Which Amsterdam City Pass Is Right for You?
Amsterdam is packed with world-class museums, fascinating attractions, canal cruises and unforgettable experiences, so it’s no surprise that several companies offer city passes designed to help visitors save money. The challenge isn’t deciding whether to buy a pass; it’s working out which one actually suits your trip.
Unlike many European cities where there’s one official sightseeing pass, Amsterdam offers several different options. Some focus on attractions, allowing you to choose a set number of experiences, while others combine museum entry, public transport and canal cruises into a single package. Depending on how long you’re staying and what you want to see, one pass could save you a considerable amount of money, while another may include benefits you’ll never actually use.
If you’re planning a short city break and only want to visit a handful of major attractions, a flexible attraction pass may be the better choice. On the other hand, visitors intending to spend several days exploring museums, travelling by tram and visiting attractions across the city could benefit more from an all-inclusive sightseeing card.
This guide compares the Go City Amsterdam Explorer Pass and the official I amsterdam City Card, explaining what each includes, who they’re best suited to and how to decide which one offers the greatest value for your visit.
| Feature | Explorer | All-Inclusive | I amsterdam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attraction type | Choose 3โ5 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Validity | 30 days after first use | 1โ5 consecutive days | 24โ120 hours |
| Public transport | โ | โ | โ GVB |
| Canal cruise | โ | โ | โ |
| Bike hire | โ | โ | โ |
| Rijksmuseum | โ | โ | โ |
| Moco | โ | โ | โ |
| Heineken | โ | โ | Discount only/limited depending on current inclusions |
| Day trips | Some | Many | Limited |
| Best for | Flexible sightseeing | Intensive sightseeing | Museums + transport |
Understanding Amsterdam’s Different City Passes
Before choosing a sightseeing pass, it’s important to understand that Amsterdam has three main city passes, each designed for a different style of travel. Although they’re often grouped together under the term “city pass”, they work in very different ways, and selecting the right one can make a significant difference to both your sightseeing experience and your budget.
The Go City Amsterdam Explorer Pass is designed for flexibility. Rather than giving unlimited entry for a set number of days, it allows you to choose three, four or five attractions from a large selection. Once you activate the pass by visiting your first attraction, you have 30 days to use your remaining entries. This makes it ideal for travellers who prefer a relaxed itinerary or are only interested in visiting a handful of Amsterdam’s biggest attractions.
The Go City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass works very differently. Instead of limiting the number of attractions, it gives you unlimited access to more than 40 attractions and experiences for one, two, three or five consecutive days. The more attractions you visit during the validity period, the greater the value you receive, making it an excellent choice for visitors planning to spend their days sightseeing from morning until evening.
The official I amsterdam City Card also provides access to a large number of museums and attractions, but its focus is slightly different. Alongside admission to more than 70 museums and attractions, it includes unlimited travel on GVB trams, buses and the metro, one free canal cruise, 24-hour bicycle hire, and discounts at selected attractions. Passes are available for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours, making them particularly attractive for visitors planning a museum-heavy itinerary while relying on public transport.
None of these passes is automatically the “best” choice. The right option depends on how long you’re staying, how many attractions you expect to visit, whether you’ll use public transport extensively, and whether you prefer a relaxed or fast-paced sightseeing schedule. Understanding these differences before you buy will help ensure you choose the pass that offers the greatest value for your Amsterdam trip.
Go City Amsterdam Explorer Pass
If you prefer flexibility over trying to fit everything into a tight schedule, the Go City Amsterdam Explorer Pass is one of the most attractive sightseeing options available. Instead of racing around the city to maximise a time-limited card, you simply choose a pass covering three, four or five attractions, then decide which experiences you’d like to visit.
One of the biggest advantages is its generous validity. The pass remains valid for one year from the date of purchase and only becomes activated when you visit your first attraction. From that point, you have 30 days to use your remaining entries, making it ideal for visitors enjoying a relaxed holiday rather than trying to squeeze every attraction into a single weekend.
The Explorer Pass includes many of Amsterdam’s most popular experiences, including the Moco Museum, Madame Tussauds, A’DAM LOOKOUT, THIS IS HOLLAND, Rembrandt House Museum, Amsterdam Dungeon, open boat cruises, bike rental, guided walking tours, Dutch beer tastings, and even excursions to places such as Zaanse Schans and Volendam. Because you’re choosing only the attractions that genuinely interest you, you’re less likely to waste money on experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have visited.
Everything is managed through the Go City App, where you can view included attractions, check opening hours, make reservations where required and access your digital pass directly from your smartphone. There’s no need to collect physical tickets, making the entire process quick and convenient.
For visitors planning to see a handful of premium attractions rather than dozens of museums, the Explorer Pass often provides excellent value while allowing far greater flexibility than traditional time-based city cards.
Go City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass
If you’re planning to spend most of your trip exploring Amsterdam’s top attractions, the Go City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass can offer some of the biggest savings available. Unlike the Explorer Pass, which limits you to a set number of attractions, this pass allows you to visit as many included attractions as you can during the period your pass is valid.
The pass is available for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days, making it particularly attractive for visitors who want to fit as much sightseeing as possible into a short city break. Once activated at your first attraction, the countdown begins, so it’s best suited to travellers with a well-planned itinerary who intend to make the most of every day.
Included are more than 40 attractions, museums, tours and experiences, covering many of Amsterdam’s biggest highlights. Popular inclusions include the Rijksmuseum, Heineken Experience, Moco Museum, A’DAM Lookout, Madame Tussauds, THIS IS HOLLAND, The National Maritime Museum, Jewish Cultural Quarter, Amsterdam Canal Cruise, House of Bols, Amsterdam Dungeon, Houseboat Museum and several guided walking tours. The pass also includes selected day trips, such as excursions to Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Giethoorn, and even guided trips to Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague, offering excellent value for visitors looking to explore beyond Amsterdam.
One of the biggest advantages is that you don’t need to decide exactly which attractions you’ll visit before purchasing the pass. Instead, you can simply choose from the available attractions as you go, using the Go City app to check what’s included, reserve activities where required and build your itinerary.
The All-Inclusive Pass is ideal for first-time visitors, short city breaks, and anyone planning to visit three or more attractions each day. Because admission is already covered, it also removes the hassle of buying individual tickets throughout your trip, allowing you to move quickly between attractions.
However, it’s worth remembering that this pass does not include unlimited public transport, unlike the official I amsterdam City Card. If you expect to rely heavily on Amsterdam’s trams, buses and metro throughout your stay, you’ll need to factor in separate transport costs or compare whether the I amsterdam City Card offers better overall value.
For travellers determined to experience as much of Amsterdam as possible in a limited amount of time, the Go City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass is one of the strongest sightseeing options available and can deliver substantial savings when used to its full potential.
I amsterdam City Card
The I amsterdam City Card is the city’s official sightseeing pass and is designed for visitors who want to experience as much of Amsterdam as possible within a fixed period. Rather than selecting a limited number of attractions, the card provides access to more than 70 museums and attractions, together with unlimited travel on GVB trams, buses and the metro, one free canal cruise and 24-hour bicycle rental.
Available for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours, the card is particularly attractive for visitors planning several busy days of sightseeing. Included attractions range from internationally famous museums such as the Rijksmuseum, Moco Museum, Rembrandt House Museum, NEMO Science Museum, ARTIS Royal Zoo, Micropia, Dutch Resistance Museum, STRAAT Museum and Fabrique des Lumiรจres, through to lesser-known museums that many tourists might otherwise overlook.
One of the card’s biggest strengths is that it extends beyond Amsterdam itself. Depending on your itinerary, it also includes attractions in Haarlem, Zaandam, Volendam, Marken and Enkhuizen, making it particularly useful for travellers planning day trips as well as city sightseeing. Combined with unlimited GVB public transport, it’s possible to move efficiently between attractions without repeatedly purchasing tram or metro tickets.
However, there are some important exclusions. Despite its impressive list of inclusions, the card does not include the Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House, two of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions. It also does not cover NS trains or bus services operated by Connexxion, Arriva or EBS, so visitors travelling beyond Amsterdam using regional public transport may still need to purchase separate tickets.
For travellers intending to visit numerous museums, use public transport extensively and maximise every day of their trip, the I amsterdam City Card can offer outstanding value.
Which Pass Saves the Most Money?
The answer depends entirely on how you like to travel. All three of Amsterdam’s major sightseeing passes can offer excellent value, but each is designed for a different type of visitor. Choosing the right one is far more important than simply choosing the cheapest.
If you’re planning to visit as many attractions as possible over one, two or three busy sightseeing days, the Go City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass will usually deliver the biggest savings. Because you can visit unlimited included attractions during your chosen validity period, every extra museum, canal cruise or experience increases the value of the pass. It’s an excellent option for travellers with packed itineraries who don’t mind spending most of the day sightseeing.
The Go City Amsterdam Explorer Pass offers better value if your itinerary is more relaxed. Instead of rushing between attractions, you simply choose three, four or five attractions and have 30 days to use them after activation. This makes it perfect for longer stays or visitors who only want to see Amsterdam’s biggest highlights without feeling pressured to maximise every day.
For many visitors, however, the I amsterdam City Card can represent the best overall value. While it may not include every paid attraction in the city, it combines admission to more than 70 museums and attractions with unlimited GVB public transport, one free canal cruise, 24-hour bicycle hire, and discounts at selected attractions. If you expect to use trams, buses and the metro regularly while visiting several museums, these included transport benefits can quickly add up and make the City Card the most economical choice.
Which Attractions Are Included?
Although both passes include many of Amsterdam’s most popular experiences, they do so in different ways. The Go City Explorer Pass focuses on giving you a choice of premium attractions, while the I amsterdam City Card provides access to a much broader range of museums together with public transport and additional benefits.
Art lovers are well catered for by both passes. The Moco Museum and Rembrandt House Museum are included with each, while the I amsterdam City Card also includes the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, H’ART Museum, Foam, Museum Van Loon and many other specialist museums across the city.
If interactive experiences appeal more than traditional museums, the Go City Explorer Pass includes attractions such as THIS IS HOLLAND, Madame Tussauds, The Amsterdam Dungeon, A’DAM LOOKOUT, The Upside Down Amsterdam and several sightseeing cruises. It also includes experiences that aren’t typically found on museum-focused passes, including guided beer tastings, bike rental and excursions to destinations such as Zaanse Schans and Volendam.
Families will find plenty to enjoy with the I amsterdam City Card, which includes ARTIS Royal Zoo, Micropia, NEMO Science Museum, the National Maritime Museum, Hortus Botanicus and many other attractions suitable for children. The card also extends to museums and attractions outside Amsterdam, including locations in Haarlem, Zaandam, Volendam, Marken and Enkhuizen, making it particularly appealing for visitors planning to explore beyond the city centre.
Whichever pass you choose, it’s always worth checking the latest attraction list before travelling, as participating attractions and reservation requirements can occasionally change.
Which Pass Is Best for Different Travellers?
Choosing the right city pass is often easier when you think about the type of trip you’re planning, rather than simply comparing the number of attractions included.
If it’s your first visit to Amsterdam and you’re hoping to experience a handful of the city’s best attractions without rushing, the Go City Explorer Pass is an excellent choice. The flexibility to spread your sightseeing over several days means you can take your time and only visit the attractions that genuinely interest you.
Visitors planning an intensive museum-focused city break are likely to benefit more from the I amsterdam City Card. With unlimited access to GVB public transport and entry to more than 70 attractions, it’s ideal for travellers who expect to spend long days exploring museums before moving across the city by tram or metro.
Families may find either pass useful depending on their itinerary. Those with younger children often appreciate the flexibility of choosing attractions individually through the Explorer Pass, while families planning to visit ARTIS Royal Zoo, NEMO Science Museum and several museums over consecutive days may achieve greater savings with the I amsterdam City Card.
For visitors staying four or five days, the decision usually comes down to pace. If your holiday is centred on museums and sightseeing from morning until evening, the I amsterdam City Card often provides better overall value. If you’d rather mix sightseeing with shopping, cafรฉs, neighbourhood walks and relaxed evenings, the Go City Explorer Pass offers greater flexibility without the pressure of maximising every hour.
What Isn’t Included?
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is assuming that a city pass provides access to every attraction in Amsterdam. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, and understanding the exclusions before you buy can help avoid disappointment.
The two attractions that surprise visitors most are the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House. Despite being among Amsterdam’s most famous attractions, neither is included with the I amsterdam City Card, and they are also not covered by the Go City Explorer Pass in the same way as many other attractions. If either is high on your wish list, you’ll need to purchase separate tickets and, particularly in the case of the Anne Frank House, book well in advance.
Transport is another important difference. The I amsterdam City Card includes unlimited travel on GVB trams, buses and the metro, but it does not cover NS trains or regional bus operators such as Connexxion, Arriva or EBS. Likewise, the Go City Explorer Pass focuses primarily on attractions and experiences rather than unlimited public transport.
Finally, remember that some attractions require advance reservations, even when entry is included with your chosen pass. During busy periods, booking ahead is strongly recommended, particularly for the most popular museums and experiences. Checking the official app before you travel is the easiest way to confirm opening hours, availability and any reservation requirements.
Planning Your Sightseeing Around a City Pass
Whichever city pass you choose, a little planning will help you get far more value from it. Amsterdam’s most popular museums and attractions can become extremely busy, particularly during weekends, school holidays and the spring tulip season, so it’s worth organising your itinerary before you arrive rather than deciding each morning what to do.
If you’ve chosen the Go City Explorer Pass, begin by deciding which three, four or five attractions you most want to visit. Because the pass remains valid for 30 days after activation, you don’t need to rush between attractions. Instead, you can comfortably spread your sightseeing across several days, leaving plenty of time to enjoy Amsterdam’s cafรฉs, canals and neighbourhoods without constantly watching the clock.
Visitors using the I amsterdam City Card should take a slightly different approach. As the card is valid for a fixed period of 24 to 120 hours, it’s worth grouping attractions that are close together to minimise travelling time. For example, you could dedicate one day to Museumplein, another to the Jewish Quarter and the eastern docklands, and a third to attractions around Amsterdam Centraal, the Jordaan and the canal belt. Taking advantage of the included GVB tram, bus and metro travel also helps you move efficiently between different parts of the city.
Whichever pass you buy, remember that some attractions still require advance reservations, even when admission is included. Booking popular experiences before you trave, particularly during the busiest times of yea, will help you avoid disappointment and ensure your sightseeing runs as smoothly as possible.
Rupertโs Handy Travel Tips
Amsterdam’s city passes can save you a lot of money, but only if you buy the one that matches your plans. Here’s what I’d recommend before making your decision:
- Plan your itinerary first: Make a list of the attractions you genuinely want to visit before buying a pass. You’ll quickly see which option gives you the best value.
- Don’t overlook transport: If you’ll be using Amsterdam’s trams, buses and metro throughout your stay, the I amsterdam City Card can offer excellent value thanks to its unlimited GVB public transport.
- Reserve popular attractions early: Some attractions require advance booking, even if entry is included with your pass. Reserve your preferred dates as soon as your travel plans are confirmed.
- Use slower days wisely: If you’ve chosen the Go City Explorer Pass, spread your attractions across your holiday rather than trying to visit everything in one day. You’ll enjoy each attraction much more.
- Keep your phone charged: Both passes work through their official apps, so take a portable power bank if you’re planning a full day of sightseeing to avoid running out of battery.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Amsterdam city pass is best?
There isn’t a single pass that’s best for everyone. The Go City Amsterdam Explorer Pass is ideal if you only want to visit a selection of attractions over several days, while the I amsterdam City Card offers better value for visitors planning to see lots of museums, use public transport extensively and make the most of every day of their trip.
Does the I amsterdam City Card include public transport?
Yes. The card includes unlimited travel on GVB trams, buses and the metro for the duration of your pass. However, it does not include NS trains or buses operated by Connexxion, Arriva or EBS.
Can I visit the Van Gogh Museum with a city pass?
No. Despite being one of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions, the Van Gogh Museum is not included with the I amsterdam City Card and isn’t available through the Go City Explorer Pass. You’ll need to purchase a separate ticket and it’s advisable to book well in advance.
Is the Anne Frank House included with either pass?
No. The Anne Frank House requires a separate ticket regardless of which city pass you choose. Tickets are released in advance and regularly sell out, so booking as early as possible is recommended.
How long is the Go City Amsterdam Explorer Pass valid?
The pass remains valid for one year from the date of purchase. Once you activate it by visiting your first attraction, you then have 30 days to visit the remaining attractions included with your pass.
Do I need to reserve attractions before visiting?
Some attractions require advance reservations, even when entry is included with your pass. Both the Go City App and the I amsterdam City Card App provide up-to-date information on reservation requirements, opening hours and availability.
Further Reading
Choosing the right city pass is only one part of planning your Amsterdam itinerary. Once you’ve decided how you’ll access the attractions, our Things to Do in Amsterdam guide will help you prioritise the city’s highlights, from world-famous museums and canal cruises to neighbourhoods, markets and hidden gems that many visitors miss.
Many of the attractions included with these passes feature in our Museums in Amsterdam guide, where you’ll find detailed information on the Rijksmuseum, Moco Museum, Rembrandt House Museum, NEMO Science Museum, ARTIS Royal Zoo, Micropia and many other excellent collections. If you’re particularly interested in Amsterdam’s wartime history, our Anne Frank & Jewish History in Amsterdam guide explains how to visit the Anne Frank House, Jewish Cultural Quarter, Portuguese Synagogue and National Holocaust Museum.
Several passes also include or discount canal experiences, so our Amsterdam Canal Cruises guide is worth reading before deciding whether to use your included cruise or book a different experience. Likewise, our Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Boat guide explains how Amsterdam’s sightseeing transport works and whether it’s a better fit than relying solely on public transport.
To help you move around the city efficiently, read our Getting Around Amsterdam guide alongside our comparisons of the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, Holland Travel Ticket and NS Day Ticket. If you’re travelling during the festive season, don’t miss our guide to the Amsterdam Light Festival, while visitors with extra time should take a look at our Day Trips from Amsterdam guide, covering destinations such as Zaanse Schans, Haarlem, Utrecht, Delft, Rotterdam, Volendam, Marken and Kinderdijk.
Last updated
August 2026
We regularly review and update our Amsterdam travel guides to keep attraction lists, city pass inclusions, transport information and visitor advice as accurate as possible. As attractions, participating partners and pass benefits change over time, this guide will be updated to reflect the latest information.
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