Amsterdam City Card Vs Amsterdam Pass: Which Is Better?
Amsterdam is full of fabulous attractions and you’ll easily fill an itinerary no matter how long you’re staying in the city. It’s one of my favorite places to visit; I’ve been a bunch of times, but I still find myself going back for more!
If you’re reading this post then you’ll likely have come across the city attraction cards that are on the market – the I Amsterdam City Card and the Amsterdam Pass.
Both of these cards offer you lots of discounts and free entry to plenty of top sights.
But which of the cards is the best? Let’s weigh up which card – the I Amsterdam City Card or the Amsterdam GoCity Pass – is a better value, and which pass I recommend you purchase!
In A Hurry? Here’s Both Cards at A Glance
i Amsterdam City Card
- Slightly more expensive
- Valid for actual 24 hour increments, based on when you start.
- More Museums & Cultural Sights (Ex: Rijksmuseum)
- Free Canal Cruise & Bike Hire
- All Public Transport Included
Amsterdam GoCity Pass
- Cheaper, marginally
- Buy by day, expires at midnight each day.
- More large “tourist attractions” (Ex: Heineken Experience)
- Free Canal Cruise & Bike Hire
- No public transport
⭐My Overall Recommendation: i Amsterdam City Card
I amsterdam City Card Vs Amsterdam GoCity Pass Overview
I amsterdam and GoCity both offer their takes on an Amsterdam travel card – each with its own special perks.
Both of the cards offer travelers a great opportunity to explore Amsterdam’s best attractions in a day for a better price, with discounts in museums, shops, and on tours.
Which is the best card is debatable, though, as they both have their pros and cons. But let’s break down some of the key things that you might want to consider when buying either of the travel cards.
Price
The prices of the cards will depend on the duration of your trip, but the GoCity Pass is overall the cheaper option since they have two versions of their cards. The first option counts visits, and the other is priced based on the number of days spent in Amsterdam.
As an example, the ‘explorer’ version of the GoCity Pass counts the number of visits that you use the card for and starts at €43 per adult. It counts visits to attractions over 60 days.
When comparing the prices of a one-day, the GoCity Pass is also cheaper, costing €51 per adult compared to IAmsterdam’s €60 fee. For up to 5 days in the city, the GoCity Pass continues to be cheaper.
⭐Worth Noting: One big difference between the two cards also is that the GoCity Pass offers a reduced children’s fee, whereas the I amsterdam City Card only sells cards at one price.
Pass Duration
Both the I amsterdam City Card and the Go City Pass offer options ranging from 1 to 5 days. You can select the number of days that best fits your itinerary, allowing you to explore Amsterdam at your own pace while enjoying huge savings.
One notable difference, however, is that the I amsterdam City Card is activated when and where you want from your phone, and it is measured in hours. Meaning, if you have a 24 hour card, and you activate your card in the afternoon, it will be valid until the same time the following afternoon.
On the flip side, the GoCity card operates on a calendar basis, meaning you’re best buying your card on the morning of your first full day in the city to make the most of it, and it expires after the amount of days you have purchased.
🚨Because of this slight difference, you could actually end up saving some money by opting for the I amsterdam City Card, as you could opt for a 72-hour card (rather than a 3-day GoCity Pass) and explore the city over 4 separate calendar days.
Included Attractions and Activities
The biggest deciding factor of which card you’ll opt for is going to be what attractions and activities are available for discounted or free entrance. Many of the options available with each card are the same, but there are a couple of the “big” attractions that are different.
The I amsterdam City Card includes access to over 70 attractions! With this card, you can gain free entry to some of the city’s most popular museums including the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum. The Royal Artis Zoo is another fan-favorite!
You’ll also be able to take advantage of a free canal cruise – a personal favorite – and bike hire while visiting the city! Finally, the card also offers discounts at select restaurants and shops, adding extra value to the experience.
In contrast, the Amsterdam GoCity Pass grants access to a wide range of attractions, including the Heineken Experience, the A’DAM Lookout, and the interactive NEMO Science Museum, with many offering skip-the-line access. Free bike rental and a hop-on hop-off cruise are also added perks to this card.
Both cards also offer plenty of perks outside of the city, including access to attractions in Zaanse Schans, a beautiful town known for its brightly colored buildings and scenic windmills.
Overall, both passes offer great attraction access, and you’re best reading up on their specific lists if you have certain places to visit in mind. The I amsterdam City Card is definitely a lot more culture-based with plenty of historical and artistic sights included, while the Amsterdam GoCity Pass is a bit more varied and geared more towards tourist-favorites.
Transport
The I amsterdam City Card and the GoCity Pass differ significantly when it comes to transport options, with the I amsterdam card being the clear winner.
The I amsterdam card includes unlimited access to Amsterdam’s public transportation system, covering trams, buses, and metro lines operated by GVB within the city.
Cardholders can easily travel across Amsterdam, making it a convenient option for those who want the flexibility to explore various neighborhoods and sights without worrying about additional transit costs.
The GoCity Pass does not include public transport. The only exception would be the bike rental and the hop-on hop-off canal cruise which are included in the deal, if you want to count those!
⭐If you’re looking for another way to save money in Amsterdam, read about the top hotels that offer a FREE airport shuttle!
Convenience
The I amsterdam City Card can be purchased online through the official I amsterdam website or through the app, and physical cards are also available at various tourist information points and airport kiosks, making it easy to pick up on arrival.
The I amsterdam app allows cardholders to manage their passes digitally, with features like itinerary planning and real-time transit information, which is so helpful when darting around the city.
The GoCity Pass is also pretty user-friendly, available for purchase on the GoCity website or app, where travelers can browse attraction options and select their ideal pass.
Once you’ve bought the pass, it can be accessed entirely through the GoCity app, which stores the pass and also offers a map to help locate attractions.
There is no physical card option available with the Amsterdam GoCity Pass, so if you’d prefer one, even just as a souvenir, then you’ll need to opt for the I amsterdam City Card.
Overall Winner
Overall, I’d have to say I think the I amsterdam City Card wins the battle of the two.
While at first glance, it may be less attractive due to its higher price tag, this card is a much better value when you throw in the free public transport and the huge range of attractions.
You could also save a lot of money by using the 24-hour duration to your advantage – exploring the city over more days than you would with the calendar-based Amsterdam GoCity Pass.
If you know you’d rather walk or cycle everywhere around the city, aren’t really fussed about some of the big cultural attractions like the Van Gogh Museum, and want to save your money (especially if you’re traveling with children), then the Amsterdam GoCity Pass could be the better option for you personally!
I Amsterdam City Card Pros and Cons
To give you a very quick rundown of each card, here are the pros and cons of each.
Pros
- The I amsterdam City Card operates on a 24-hour basis, meaning your card can be used for an entire day after you first activate it.
- You get unlimited public transport on GVB metro, tram, and bus lines around the city, letting you explore the busy center and the less-ventured neighborhoods all free of charge!
- Discounts in shops and restaurants available.
- Online and app access to activate your card. Physical cards also available.
- Free access to over 70 attractions
Cons
- More expensive than the Amsterdam GoCity Pass.
- No cards specifically for children.
Amsterdam Pass Pros and Cons
Pros
- Cheaper than the I amsterdam City Card.
- Cards for the whole family, with reduced pass cost for children.
- The “Explorer Pass” is a second card offered by GoCity, which counts visits rather than being valid for a certain number of days.
- The included hop-on hop-off boat cruise is a great way to get around the city.
- Online and app access to manage your cards.
- Includes a number of “big” attractions like the Heineken Experience.
Cons
- Card operates on a calendar-basis, meaning it expires at midnight each day.
- No public transport inclusion.
- No option to get a physical card.
- Fewer museum options.
FAQs: Which Amsterdam City Pass Card is Better?
What is the difference between the Amsterdam city pass and the Amsterdam city card?
The I amsterdam City Card includes unlimited public transport and free entry to museums and attractions, while the GoCity Pass offers flexible attraction choices but doesn’t cover public transport.
Which card is best for Amsterdam?
The I Amsterdam City Card is definitely the better option if you know you’d make up for the slightly higher price in exchange for free public transport. This card also operates on a 24-hour basis rather than by calendar days, meaning you could save money by activating your card at clever time.
Is The Amsterdam City Card Worth It?
In my opinion, the i Amsterdam city card is worth it. It includes free public transportation, a free canal cruise and bike hire, as well as entrance to many historic and cultural sites in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam City Card Vs Amsterdam Pass: Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between the I amsterdam City Card and the Go City Pass will ultimately depend on your travel style and interests.
The I amsterdam City Card is ideal for culture lovers who want easy access to museums and unlimited public transport, while the Go City Pass is a great fit for those seeking flexibility, lower costs, and a good variety of activities.
Whichever you choose, I hope this guide helps you make the most of your time in Amsterdam – enjoy exploring!
If you’re headed to Amsterdam soon, here are some more helpful tips:
✅ My favorite Amsterdam itineraries for 4 days or one day in Amsterdam!
✅ All the Canal Cruises I recommend in Amsterdam- including private tours!
✅ An Amsterdam Bucket List to complete!
✅ Everything you need to know for visiting the Anne Frank House
✅ Top Weekend Trips from Amsterdam
✅ Review on my #1 Place to stay in Amsterdam
✅ If you’re biking around the city, here’s what you need to know!
✅ Wondering if you can speak English in Amsterdam? Or do you need to greet in Dutch?
