I still need to book time slots if I have the Amsterdam City Card?
Yes. For popular museums such as the Rijksmuseum you must reserve a free timed slot even with the City Card, due to visitor caps. Booking a time slot does not activate your card - activation only starts when you first scan it at an attraction or on GVB transport.
Can I use the Amsterdam City Card for day trips to Zaanse Schans or Haarlem?
The card includes free or discounted entry to several attractions in these towns and a free ferry between Volendam and Marken, but it does not cover NS or regional buses to get there. Combine the card with separate train tickets or consider an Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket for transport.
Is the Amsterdam City Card digital or physical in 2026?
As of 2026 the I Amsterdam City Card is primarily digital via the official app, using a QR code. You receive a CC-code after purchase and add it to the I Amsterdam City Card app. Some sales points still provide physical cards, but the standard flow is app-based.
What is the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket (ARTT)?
The ARTT covers regional transport (train, metro, bus, tram) across a wider area including Schiphol, Zaanse Schans and day-trip destinations. Indicative 2026 prices: 1 day €23, 2 days €34, 3 days €44. Unlike the City Card, the ARTT includes no museum entries but covers broader transport.
Related guides for expats in Amsterdam
More resources to help you and your visitors make the most of the Netherlands
Amsterdam hosting guide
1, 2 and 3-day plans for visitors including logistics, transport and neighbourhoods
Museumkaart guide for residents
€75/year for 500+ museums. The right pass for expats who live here long-term
Day trips from Amsterdam
Zaanse Schans, Keukenhof, Giethoorn and more. Transport and timing for each
OV-chipkaart and GVB transport guide
How public transport works in the Netherlands, including Amsterdam trams
Amsterdam expat services guide
Housing, registration, banking and essential services for expats in Amsterdam