I amsterdam City Card 2026: prices, what’s included & is it worth it

The I amsterdam City Card is worth buying if you plan to visit 4+ museums and use public transport in Amsterdam. A 72-hour card costs €115 and can save you up to €274 compared to buying tickets separately. Use our free calculator to estimate your savings with the I amsterdam Card.

Last updated: 12 September, 2026 by Anastasia Dudina

In this guide, I’ll explain what’s included in the I amsterdam City Card, calculate the potential savings, and show you exactly who should (and shouldn’t) buy the card.

Some tips before we start:

• Always order the I amsterdam City Card from Iamsterdam.com website.
• Here is a full list of everything included in the city card.
• In 2026, you can easily save € 274,45 with your 3-day I amsterdam Card.
• This is how you book a timeslot with your card.
• Check Iamsterdam.com for possible seasonal discounts.
• Compare: Museumkaart vs I amsterdam Card: which pass is better?
• Starting from 16 May 2026, you can order the I amsterdam City Card Explorer: Special Edition (from € 44).
• Starting from June 2026, you can also buy the I amsterdam City Card for kids (from € 40).

NEW! I amsterdam City Card calculator

Want to know if the I amsterdam City Card is worth it for you? Just select the attractions you’d like to visit, and the calculator below will show your savings. Note: this list isn’t exhaustive, so check all included museums and full prices on our complete attractions page.

Prices & savings

Official I amsterdam City Card prices 2026

Official I amsterdam City Card prices 2026 are available in five options: 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours. The 24-hour card costs €67, 48 hours is €94, 72 hours is €115, 96 hours is €130, and 120 hours is €140. The longer duration you choose, the lower price per day you get. I recommend to consider buying the City card for the duration of 72 hours or longer. Then you will benefit from it the most.

For example, a single ticket to the Rijksmuseum costs €27, Artis Royal zoo – from €32,50, This is Holland attraction – from €24. All of them are included in the I amsterdam City Card.

I amsterdam City Card Explorer: pick and mix

The I amsterdam City Card Explorer: Special Edition card, launched in May 2026, lets you pick 3, 5 or 7 attractions from the full list for a fixed price, without an hourly time limit.

I amsterdam City Card Explorer card is available for adults and for children. Once you activate the card, it is valid for 5 days. The Explorer card does not include public transport.

You can choose from all museums, attractions, bike rental and cruises included in the card. These are just a few of them, with prices, as an example:

So if you come to Amsterdam with children, and visit NEMO Museum, Artis Royal Zoo and A’DAM Lookout (€ 21,50 + € 27,50 + € 12,50), with the I amsterdam City Card Explorer you pay € 29 instead of € 61,50.

How many days do you need? Price, savings and tips by duration

The I amsterdam City Card is available in five durations: 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours. Here’s what each one costs, a realistic itinerary to go with it, and whether it actually pays for itself.

1 Day in Amsterdam: Is the I amsterdam Card Worth It?

Card price: €67 for 24 hours.

How to spend it: Start at Museum Our Lord in the Attic (€18), then Rembrandt House Museum (€23,50), then a 1-hour canal cruise (€17). Watch the sunset at A’dam Lookout (€18,50). Unlimited public transport and a free 24-hour bike rental, both included with the card.

Tip: The card is valid for exactly 24 hours from activation, not until midnight. Start around 10:00 and it’s still valid past 09:00 the next morning, enough time to also walk into the Rijksmuseum (€25) before it expires.

Savings: €18 + €23,50 + €17 + €18,50 + €25 (Rijksmuseum) = €102 in tickets alone, already €35 more than the €67 card price, before counting free transport and the bike rental.

Want to see this with your own dates and attractions you want to visit? The free I amsterdam City Card savings calculator will do the maths for you.

Order your I amsterdam City Card →

2 Days in Amsterdam: Is the I amsterdam Card Worth It?

Card price: €94 for 48 hours.

How to spend it: Day 1: same three stops as above, Museum Our Lord in the Attic (€18), Rembrandt House Museum (€23,50), canal cruise (€17), A’dam Lookout (€18,50). Day 2: Rijksmuseum (€25), Moco Museum (€21,50) and Stedelijk Museum (€22,50), all walking distance from each other, then two quick stops: Willet-Holthuysen Museum (€15) and the Houseboat Museum (€9,50).

Also included: a 24-hour bike rental and 48 hours of unlimited public transport.

Savings: €170,50 in museum and cruise tickets in 2 days, €76,50 more than the €94 card price, on top of free transport and the bike rental.

Curious what two days would save you with different museums? Check it yourself with the I amsterdam City Card savings calculator.

Order your I amsterdam City Card →

3 Days in Amsterdam: Is the I amsterdam Card Worth It?

Card price: €115 for 72 hours.

We’ve made a full 3-day, museum-by-museum itinerary further down this page. It shows how the card can save you €274,45. See the full 3-day plan >>

Tip: Three days is usually where the savings jump the most. You get a full extra day of unlimited transport and museum-hopping without buying a single additional ticket.

This is just one example itinerary. Run your own 3-day plan through the I amsterdam City Card savings calculator to see your exact number.

Order your I amsterdam City Card →

4 Days in Amsterdam: Is the I amsterdam Card Worth It?

Card price: €130 for 96 hours, just €32,50 per day.

That’s about the same as a single adult ticket to ARTIS Royal Zoo (€32,50), except this is the price for one full day of the card, not one attraction. With 70+ museums and attractions included, four days of normal sightseeing will comfortably clear that.

Order your I amsterdam City Card →

5 Days in Amsterdam: Is the I amsterdam Card Worth It?

Card price: €140 for 120 hours, just €28 per day – the cheapest rate of any duration.

At €28 a day, you don’t need an active itinerary to make the City Card worth it: two or three museum visits plus public transport transport already cover it. Check the full list of what’s included to plan your own five days.

Order your I amsterdam City Card →

And while doing the maths is also important, there’s one more thing beyond that which, in my experience, makes the I amsterdam City Card worth it. With a pre-paid card, you stop overthinking and overcalculating. You don’t need to think twice about entering a canal house museum because it costs €18,50, and you don’t walk two tram stops to save €1,40. You let more things happen spontaneously, let go, and go with the flow, in a good way.

That’s when your real holiday starts.

What is included in the I amsterdam City Card?

Many of the best things to do in Amsterdam are free with the I amsterdam Card. You get:

• admission to 70 museums and attractions in Amsterdam – see our full I amsterdam City Card list of museums with 2026 prices. For example, the Rijksmuseum, the Rembrandt house museum, Stedelijk and Moco modern art museums. Check Iamsterdam.com website for the most up-to-date list of included museums.
• 1-hour canal cruise in Amsterdam
• unlimited use of public transport in Amsterdam for the duration of your card
• bike rental for 24 hours
• entrance to A’DAM LOOKOUT, an observation deck with the Europe’s highest swing
• free admission or discounts in Haarlem, Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Enkhuizen.

Travelling with I amsterdam Card: how it works

Here are the steps you can follow:

1. Order your card. You can pick it up at I amsterdam Visitor Center at Amsterdam Centraal train station. You can also download the I amsterdam app and use the city card digitally on your phone.

2. Activate your card. Card activation works automatically, no special action is required. The card has two components:

• public transport
• museums and attractions.

Each component is activated separately at the moment of first use public transport or enter a museum. It means that even if you buy your I amsterdam card in advance (for example, when it’s on discount), it will be activated only when you actually use it.

3. Use your city card.

For traveling by public transport with the City Card you need to do check-in and check-out. I amsterdam City Card itself is a valid ticket for public transport in Amsterdam.

Some popular museums and attractions (like Rijksmuseum) require to book time slots before your visit. Find out how to book your time slots. Mostly you can do it at an attraction’s official website in the Tickets section. There you need to choose the I amsterdam city card holder option.

Besides, you can also rent a bike for 24 hours without prior reservation. But if you want to be sure that the bike is waiting for you at the selected location, we recommend doing a reservation. Here is a list of participating bike rentals.

Public transport with the City Card

I amsterdam Card transport is one of its best perks: the card includes unlimited access to public transport in Amsterdam – the GVB tram, metro, bus, including night buses. This is what makes I amsterdam City Card public transport so convenient – one card for museums and the tram, metro or bus.

How to use your I amsterdam card on the tram, bus or metro:

• when you enter a tram, bus or metro station, you need to check-in. Tap your card against the card reader inside the tram/bus or at the entrance to the metro station. Your card will be activated at the first moment you check-in. After the activation the card will be valid for unlimited amount of rides for 24 – 120 hours.
• before you exit, you have to check-out – just tap the card against the card reader once again.

Is travelling from Schiphol to Amsterdam included into I amsterdam City Card?

Can I use my I amsterdam Card from the airport? Not directly. Train and direct Airport Express bus from Schiphol to Amsterdam are not included in the card. But there is an alternative longer route to the city center which you can take with your card (I don’t recommend it though).

But, if you want to save some money, here is the trick. The city card is only valid in GVB public transport. Then you can:

• buy an I amsterdam digital pass, so that you can use it directly
• take GVB bus line 369 from the Schiphol airport to Station Sloterdijk
• from Station Sloterdijk take GVB bus line 22, direction Muiderpoortstation, which will take you to Amsterdam Central station.

It will take you around 1 hour to get from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam center, which is, honestly, not that fast (for example, you can travel from Schiphol by train in 17 minutes). Download a free 9292.nl travel planner, which will help you find directions. Remember, you can use I amsterdam Card only in buses, trams, metro marked with the white and blue GVB logo.

Can I use I amsterdam City Card for travelling by train in 2026?

No. Train tickets are not included in the City Card. If you are planning to explore the Netherlands, I recommend buying a public transport Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket.

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT) is valid for 1 – 3 days of unlimited travel by train, bus, tram and metro in Amsterdam and surrounding areas.

ARTT Prices in 2026:

• 1 day – € 23,00
• 2 days – € 34,00
• 3 days – € 44,00

The ticket is valid from the first time you check in until 04:00 after the last valid day.

I amsterdam Card: 3-day itinerary and savings

Is the I amsterdam City Card worth it for you? There’s no “magic button” answer – the only way to know if it’s worth it is to do the math. Check the individual museum prices, add them up, and compare. Wait… I hear you saying: “Check EVERY museum price? That will take forever!“.

Well, right, it did take me almost a full working day. But here it is: all prices in one place. Just use it to make the right decision!

And of course I Amsterdam pass review wouldn’t be complete without an example itinerary. So here I have calculated how much you can save with your card for 3 days (72 hours) in 2026, since the I amsterdam City Card 72 hours price 2026 (official) is €115, and the I amsterdam City Card 3 days price 2026 is exactly the same card, just counted in days instead of hours.

Day 1 in Amsterdam

Day 2 in Amsterdam

The last four museums – Museum of the canals (Herengracht 386), Museum Willet-Holthuysen (Herengracht 605), FOAM museum of photography (Keizersgracht 609) and Museum van Loon (Keizersgracht 672) – are impressive 17th century mansions on the canal belt of Amsterdam. Once homes for the wealthy Amsterdammers, they are now open to the public as museums. All museums are located within the walking distance from each other. It’s easy to visit them all in half a day.

Day 3 in Amsterdam

Day 4 in Amsterdam (bonus)

Bonus! Despite some travellers think that the I amsterdam city Card is valid for 1 – 5 days, in fact it’s valid for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours. So if you activate it on the Day 1 at 10:00, it will be valid till 10:00 on the Day 4. You can enter a large museum or attraction – for example the Rijksmuseum – at 09:30 and spend half of the day there. We recommend to visit the Rijksmuseum (ticket price € 27, free with the city card).

So is the I amsterdam city card worth it? Let’s do some math! If you follow this 3-day itinerary, your savings on museums in 72 hours will be € 367,95. Your savings on 72 hours public transport ticket will be € 21,50. Total savings = € 389,45.

Price of the I amsterdam city card for 72 hours is € 115. So your net saving in 3 days will equal € 274,45. Which, I guess, makes the I amsterdam city card totally worth it for an active and curious traveller.

Which Amsterdam city card is best value for museums and transport?

If you want one pass that combines museums and public transport, the I amsterdam City Card is usually the best value. That said, the best option depends on your itinerary and length of stay.

• I amsterdam City Card: Best for museum-focused trips with frequent use of public transport.
• Go City Pass Amsterdam: Better if you’re prioritising major paid attractions and tours, such as the Heineken Experience.
• Museumkaart: Best for the residents of the Netherlands.

Booking & logistics

How to book a timeslot with the I amsterdam Card?

Have you already purchased the I amsterdam city card and now wondering whether you can simply show your ticket to enter the museums? Or do you need to book a timeslot? Smaller museums may allow you to walk right in. But for larger ones, such as the Rijksmuseum, Moco Museum, the Rembrandt house it’s better to book a timeslot in advance.

Booking a timeslot is quick and easy. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process. It only takes about 2 minutes per museum and ensures guaranteed entry, helping you avoid any disappointment.

You’ll need to make a reservation through each museum’s website. We’ll provide examples of how it works on the Rijksmuseum and Moco Museum websites.

How to book a timeslot for the Rijksmuseum?

Go to the Rijksmuseum official website and click Visit and Tickets. In the list of options, check the box I already have a voucher/ticket.

Follow the steps: choose the date and time of your visit, and fill in your name and e-mail address. You are not required to provide any details related to your I amsterdam city card. You don’t even need to have it on hand while booking your timeslot. Also you don’t need to pay anything.

After you’ve confirmed your booking, you will receive your ticket/voucher by e-mail.

When you arrive to the Rijksmuseum, you will need to show this ticket with the time reservation and your I amsterdam card.

• Do Rijksmuseum tickets ever sell out?

Moco modern art museum

It works pretty much the same with the Moco museum. Visit the museum’s official website and check the I amsterdam card box.

Choose the date and time of your visit, and you will receive your free ticket via e-mail.

Good to know:

• Your I amsterdam card won’t be activated at the moment you book a timeslot. It will be activated at the moment you actually enter the first museum. So you can buy your I amsterdam card and book timeslot in advance.
• Your I amsterdam city card should be valid at the moment you enter a museum.

Booking tickets with discount

It works slightly differently for museums that don’t offer free entry, but instead provide a discount with the I amsterdam City Card.

Booking Madame Tussauds tickets with I amsterdam City Card

I amsterdam Card holders get 25% discount on Madame Tussauds tickets. To claim your discount, simply follow the link on the museum website and book your tickets here.

Book your Heineken Experience tickets with I amsterdam City Card

To book your tickets to Heineken Experience, you actually need to have your I amsterdam city card activated. But no worries, this attraction rarely sells out, so you can book your tickets last moment.

Bike rental with I amsterdam city card

Free bike rental with the I amsterdam Card: how does it work?

If you have an I amsterdam City Card, you can rent a bike for free for 24 hours. Please note:

• you can rent a bike for free for 24 hours, not for the duration of your card
• your city card should be valid at the time of the bike pick-up.

Which bikes are free with I amsterdam city card?

Here is a list of participating bike rentals in Amsterdam.

Do I need to make a reservation at the bike rental with the I amsterdam card?

It depends on the bike rental. You can generally rent a bike with your I amsterdam city card without prior reservation. But if you want to be sure that the bike is waiting for you at the selected location, we recommend doing a reservation.

Which canal cruises are free with I amsterdam Card in 2026?

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

Here you can double-check the official list of participating cruise companies in Amsterdam.

The City Card pick-up location in 2026

After completing the online booking process, you will get an e-mail confirmation. You collect your physical card at the following location:

• Amsterdam Central Station: I amsterdam Store, on the North side of the station.

I amsterdam store opening times may be subject to change. Please check it on the I amsterdam official website.

I amsterdam Card helpdesk and support

If you have any questions regarding your card, please visit I amsterdam Store at Amsterdam Centraal station or contact the support team at citycard@iamsterdam.com.

FAQ about I amsterdam City Card

Is there an I amsterdam City Card for children?

Yes, starting from June 2026 you can also buy the I amsterdam City Card for kids (from €40). For example, a single ticket to the Artis Royal Zoo for children 3-12 costs €29,50. Here you can find Amsterdam family itinerary with the I amsterdam City Card.

Is THIS IS HOLLAND free with an I amsterdam Card?

Yes, with your I amsterdam city card you get free access to THIS IS HOLLAND (regular price is € 27).

What are the best museums to visit with I amsterdam Card?

With the City Card you can visit 70+ museums and attractions, and the choice depends on your interests. Here is a short museum guide that will help you make the right choice.

How can I get a discount code for I amsterdam City Card?

There are generally no codes for purchasing the I amsterdam City Card. But you can often buy the card with discount at the official Iamsterdam.com website during seasonal promotions.

Does I amsterdam Card include Rijksmuseum?

Yes, the I amsterdam City Card includes free entry to the Rijksmuseum. However, you need to book a timeslot in advance. Follow these easy steps to make a free Rijksmuseum timeslot reservation.

I amsterdam digital or physical card: which one is better?

They both have their advantages. With a digital card, you don’t need to pick it up and can start using it right away. However, you need to make sure that your phone is charged for the whole day.

I amsterdam Card vs Go City Pass: which one to choose?

I amsterdam City Card usually works better if you plan to visit traditional museums (Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt house, NEMO and more) and use public transport in Amsterdam, while Go City Pass can be a better choice if you prefer interactive attractions (Heineken Experience, House of Bols, Madame Tussauds and Amsterdam Dungeon) or plan to join a tour to the Zaanse Schans.

Is a 24-hour I amsterdam Card worth it?

Generally, you get the best value from the cards for 96 – 120 hours. However, even at the I amsterdam City Card 24 hours price 2026 of € 67, it’s worth it if you visit at least three attractions – for example, the Rijksmuseum (€ 27), the Rembrandt House (€ 23,50), and Artis Zoo (€ 32,50) – and use public transport (€ 10).

Is Keukenhof free with I amsterdam Card?

No, a visit to Keukenhof is not included in I amsterdam City Card. You have to book Keukenhof entrance tickets or combi-tickets or Keukenhof + transfer tickets from Amsterdam separately.

How can I check which attractions are free and which only offer a discount?

Check the I amsterdam official brochure for the most up-to-date list of attractions included in the card. Museums and attractions numbered 1 – 65 are free, and 66 – 78 offer 25% discount with your card.

Does the I amsterdam City Card include transport from Schiphol airport?

No. Train tickets are not included in the City Card.

Is the I amsterdam City Card worth buying for the attractions?

Yes, for most travellers the I amsterdam City Card is worth buying for the attractions alone, before you even count the free public transport. If you visit 4 or more museums or attractions during your stay, the free entries usually cover the price of the card – as shown in our 3-day savings example above, where museum entries alone saved over €260.

Where can I buy the I amsterdam City Card for attractions and transport?

The safest place to buy the I amsterdam City Card for attractions and transport is the official Iamsterdam.com website. You can order it online in advance and either pick up a physical card at the I amsterdam Store at Amsterdam Centraal station, or download the digital pass and use it directly from your phone.

Have fun in Amsterdam!

Related articles:

• List of museums included in I amsterdam card with 2026 prices
• I amsterdam Explorer Card 2026: Pick 3, 5 or 7 Attractions
• Museumkaart vs I amsterdam Card: which pass is better?
• Top-rated museums in Amsterdam
• How to book tickets for the Anne Frank house
• Van Gogh museum tickets are sold out: what to do?
• Best canal cruises in Amsterdam
• Amsterdam itinerary: best of the city in 2 days

About the author:

Written by a local

Anastasia Dudina

I’ve been living in the Netherlands since 2013 and exploring it ever since. I write and update all articles on Amsterdam Explorer and Holland Explorer myself — real tips, not tourist traps.

About me → | Holland Explorer → | @holland_explorer →