Canal cruises in Amsterdam

Here is everything you need to know about Amsterdam canal cruises prices, tickets and departure locations. Taking a canal cruise is a great way to explore Amsterdam. Just sit back, relax and experience Amsterdam from water. You will see the city’s major highlights, canals and the most romantic bridges.

There are dozens of canal tour companies (Lovers, Stromma, Blue Boat, Amsterdam Circle Line Sightseeing, Smidtje Canal Cruises, Amsterdam Boat Cruises, Mokum Open Boat Tours and others) which organize cruises in Amsterdam. In this guide we’ll make an overview of different types of canal boat cruises, costs and discounts.

Canal Cruises Prices in Amsterdam

Amsterdam boat cruises costs depend on the duration of the cruise and extra’s (drinks, catering) offered onboard. Costs can also slightly differ depening on the boat company, but the price different in not significant.

A standard 1-hour cruise with an audio tour in Amsterdam costs from € 20 (price at the counter) or from € 17,50 (online). You can often get even a bigger discount during special promotions online:

Best canal cruises in Amsterdam

If you ask us for advice which boat tour to choose, we can say that Lovers canal cruises are definitely our favourite. They have modern comfortable boats (orange, you can recognize them from the distance), convenient departure locations, audio guide in 19 languages, including Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, and you can easily book tickets online.

Amsterdam canal cruises departure locations

Lovers canal cruises have several departure points in Amsterdam:

• near the Central Station
• near the Anne Frank House
• near the Leidse Square (Leidseplein).

You have to choose your departure location during the booking process.

Canal cruises departure times

Most day canal cruises run from 09:00 in the morning, and depart every 15 – 30 minutes, depending on the season.

Amsterdam canal cruises tickets with discount

Most canal cruises cost around € 20, if you buy tickets on the spot. But you can always get a discount online.

We also recommed you to consider buying a combi-ticket for canal cruises and Amsterdam museums and attractions. It’s a good way to get an extra discount

• Van Gogh museum + canal cruise
• Rijksmuseum + canal cruise
• Heineken Experience + canal cruise
• Madame Tussauds museum + canal cruise

Check for more possible combinations at the Lovers cruises website.

Which canal cruises are free with I amsterdam City Card?

The I amsterdam city card includes access to 70+ museums and attractions, public transport, 24 hour bike rent and a free 1-hour boat cruise.

Here you can check the official list of participating cruise companies in Amsterdam. At the moment of publication (June 2024) it includes 7 canal boat companies:

• Lovers
• STROMMA
• Blue Boat
• Amsterdam Circle Line Sightseeing
• Smidtje Canal Cruises
• Amsterdam Boat Cruises
• Mokum Open Boat Tours

You can also take a free cruise in Haarlem and Volendam.

Evening canal cruises in Amsterdam

Amsterdam looks completely different after dark! You can take an evening 1-hour cruise, or combine your tour with dinner or wine arrangement on board.

There are several options, including:

• Standard 1-hour evening cruise, tickets cost from € 17,50.
• Dinner Cruise. 2-hour Amsterdam canal cruise, including three-course meal and drinks. Ticket prices from € 79. Book online >>
• Wine & Cheese Cruise. A 1,5-hour evening cruise with drinks and a selection of local Dutch cheeses. Check availability >>
• Pizza Cruise. A 1,5-hour cruise and favourite pizza and wine served on board. Tickets from € 42,50. Make a reservation >>

Amsterdam canal cruises in winter

Most of Amsterdam cruises operate all-year-round. There are also special Watercolors canal cruises, running during the Amsterdam Light Festival (from 28 November 2024 to 19 January 2025). In a heated canal boat can listen to the audio guide and from an open boat you can experience the artworks form up-close. Book your festival cruise tickets in advance.

• Read more about types of Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruises, prices and departure locations.

Hop on Hop off cruises in Amsterdam

You can also choose a hop on, hop off boat, the so called water taxi, and navigate through the city by canals.

Hop-on hop-off boat tickets and prices in 2024:

• 24 hours – ticket costs € 27,50. Book hop-on hop-off boat ticket online >>
  
• 48 hours – ticket costs € 35. Book hop-on hop-off boat ticket online >>
  

Have fun exploring Amsterdam!

Related articles:

• Amsterdam Light Festival cruises
• Evening cruises in Amsterdam
• Amsterdam itinerary: best of the city in 2 days
• KLM houses walk in Amsterdam
• Amsterdam public transport tickets
• Things to do in Amsterdam with kids
• Amsterdam Light Festival 2024/2025
• SAIL Amsterdam 2025: August 20–24