A canal cruise in Amsterdam is one of the best ways to explore the city. Simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the views from the water. You’ll see the city’s main attractions, canals, and bridges. Here’s everything you need to know about Amsterdam canal cruise prices, tickets, and departure locations.
There are numerous canal tour companies in Amsterdam, including Lovers, Blue Boat, Stromma, Amsterdam Circle Line Sightseeing, Smidtje Canal Cruises, Amsterdam Boat Cruises, Mokum Open Boat Tours, and more. In this guide, we’ll provide an overview of the different types of canal cruises, their costs, and available discounts.
- Canal cruises prices in Amsterdam
- Rent a boat in Amsterdam
- Best canal cruises in Amsterdam
- Amsterdam canal cruises departure locations
- Canal cruises departure times
- Amsterdam canal cruises tickets with discount
- Do I need to book a canal cruise in advance?
- Which canal cruises are free with I amsterdam City Card?
- Smoke-friendly canal cruises
- Evening canal cruises in Amsterdam
- Amsterdam canal cruises in winter
- Hop on Hop off cruises in Amsterdam
- SAIL Amsterdam cruises and arrangement
Tip! Cruise like a local in an open boat in Amsterdam.
Canal cruises prices in Amsterdam
The cost of Amsterdam boat cruises varies based on the duration of the tour and any extras (such as drinks or catering) offered onboard. Prices may differ slightly between boat companies, but the differences are generally minimal.
| Type of cruise | Cruise ticket price | Duration | Canal cruise tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classical canal cruise | € 17,50 | 60 minutes | Online discount |
| Evening canal cruise | € 17,50 | 60 minutes | Book tickets |
| Hop-on hop-off cruise | from € 27,50 | 24 – 48 hours | Book tickets |
| Pizza cruise | from € 37,50 | 75 minutes | Book tickets |
| Dinner cruise | from € 79 | 120 minutes | Reservation required |
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:
Rent a boat in Amsterdam
If you are looking for more privacy, you can rent your own boat and relax with your friends or family. Private boat rentals require an online reservation.
Best canal cruises in Amsterdam
If you’re looking for our recommendation on which boat tour to choose, we highly suggest Lovers canal cruises. They feature modern, comfortable boats, convenient departure locations, and an audio guide in 19 languages, including Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Plus, booking tickets online is quick and easy.
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
- Rijksmuseum + canal cruise
- Van Gogh museum + canal cruise
- Heineken Experience + canal cruise
- Madame Tussauds museum + canal cruise
Check for more possible combinations at the Lovers cruises website.
Do I need to book a canal cruise in advance?
You don’t need to book tickets well in advance (unless you have a specific date in mind). However, we would advise you to book your tickets one day before the cruise. This will guarantee a spot and save time at check-in.
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 (April 2025) 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.
Smoke-friendly canal cruises
Generally, smoking in a cruise boat is not allowed. But there are special canal cruises focused on the coffeeshop history where you are allowed to smoke (you have to bring your own cannabis or tobacco, it’s not possible to purchase in onboard):
- Amsterdam: Smoke-Friendly Canal Cruise
- The Bulldog Smoke-Friendly Boat Tour – 2 drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic options) are included
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 27 November 2025 to 18 January 2026). 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 2025:
- 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 >>
SAIL Amsterdam 2025 cruises and arrangements
From August 20 to 24, 2025, the most famous maritime festival, will take place in Amsterdam. Experience SAIL 2025 from the water! Several companies are offering official SAIL Amsterdam 2025 cruises, packages and arrangements. Tickets for SAIL 2025 cruises and arrangements are already available online at the websites of official SAIL partners Lovers.nl and Tiqets.com:- cruise boat tickets organized by Lovers boat company – from €32,50.
- SAIL Amsterdam cruise in an open boat with drinks – from €47,50.
- SAIL drinks and bites cruise – 100 minutes arrangement with included delicious drinks on board, daily departures on 20 – 24 August 2025 at 14:15, 16:30 and 18:45 from €90.
- SAIL evening cruise with fireworks and bubbles – this cruise departs daily on 20 – 24 August 2025 at 21:30. Arrangement price includes a glass of bubbles. Tickets prices start from €110.
SAIL-In and SAIL-Out Parade cruises
There are two major events during the SAIL 2025 festival: SAIL-In, the arrival of the tall ships, and SAIL-Out, the festival’s closing ceremony. Get your tickets on time to be a part of this event:- SAIL-IN: the entry of tall ships – book an arrangement including lunch, drinks and snacks. This cruise departs on 20 August 2025 at 10:00. Package tickets cost from €250. Tickets are sold out.
- SAIL-OUT: closing ceremony cruise departing on 24 August 2025 at 14:00 – tickets from €175. Tickets are likely to sell out.
Have fun exploring Amsterdam!
Related articles:
- SAIL Amsterdam 2025 cruises: reserve your seat
- SAIL Amsterdam 2025: August 20–24
- Evening cruises in Amsterdam
- Lovers cruises in Amsterdam: tickets and departures
- 15 best things to do 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 2025/2026
- Amsterdam Light Festival cruises
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