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I Amsterdam City Card
The I Amsterdam City Card is an official tourist card scheme available for visitors to Amsterdam. It provides free entry and discounts to various attractions in Amsterdam, as well as free use of city public transport. The card is issued by the Amsterdam Tourist & Convention Board. Let's take a look at the costs, benefits and drawbacks of this discount card with some tips given for alternatives. |
The Iamsterdam City Card pass comes with 3 validity options (2012 prices):
24
hours - €40
48 hours - €50
72 hours - €60
The card can be purchased online or at tourist information offices (eg - Schiphol airport arrivals hall 2 or opposite central station) and at various places around the city. Note, there are no child or pensioner reductions (however, many museums give free or reduced entry for kids).
The Iamsterdam City Card has free entry into over 40 museums including some of the major ones:
Van
Gogh Museum
NEMO Science Museum
Rembrandt
House (small surcharge payable to special exhibitions)
Hermitage
Amsterdam
Amsterdam Museum
Artis
Royal Zoo
Hortus Botanical
Gardens
Tropenmuseum
De
Nieuwe Kerk
Special note: Anne Frank House and Rijksmuseum are not included on the museum list.
Also included on the Iamsterdam City Card: • Free travel on GVB public transport (trams, buses and metro - but not trains) • A free canal boat tour with either Holland International or Blue Boat Company. |
• 25% discounts from other various attractions - such as Olympic Experience, Amsterdam ArenA Tour, Madame Tussauds, Heineken Experience, Boom Chicago comedy show, selected concerts at the Concertgebouw / Muziekgebouw / Muziektheater.
• 25% discount on bike rental, Canal Bike (pedalo) rentals, Museum Line hop-on-hop-off boat, Segway tours and a number of restaurants.
• Various freebies are given including a cup of coffee at V&D La Place; cup of tea at Bazel Cafe; free croquette at Van Doben, free cocktail at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Amsterdam and a free glass of liqueur at De Drie Fleschjes.
If you want the convenience of an all-in-one transport and museum pass with a few discounts thrown in then consider the card.
Alternatives to the I Amsterdam City Card
The Iamsterdam card is not particularly cheap and for cost conscious budget travellers there are some alternatives. For example, you could instead purchase a Museumkaart for €39.95 which allows free entry in to 400 museums in Netherlands for 12 months. This is exceptional value if you are here for longer periods or plan multiple visits.
There are various unlimited Amsterdam travel passes from 1 day to 7 days which could be purchased. Remember - Amsterdam is a relatively small city and most sights can be easily reached on foot. Walking around is a very pleasant way to see the city and soak up the atmosphere, especially if the weather is good. Just watch out for the trams and cyclists!