Things to do in Amsterdam

I Amsterdam City Card | The Good, Bad & Everything In Between

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Worried about maximizing every cent in the Euro on your next trip to Amsterdam? Take a leaf out of the backpacker’s secret book and save money on exploring the attractions and museums in Amsterdam - use the I Amsterdam City Card! Like in every major tourist city in the world, Amsterdam has a tourist pass called the I Amsterdam Card that offers visitors the option of visiting over 70 attractions at almost 50% savings, in different time period variants. The card covers all the important attractions in Amsterdam City and its neighboring region, and includes exciting tours and discounts on shopping, restaurants and activities. What are you waiting for? Read on to find out more!

What is the I Amsterdam Card?


i Amsterdam City Card

The I Amsterdam Card is a tourist pass that allows you to explore 70+ attractions and museums in Amsterdam.

The I Amsterdam Card is valid in the city of Amsterdam and also in the nearby region of Amsterdam Area which includes tourist attractions like Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Keukenhof. You will save anywhere up to 50% on the cost of individual tickets leading to big savings, plus the card is valid till 31st December 2020 giving you ample time to activate the card from the date of purchase.

Once you purchase the card online you can redeem it at the I Amsterdam Visitor Centres, easily accessible at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central Station. The number of hours will start ticking only when you activate at your first attraction or mode of transport. During the period of your I Amsterdam Card you can visit as many attractions as you wish!

The I Amsterdam Card Attraction List - Free & Discounts


Below are the top attractions that are included in the I Amsterdam Card. To see the full list of attractions that come with the I Amsterdam Card, click on the toggle below. Also, with your I Amsterdam City Card, you get :

  • 1-hour canal cruise
  • Unlimited access to the city's public transport for 24 hours. (bus, tram, and metro)
  • Entry to 60+ attractions
  • A complimentary copy of Amsterdam magazine
  • A complimentary city map

Attractions Included in the I Amsterdam Card 

Advantages of Purchasing the I Amsterdam Card


i Amsterdam City Card
  • Customize your itinerary – The I am Amsterdam Card comes in five variations of 24 Hrs, 48 Hrs, 72 Hrs, 96 Hrs, and 120 Hrs. You can choose a card that sits your schedule in Amsterdam and can be activated based on your active sightseeing hours in the city.
  • Check any number of attractions – The I Amsterdam Card includes over 70 attractions and museums and you have the option of visiting all of them in the period of time of your card. You can explore them at your own pace or whiz through them all, the choice is yours! The only restriction is that you can visit them once.
  • Valid across all of Amsterdam – The I am Amsterdam Card is not only valid for access to attractions in the Amsterdam City, but also in the neighboring area. The card can be used in Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Zuiderzee Museum, Haarlem, Muiderslot, Naarden, Laren, and Batavialand.
  • Decide when you want to use – Bought the I am Amsterdam card online but changed your travel plans? Don’t worry! The cards bought in 2019 and 2020 are valid till 31st Dec 2020 and you can activate it only when you get to Amsterdam and start your sightseeing journey.
  • Major saving on individual tickets – Amsterdam is one of the more expensive European cities to travel in and every Euro saved is a Euro earned! With the I Amsterdam Card you will enjoy savings of up to 40%-50% on individual ticket prices which you can splurge on souvenirs and experiential activities.
  • Enjoy free perks – A major benefit that almost every I am Amsterdam Card review rates highly is the perks and benefits that add up to more savings. You can get 25% discount on concerts, stage shows and attractions. Plus, you can also get up to 25% discount on bike rental and food & drink, making it easy to stay within your budgets!

Is the I Amsterdam Card Worth It?


Want to increase the value of your money and get more without spending more? Then stop wondering is the I Amsterdam Card worth it! YES, the I Amsterdam is worth it and how!

You get to enjoy free access to museums and attractions, and public transport, plus enjoy benefits like 25% discount on other attractions, live entertainment shows, transport & bike rental and restaurants. The biggest reason, why is the I Amsterdam Card worth it, is the hard cash you will save on individual tickets to museums. Take a look at the cost benefit analysis to check out the savings.

Cost Benefit Analysis of the I Amsterdam Card

Cost of Top Ten Museums and Attractions in Amsterdam
ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo
€23
Rijksmuseum
€20
Stedelijk Museum
€18.50
Van Gogh Museum
€18
Hermitage Amsterdam
€18
Portrait Gallery of the Golden Age
€18
Free Public Transport for 72 hours
€19
NEMO Science Museum
€17.50
One Hour Canal Cruise Boat
€17
De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam
€17.50
Total
€186.50

The i Amsterdam Pass 5 Day Pass will cost you while you will be spending €186.50 if you were to buy individual tickets for these attractions. This translates to savings of around €70!



But, this isn’t all, apart from this you can also access 30 other museums and attractions whose ticket cost comes up to €384.25. Check more places off your bucket list and save more!

How and Where Can I buy the I Amsterdam Card?


You have multiple options to decide on where to buy I Amsterdam Card, depending on your situation. All you have to keep in mind is that you need a physical card to utilise its benefits.

Online Purchase

You can buy the I Amsterdam Card online through Headout and enjoy a cashback. You will get a confirmation email instantly which you can present at the I Amsterdam Card Visitors Centres in Amsterdam and use the card conveniently. This way you can save money on the card and in an expensive city like Amsterdam every Euro saved is useful! If you're looking to purchase the i Amsterdam city card online, head here

Offline Purchase

You have two ways to go about buying an I Amsterdam Card in the city. Official Stores – There are five official I Amsterdam Visitor Centres/Stores where you can buy the card

  • I amsterdam Store, IJ-hal (on the North side of Central Station)
  • I amsterdam Visitor Centre Stationsplein (across the main entrance of Amsterdam Central Station)
  • I amsterdam Visitor Centre at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Arrival Hall 2 (Holland Tourist Information)
  • Connexxion Help Desk, Arrival Hall 4 (behind Starbucks) at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
  • I Amsterdam Store, De Ruijterkade28a-d, 1012 AA AMSTERDAM
Partner Stores

There are more than 15 stores across Amsterdam, at attractions, GVB and partner stores where you can buy the I Amsterdam Card.

Once you have purchased the card, you can activate it any of the tours and attractions and your countdown of the number of hours on your cards starts.

I Amsterdam Card Itinerary


Below is a sample 3-5 day itinerary you can use while visiting Amsterdam with just your i Amsterdam City Card in hand. You don't have to spend a penny more on your attractions! With this itinerary, you'll have your money's worth.

Day 1

Morning | Van Gogh Museum
Noon | Rijskmuseum
Evening | Canal Cruise

Day 2

Morning | Amsterdam Museum
Noon | Wilet-Holthuysen Museum / Hermitage Amsterdam
Evening | Amsterdam Dungeon/Stedelijk Museum

Day 2

Morning | Amsterdam Museum
Noon | Wilet-Holthuysen Museum / Hermitage Amsterdam
Evening | Amsterdam Dungeon/Stedelijk Museum

Day 3

Full Day | Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Marken All Day Tour

Day 4

Morning | Artis Royal Zoo
Noon | Ice Bar NEMO Science Museum
Evening | Amsterdam Nightlife Tour Diamond Museum

Day 5

Full Day | Keukenhof All Day Tour

i Amsterdam City Card

Tips for Using the I Amsterdam Card


  • The Van Gogh Museum requires a time slot reservation even with the I Am Amsterdam Card, make sure you book it ahead on this page. This is why if you book the I Amsterdam Card online on Headout, you can pre-book the slot at the museum, and you won’t miss out on visiting it.
  • You need to be careful with your I Amsterdam Card as it cannot be replaced once it is lost. Treat it like you would treat a credit card and keep it in your wallet at all times.
  • The I Am Amsterdam Card is counted in hours; hence you can activate once you have settled down in your hotel and use it when you get out for sightseeing. This way you can maximize your time available on the city card.
  • Most of the museums in Amsterdam are open from 10 AM to 5 PM irrespective of the season, unlike in other cities like Rome or Paris. Hence, ensure you include all the free tours and activities like Canal Cruise after the museums are closed for the day.
  • If you are only on a 24 hour or 48 hour card, you can maximize your time by visiting the Van Gogh Museum or Hermitage Amsterdam Museum with an hour remaining in your card slot. For instance, if your card ends at 12 PM, you can enter at 11 AM and spend 3-4 hours exploring the museums. The rest of the time on the previous day can be spent visiting museums and attractions that need lesser time; you can cover a lot more this way!
  • The I Amsterdam Card does not include entrance to the Anne Frank House, so be sure you book that online and in advance. It also does not include tickets to the Royal Palace. You can however do a really fun Anne Frank Walking Tour. Head here for more details

I Amsterdam card review


This is really an essential 'must buy' card giving easy access to the first class public transport system and a host of 'free' entries to a vast number of museums and tourist attractions and well worth the money. You get a small book that lists all the sites you can visit and also other locations that offer a discount like the Heineken experience. There is also a handy fold out map giving tram routes to the sites. I bought my card directly in the Amsterdam shop in the central station so convenient. If you're packing a reasonable amount of sightseeing into a short space of time, this card will easily pay for itself.Highly recommended this card


rsnewbury, Tripadvisor 2019

This is a great $$ saving option if you are traveling as a couple, family, or group of friends. You can choose a 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours pass. It includes entrance to many museums and unlimited (GVB) public transport. There are two chips within the card (time starts separately based on first attraction use and transportation use - so no worries on timing).This cannot be used outside of central Amsterdam. If you order it online, recommend you simply pick it up at the shop within the airport. When booking a time at the Van Gogh museum, simply reference you have a ADAM card - you don't need the physical card or a specific card ID to book).


JensTrex, Tripadvisor 2019

Read more i Amsterdam Card reviews on Tripadvisor and see what past users have to say about this city pass.

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