Amsterdam Travel Guide

Amsterdam: Public transport tickets & Passes Overview, current prices (2024)

Whether you are looking for a single ticket, a day pass or an Amsterdam Travel Card, here you will find all the information you need. In this guide we present the most important tickets for visitors. So you can easily find the right ticket for your stay in Amsterdam.

Important information about buying tickets:

  • You cannot buy tickets on buses and trams from the driver.
  • Many of the tickets are available online and can be purchased before your trip. You will find more information below.
  • Almost all public transport in Amsterdam is organized under the tariff system of the municipal transport company GVB “Gemeente Vervoer Bedrijf”. This makes it much easier for passengers, as a day ticket is valid on the metro, trams and GVB buses.

#1 Single rides with the OV chip card / “e-purse” or OVpay

If you are staying in amsterdam for a longer period of time but do not want to use public transport very often.

3 day travel pass amsterdam

A charger for the OV-chip card – credit card fees may apply (image: travelguide.amsterdam)

The OV card / e-purse system is not that simple, especially if you don’t visit the Netherlands often.

How does the OV card / e-purse work?

The OV card works like a prepaid cellphone card. You can load the card with a certain amount of money at a machine and then use it up.

For a single ride, you will pay a fixed base price plus a set amount per kilometer driven. Thus, you are paying for the distance traveled. The distance is measured exactly every 50 metres and charged accordingly. There is no such thing as a classic one-way ticket , which costs a certain amount regardless of the distance travelled (flat rate). The OV chip card / e-purse can be used in trams, buses, as well as the Metro.

  • Every passenger over the age of 4 must have a chip card.
  • The card must be topped up with at least €4 before each journey to ensure that there are sufficient funds to cover the fare.

E-purse – prices

A rechargeable and anonymous chip card, without personalisation with a passport-type photo, costs €7.50 (without adding credit). There is a €2.50 service charge for withdrawing any remaining balance.

Standard fare: base price: €1.08 per trip plus 19.6 cents per kilometer traveled

Children (4–11 years) get a discounted fare: base price: 71 cents per trip plus 12.9 cents per kilometer traveled

Another payment system was introduced in 2023: OVpay. You can pay for a single journey on local public transport directly with your credit or debit card. All you have to do is present your payment card to a scanner when boarding and alighting. The fare will be automatically debited from your account.

Paying with OVpay – important information:

  • You must always check in and out with the sa me bank card. Otherwise, the billing system will not be able to determine the correct fare.
  • For single journeys, you will need a separate payment card for each passenger.
  • In addition to the fares, credit card or exchange rate fees may also apply.
  • A journey with an age discount (e.g. children’s fare) is not yet possible with OVpay.
  • Don’t forget to check out with your payment card when you get off the bus. The fare depends on the distance traveled. If you do not check out, you will be charged an incorrect, usually higher fare.
  • There is no daily limit, as there is in London. This means that you can pay significantly more per day with OVpay than with a day ticket (see below).

#2 GVB single day ticket or multi-day-ticket: Easy & affordable – ideal for visitors & tourists – optional Airport Express bus

3 day travel pass amsterdam

Cheap & easy: the single-day-ticket with a validity of 1 – 7 days. Buy online and save time and stress in Amsterdam.

GVB single and multi-day tickets are popular with visitors to Amsterdam. They are easy to use and affordable.

What does this ticket offer?

  • This ticket gives you unlimited travel on all GVB trams, city buses and the metro (day and night) throughout Amsterdam and you don’t have to keep an eye on your balance like you do with the e-purse.
  • It is flexible in terms of time. Tickets are available for a single day and for up to 7 days , from 24 to 168 hours. The clock starts ticking at the time of first use.
  • There is a day ticket, especially for children aged 4 to 11. The kids’ ticket is only valid for a single day. You can purchase more than one child’s day ticket if required.
  • You can buy the ticket online before your trip (no surcharge – click here) .
  • This ticket is not valid for other regional bus companies, such as Connexxion or EBS, or in trains of the Dutch railway company NS

GVB Day Ticket + Airport Transfer Schiphol Airport ↔ City Centre

3 day travel pass amsterdam

→ You can find more information about the Amsterdam Travel Ticket here

→ More information about the various options for airport transfers, including travel times and prices

Current prices for GVB day and multiple-day tickets

Prices are at the lower end for a European city. The longer the validity, the lower the price per day.

Fares (2024) :

Children’s ticket (4–11 years) for 1 day / 24h: €4.50 – multiple tickets can be purchased for longer stays.

Standard fare:

1 day / 24h: €9 2 days / 48h: €15 3 days / 72h: €21 4 days / 96h: €26.50 5 days / 120h: €33 6 days / 144h: €37.50 7 days / 168h: €41 (€5.85 per day)

Our tip: buy online to save time and stress You can buy your ticket online before your trip via the English-language website of the authorised GVB ticket seller without having to pay a surcharge (click here) . This will save you stress later, as you won’t have to deal with the fare system and ticket machines after your flight. If you are travelling via Schiphol Airport, you can also buy the Amsterdam Travel Ticket online (day ticket for local transport + airport transfer by express bus or train).

GVB Ticket Child

3 day travel pass amsterdam

Children aged 0-3 travel free on Amsterdam’s public transport. For children between 4 and 11 years of age, the GVB children’s day ticket is available at a reduced price.

Children aged 0–3 years can use public transport in Amsterdam free of charge. There is a reduced day ticket for children between the ages of 4 and 11. It currently (2024) costs €4.50. There is no multi-day pass for children.

If you need a children’s ticket for several days, the easiest way is to buy several one-day children’s tickets. You can buy GVB children’s day tickets online together with adult tickets.

Where is the GVB day ticket valid?

The GVB day ticket is valid on the entire GVB tram, underground and bus network.

→ Map / city map Amsterdam: GVB day ticket coverage

If your destination or accommodation is outside the validity area, you might be interested in the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket (see below). This ticket is valid for the entire region around Amsterdam.

# 3 Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket: Trips around Amsterdam + airport transfer included

Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket

The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket entitles you to:

  • Unlimited use of all GVB streetcars, city buses, metro (day and night) and ferries . This allows you to travel within the city of Amsterdam in the same way as the GVB Day Ticket (see above).
  • In addition, you can also use the buses of the Connexxion and EBS companies . These bus companies serve destinations outside the Amsterdam city area. The GVB day ticket (see above) is not valid on these buses. This also includes the Airport Express Bus 397 (shuttle bus to the airport) .
  • Trains  in the Amsterdam region with the national railroad company NS are included.
You can buy this ticket before your trip via the GVB authorized ticket portal (click here) . This will save you time and stress during your stay in Amsterdam.

Current prices for the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (2024)

With the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket you can travel in a much larger area than with a GVB day pass. Therefore the price is higher.

Current prices for the “Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket” Valid for 1 day: €21 Valid for 2 days: €31.50 Valid for 3 days: €40.50

The validity period is different from the GVB day ticket. The “Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket” is valid from the first check-in until 04.00 a.m. after the last valid day (depending on whether you have the 1, 2 or 3 day version). The day starts at midnight.

For example: If you use a 2-day ticket for the first time from midnight on Wednesday, then your ticket will be valid until 04:00 on Friday morning.

Where is the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket valid?

Here is a map showing the area covered by the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket.

→ Map / Plan: Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

#4 Amsterdam Travel Ticket (ATT)

Day ticket + transfer by train or bus to schiphol airport.

Amsterdam Travel Card

The “Amsterdam Travel Ticket” – day ticket for public transport + airport transfer – online booking saves time and avoids stress

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket (ATT) is an extension of the GVB single day or multi-day-ticket described above. It can be considered an extension because with this ticket you also have the option of using the following unlimited times for your transfer to and from Schiphol airport :

  • Unlimited 2nd class rail travel between train station “Schiphol Amsterdam” Airport and any train station in Amsterdam (Amstel, Bijlmer Arena, Amsterdam Centraal Station , Holendrecht, Lelylaan, Muiderpoort, RAI, Sciencepark, Sloterdijk, Zuid and Duivendrecht)
  • The Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397) operated by Connexxion and the Niteliner (bus N97).

This ticket also entitles you to unlimited travel on all GVB trams, (night) buses, metro and ferries in the whole of Amsterdam. However, its validity is regulated differently. The “Amsterdam Travel Ticket” is valid from the first check-in until 4 AM following the last valid day (depending on whether you have booked the 1, 2 or 3 day option). The day starts at midnight. For example: if you start using a 2-day ticket at midnight on Wednesday, then it will be valid until 4 AM on Friday.

Please note: This ticket is not valid on buses that are operated by other transport companies such as EBS and Arriva or on any bus other than the Amsterdam Express (bus 397) and the Niteliner (bus N97) operated by Connexxion.

Our tip: buy online and save time and stress abroad

You can buy the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket” via this English-language website This will save you stress on arrival. You won’t have to deal with ticket machines after your flight.

Current pricing for the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket”

Prices are higher than a simple day ticket as it includes your airport transfer. A return trip from the airport to the city centre on the Airport Express Bus 397 currently costs €11.75. Taking this into account, the Amsterdam Travel Ticket is affordable.

 Current fares for the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket”

Validity 1 day:   18 Euro Validity 2 days: 24 Euro Validity 3 days: 30 Euro

Tickets with longer validity are not currently available.

→   Overview: Transfer Schiphol Airport ↔ Amsterdam city centre – all transport options (bus, train, taxi,…) incl. journey times and current prices.

#5 “I Amsterdam” card: Day ticket + discount card for sightseeing

Day ticket for public transport + free / reduced entry to attractions.

The I Amsterdam card is the official sightseeing pass for the city of Amsterdam. It is designed to help visitors navigate the maze of public transport fares and entrance tickets. The name is derived from the play on words “I am Amsterdam”. If you are also planning to visit the attractions and famous sights of the city, then the ‘I Amsterdam’ card may be of interest to you. It is a combination of day passes for public transport and discounted admission to tourist attractions.

The “I Amsterdam” card is a combination ticket and offers the following benefits:

I amsterdam card

“I Amsterdam” – just one ticket for public transport + free admission to attractions

Tip: Buy the ‘I Amsterdam’ card, GVB day ticket or entrance ticket online without paying a surcharge.

Insider tip: you can purchase the “I Amsterdam” card via this English-language website before your trip. This will save you the hassle and possibly even the credit card fees that you might incur if you pay on arrival.

Pricing for the “I Amsterdam” card (as of 2024)

1 day – 24 hours: €60 2 days – 48 hours: €85 (€42.50 per day) 3 days – 72 hours: €100 (€33.33 per day) 4 days – 96 hours: €115 (€28.75 per day) 5 days – 120 hours: €125 (€25 per day)

#6 Overview: Day tickets in Amsterdam

#7 group tickets for travel groups or school trips.

3 day travel pass amsterdam

In addition, these tickets can be purchased online at no extra cost via this English language website .  There is no need to handle a large sum of money at a local ticket machine while your group waits impatiently. You will receive a receipt for your online purchase, which makes accounting for a group much easier.

#8 GVB 1 hour ticket

With the GVB 1 hour ticket, you can use all GVB lines within one hour. The ticket is unfortunately not available online. Current price 2024: €3.40 for adults

#9 FAQ 2024

Local transport Amsterdam: How much does a day ticket cost 2024?

The prices for the day ticket are very reasonable for a European metropolis. With a longer period of validity, the price per day decreases significantly.

Regular fare 2024: 1 day / 24 hours: 9 € 2 days / 48 hours: 15 € 3 days / 72 hours: 21 € 4 days / 96 hours: 26,50 € 5 days / 120 hours: 33 € 6 days / 144 hours: 37,50 € 7 days / 168 hours: 41 € (5,85 € per day)

More information about other tickets, online tickets, tickets for children … in our travel guide

Which public transport ticket is best for Amsterdam tourists?

The day or multi-day ticket of the city’s public transport company GVB is very popular with visitors to Amsterdam. With this ticket, you can easily use local transport (metro, bus, tram) in the Amsterdam city area . It is very cheap compared to other European metropolises. More information about other tickets, online tickets, tickets for children … in our travel guide

How much does a single ticket cost for public transport in Amsterdam?

There is no classic single ticket for Amsterdam public transport. Single journeys can be paid for with the “OV / E- Purse card”. It works in a similar way to a prepaid mobile phone card. You can load an amount of money onto this card at a machine. You can then use this credit to pay for local transport. A reloadable, anonymous e-purse card (without passport photo) costs 7.50 euros (without credit).  It is easier to use local transport with a day or multi-day ticket.

Where can I buy local transport tickets in Amsterdam?

You can buy local transport tickets in Amsterdam at vending machines or sales points of the local transport company GVB. You can also buy many tickets online. This saves time and stress in Amsterdam. You can find more information and our tips on buying tickets in our Amsterdam travel guide.

Is the GVB Day Ticket Amsterdam valid on the Schiphol Airport Express Bus 397?

The regular GVB day pass does not include the airport transfer by express bus or train. However, you can buy a combined ticket consisting of a day ticket for public transport + airport transfer (express bus or train). This combined ticket is called the “ Amsterdam Travel Ticket ”.

Is an airport transfer included with the Amsterdam Travel Ticket?

With the “Amsterdam Travel Ticket” you can use the following unlimited transfer options to and from Schiphol Airport :

  • Train travel in 2nd class on NS trains between Schiphol Amsterdam station and any station in Amsterdam (Amstel, Bijlmer Arena, Amsterdam Centraal Central Station, Holendrecht, Lelylaan, Muiderpoort, RAI, Science Park, Sloterdijk, Zuid and Duivendrech)
  • Amsterdam Airport Express (Bus 397) and Niteliner (Bus N97)

Dr P. C. Sunil

I was a tourist in Amsterdam and lived in the DAM square area from 28th September 2019 to 1st October 2019. I request you to please issue a 12 hour ticket for 4.0 Euro. The 24 hour ticket which I bought for 8 Euro becomes a bit redundant since trams are not there in the late hours up to early morning. We usually party till about 2 am and then the walk back from Bull Dog Palace at Leidseplein Square to Dam Square becomes arduous and dangerous since we are not in our senses. I used line 2, 14, 24 and 26 extensively during our stay there.

moh ali fais

good information

Leave a Reply

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Public Transport Tickets in Amsterdam 2024 (Complete Guide)

amsterdam transport tickets

Choosing the right transport ticket in Amsterdam has become a rather complicated affair for both visitors and locals. In this guide we take a detailed look at all available Amsterdam public transport tickets and how they work.

We give you our top choices to help you pick the best one or to purchase a combination of different tickets to get the most from your stay in Amsterdam.

Our top Amsterdam public transport ticket recommendations are the following multiday tickets which can offer excellent value if used well:

Public transport within Amsterdam is run by city transport company GVB – from trams which criss-cross the city to the metro and buses which travel further out.

In addition there are trains operated by NS (Dutch Railways) which connect Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport and the rest of the Netherlands.

Regional buses (Connexxion/EBS/Arriva) can take you on excursions to some nearby places of interest.

Note, every traveller aged 4 or over must have their own ticket. When making a journey you are required to check-in (when boarding) and check-out (on exiting) by holding your ticket against one of the card readers or scanning a valid QR-code.

In Amsterdam this applies for trips on trams, trains, the metro and buses – the GVB city ferries are free!

Now let’s look at each type of Amsterdam public transport ticket in more detail – prices are for 2024.

1. GVB Day/Multi-Day Tickets

Best Value & Validity

GVB day tickets are valid from 1 to 7 days and allow you unlimited travel on the GVB network in Amsterdam day and night (GVB buses, metro and trams). It is the best value ticket available for Amsterdam transport. You can buy the GVB Multi-Day Tickets online here

GVB tickets are activated on first check-in and the validity is on a 24 hours basis – so you can handily use them over 2 consecutive calendar days within the 24 hour period.

When activating GVB day tickets, don’t forget to note your first check-in time.

GVB day tickets can get you to all the main sights in and around Amsterdam.

This includes Dam Square, Anne Frank House, Artis Zoo, Albert Cuyp Market/Heineken Brewery, Leidseplein, Museumplein (Rijksmuseum/Van Gogh Museum), Olympic Stadium, RAI Convention Centre, Westergas; stations at Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam Bijlmer-ArenA (Johan Cruijff ArenA/Ziggo Dome), Amsterdam Noord, Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Amsterdam Zuid; and further afield to Amstelveen/Amsterdamse Bos and IJburg beach.

These tickets are great for exploring around different Amsterdam neighbourhoods and will help you get around easily if you have a pre-planned city itinerary.

GVB tickets are NOT valid on NS trains – so you cannot travel to destinations in the region or other Dutch cities! They are not valid on the airport train .

They are also not valid on any Connexxion/EBS/Arriva regional bus services.

These are the prices of the GVB day tickets available:

The GVB tickets are now downloaded and used through the GetYourGuide app as a QR code. This saves the need from having to pick-up physical tickets at one of the GVB ticket offices.

[If you still want to buy physical tickets in advance you can purchase here via Tiqets – these can be only picked up at GVB points at Amsterdam Central/Bijlmer-Arena/Noord/Zuid. However this online option will soon be removed.]

The GVB Child Day Ticket is valid for 24 hours for those aged 4-11 . Children must be accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. It is currently not available for advance purchase online.

Children aged 0-3 travel free, children 12 or over must buy the standard adult ticket.

Note, only the 24 hours ticket can be purchased on board a tram – by card payments only, cash is not accepted. At ticket machines in metro stations only the 1-4 day cards are available.

We therefore recommend purchasing online in advance to secure your choice of card – particularly if you want the better value cards with longer validity.

gvb transport in amsterdam - tram bus metro

GVB Day/Multi-Day Ticket: Summary

The GVB multiday tickets offer really great value and allow visitors to move around freely on trams, buses and the metro in Amsterdam.

  • Excellent value with low cost-per-ride if used well
  • Flexible choice of validity at 1-7 days
  • Valid for 24 hour segments
  • Reduced price child day ticket available
  • Not valid on airport train or 397 airport bus
  • Not valid for travel outside Amsterdam

Order GVB multi-day tickets here

GVB airport ‘loophole’

Note, it is technically possible to travel between Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and the city using a GVB-only card by taking GVB bus 369 from Schiphol Airport/Plaza to Amsterdam Sloterdijk. This has a journey time of 30 minutes.

Connections at Sloterdijk are GVB bus 22 (Central Station) or GVB tram 19 (to Diemen Sniep via Leidseplein).

We do however recommend you take the much faster train to/from the airport!

gvb bus 369 schiphol airport to amsterdam sloterdijk

Group Travel in Amsterdam

Travelling with a large group around Amsterdam? Whether you are here with a student group or have a large group of visitors to a conference or work event – the GVB day tickets can be a convenient and economical way to get around.

Please note that every individual must have their own ticket and check-in and check-out accordingly.

amsterdam tram group travel

For group travel you can purchase up to 30 GVB multi-day tickets in one transaction here – however these now need to be used through the GetYourGuide app.

If you want to pick-up physical tickets then you can also pre-purchase up to 99 tickets in one transaction of the following: Amsterdam Travel Ticket and Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (both these include a GVB ticket component).

TIP: For very large groups travelling together it is probably better to take the metro if possible. See our  Metro Map of Amsterdam

2. Amsterdam Travel Ticket

Best for airport trip and using trains around Amsterdam

This is an all-in-one product which includes a 1, 2 or 3 day GVB unlimited travel card plus travel between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam – valid on NS trains or 397 Amsterdam Airport Express bus. You can buy the 1/2/3 day Amsterdam Travel Ticket online here

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket in 2024 is priced as follows: 1 day ( €18.00 ), 2 day ( €24.00 ) and 3 day ( €30.00 ).

Please note that this product has validity on a “calendar day basis” rather than 24 hours, so the card expires at 0400 in the morning after the last valid day.

TIP: You always get more potential value activating the card earlier in the day.

So for example, if you activate (check-in) a 1 day card anytime on a Wednesday (0000-2359) the card will expire Thursday at 0400. If only activating the card late in the evening (and before midnight) you would have wasted most of the day’s potential use.

The NS train portion is valid in 2nd class for unlimited travel between Schiphol Airport and any of the following stations in Amsterdam: Amsterdam Centraal, Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam Bijlmer-ArenA, Duivendrecht, Amsterdam Holendrecht, Amsterdam Lelylaan, Amsterdam Muiderpoort, Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam Science Park, Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Amsterdam Zuid.

One hidden benefit is that you can also use it for unlimited train journeys (2nd class) between any of the above Amsterdam stations .

For more info on Schiphol travel see Getting from Schiphol to Amsterdam

schiphol airport rail station hall

In addition it is valid for unlimited travel on the 397 Amsterdam Airport Express bus operated by Connexxion. You must always make your final journey back to the airport (bus or train) before the card expires.

The GVB portion of the ticket can be used on GVB Amsterdam trams , buses, metro and night buses in the Amsterdam metropolitan area. Note, it is NOT valid for travel further around the region or to other Dutch cities.

The 3 day ticket is the best value and works out at a very reasonable €10.00 per day.

If you are staying longer than 3 days you can either consider using consecutive Amsterdam Travel Tickets successively or mixing/matching with other ticket types.

ns sprinter light train (sng) 2nd class seats

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is an OV-chip smart card so you are required to check-in and check-out for each journey.

Basically this ticket is handy for anyone on a short visit to Amsterdam who is arriving/departing from Schiphol Airport. Because of the train component, it is also really good for those staying in and around Amsterdam Sloterdijk or Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena as you can jump onto the train to Amsterdam Central whenever needed.

Most payment methods are accepted and after booking you can always cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund if your plans happen to change.

You receive a voucher and simply pick up your pre-purchased tickets at the following points: Public transport machines (grey, blue and red) at Amsterdam Schiphol airport (24 hours); NS ticket & service desks at at Amsterdam Schiphol airport , Amsterdam Central Station or Amsterdam Sloterdijk ; at the GVB service points at Amsterdam Zuid , Amsterdam Bijlmer-Arena or Amsterdam Noord .

You can also purchase this ticket over-the-counter (subject to availability) at the following at Schiphol Airport: NS Tickets & Service desk, Iamsterdam visitor centre (Schiphol Arrivals 2) or AKO newsagent.

Amsterdam Travel Ticket: Summary

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket can be a good value choice for those on a shorter visit needing the airport trip included. It is recommended if you are staying around Schiphol Airport, Sloterdijk or Bijlmer Arena.

  • Includes unlimited airport train and bus
  • Hidden benefit: Unlimited train use between any Amsterdam stations
  • Valid on all GVB Amsterdam transport
  • Calendar day validity rather than 24 hours
  • No child tickets available

Order the Amsterdam Travel Ticket here

3. Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

Best for Excursions

This is a 1 day ( €21.00 ), 2 day ( €31.50 ) and 3 day ( €40.50 ) ticket which is valid on all public transport in the greater Amsterdam region . This includes NS trains (2nd class), all regional buses (Connexxion, EBS and Arriva Keukenhof services) and all GVB Amsterdam buses, metro and trams. You can buy the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket online here

Like the above Amsterdam Travel Ticket, this product is valid on a “calendar day basis” only rather than 24 hours. The card is activated on first check-in and expires at 0400 in the morning after the last valid day. Once again, you must check-in and check-out for each journey taken.

This ticket is a little more expensive than the GVB multiday tickets and Amsterdam Travel Ticket due to its larger catchment validity area.

keukenhof express bus at europaplein

This ticket is recommended if you plan to make side trips to various places of interest around the greater Amsterdam region. It is valid to the following destinations:

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Hoofddorp, Haarlem, Old Holland area (Waterland fishing villages like Edam, Volendam and Marken/Zaanse Schans windmills/Zaandam), Amsterdam Beaches (Ijmuiden/Zandvoort), Flowers of Amsterdam (Aalsmeer/Keukenhof), Castles & Garden area (Muiden/Naarden/Hilversum) and the New Land area (Almere/Lelystad).

This handy Amsterdam & Region Ticket map (opens as a pdf) from Iamsterdam shows the valid travel area and transport options:

Again the 3 day ticket is the best value and works out at only €13.50 per day. As a comparison, the standard fare (2024) for a return day trip by train from Amsterdam Central to Lelystad would already set you back €23.60.

So if you plan your itinerary well then the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket could save you quite a bit of money.

TIP: If you have an Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket and want to travel to destinations outside the catchment area – like Utrecht, Leiden, Delft, Den Haag, Rotterdam and Kinderdijk – then use your ticket to travel to the outer edge of the zone and buy your onward tickets from there (rather than from Amsterdam Central). For example, for Utrecht travel from Hilversum or Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena.

Most payment methods are accepted. After booking you can always cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund if your plans happen to change.

You receive a voucher and simply pick up your pre-purchased tickets at the following points: Public transport machines (grey, blue and red) at Amsterdam Schiphol airport (24 hours); NS ticket & service desks at at Amsterdam Schiphol airport , Amsterdam Central Station , Amsterdam Sloterdijk ; GVB service points at Amsterdam Zuid , Amsterdam Bijlmer-Arena or Amsterdam Noord .

The ticket may also be purchased (subject to availability) at I amsterdam Visitor Centres and main ticket offices of Connexxion, EBS, GVB and NS.

TIP: If you plan to stay longer than 3 days you could consider buying multiple tickets for consecutive use or mixing and matching with GVB multi day tickets.

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket: Summary

The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket can be very useful if you plan to make excursions outside of Amsterdam. Because it is valid on numerous transport providers it also saves you from having to buy separate tickets each time.

  • Despite the higher price, good value can be extracted from this ticket
  • Valid on all GVB transport in Amsterdam
  • Valid on airport train and bus
  • Unlimited transport around entire Amsterdam region
  • Not valid for travel outside region (eg – to Rotterdam, Leiden, The Hague, Utrecht)

Order the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket here

4. GVB 1 Hour Ticket / Bus Tram Metro (BTM) 1.5 Hour Ticket

In Amsterdam the single can be bought as a disposable OV-chip card and is valid for 1 hour travel on GVB public transport (bus/metro/tram) including any transfers. It costs €3.40 and is activated on first check-in.

Single tickets should only really be considered if you are going to make just 1 or 2 trips in a day. It will usually be slightly cheaper to use the distance fare rate using OVpay (contacless debit card) or credit on an OV-chip card .

If you plan to make 3 or more trips then buy a 1 day GVB ticket or a multi-day ticket.

The GVB single can be bought at GVB sales desk/ticket machines (cash/debit/credit cards accepted) or on board trams/buses from drivers/conductors (no cash accepted on board, debit/credit cards only).

Check-in and check-out using the card readers is required, including when making a transfer to another form of transport.

Note, the GVB 1 hour ticket is NOT valid on the Schiphol airport train, 397 Amsterdam Airport Express bus nor on any GVB night bus service.

There is also a 1.5 hour Bus Tram Metro (BTM) ticket which costs €6.50 and is good for travel during the day around Amsterdam and the region on GVB (bus/metro/tram) plus Connexxion and EBS bus services. It is not valid on night buses.

5. Holland Travel Ticket

This ticket was introduced to make it easier for visitors to navigate the Netherlands on one single ticket. It is valid for 1 day on all Dutch public transport in the country including trains (2nd class), buses, trams and metro. You can buy this disposable OV-chip card ticket at service desks and ticket machines at NS rail stations.

The ticket is activated on first check-in and you must check-in and check-out for each journey leg.

The standard Holland Travel Ticket costs €70 and can be used anytime during the day.

The off-peak Holland Travel Ticket costs €48 and is only valid for travel after 0900 (Mon-Fri). It is valid all day at weekends and public holidays.

If you plan to do a lot of travelling in the Netherlands on a single day (either in terms of distance or using different forms of transport) then this ticket could offer good value as well as not having to buy separate tickets.

For example, a standard day return from Amsterdam to Maastricht costs around €60 – so using the off-peak Holland Travel Ticket can save some money and allow multiple stopovers.

TIP: To maximise this ticket buy the off-peak version and use it at the weekend, starting out as early in the day as possible.

However, it is certainly not a good option if you just plan to remain in and around the Amsterdam area. There is no 1st class option available.

gvb metro amsterdam

6. Amsterdam Airport Bus Tickets

Amsterdam Airport Express bus 397 operates between Schiphol and Elandsgracht in central Amsterdam. It does not run to/from Amsterdam Central station.

A single Bus Tram Metro (BTM) ticket costs €6.50 , a child (4-11) day ticket costs €1 .

amsterdam airport express bus 397

You can also buy a single or return ticket online here

7. Waterland Day Ticket

Head out of Amsterdam and visit historic Dutch fishing villages such as Edam, Volendam, Monnickendam and Marken. A Waterland day ticket costs €12.50 for adults, €3 for children 4-11 and is valid the entire day (until 0100) on all EBS buses serving the Waterland and Zaandam area. It is not valid on Connexxion buses or night buses.

EBS buses now depart from Amsterdam Noord or Noorderpark station which can be reached by metro line 52.

ebs bus waterland amsterdam

Waterland tickets can be bought at the public transport desk of the OV Servicewinkel shops at Amsterdam Central, EBS bus drivers or the I amsterdam tourist information at the front side of Amsterdam central station. The card is activated on first check-in, with check-in and check-out required for each trip.

For more see our Waterland Amsterdam page

waterland ticket

However the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket gives a lot more options, including using the metro and visiting other places of interest.

8. OV-Chip Card – pre-paid credit

The re-usable OV-chip card is a plastic smart card (like London’s Oyster Card) where you can add travel credit onto its “e-purse” and use it for journeys on any mode of Dutch public transport .

We don’t recommend this card for short-term visitors – use singles or the above multi-day cards instead.

There are 2 types of OV-chip card available: a so-called anonymous OV-chip card (anyone can buy/use this) or the personal OV-chip card (a personal photo card for Dutch residents). Note, see OVpay below for direct payment using contactless debit/credit cards/mobile.

anonymous ov-chip card

An anonymous card with zero credit costs €7.50 (non-refundable) and will last 4-5 years.

The anonymous OV-chip card can be purchased at any NS train station (including Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central) and at other transport providers such as GVB. It can also be purchased at newsagents and supermarkets – some cards can be bought already pre-loaded with credit.

When purchasing an “empty” card from a transport provider, you should load some credit (at least €10-€20, maximum allowed is €150) onto the e-purse of the card – it can then be used for travel on any form of public transport in Amsterdam or the Netherlands. Note that some cards may need to be pre-activated for use on the rail network at a NS ticket desk or machine.

OV-chip card fares are calculated at fixed rates based on distance travelled. Travelling with the e-purse on buses/metro/trams tends to be a little cheaper than buying single tickets. You will need a minimum of €4 e-purse credit which is taken off as a deposit on check-in; at check-out the €4 is refunded and the standard fare is deducted from the card balance.

For GVB travel in Amsterdam, there is a fixed boarding fee of €1.08 and then a variable distance fee of €0.196 per km which is actually calculated to every 50 metres of travel.

What this means is a 3km journey will cost about €1.67; a 10km trip costs €3.04 – cheaper than the €3.40 disposable 1 hour ticket above.

If you need to make a transfer you must check-out and then check back in – if this is within 35 minutes you do not pay the boarding fee again.

For train travel, the standard one-way fare is charged. You need a minimum of €20 e-purse credit on the card to check-in at a station. As above, the €20 is initially taken off as a deposit and is returned on check-out with the one-way fare taken off the card balance. If you fail to check-out you will lose the €20.

The anonymous OV-chip card may be suitable for visitors who plan longer stays in the country with lots of public transport trips or those planning multiple visits to the Netherlands.

The OV-chip card can be useful in not having to buy separate tickets each time. You do need to keep a careful eye on the e-purse balance to ensure that minimum credit is available, especially for train travel.

The anonymous card can also be used by other people though not at the same time – everyone travelling together must have their own card.

9. OVpay – check-in/out by contactless debit/credit card

ovpay logo

It can be used using the following foreign (non-Dutch) cards: Maestro, V pay, Mastercard and Visa.

As with the OV-chip card, standard one-way fares will apply for your journey . At the end of the day the transport company will debit your total use with them in one transaction.

This option makes the OV-chip card effectively redundant for visitors. However, if you have a non-euro contactless payment card then you may want to check your provider’s forex transaction fees before using.

Paying the standard one-way fares is fine for a small number of journeys. However if you want to maximise value then consider purchasing day and multi-day tickets as described above.

10. NS Train Tickets

There are a number of train stations in Amsterdam (see: train network map of Amsterdam ) and the railway can sometimes be a fast and useful way to travel around the periphery of the city as well as getting to the airport.

There are various ticket format options for travel on NS Dutch Railways:

  • disposable tickets – either one-ways or day returns in OV-chip format – for travel that day or on a future specified date up to 1 week ahead. A €1 fee for a disposable ticket is charged on top of the standard fare.
  • using a personal or anonymous OV-chip card
  • buying an e-ticket or mobile ticket online which has a barcode to go through barriers

Children aged 4-11 can buy a Rail Runner ticket which costs €2.50 and is valid the entire day on any train in 2nd class (or in 1st class if accompanied by a 1st class adult ticket holder).

The standard fare between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central is €4.90 + a €1 fee for a disposable ticket.

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket mentioned above offers unlimited travel between all Amsterdam stations as well as Schiphol airport.

For a detailed overview of rail tickets check our How to Buy a Dutch Train Ticket guide.

11. I amsterdam City Card (GVB transport + attractions)

For those who like the idea of a combined transport ticket and free entry to attractions, the I amsterdam City Card could be an option. Aimed at visitors, this official pass offers unlimited GVB transport within Amsterdam and entry to the likes of the Rijksmuseum, Johan Cruijff ArenA Tour and A’DAM Lookout. (Note, Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum not included) .

A free canal cruise and 1 day bike rental are also included.

Validity options are 24 hours ( €60 ), 48 hours ( €85 ), 72 hours ( €100 ), 96 hours ( €115 ), 120 hours ( €125 ). Although not cheap if used carefully it can lead to savings – and you avoid the hassle of buying tickets each time.

You can book the I amsterdam City Card online here

The 120 hour (5 day) card offers the greatest value coming in at €25 per day. Read our full I amsterdam City Card review here on how to maximise the card.

Amsterdam Travel with Discounts

Apart from some child products, non-resident visitors are NOT entitled to any discounts on public transport. Discounts are only available for eligible residents with a personal OV-chip card – those aged 4-11 and 65+ will automatically receive a 34% discounted fare rate when using the e-purse on their card.

Cheap child day tickets are available with GVB transport, NS trains and Connexxion/EBS buses. Note that the Amsterdam/Amsterdam & Region/Holland Travel Tickets do not have a discounted child version. It may be cheaper to buy separate child tickets instead as a substitute.

For residents with a personal OV-chip card who are regular travellers there is the Altijd Korting (Always Discount) product option available to purchase for  €21.55 per month or  €215.50 per year. It gives the holder a 20% discount on bus/metro/tram travel throughout the Netherlands whilst students aged 12-18 get a 40% discount. It is not valid for discounts on NS trains.

GVB Flex is a monthly subscription product from GVB which gives discounted travel in Amsterdam. The main feature is that you can travel anywhere in the Netherlands without the need of using the balance on an OV-chip card. Instead you are invoiced each month. There are 4 products:

  • Easy Flex costs  €1.00 per month and gives 10% discount on GVB all day.
  • Start Flex costs  €3.00 per month and gives 20% discount on GVB only between 2000-0400.
  • Flex costs €5.50 per month and gives 20% discount on GVB all day.
  • Extra Flex costs €15.00 per month and gives 40% discount on GVB all day.

It is possible to switch subscriptions each month.

The Net Abonnement (Network Season Ticket) subscription offers unlimited travel on bus, tram and metro throughout the Netherlands. It is not valid on trains. It costs  €335.45 per month or  €3,354.50 per year.

Other Amsterdam Public Transport Ticket Types

Night Bus Tickets – A single ride on a GVB night bus costs €5.40 . It can be bought from the driver (no cash accepted) as a disposable OV-chip ticket or added as a product onto an anonymous or personal OV-chip card. The card is valid for 90 minutes and includes transfers to other GVB night buses.

GVB Group Ticket – This allows a group of 5 people 1 day’s travel on the GVB network. Unfortunately this is a restricted ticket in that it can only be bought and used via the GVB app. The group must always travel together and each traveller has a unique barcode which has to be managed via the purchaser’s phone – so checking-in and -out is not a particularly seamless process. It costs €25 .

GVB Bicycle Ticket – Bikes can be taken onto tram 26 or the metro but only outside the rush hour (0700-0900/1600-1830). A bicycle ticket costs  €2.20 and is valid for the entire day. It can be added as a supplement to a personal or anonymous OV-chip card. Alternatively there is a disposable 1 hour card + bicycle which costs €5.60 .

NS Bicycle Ticket – Bikes can travel on trains outside the weekday rush hours; and at anytime at weekends and during July and August. A bicycle ticket ( €7.50 ) is required which is valid for 1 day. You must store your bike in the special carriages labelled with the bike sign. Folded bikes can be carried for free.

Don’t forget, you also need a valid train ticket for travel as well!

GVB Ticket Offices

You can purchase any GVB public transport ticket type at the “GVB Tram Bus Metro Ferry” Service & Tickets office at Stationsplein outside Amsterdam Central station (city side). Opening hours are daily 0830-1900.

This is also where you can pick-up some pre-purchased online tickets.

gvb ticket office amsterdam central

There are similar GVB Service & Tickets offices at the following stations:

  • Amsterdam Bijlmer-ArenA (open 0830-1900 Mon-Fri, 1000-1800 Sat-Sun)
  • Amsterdam Zuid (open 0830-1900 Mon-Fri, 1000-1800 Sat-Sun)
  • Station Noord (open daily 1000-1800)

gvb ticket office at amsterdam bijlmer arena

Some GVB tickets can also be purchased over-the-counter at service points at the following shops/newsagents: Primera, Bestseller, Vivant, Techador and Cigo .

GVB automatic ticket machines accept cash (coins and notes) and debit/credit cards and can be found at all metro stations and stops. There are also GVB vending machines along some tram stops – these only accept card payments.

There are also special public transport ticket machines and GVB ticket machines located at Amsterdam Central:

public transport ticket machine amsterdam

Buy your GVB tickets online here

This article was first published in 2010 and has been continuously updated since then. Last update 6 March 2024.

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

Related Articles

amsterdam tram

Trams in Amsterdam – Lines, Tickets, Info and Tips (Complete Guide 2024)

ns group return ticket - groepretour

NS Group Ticket (Off-Peak) – Cheapest Dutch Train Offer

rotterdam airport

Rotterdam The Hague Airport to Amsterdam

getting around utrecht

Getting Around Utrecht, Netherlands

3 day travel pass amsterdam

  • Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

Whether by train, tram, bus or metro – discover Amsterdam in a day (or three!)

  • Traveller Information

Get around Amsterdam the easy way with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket – a travel card that delivers carefree travel on public transport. Depending on the length of your stay, choose between 1, 2 or 3 day tickets, for € 21, € 31.50 or € 40.50 respectively. Make your way around the Dutch capital with a travel ticket that’s valid on trains, trams, buses and the metro.

Buy your tickets

See Amsterdam in a day

After you’ve got your transport sorted comes the fun part – deciding what you want to see. Luckily, the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket offers fuss-free travel across all public transport, meaning you don’t have to waste time in ticket queues. Simply use the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket to hop on a bus (or train, tram or the metro!) and you’re halfway there. Want to visit the Anne Frank House? Easy, with Tram 13 from Central Station. Onto the Heineken Experience? Make that Bus 170. With the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket, staying longer than a day is easy. Simply choose a two or three day ticket, and the only thing you have to decide on is your itinerary. 

Discover the city’s surrounds 

If you’ve got a few days in Amsterdam, why not see what surrounds the capital? With two and three day Amsterdam & Region Travel Tickets, it’s easier than ever to see what lies beyond the city centre. Take Bus 391 to Zaanse Schans and step back in time to the old Dutch world of windmills and chocolate. Planning your trip in April? Use the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket and take Bus 858 straight from Schiphol Airport to visit the charming tulip fields of the Keukenhof. Or jump aboard the Sprinter Train to Zandvoort aan Zee and spend the day at the Dutch Coast. With an Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, nowhere is too hard to get to.

Save on travel costs

Say goodbye to single-use public transport tickets. With the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, you can get access to the entire city and regional public transport network, in a single transaction. Save on time and transport costs with a one, two or three-day Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, and explore Amsterdam and its beautiful surrounds at your leisure. 

Useful information

  • The ticket can be bought from NS counters, participating other carriers (EBS, Connexxion and GVB) and via third parties.
  • 1-day (€ 21.00), 2-day (€ 31.50) and 3-day (€ 40.50) tickets are available
  • Included is a handy map showing places of interest in and around Amsterdam

Train You can use the Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket for unlimited travel by train (2nd class) between any of the following stations in Amsterdam and the Amsterdam region: Amsterdam Amstel, Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA, Amsterdam Central Station, Amsterdam Holendrecht, Amsterdam Lelylaan, Amsterdam Muiderpoort, Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam Sciencepark, Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Amsterdam Zuid, Duivendrecht, Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, Halfweg-Zwanenburg, Haarlem, Haarlem Spaarnwoude, Overveen, Zandvoort aan Zee, Zaandam, Zaandam Kogerveld, Purmerend Weidevenne, Purmerend, Purmerend Overwhere, Koog aan de Zaan, Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, Hoofddorp, Diemen, Weesp, Almere Poort, Almere Centrum, Almere Muziekwijk, Almere Parkwijk, Almere Buiten, Almere Oostvaarders, Lelystad Centrum, Diemen Zuid, Naarden-Bussum, Bussum Zuid, Hilversum Media Park and Hilversum Sportpark, Bloemendaal, Santpoort Zuid, Santpoort Noord, Driehuis, Uitgeest en Beverwijk.

Tram, bus, metro, ferry The ticket is valid on all trams, buses, night buses, metros and ferries run by the Amsterdam transport company GVB, EBS, Keolis and Connexxion in Amsterdam and the Amsterdam region.

Available at the I Amsterdam Visitor Centres, selected hotels and campsites and ticket counters of the participating public transport companies, including:

  • NS Tickets & Service Schiphol (open 24/7) and other train stations in Amsterdam and Amsterdam Region.
  • GVB Tickets & Info: Amsterdam Central Station (Stationsplein), Bijlmer ArenA Station, Lelylaan Station & Zuid Station.
  • EBS Tickets & Info: Amsterdam Central Station (IJ River side), Purmerend Tramplein, Edam bus station.
  • Connexxion Tickets & Info: Schiphol Airport/Plaza (Bus Platform 9, open daily from 8.30 -17.30).
  • Amsterdam Central Station.
  • Schiphol Airport, Arrivals 2 at Schiphol Plaza (Holland Tourist information)
  • Your webshop for public transport
  • Customer service

Public Transport Holland Shop

  • Available Tickets
  • Schiphol Airport
  • Eindhoven Airport
  • Traveling by metro
  • Traveling by bus
  • Traveling by train
  • Park and Ride
  • Traveling by tram
  • Tourist & Ticket Shop
  • Group travel

No products in the cart.

Return to shop

  • Search for:
  • Login / Register

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket 1, 2 or 3 day

Amsterdam Day Ticket GVB Day Tickets

€  21,00 – €  40,50

Discover Amsterdam and the surrounding area with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket – a special 1, 2 or 3 day public transport pass valid on metros, trams and buses operated by GVB, Connexxion and EBS and NS trains

This ticket will be delivered by post. Keep this in mind when you place your order! (we will charge extra costs when canceling)

  • Description
  • Additional information
  • Reviews (9)

Discover Amsterdam and the surrounding area with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket – a special 1, 2 or 3 day public transport pass valid on metros, trams and buses operated by GVB, Connexxion and EBS and NS trains.

Public transport pass for Amsterdam & the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area

The greater Amsterdam area offers so much more than just the big city sights . The Amsterdam & Region Travel ticket lets you explore the beaches of Zandvoort, Edam’s cheese market, the Aalsmeer flower auction, Keukenhof Gardens and traditional villages like Volendam and Zaanse Schans with a single 1 day public transport pass . When you purchase this ticket, you’ll also get a public transport guide for the Amsterdam region (PDF) filled with useful tips and sightseeing highlights . If you go to the Information Center of Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet with your ARTT ticket, you will receive a VIP day pass that gives you an additional 10% discount on outlet prices at participating brands.

Price & sales locations

The Ticket costs:

  • 1 day € 21,00
  • 2 days € 31,50
  • 3 days € 40,50
  • Webshop : We prefer to buy your ticket upfront in our webshop.

How to use the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is valid for 1, 2 or 3 days on any of the routes listed on the public transport guide (PDF) . Using your Amsterdam & Region Day Ticket is easy:

  • Tickets are valid for 1, 2 or 3 day’s. Your ticket is activated the first time you check in on a tram, bus or metro.
  • You must check in and out with your card every time you enter and exit one of the vehicles.
  • Tickets are valid on all metro, tram and bus. In the lines operated by GVB, Connexxion and EBS, including night buses and NS trains.
  • If you have additional questions or your ticket appears to be defective, you can go to one of the sales locations listed above for assistance.

If you want to schedule your travel and see frequency of time schedules, use handy tool of 9292.nl

9 reviews for Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket 1, 2 or 3 day

' src=

Roland Gernhardt (verified owner) – 9 June 2016

Very fast delivery. Five stars you will get if you deliver a small map with the tickets.

' src=

Ronny S (verified owner) – 10 February 2020

Bezorging van de kaarten met het plannetje erbij is vlot verlopen (snelle levering)

' src=

Ruth Sprüngli (verified owner) – 13 February 2020

Hat Super funktioniert. Besten Dank.

Hat super funktioniert. Besten Dank

' src=

Thomas Schmidt – 2 September 2022

Hatte 2 Travel-Tickets mit über 14 Tagen Vorlauf und Versand an die Heimatadresse in Deutschland bestellt. Das hat leider nicht funktioniert, die Tickets kamen nie an. Das Support-Team war aber sehr kooperativ und hat die Travel-Tickets ohne Mehrkosten nochmal an eine niederländische Adresse versendet, das ging dann ruckzuck. Haben mit den Tickets auch einen Faltplan mit den Linien von Bus, Bahn und Metro in Amsterdam und Umgebung bekommen, sehr hilfreich. Würde ich wieder kaufen, Versand nach Deutschland kann allerdings schiefgehen – warum auch immer das bei uns der Fall war

' src=

Valérie (verified owner) – 19 April 2023

J’ai passé d’excellentes vacances grâce à vous. Merci. Les cartes ont très bien fonctionné. Très pratique nous avons pu profiter de tous les transports en commun à amsterdam mais également du train allant jusqu’à Zaanse schans et plusieurs aller retour entre amsterdam centraal et amsterdam shipool. Aucun problème rencontré

' src=

Paul (verified owner) – 1 June 2023

Great product. Pick up a little odd at Schiphol with the lady who was there making us wait for a while as she hid in the back of the store and then making a fuss because we did not have a printed copy of the invoice just the order number.

' src=

Paula van Aarde (verified owner) – 22 July 2023

This was an excellent buy. Yes it takes a little planning to do everything in those three days. But is saves soooo much and totally worth it!

' src=

Johannes Brüning (verified owner) – 3 August 2023

A useful card we use for years. I can everybody recommend this fabulous ticket. It makes the coming around in Amsterdam, and especially in the Region ever so easy. Tickets once ordered arrived a couple of days later in Germany

Add a review Cancel reply

Your review  *

Name  *

Email  *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related products

EBS MeerPlus Zaanstreek-Waterland Day ticket

Public Transport Tickets Hoorn

EBS MeerPlus Zaanstreek-Waterland Day ticket

Personal OV-chipkaart

Public Transport Tickets Delft

The Personal OV-chipcard

Amsterdam Airport Express ticket

Public Transport E-tickets

Amsterdam Airport Express Single E-Ticket

Amsterdam Day Ticket GVB Day Tickets

Public Transport Tickets Amsterdam

Public Transport Amsterdam Day Ticket- GVB

2x1-Hour transport ticket Amsterdam

2×1-Hour transport ticket Amsterdam GVB

GVB Kids Day Ticket

Amsterdam Day Ticket for Children

3 day travel pass amsterdam

Temporary Lease Public Transport Chip Card

Amsterdam Travel Ticket

Public Transport Tickets Haarlem

Amsterdam Travel Ticket 1 Day, 2 Days or 3 Days

Username or email address  *

Password  *

Remember me Log in

Lost your password?

Logo

Amsterdam City Pass: A 3-day itinerary with the I amsterdam Card

  • March 10, 2020

Visiting Amsterdam is a great idea! Saving money is a great idea! So…doing both is a perfect idea. Am I right?

I’ve created this 3-day I amsterdam card itinerary specifically so you can make the most of this Amsterdam city pass.

Whenever I buy a city pass, I agonize over how to best use it. You know…to get my money’s worth.

Part of the iamsterdam sign at the airport. Travel with the Amsterdam City Pass

This post contains affiliate links which means this website may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links.  More information in the footer.

In these three days, I’ve made a conscious effort to mix things up a bit so you get an taster of the area with this Amsterdam pass. Day one is about the must-do things while you are in the city and maximizing the discounts available. Day two takes you outside the city to the famous area of windmills, Zaanse Schans. Finally, day three are spots that I think anyone would find interesting.

You might wonder if the I amsterdam card is worth it? Well, these three days are packing with mostly free things to do in Amsterdam and discounts at special experiences and meals. Also, free public transportation is included in your Amsterdam city pass. Learn how to use the public transportation system here.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

Order your I amsterdam card here

Disclaimer: this information is accurate at the timing of writing, but be sure to check the little booklet they give you for the most up-to-date version.

Day 1 – Say “hello” to Amsterdam with the I amsterdam city card

Eat breakfast at pancake bakery.

Start your day with Dutch pancakes , or as we called them here, pannenkoeken! Get the ones as big as your plate and you’ll be stuffed for a few hours. Sean tends to go savory and I like my sweet fruit options. If, by chance, you’d rather have pancakes in the afternoon, go for the ones with a little alcohol in them 😉

Discount: 25% off excluding drinks

Take a Canal Cruise

Sean and I talk about if there was just one thing you’d recommend, what would it be? For us, in Amsterdam, it’s a canal cruise. Touristy? Yes. But hey, it’s a phenomenal way to see the city and I think getting a different perspective is always a great idea.

Discount: FREE

Choose Your Museum

I don’t know what you like, so this is pretty open-ended. There are many museums included in the I amsterdam city pass , so you’ll want to choose whichever you are most interested in. My favorite (if you’re going to force me to choose) is the National Maritime Museum . But I totally understand why, if you’re in Amsterdam, you’ll visit one of the most famous museums like the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum .

Lunch at Cafe Restaurant Blue

Thanks to this Amsterdam city pass, you can take a break with lunch at Cafe Restaurant Blue with a discount. It’s in the “mall” Kalvertoren. I put quotation marks there because it’s not like a mall we have in the United States…well, really it’s just tiny. Anyway, head up to the top for some lunch and one of my favorite views of the city.

Discount: 25% excluding drinks

Experience the famous drinks at House of Bols and Heineken experience

Have a drink experience while you’re here! Amsterdam is known for Bols and Heineken , so hitting up one of their experiences is a great way to spend an hour or so. I’ve also included this in my foodie guide to Amsterdam, so check that out if you’re looking for foodie (and drink) experiences.

Discount: 25% off each experience

Have a Cheese Tasting at Reypenaer Kaas

Let the foodie day continue! You’ve got to try Dutch cheese . I mean…it’s world famous and you won’t regret it. Unless you are lactose-intolerant or vegan. Then, please skip this step! My take away from cheese-tastings is that you’ll always leave a little pleasantly surprised. I love that.

Discount: 25% off a one-hour tasting

Enjoy Dinner at Restaurant-Café De IJ-kantine

Hop on the free ferry behind Amsterdam Centraal Station and head towards NDSM where you’ll find very cool areas to walk around with great street art. Near the ferry, you’ll find De IJ-kantine . With great views and a nice menu to choose from, this is a perfect spot to end the day and see a different part of Amsterdam.

Be prepared by pre-booking your I amsterdam card now

Windmills and Bikes

Day 2 – Explore Zaanse Schans and the windmills with the Amsterdam city pass

Feast at restaurant 1ste klas for breakfast.

Head to Amsterdam Centraal Station for a classy breakfast in this first-class , award-winning restaurant from 1889. In the old days, social classes were strictly observed and the waiting rooms were no different. Experience the glamour of yester-year in the train station while enjoying a lovely breakfast.

Discount: 25% on your total bill

Cruise to Zaanse Schans longish cruise

If you’re feeling leisurely, take the Zaanse Schans ferry from the back-side Amsterdam Centraal Station to Zaanse Schans. The cruise lasts somewhere between 1.5-2 hours and is incredibly scenic. It’ll take you directly to the windmill village that visitors love to see. You can take the same boat back, as well. (If you don’t want to take a boat, you can buy a bus ticket to go, instead. Bus 391 is at the back and upstairs in Amsterdam Centraal Station)

Visit Zaanse Schans

The area around the windmills in Zaanse Schans is completely free to explore. There’s no entrance fee. However, if you want to go inside the windmills, you’ll use your I amsterdam card to get in for free. Double-check the booklet that comes with the card to be sure it works at the windmill you want to visit.

Take a Windmill Cruise at Zaanse Schans

As I said before, taking a cruise is one of my favorite ways to see a place. Here’s a great opportunity to see a different perspective of the windmills–from the water! Since the windmills sit on the water, this is a must-do activity. Learn more about this windmill cruise .

Learn history and culture at the Zaanse Museum

To learn more about the windmills and what they are all together in this area, head to the Zaanse Museum . It’s also a great spot for when it gets rainy 😉 However, it’s about more than windmills. You’ll see exhibits on many facets of Dutch culture. Definitely worth a visit.

After-adventure snacks at Bar Bitterbal

Once back in Amsterdam, head towards Utrechtsestraat to have some bitterballen. You must try this food in the Netherlands…it’s basically mandatory. It’s a fried ball of ragu and at Bar Bitterbal , there are so many flavors to choose from–even vegetarian and vegan options. This is a great afternoon spot to relax for a bit, or a pre-dinner snack. We have a full list of foods to try while in Amsterdam , don’t miss out!

Discount: 25% on your bitterballen order

Dinner at Pasta Basta

I hope you had some good long walks because now it’s time to load up on the carbs at Pasta Basta in the center of Amsterdam. Despite its location, you might forget which country you are in. When you enter, you’re transported to Italy with the help of talented opera singers and delicious pasta.

Make your visit awesome with the I amsterdam card. Order here .

Amsterdam on Brouwersgracht

Day 3 – Last day with the I amsterdam card

Breakfast at yoghurt barn.

Surprisingly, there’s more than yoghurt here. You can get overnight oats, toast, wraps, and smoothies, just to name a few options. If you’re vegan, there are loads of choices for you, too. Yes, even at a place called Yoghurt Barn .

A’DAM LOOKOUT tower

To see Amsterdam from a totally different perspective, head to the A’DAM LOOKOUT in Amsterdam Noord. Simply take the free ferry behind Amsterdam Centraal Station and you’re a 2 minute walk away. You can head to the top for an insane view and for a little extra, you can swing over the edge!

Lunch at De Waag

Ready for lunch? Head to Nieuwmarkt and walk right into the beautiful historic building of De Waag . It used to be a city gate but is now a restaurant with the most charming interior. Ask for recommendations, or choose for yourself off the menu. I’d always recommend a nice glass of beer or a gin & tonic with lunch if you’re up for it.

Meet some animals at Artis

The Amsterdam Zoo, or Artis , has an incredibly interesting history. The zoo’s format is unique and fun for everyone. There’s so much to see and experience, especially considering you can basically walk through the exhibits…as in, you are with the animals. It’s a special thing to do and so memorable if you have kids! Well, or if you’re a kid at heart, I loved it!

Learn at Micropia

If you’re a science-nerd, or just someone super interested in life, then Micropia is a great spot to visit. It’s right by Artis, too, so it’s a very convenient next stop. You’ll get to learn about all the microbes that are in the world and even live on our bodies. It’s so interesting and such a well-done museum/interactive exhibit. You can stand in front of a wall and learn how many microbes are on you. That’s super cool!

Explore the plants at the Hortus Botanicus

This botanical garden is truly an oasis in Amsterdam. It’s calm, it’s beautiful and the inside area is so nice and warm. When you have a city as bustling as Amsterdam, it’s so nice to pop into a place that educates as much as it relaxes.

Enjoy dinner at Wagamama

This Asian-style restaurant has so many delicious options that it’s impossible to make a wrong choice. Vegans have it pretty difficult, too, because their menu is filled with goodies. Plus, their fresh juices are so refreshing.

Discount: 25% discount on the entire bill

Where to stay in Amsterdam

When you visit Amsterdam, you’ll want to find the best places to stay and you’ll also want to know what to do on a rainy day in Amsterdam . We’ve got you covered! Here are a few hotel/hostel suggestions depending on your travel style…

For those on a budget and looking to meet people, ClinkNOORD is a favorite hostel among travelers. It’s a bit off the beaten path but still easy to get to via the free Amsterdam ferry behind Amsterdam Centraal Station.

Families will love Hotel BOAT & CO with its unique location, great space, and amenities. It’s a new building with plenty of comforts, including an underground garage.

A romantic trip to the Pulitzer Amsterdam is a must for couples. Set along the famous Amsterdam canals, you’ll be in the center of it all (with an excellent bar and restaurant downstairs!). Plus Ocean’s 12 was filmed here, so you’ll be walking the same halls of some of Hollywood’s most famous!

Since we live in Amsterdam, we get a lot of questions about visiting the city. If you’re coming soon and want to learn more, we have a whole section of the website dedicated to Amsterdam content . For videos of Amsterdam, head on over to our YouTube channel . Subscribe to see more as we post them.

Let us know if you visit and if you use our tips! We love to help and we love to know if we helped.

Wishing you joy and travels!

Jessica C.

Hi! I’m Jessica, an American who made Amsterdam her home in 2014. I share European gems through food and memorable experiences. Want to know more? Head to my about page or check out my YouTube channel .

Latest Posts

3 day travel pass amsterdam

The Best Food & Wine Day Tour from Tbilisi, Georgia

3 day travel pass amsterdam

A Guide to Bee Tourism in Egypt

3 day travel pass amsterdam

Visiting Cyprus – Off The Beaten Path

3 day travel pass amsterdam

Mini guide on German train travel

3 day travel pass amsterdam

Visiting Graz, Austria? Travel Deeper with these Travel Tips

Amsterdam Coffeeshop Tours

  • 3 Day Amsterdam Region Travel Pass Ticket
  • Almere Travel
  • November 7, 2017 March 15, 2020
  • AlmereTours
  • Almere Travel , Amsterdam , Amsterdam Transport

The 3 day Amsterdam Region Travel Pass Ticket is mentioned on the main site, but I thought I would go into more depth and show what a value it is here on the blog. I will also explain how this card differs slightly from almost every other travel pass you may have used. It is very easy to screw up and waste a day of this card so please spend a minute or two reading through the article so you understand the specifics of this CALENDAR DAY card.

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

Let’s start out by listing the prices for the most common trips a tourist to Amsterdam might make. Since a tourist buys single tickets, there would be a 0.50 euro charge per train ticket. There is no additional charge for single ticket tram tickets.

Schiphol to Amsterdam – 5 euro Amsterdam to Schiphol – 5 euro Amsterdam to Haarlem – 5 euro Amsterdam to Zaandam – 3 euro Amsterdam to Almere – 7 euro Schiphol to Keukenhof – 5 euro Tram ride Amsterdam – 3 euro

So now a typical tourist example. A couple flies in for a 3 day visit to Amsterdam. On day 1 they want to see the tulips. On day 2, tour the city of Amsterdam. On day 3, take a side trip to Haarlem. This is the single person cost, so our couple would pay twice the total listed.

Day 1 Schiphol to Keukenhof – 5 euro Keukenhof to Schiphol – 5 euro Schiphol to Amsterdam – 5 euro Tram to hotel – 3 euro Day 1 total – 18 euro

Day 2 Tram to museum area – 3 euro Tram to Rembrandtplein – 3 euro Tram to Dam square – 3 euro Tram back to hotel – 3 euro Day 2 total – 12 euro

Day 3 Train to Haarlem – 5 euro Tram/bus in Haarlem – 3 euro Tram/Bus in Haarlem – 3 euro Train to Amsterdam – 5 euro Day 3 total – 16 euro

Day 4 Train to Schiphol – 5 euro Day 4 total – 5 euro

Total Transportation costs – 51 euro

This theoretical couple used transportation quite minimally, and it still costs over 50 euros. If you rode the trams more often, or planned more side trips, transportation cost would be higher.

Now let’s compare that cost to the cost of the 3 day Amsterdam Region Travel Pass Ticket. The Amsterdam Region Travel Pass Ticket for 3 days costs 33.50 euro. But unlike most other types of travel pass, it is a CALENDAR DAY pass. Days begin anytime between 00:00 and 23:59. What’s the difference? A typical pass starts the first time you check in. If that were 10 am on a Monday and it was a 48 hour pass, it would work until 10am Wednesday, 48 hours from the first check in.

The Amsterdam & region Travel Pass Ticket does NOT work like that. No matter what time of the day you first use the pass, that counts as day 1, and that day ends at 4am(so you get 4 hours past the end of the day). So if you step off the plane at Mon 8am, use the pass to get to Amsterdam, you are on Day 1 of your car, tuesday will be 2 of the card, wednesday will be day 3 of the card, but it will work until 4am thursday morning. That’s not so bad. The problem is if you happen to arrive at night and use your pass that first night. Then you have burned Day 1 of your card simply by using it before midnight. if you use your card for the first time at 23:30, you burned a whole day for 30 minutes of rides. But if you wait until 00:01 to use it, you card is on Day 1 that entire next day(If and when you wake up).

So that you understand it completely, I will mention something that you either caught or didn’t catch from the example above. Even if you buy the 3 day Amsterdam Region Travel Pass, you will still have to pay for that airport trip on Day 4. Why? Because of the calendar day pass. On a typical travel pass if your flight landed on Day 1 at say 9am, and you had to catch a flight on Day 4 before 9am, thus needing to be at the airport earlier, you could use your typical 72 hour pass. It would still work because you would be in hour 70 when you needed to go to the airport on Day 4. Your Amsterdam Region Travel pass will never work on the day 4 unless the train or bus leaves between 00:00 and 04:00 on day 4. So the savings shown above is not 51 euro vs 33.50 euro. It really is 51 euro vs 38.50 euro since you will have to most likely pay the 5 euro airport ticket on day 4. Hopefully now you fully understand the difference between the Amsterdam Region Travel Pass and most other types of 24, 48, & 72 hour passes. It really is a good value as long as you understand the concept and maximize the value of Day 1, especially when buying only a 1 day card!

Now let’s take a look at where you can go using the 3 day Amsterdam region Travel Pass.

3 Day Amsterdam Region Travel Pass Ticket Map

Besides the well known towns of Amsterdam, Haarlem, & Zaandam, the 3 day Amsterdam Region Travel Pass Ticket allows you to visit some other great town and sites with no additional cost. Here is a short list of possible side trips:

Almere – Almere is a planned city. It used to be the bottom of the North Sea. The first building was constructed in 1975. But since then it has become a booming town with an amazing mixture of modern architecture, futuristic city planning, and unspoiled nature in Oostvaardersplasen a huge nature reserve with wild horses and birds galore. 250,000 people now call Almere home. With over 500 km of bike paths, it is the mecca of bicycle riding in the Netherlands. Amsterdam can be a very crowded, noisy place. Almere is the exact opposite, yet it is only 20 minutes away by train, and free with the Amsterdam Region Travel Pass ticket. If you want to ride a bike, see nature, or just get away from the crowds, Almere with its car free walking mall is the perfect place for a little peace and quiet during the trip to Amsterdam.

Naarden – Naarden is a beautiful old town that is virtually unknown to tourists. It is the classic star fort town built in 1300 and has the oldest Protestant church in europe dating from the 15th century in the Grote Kerk. You can ride a bicycle on the ramparts, visit world famous designer Jan de Bouvrie’s amazing shop and restaurant, and visit the Netherlands fortress Museum. If you are really adventurous you can take a row boat or canoe out into the moat and see Naarden in a way that most people never will.

Zandvoort – This may not be the best idea in winter, but during the summer months Zandvoort is the place to be. Zandvoort is basically the Dutch Riviera. Translated, it’s one of the nicer beaches in the Netherlands. Does that mean you should expect a mini Monoco or Cannes? No, but if you would like to be a a beautiful beach, catch some sun, and jump in the sea, then Zandvoort is the best option.

Edam & Volendam – Let’s start with Volendam. Volendam is the town that markets itself as the Renaissance Faire town of Holland. You get to see people walking around in clogs, making cheese, wearing Dutch clothes they wore in 1900. It is Instagram popcorn. Take pictures here and everyone will know you were in Holland. With that said, its a tourist trap. The goal is to get you to buy clogs you won’t wear, cheese you can buy anywhere, and for you to leave as much of your souvenirs dollars there as possible. Go ahead and see Volendam. Take your cheesy pictures. Then head over to Edam. This is a more traditional Dutch town where they make the cheese of the same name. In Edam you can wander the streets in peace, eat a nice meal, maybe pick up a cheesy souvenir if you have to. But you won’t be surrounded by Dutch cheesiness all day.

Hopefully this helps you save some money and allows you to see some towns in the Netherlands that very few others even know about. The 3 day Amsterdam Travel Pass Ticket will allow you to See More and Do More with your time in Amsterdam.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Full Suitcase Travel Blog

3 Days in Amsterdam: Detailed Itinerary (+Map & Essential Info)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: December 20, 2023

3 Days in Amsterdam: Detailed Itinerary (+Map & Essential Info)

Visiting Amsterdam in the Netherlands for 3 days and wondering how to plan your time? In this guide, we share a  recommended 3-day Amsterdam itinerary for first-time visitors . It includes all the must-sees as well as a half-day excursions to the countryside that will make your trip so much more memorable.

This 3-day Amsterdam itinerary is perfect for a first visit to Amsterdam and will help you make the most of your trip. It is quite packed, but definitely doable. If you want to take things easier and linger around, simply skip one or the other attraction that interests you less. We also include some alternative suggestions making it very simple to personalize this itinerary based on your interests.

To make your planning easier, we also created a map indicating all the places mentioned in our guide. For each site and attraction, you’ll also find our experience-based tips such as when to visit, which tickets to reserve in advance, etc.

Good to know:  There is one thing that makes our itineraries different from others and that is that you’ll be sure to experience the best of the city in the specific time frame (in this case, the VERY BEST of Amsterdam in 3 days).

We take into account walking distances, opening times, and the time that you need in order to visit each place. We also do our best to make sure that you visit each place at the most optimal time.

For example, we won’t tell you to visit a lively city square or a cozy neighborhood in the morning when everything is still closed and there are hardly any people around; while you’re much better off starting your day at a popular museum before it gets too busy there. Please note that the hours in this itinerary are only indicated for your reference, to give you a better idea of how much time you need for various attractions.

How to see the best of Amsterdam in three days

Important!  Nowadays, many of the most popular museums in Amsterdam work with timed-entry slots, and some attractions only sell tickets online. Depending on the season, tickets for some of these museums sell out several weeks in advance.

So if you absolutely want to visit a certain place, be sure to plan ahead and book your tickets as soon as possible! It saves time and money and takes away all the stress.

Depending on ticket availability, you may have to adjust your itinerary, especially if you are planning the trip at the last minute. The good thing is that there are plenty of really nice alternatives to the most popular attractions.

TIP: If you want to do the ‘Amsterdam top-3’ (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and canal cruise), consider this digital  Amsterdam Pass . It allows you to pre-book time slots for the museums and saves time and money.

LEARN MORE:  Amsterdam Travel Tips

Canal cruise is a must with 3 days in Amsterdam

  • DAY 1: Rijksmuseum, old town, canal cruise, Anne Frank House…
  • DAY 2: Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Albert Cuyp Market, Heineken Experience, WWII history…
  • DAY 3: Dutch countryside, A’DAM Lookout, East Docklands, Red Light District Tour…
  • Where to stay

Map of this 3-day Amsterdam itinerary

To help you plan your trip, we created a  map  indicating all the places mentioned in our article.

As you can see below, we used different colors for each day. That way, you have a good overview of how this itinerary is structured. We grouped the sites in the most logical way, taking into account the best times to be at each place.

However, depending on the location of your accommodation and other factors, it might be more logical for you to do things slightly differently. So use this just as inspiration for what can be done, adjust where needed, and plan your own perfect city trip to Amsterdam.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

This is our recommended itinerary for 3 days in Amsterdam:

Rijksmuseum – Floating Flower Market – Begijnhof – 9 Streets – Dam Square – Royal Palace – Damrak – Central Station – Canal Cruise – West Church & Anne Frank House – Dinner in the Jordaan neighborhood.

DAY 1 planning info/ tickets to book :

  • Rijksmuseum  –  timed entry tickets .
  • Canal Cruise  – for this itinerary, we recommend  this open-boat canal cruise  starting either from Central Station or near Anne Frank House. In the colder season (or if you prefer a (semi) covered boat), take  this canal cruise  from the Central Station (this is the cruise that is included in the earlier-mentioned Amsterdam Pass .
  • Anne Frank House  –  timed-entry tickets  are released about 6 weeks in advance and you have to book asap. If you can’t get the tickets, check if  this guided tour  is available for your travel dates. It’s the only guided tour that includes a visit to the museum.

On the first day in Amsterdam, you’ll likely want to see the historic old town and explore the nicest areas around the famous Canal Belt ( Grachtengordel ). In addition, we recommend visiting two of the most popular museums in the city – Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House. See below for our recommendations on how to make it all fit together in a day.

This is what your first day in Amsterdam could look like:

Rijksmuseum

9 – 10.30 AM.

Rijksmuseum  (or The Empire Museum) is the most impressive museum in the Netherlands. It houses a big collection of art, but the main focus is on Dutch masters such as Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh.

In terms of significance, you could compare Rijksmuseum to  the Louvre in Paris or Uffizi Gallery in Florence .

Some of the most important artworks such as ‘The Milkmaid’ or ‘The Night Watch’ are displayed in  The Gallery of Honour . In addition, be sure to check out the unique Cuypers Library . The museum often has temporary exhibitions too, although they usually require a separate ticket.

If you just want to see the main highlights, plan about 1-1.5 hours here. In addition, you can also visit the gardens which are open to the public for free. They are rather small, so you only need a few minutes.

Good to know: Rijksmuseum is one of the most popular places to visit in Amsterdam, so be sure to book  timed-entry tickets  in advance.

TIP: If you want to learn some background about the most important artworks at Rijksmuseum, be sure to get an audiovisual guide (available at the museum for a small extra fee). Alternatively, consider visiting with a guided tour – it’s the best way to make the most of your visit and better appreciate what you’re seeing.

Rijksmuseum - 3 days Amsterdam itinerary

Floating Flower Market

10.45 – 11 AM.

Next, we recommend a short stop at the Floating Flower Market . It’s located about 10-15 minutes walk from Rijksmuseum.

The market stalls are built over the Singel Canal so if you see it from the back side, it does indeed look like a floating market. However, as you walk through it, it looks just like a regular market.

Many people come here hoping to see lots of colorful tulips or other flowers. But which flowers you’ll see (if any) will highly depend on the season. The market is really tourist-oriented and you’ll mostly find flower bulbs and Dutch souvenirs for sale here.

Good to know:  Amsterdam Flower Market is open daily except on Sundays. So if your first day in Amsterdam falls on a Sunday, simply come here the next day. It’s quite centrally located, so it’s not difficult to adjust your itinerary a bit so that you can pass here.

Amsterdam Floating Flower Market

Amsterdam Begijnhof

11.10 – 11.20 AM.

Amsterdam Begijnhof  (Beguinage) is another nice addition to any Amsterdam itinerary. It’s located about 5 minutes walk north of the Flower Market.

On the way, you can also pass several other nice places, such as the historic Munt Tower or Spui Square, as well as some popular shopping streets. If you want to do some shopping, try Dutch syrup waffles, etc. you will need to foresee a bit more time here.

Anyway, back to Begijnhof, which is not to be missed in this part of town. Begijnhof (or Beguinage) is a historic architectural complex surrounded by walls and small houses, with a church and green space in the middle. You’ll find similar sites in many places in Belgium too, for example, in Bruges and in Antwerp . They were built for  beguines , lay religious women who lived in a community without taking vows or retiring from the world.

Nowadays, Amsterdam Begijnhof is a residential area, but because of its historic significance, the site is also open to the public.

TIP:  Don’t miss a black wooden house in the corner of the square in front of the chapel (at nr. 34). This is one of the two oldest surviving wooden houses in Amsterdam.

Good to know: Amsterdam Begijnhof is usually open daily, between 9.30 AM and 6 PM, and is free to visit.

Beguinage in Amsterdam

9 Streets & Lunch

11.30 – 1 PM.

The 9 Streets  ( De Negen Straatjes ) is one of the coziest areas along Grachtengordel , Amsterdam’s Canal Belt. It’s a small neighborhood around the famous canals Singel and Prinsengracht and consists of just 6 blocks between Leidsegracht and Raadhuisstraat.

This area has a rather authentic feel and is very popular with both locals and tourists. Here, you’ll find many independent shops and fashion boutiques, but also several food stores, small cafés, and restaurants.

This is a very nice place to walk around, do some (window) shopping, and people-watching. Just be careful and stay on the sidewalks as the streets are narrow and there is lots of bike traffic.

TIP: The Nine Streets could be a nice area to stop for lunch, but it’s also very busy. You’ll often see long queues stretching at some of the most popular eateries here long before they even open. Some of the most popular places include Pancakes Amsterdam and Fabel Friet , where – according to some locals – you can get the best fries in Amsterdam. Restaurant de Struisvogel is also very popular but is normally only open for dinner.

Amsterdam Grachtengordel canals in the 9 Streets area

Dam Square & Royal Palace or Madame Tussauds

1 – 2.30 PM (you’ll need just a few minutes if you don’t visit any of the attractions inside).

Next, walk to the historic city center at Dam Square . This is the main square in Amsterdam and has been the heart of the city ever since its early beginning. On the way here, you could take a quick look inside the impressive historic building of Magna Plaza Shopping Mall.

Dam Square is home to the Royal Palace , although it’s only used as a ceremonial residence; the Dutch King and his family live in The Hague. On the Square, you’ll also find New Church, Amsterdam’s old Stock Exchange building, and National Monument to commemorate WWII.

Some of the most exclusive 5* hotels in Amsterdam like Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky or Hotel TwentySeven can also be found on Dam Square. Amsterdam’s biggest department store Bijenkorf is also located here, just like the popular tourist attractions such as Madame Tussauds  or  Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! .

Madame Tussauds has a collection of local and international celebrities, including the Dutch Royal Family, Van Gogh, and Anne Frank.

TIP:  If you are interested, you could visit one of the above-mentioned attractions and/or the Royal Palace. Here you can check if Royal Palace is open during your travel dates. If you want to be sure to visit, get your tickets in advance! Also for Madame Tussauds and other popular tourist attractions, it’s best to book in advance .

Good to know: Royal Palace or some of these attractions could also be good alternatives if you are not able to get tickets for the Anne Frank House Museum (more info below). In that case, you could even visit all the attractions here.

Amsterdam Royal Palace and Dam Square

Damrak & Central Station

2.30 – 3 PM.

After visiting Dam Square, walk on Damrak toward the Central Station. Damrak is the wide street that connects the railway station to the historic town.

Don’t miss the beautiful covered gallery called  Beurspassage and the historic Stock Exchange building  Beurs van Berlage .

As you get closer to the station, on your right you will see some of the  most-photographed crooked houses in Amsterdam .

Damrak street in Amsterdam Holland

Canal Cruise

3.15 – 4.30 PM.

Next on this itinerary, we recommend doing a canal cruise . You could either opt for a canal cruise starting from Central Station or head to Anne Frank House first and do the cruise starting near the museum later in the day.

Amsterdam’s canal system spans over 75 kilometers (46 miles) and is very impressive. Taking a canal cruise is one of the must-dos in Amsterdam as it gives you yet a different perspective on the city.

You’ll see some of the oldest and most prestigious canals in Amsterdam, sail a small part of the Amstel River, and see many bridges and crooked traditional buildings.

There are tons of cruise options, but no matter where you start, the route they take is usually quite similar. Most of the cruises take about 1 hour, some – 1.5 hours.

Good to know:  For this itinerary, you could opt for  this popular traditional cruise  starting from Central Station. In the warm season, we recommend  a cruise on an open-air boat  instead. For the latter, you can opt to take it starting from Central Station or from Anne Frank House later in the day.

TIP:  For a more special experience or if you like to also have a small snack in the afternoon, you can also opt for  this popular canal cruise with a cheese and wine option .

READ ALSO:  Amsterdam Canal Cruise: Tips & Info

Amsterdam canal boat trip

Anne Frank House & West Church

5 – 6 PM.

Anne Frank House  may not need an introduction. But if you are not familiar with it – it’s a museum dedicated to the Jewish girl Anne Frank and the diary that she kept while hiding here with her family during WWll.

Anne Frank House is one of the  most popular museums in Amsterdam and the tickets here always sell out. So if you want to visit, you absolutely have to  reserve your tickets  as soon as possible (typically, six weeks before your visit).

Following this 3-day Amsterdam itinerary exactly as described here, you could plan on visiting here at around 5-6 PM. However, depending on the availability of the tickets, you can easily adjust your schedule as needed. You could come here around noon after your visit to Rijksmuseum, or pretty much any time in the afternoon or even later in the evening.

The museum is normally open until 10 PM, so if you are booking your tickets in advance, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a timeslot that suits your itinerary.

Good to know: Tickets are timed, you have to arrive on time, and you should count about 1 hour for a visit. Anne Frank House has steep stairs and narrow passages, so it’s not suitable for people with mobility issues. The Secret Annex and the old part of the museum are not accessible by wheelchair.

Pictures are not allowed inside the museum.

TIP: Next to the museum, you can see one of the nicest churches in Amsterdam, West Church. If it’s open, take a look inside. Also, you can find a little statue dedicated to Anne Frank next to the south facade of the church.

Alternative: If you cannot get the tickets for Anne Frank House anymore, you could visit the Royal Palace, Madame Tussauds, or Ripley’s Believe It Or Not’ instead – see higher above for more info.

Anne Frank picture at Anne Frank House in Amsterdam

Jordaan Neighborhood & Dinner

You could end your day with a walk through the Jordaan neighborhood. This rather big residential area is located just across the Prinsengracht Canal from Anne Frank House.

If you want to see the most scenic part of Jordaan, check out the northern side in the direction of the Brouwersgracht Canal. You could walk from Anne Frank House next to Prinsengracht all the way to Brouwersgracht and then come back via the network of smaller streets in Jordaan.

There are also many really nice restaurants and local cafés in the Jordaan neighborhood. You can choose between simple traditional restaurants and cafés or fancier contemporary restaurants. There’s truly something for all budgets.

Here are some restaurant recommendations: Pesca for fish and seafood, Cannibale Royale Rozengracht for meat, or Winkel 43 for simple local dishes and traditional apple pie. I indicated all these restaurants on our map, and there are countless other options.

Good to know: Many restaurants are best booked in advance. So do some research before you go, and see if you can reserve a table at the place that you like.

In the evening, walk back to your hotel enjoying the scenery of the beautifully lit canals around you.

Jordaan neighborhood canal in Amsterdam

Van Gogh Museum – Vondelpark (optional) – Albert Cuyp Market  – Heineken Experience (or Moco Museum) – Rembrandt Square – Rembrandt House Museum – Life of Anne Frank Walking Tour (optional) – Dinner around Leidseplein.

DAY 2 planning info/ tickets to book :

  • Van Gogh Museum  –  timed entry tickets .
  • Heineken Experience (18+ only)  –  timed entry tickets . Alternative – Moco Museum – timed-entry tickets .
  • Rembrandt House Museum – timed-entry tickets . Alternative – Life of Anne Frank & WWII Walking Tour – more info here .

On the second day in Amsterdam, we recommend getting to know two of the most famous Dutch painters – Van Gogh and Rembrandt, visit a local market, and Heineken Experience. If interested, you could also take a WWII-themed tour.

Here are our recommendations on how you could plan this day:

Van Gogh Museum

9 – 11.30 AM .

The Van Gogh Museum is a great place to get to know Vincent Van Gogh and his art beyond the most famous masterpieces. It’s a must-see in Amsterdam!

The museum has the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s art with several hundreds of drawings and paintings. Plus, you can also see fragments of personal letters between Vincent and his brother Theo, and learn more about his life as an artist.

Following this itinerary, you could come to Van Gogh Museum on the second day of your trip. Be sure to book your tickets in advance because the tickets always sell out at least a week or two in advance. Also, try to get the earliest time slot because this museum is extremely popular and gets very busy during the day.

TIP:  For a small extra fee, you can get an audiovisual guide that gives you some background behind the works you see.

Good to know: Van Gogh Museum is located on the Museum Square right next to Rijksmuseum. If you want to prevent backtracking and don’t mind spending half a day visiting two big museums one after the other, you could decide to visit here on day 1 of this itinerary as well. However, we recommend visiting these two museums on two separate days or you risk getting overwhelmed and unable to appreciate what you see.

Alternative: If you are not able to get tickets for Van Gogh Museum, consider visiting Moco Museum instead. It’s a wonderful contemporary art museum and is located just nearby.

LEARN MORE:  Tips for Visiting Van Gogh Museum

Van Gogh Self Portrait with Pipe and Straw Hat (Amsterdam Van Gogh Museum)

11.30 AM – 12 PM – OPTIONAL.

Vondelpark is one of the largest and best-known parks in Amsterdam. It’s located just near Museum Square, just a few minutes walk from Van Gogh Museum.

The park is mostly popular with locals, and you’ll see people biking, jogging, and walking their dogs here. It’s especially nice to visit in the warm season when everything is green, but it’s also not an absolute must, so you can just decide on the day itself if you feel like making a small detour here.

Not far from the northern entrance, there is a nice cafe where you could have some lunch. However, we recommend another place for lunch – see below.

Good to know: If you do a bike tour in Amsterdam , pretty much all bike tours will come to Vondelpark. Indeed, since the park is quite large, coming here by bike is the best way to see more of it.

We recently did this popular ‘Backstreets and Hidden Gems’ bike tour and it included Vondelpark in its itinerary as well. If you are interested in doing a tour like this, you could do it in the morning or afternoon of the second day in Amsterdam; just adjust the rest of your planning accordingly.

Vondelpark entrance gate - Amsterdam

Albert Cuyp Market & Lunch

12 – 1.15 PM.

Albert Cuyp Street Market  is a very popular outdoor market in central Amsterdam. It’s located in the De Pijp neighborhood, about 10 minutes walk from Van Gogh Museum, and is popular with locals and tourists alike.

Albert Cuyp Street market has a very nice atmosphere and is a great place to try some traditional Dutch food or buy some souvenirs.

You can simply walk through the market in 10-15 minutes, or you can spend an hour or even longer here, especially if you decide to try local specialties at different market stalls. There are also a couple of nice cafes and restaurants if you rather sit down for a meal.

Good to know:  The outdoor market is open daily except on Sundays, from 9.30 AM to 5 PM.

TIP: If you are interested in learning more about traditional Dutch food (and tasting it), you could also visit the market with this highly-rated food tour . It usually starts around 1 PM and takes about 2 hours – a perfect alternative to lunch and something that you could easily fit into this itinerary.

Albert Cuyp Markt outdoor market in Amsterdam

Heineken Experience

1.30 – 2.30 PM. (18+ ONLY !).

Heineken Experience is one of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam and quite rightly so. Even if you are not interested in beer, or – like me – don’t even drink beer at all, I find that it’s well worth a visit.

Set inside the original Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam, this is so much more than an interactive beer museum. You’ll discover the story of the Heineken brand, visit the historic brewing room, and learn about the ingredients and the process of beer-making.

In addition, you’ll find yourself inside a sort of alternative beer universe with interactive exhibits and virtual reality experiences. Of course, you’ll also get to taste some refreshingly cold Heineken beer.

Good to know:  Heineken Experience is very popular and many time slots sell out at least a few days in advance. So be sure to  book timed entry tickets . You need at least 1 hour for a visit here.

While you can stay at the Heineken bar or rooftop terrace longer, we recommend leaving some time for several other amazing places in your itinerary – see below.

Alternative: If you are not interested in Heineken Experience or if you have kids in your group, you could visit Moco Museum instead.

Heineken Brewery historic room at Heineken Experience Amsterdam

Rembrandt Square

Next, head back to the city center and visit the area around Rembrandt Square (Rembrandtplein). This part of Amsterdam where the Amstel River meets some of the oldest canals is one of the most prestigious areas in the city.

The headquarters of Booking.com are located here, just like several other big companies. Some of the most exclusive hotels in Amsterdam such as Waldorf Astoria or Tivoli Doelen can also be found here. Several famous crooked houses on the shore of the Amstel River are also located in this part of the city.

Rembrandt Square itself is a bustling place with lots of cafes and restaurants.

On Sundays between mid-March and October, there is a weekly Art Market here as well.

This is not really an important stop, just a nice area to walk through on your way to the next place we recommend visiting – see further.

Rembrandt Square (Rembrandtplein) Amsterdam

Rembrandt House Museum

3.30 – 4.30 PM.

There is one more museum that we highly recommend visiting in Amsterdam, and that’s the Rembrandt House Museum . It’s located about 10 minutes walk from Rembrandt Square in the 17th-century house where Rembrandt lived and worked at the peak of his career.

Because of its unique setting, this museum is very different from most others. A visit here is a bit like taking a trip back in time – you are literally stepping into the living room, the kitchen, or the studio of the famous painter. Everything is very well restored and kept as close to the original as possible.

This museum is one of my personal favorites in Amsterdam. It’s small and immersive and you can explore everything in about one hour. Not only it’s a great place to learn more about Rembrandt and his work, but it also gives you a glimpse into the everyday life of rich citizens of Amsterdam some 400 years ago.

Good to know:  The museum is set in the original house and has limited space, so the number of visitors is capped. If you want to be sure to visit at a specific time, book your  timed-entry tickets  in advance.

TIP: Be sure to get an audiovisual guide (included with a ticket) – it makes a visit so much more interesting.

Rembrandt House Amsterdam

Life of Anne Frank & WWII Walking Tour

5 – 7 PM – OPTIONAL.

If you want to make the absolute most out of your time in Amsterdam and you are interested in World War II history, we highly recommend this walking tour . It’s dedicated to Jewish history and the holocaust as well as the life of Anne Frank. We took many guided tours in Amsterdam and this one really stood out; the guide was excellent.

The tour starts in front of the Jewish Museum, takes you through the former Jewish neighborhood, passes the historic town center, and ends at the Anne Frank House. It doesn’t include a visit to any of the museums though.

Good to know: The main reason why we recommend this tour in the early evening of day 2 of this itinerary is because of where it starts (just 5 minutes walk from Rembrandt House). But since this tour is extremely popular and runs multiple times a day, you could easily plan it at any other moment of your trip.

Alternative: Instead of doing this tour, you could also visit some of the Jewish sites on your own. However, keep in mind that both – Jewish Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue usually close at 5 PM. So if you want to visit here, adjust your itinerary so that you get here at 4 PM at the latest. The same ticket includes entry to both sites.

The National Holocaust Names Monument is open to the public longer and is free to visit. The Memorial to Auschwitz Victims is located inside a park and can be visited at any time.

Amsterdam Jewish Museum

Leiden Square & Dinner

If you take the above-mentioned WWII tour, it will end close to Anne Frank House. You could find a nice restaurant for dinner in this area, but you could also walk to Leiden Square (Leidseplein).

Leiden Square is located southwest of the most impressive canals, about 20 minutes walk from either Anne Frank House or Jewish Museum. It’s actually very close to Museum Square and Vondelpark which you visited earlier this day, but evenings are simply a more special time to come here.

The area around Leiden Square is filled with theaters, entertainment venues, and tons of cafes and restaurants. It’s a nice place to be in the evening and the atmosphere is usually great, especially when the weather is nice.

For a special treat, check out Restaurant Watergang , for a gourmet Asian fusion meal – Momo Bar & Lounge at the  Park Centraal Hotel . If you are feeling nostalgic for American food, Hard Rock Café is also just nearby.

There are many restaurants in this area, but if you want to dine at a restaurant of your choice, you’ll have to reserve a table in advance.

Gourmet fish dish at a restaurant in Amsterdam

Amsterdam countryside tour (tulip fields if visiting in the spring) – A’DAM Lookout – East Docklands – Red Light District Tour – Dinner in China Town.

DAY 3 planning info/ tickets to book :

  • Dutch countryside tour  – there are  many options  for various durations and group sizes. We chose  this highly-rated tour because it starts early and gets back to the city before 3 PM leaving plenty of time for other activities.
  • Red Light District tour  – there are  several options . We took  this popular tour  and I can highly recommend it.

On the third day, you could start with a half-day tour and visit the countryside outside Amsterdam and explore the more modern side of the city.

You could end the day at one of the oldest parts of Amsterdam, De Wallen, known as home to the famous Red Light District.

Here’s what your last day in Amsterdam could look like:

Amsterdam Countryside Tour

8 – 3 PM.

On the last day of your visit, you could explore some of the beautiful countryside near Amsterdam. There are several nice options, and a lot also depends on the season when you are visiting.

Since you only have three days in Amsterdam, we recommend a half-day tour and not a full-day excursion. If you start early, you can do more sightseeing in the city upon return.

Here are some of the best choices for a short excursion near Amsterdam:

  • IN EARLY SPRING: Keukenhof Gardens and Lisse tulip fields. You could opt for a bus transfer + garden tickets , which should take about 5 hours. Alternatively, consider this popular tour that not only brings you to Keukenhof but also to see the windmills of Zaanse Schans. The latter option would take up the biggest part of the day, however.

LEARN MORE:  Tips for Visiting Keukenhof Gardens & How to Visit Lisse Tulip Fields

  • ALL YEAR: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken. We recently did this tour . Since it starts very early, visits all 4 places, and only takes around 6-7 hours, it’s one of the best options if you want to make the most of your short time in Amsterdam.

LEARN MORE:  Best Places in the Countryside Near Amsterdam

  • If you are not interested in the countryside, there are also many nice smaller towns that you could visit as a (half) day trip from Amsterdam. Haarlem, just 20 minutes by train, is one of the best options for a quick excursion. My personal favorite is Delft , about 1.5 hours by train from Amsterdam. In the summer, you could also take a train and visit Alkmaar Cheese Market .

LEARN MORE: Best Day Trips from Amsterdam

Zaanse Schans windmills - Amsterdam 3 days itinerary

A’DAM Lookout

3 – 3.45 PM.

No matter which tour you choose in the morning, it will likely start and end close to the Central Station in Amsterdam. So when you come back to the city, we recommend a quick visit to A’DAM Tower on the other side of the IJ River, easily reachable by a free passenger ferry behind the station.

The ferry ride takes just a minute or two and ferries run non-stop. Many tours even end on the northern side of the river since it’s easier traffic-wise, so in that case, they’ll drop you off just near the Amsterdam Tower.

A’DAM Lookout is a rooftop experience located at the very top of the tower and offers stunning 360° views of the city. In addition, there are several attractions such as giant ADAM letters, a rooftop swing where you literally hang with your feet over the edge, and they also play a short film about the history of Amsterdam and the tower itself.

Even the elevator that brings you to the top is an experience in itself. And be sure to also visit the bathrooms – you can enjoy amazing city views while washing your hands.

There are also two rooftop bars – one inside and one (seasonal) outside. Grab a drink and sit down for a few minutes enjoying the views of the city and watching the boats go by on the river below.

Good to know:  You’ll need a ticket for A’DAM Lookout, but normally, there are no queues and you can simply get the tickets on the spot.

Amsterdam Tower (A'DAM Tower).

East Docklands

4 – 5.30 PM (you’ll need just half an hour if you do not stop anywhere).

After visiting A’DAM Tower, take the ferry back to the Central Station. From here, walk left in the direction of the East Docklands.

This is the more modern side of central Amsterdam. It gives you yet a different perspective of this diverse city.

First, you could walk on the Oosterdokskade, a wide waterfront promenade where you’ll see a floating Chinese restaurant Sea Palace. When the weather is nice, you’ll see lots of people sitting by the river enjoying the views.

As you walk further east and cross the footbridge, you’ll reach a very unique green ship-shaped building. This is the NEMO Science Museum , the best museum in the Netherlands for families with children. There is a nice rooftop cafe here too, and if it’s still open, you could walk up the stairs and check out the views from here (this part doesn’t require a ticket).

Continuing further down the waterfront, you’ll see some old ships and The National Maritime Museum . This is yet another interesting museum that is often overlooked by most visitors, simply because of the lack of time.

Alternative: If you decide not to take any excursion outside Amsterdam in the morning, or if you come back to the city earlier, you could visit one of these museums. With kids, definitely go to NEMO, just be aware that you need at least 2-3 hours for a quick visit there. Many people spend half a day. Maritime Museum can be done in much less time.

Good to know: Both of these museums are usually open until 5 PM, so be sure to adjust your schedule accordingly if you want to visit any of them inside.

Sea Palace Chinese Restaurant on Eastern Docklands Island in Amsterdam

De Wallen & Red Light District

6 – 8 PM (you’ll need much less time if you are not taking a tour or visiting any of the places inside).

De Wallen is one of the oldest parts of Amsterdam, nowadays best known as home to the  Red Light District .

While most people come here expecting to see the famous red-light windows, coffeeshops, and quirky attractions, there is so much history in this area that we highly recommend taking a tour with a local guide . It will give you a totally different perspective of the entire area around the Red Light District, and you’ll learn more about its past and present.

We recently took  this highly-rated tour  and found it very interesting. While we had been to this area countless times before, we learned so much this time. Highly recommended!

If, however, you simply want to see what this area is about or visit one of its unique museums ( The Red Light Secrets Museum is the best one), then you can just go on your own. You really don’t have to worry about walking around the Red Light District; apart from being shocking to some people, it’s just a regular neighborhood where local families live too.

If you are a bit uncertain, go during the day or early in the evening. Late at night and especially on weekends, the Red Light District can be very busy and a bit rowdy. Depending on when you come here, you will have a totally different experience. For the most authentic experience, it’s best to visit here in the evenings except maybe Sunday or Monday when it’s usually very quiet.

De Wallen - Red Light District Amsterdam

Dinner in Chinatown

For dinner, you could head to Amsterdam’s China Town, located just near the Red Lights District. There are restaurants for all tastes and budgets here.

For a simple meal, locals recommended us a Thai restaurant called Bird and it was excellent. On another occasion, we had dinner at A-Fusion , which is a more gourmet experience. The latter definitely has to be reserved in advance.

We indicated these restaurants on our map.

Thai dinner at a restaurant in Chinatown Amsterdam

Where to Stay for 3 Days in Amsterdam

There are so many really nice areas and hotels to stay in central Amsterdam that deciding where to stay can be overwhelming. On the other hand, if you are looking for accommodation just a few weeks in advance, the prices can be so high that – depending on your budget – the choice can be a lot more limited.

So try to book your hotel as soon as you know your travel dates!

For this itinerary, you could stay pretty much anywhere in the historic center. If you want to be right in the middle of it all and close to everything, then consider the area close to Dam Square and the 9 Streets. Hotel Estheréa is a fabulous choice here, or – on a higher budget – Pulitzer Amsterdam .

If you are planning several excursions outside the city, then you may want to stay closer to the Central Station. Park Plaza Victoria is a very popular hotel in this area. We once stayed at Hotel Mai in Chinatown just 5 minutes walk from the station; it’s also a good mid-budget option. There are many others too.

If you are planning to visit Rijksmuseum one day and Van Gogh Museum the next day as recommended in this itinerary, you may also consider staying closer to the Museum District. Park Centraal Amsterdam is a wonderful choice in this area. We recently stayed here and loved this hotel.

On a lower budget , check out  ClinkNOORD Hostel  across the IJ River from the station. It can easily be reached by the free passenger ferry that runs every couple of minutes. If you are looking for a hostel-type of lodging, The Flying Pig Downtown is one of the best-rated choices in a very central location.

LEARN MORE:  Where to Stay in Amsterdam for First Visit

Flowers at the entrance of Pulitzer Amsterdam Hotel

So, this is our suggested itinerary for 3 days in Amsterdam.

I hope that this detailed guide will give you a better idea of what can be done in Amsterdam in three days. Once again, use this itinerary as inspiration and adjust it to your personal interests or ticket availability, and plan your own perfect trip!

TIP:  Take a look at our  tips for visiting Amsterdam .  This article contains lots of useful information and tips to make the most of your first trip. Check it out!

More travel inspiration for Amsterdam & beyond:

  • Best places to see in Amsterdam  (all the top sights)
  • Amsterdam canal cruise  (experience-based tips)
  • Top museums in Amsterdam
  • 1 day in Amsterdam
  • 2 days in Amsterdam
  • 4 days in Amsterdam
  • Amsterdam in June
  • Amsterdam in December
  • Christmas in Amsterdam
  • Best day trips from Amsterdam
  • Kinderdijk Windmills
  • Alkmaar Cheese Market
  • Best things to do in Delft
  • Best tulip fields near Amsterdam
  • Keukenhof Gardens

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Amsterdam 3 days itinerary for first visit

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Monday 19th of February 2024

This is exactly what I was looking for. We will be in the summer in Europe and looking for options and recommendations. We don't like the one day-rush visit to cities, we try to maximized our time even if we don't have a change to visit a lot of cities/places. Only question we have is about the Red Light District, I am traveling with my wife and 2 daughters (15 and 18), is it ok to do a quick walk early in the evening?

Thanks in advanced for your advice and dedication.

Hi Oscar, sure, you can visit the Red Light District with your family. I get this question all the time and I always tell people that plenty of local families live in that area, there is even a daycare center right in the middle of it. It's a unique neighborhood, that's for sure, but it's totally safe to visit and we have walked through it with our (much younger) kids many times. The rest is all in your head and how you react to it. There is just one place in this itinerary that you can't visit with under 18s and that's Heineken Experience. Have a great trip!

Amsterdam » Discount Cards » Amsterdam Pass

Amsterdam GoCity Pass

Amsterdam pass card gocity

A good deal that includes many Amsterdam attractions and transport to them. Inside and outside of the city.

How it works

The good thing of this pass is that you do not have to pick up a physical card from their office. Like some other passes need. You can just show the code from smartphone or paper when visiting an attraction. The code will come to your e-mail after purchase.

They have also an app which nicely describes included features.

You can order on their --> Amsterdam GoCity Pass website .

Go City Pass versions

All-inclusive pass:.

Time based version. Visit many attractions during validity time of the pass.

  • 1 day - Adult 51€ / Child (3-12) 21€
  • 2 day - Adult 69€ / Child (3-12) 36€
  • 3 day - Adult 84€ / Child (3-12) 49€
  • 5 day - Adult 99€ / Child (3-12) 64€

Explorer pass:

Visit count version. Counts visits during 60 days.

  • 3 visits - Adult 43€ / Child (3-12) 17€
  • 4 visits - Adult 56€ / Child (3-12) 23€
  • 5 visits - Adult 68€ / Child (3-12) 28€
  • 6 visits - Adult 79€ / Child (3-12) 34€
  • 7 visits - Adult 89€ / Child (3-12) 39€

Choices of attractions, museums, transport and tours

Most popular in the city:.

  • Rijksmuseum
  • Heineken Experience
  • Rembrandts House
  • Canal boat cruise
  • Strip club & sex work tour
  • plus others ...

Outside of the city:

  • Zaanse Schans windmills village trip
  • Muidrslot castle + transport there on a ferry
  • Rotterdam, Delft, Hague trip
  • Volendam and Edam fishing villages trip
  • Keukenhof tulip gardens + transport there by boat or bus
  • Hop-on Hop-off boat transport
  • Bicycle rental
  • Pedal boat rental
  • There is more. You can see full list on their website on the "Attractions" tab when you choose a pass version.

Additional info

To avoid abuse they have so-called "purse value". Which is a maximum available value you can "spend" on the pass. You most likely will not reach this value with normal use. More details are on their website.

Enter a search term or a page code from the guide.

3-Day Visit To Amsterdam

3-Day Visit To Amsterdam

What to do in amsterdam in 3 days.

With 3 days in Amsterdam, you’ll have plenty of time to immerse yourself in a city rich with history, culture, and cuisine. To help you make the most of your trip, we’ve curated the best of the best museums, tours, and eats from the capital city.

You could also like

  • 1 Day in Amsterdam: What to do?
  • 2-Day visit to Amsterdam

This Amsterdam 3 day itinerary is designed to give you the flexibility to plan your trip how you like. For museum fans who want to spend their time soaking in the art to history buffs who want to explore the outskirts of the city, there are plenty of ways to think about what to do in 3 days in Amsterdam.

Read on for our take on what to see in Amsterdam in 3 days.

table of content

3 days in Amsterdam: Costs

Amsterdam is also a super versatile city in three days, where you can visit some of the best museums in the world, take a relaxing boat trip or learn more about the wonderful culture of the Dutch.

We have compiled a small overview of what budget you should travel to the capital and with what you can really save!

3 days in Amsterdam: summary

Amsterdam, Netherlands

In our opinion, is 3 days in Amsterdam the perfect amount of time for a short trip to the canalcity! Even though there is so much to see, you will have a blast exploring the city and also relax a bit. If you’re looking for a culinary diverse and fun itinerary for 3 days in Amsterdam, you’ve come to the right place!

3 days in Amsterdam: Details

Read on for an ideal 3-day Amsterdam itinerary with three great restaurants and cafés per day that you must visit.

Itinerary for Amsterdam: Day 1

Your 3 days in Amsterdam have finally arrived, and you can’t wait to explore the great city. You arrive at the hotel and are ready to explore Amsterdam? Then let us show you what your 3 days in Amsterdam could look like!

The Pancake Bakery

  • Singel Canal / Floating Flower Market
  • Hop-on-Hop-off Bus

Body Worlds Amsterdam

  • Red-Light District Walkingtour
  • A’DAM Lookout

What to eat on your first day in Amsterdam?

Pancake Bakery

The Pancake Bakery is a historical heritage of Amsterdam, which has existed since 1973. Here, you will find the best-stuffed pancakes in town—much more than just the traditional pancakes in Amsterdam. The highlight here is undoubtedly the savory pancakes that are complete meals with salads.

Barney's Amsterdam

If you want to stop by a traditional café while in Amsterdam, you should pay a visit to Barney’s Amsterdam . The small family of cafés and smoke stores includes a coffee shop and two smoker-friendly bars, Barney’s Farm (Haarlemmerstraat 98) and Barney’s Uptown (Haarlemmerstraat 105).The Barney’s Uptown is located in a 500-year-old pharmacy-style building and is an absolute secret tip .

We are keeping your traditional culinary tour of Amsterdam going strong by ending your day at Hap-Hmm .

At a restaurant that’s been cooking up Dutch cuisine since 1935, you can try such typical ditches as the butter-soft beef steak, schnitzel and meatballs, Amsterdam beer chicken, and the super pork chop. This is an affordable option and a popular one – so be sure to come on the earlier side.

What to do on your first day?

Bloemenmarkt.

Bloemenmarkt , Flowers floating market in Amsterdam , Netherlands

The Bloemenmarkt in Amsterdam, founded in 1862, is the only floating flower market in the world. The unique market is on the Singel Canal , Koningsplein, and Muntplein. It consists of a series of greenhouses on houseboats.

But the market traders know they can jack up the prices quite a bit , so many tourists come here during the day, so just be sure to not get ripped off there.

That being said, the Bloemenmarkt is a fantastic Amsterdam must-see. The floating flower markets of Amsterdam are just a magnificent sight!

Our tip: Taking a few photos from the other side of the river can be enough! The floating gardens in front of the beautiful house facade offer an excellent photo motif!

Amsterdam Hop on Hop off Bustour

hop-on-hop-off-amsterdam-gyg

A Hop-On Hop-Off Tour is a flexible way to explore a new city . In Amsterdam, you can do this on land or on water. The Hop-On Hop-Off Tour can take a bus or a boat along the canals. The operation is the same with both forms of transport: You get on, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. You can get off in front of the chosen tourist attraction to explore. You can hop on and off as many times as you like , and you are flexible in choosing how much time to spend in a museum or in a part of the city, for example.Regarding Amsterdam, I can say that both Hop-On Hop-Off tours (bus and boat) are great tour ideas. So, sit back and take in the sights of the city. As always, the Hop-On Hop-Off Tour routes are specially designed to facilitate sightseeing. Both Hop-On Hop-Off Tour routes by bus or boat pass close to the city’s main attractions . They’re an easy, convenient, and relaxing way to explore Amsterdam.If you want to choose only the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, you can include a traditional Amsterdam Canal Tour, but in this case, the tour lasts one hour and has no stops.

230419092736001

One of the more unique museums in a city full of stand-out showcases to history, science, and art, Body Worlds Amsterdam is a tribute to the human body. Equal parts fun and informative, you’ll enjoy a visit through the human body, with over 200 real human bodies on display.

The current theme right now is the Happiness Project , with expositions dedicated to showing the effects of happiness on our physical well-being, how our mood affects our health, and how our health affects our mood. This is a fascinating stop for visitors of all ages.

Red Light District Walking Tour

rotlichtviertel-tour-deutsch-amsterdam-gyg

I can’t stress enough what a big fan I am of walking tours! For me, walking tours are one of the best ways to discover a city . That’s exactly why a guided tour is one of the best things to do in Amsterdam. One interesting tour I’ve been on in Amsterdam is the 90-minute tour of Amsterdam’s Red-Light District.

The tour starts at Dam Square and takes you through the entire scenic district, „De Wallen“ . During the tour, you’ll learn everything from the brothels‘ storefronts that have become famous, to quirky shows, to the significance of the Old Church , which is located in the middle of the red-light district.

A'DAM Lookout

adam-lookout-amsterdam-viator

Every city trip includes a bird’s eye view. I love looking at a city from above and getting an overall view. The best lookout in Amsterdam is the A’DAM Lookout. It gives you 360-degree panoramic views of Amsterdam.

To get the most out of your ticket, I recommend visiting at sunset . If you arrive before sunset, you will see the city by day and changing to night. Be sure to check the exact time of sunset for the day beforehand. If you don’t want to miss this magical moment, you should be there 1-2 before sunset, depending on the crowd, to be on the safe side!

By the way, admission is included for free in some Amsterdam Cards !

For those looking for a real thrill, I have great news! Europe’s tallest swing „Over the Edge“ is located at Adam Lookout. For just an extra 5 euros, it’s an incredibly cool experience. For me, the A’DAM lookout and swing is one of the most memorable Amsterdam activities !

Itinerary for Amsterdam: Day 2

After a successful first day in Amsterdam, we start the second day after a restful night. Today we have some historical attractions on the schedule, but first we get a delicious breakfast!

La Tertulia

  • Zwijnen / Wild Boar

Anne Frank House

  • Amsterdam Muiderslot Castle

What to eat on your second Day?

Pancakes amsterdam.

Pancakes Amsterdam

A day of Dutch sightseeing should start with a delicious breakfast . At Pancakes Amsterdam, you can feast on an Amsterdam classic. You can try traditional Dutch pancakes, French clafoutis, American pancakes, and more with your choice of fillings and toppings. Best of all, they come in a variety of flavors . As a plus, Pancakes has vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options!

230216125845001 (1)

For an afternoon visit to a sunny, canalside café, swing by La Tertulia . Operating since 1983 and helping to usher in the coffee shop culture in Amsterdam, this cozy café has coffees, toasted sandwiches (toasties!), and milkshakes . For the cannabis-inclined, they have natural buds along with bongs, vaporizers, and pipes. 

Wilde Zwijnen

After a day of classic Dutch cuisine , it’s time to enjoy a modern twist at Wild Boar . This popular spot has an always-changing menu.

You’ll select three or four courses (paired with wine, if you’d like), and the kitchen will deliver fresh, seasonally-inspired dishes . For a lighter meal, try their next-door bar, Eetbar for smaller plates.

What to do on your second Day?

anne-frank-haus-amsterdam-200520123957001

The touching Anne Frank House is located in more than just any building. Instead, it’s a building of refuge: The former hiding place of the Frank family during WWII. This is where she wrote her diaries, now known worldwide, and the pieces of information that allowed readers to learn about her life and fate during the Nazi era. During the Anne Frank House tour, visitors can explore the house alone. They’ll see the house was divided into three sections by Otto Frank, Anne’s father. The tour of the Anne Frank House begins with the entrance and the goods shipping area, followed by the spice mill room, and then the warehouse where the goods were packed for distribution on the first floor in the back. A staircase leads to the second floor where Otto and his employees worked. Photos from the time, testimonies, and selections from the book fill the empty rooms. Otto Frank left these elements intentionally so that all who pass by there share the same pain, feelings, and experiences they had in the house. During the visit to Anne Frank’s house, the small door leads to the hidden annex, a 46 m2 space divided into two rooms with a kitchen, toilet, and attic, inhabited by two families, eight people in total. There is silence in the rooms as if guests relive the daily life of the house’s inhabitants. The tension, anxiety, concern about not making noise during the day, and the fear of being discovered are in the air. Here, life occurs behind the dark windows so as not to arouse suspicion. In the room where Anne slept with her sister Margot, newspaper and magazine clippings reveal the dreamy, childlike side of the girl who wanted to be a journalist. After visiting the other areas of the Anne Frank House, photos and video statements add to the story. They tell how the families received help from colleagues, what happened after the Nazis invaded the hiding place, and how Otto obtained his daughter’s diary. The elements also share how he made it not only one of the world’s best-selling and most-translated books but also an icon of one of humanity’s saddest times. Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam is visited by 1.3 million people every year. If you want to visit the house at a less crowded time, you should book your visit starting at 6 p.m. Tickets to visit the Anne Frank House can only be purchased through the official website and are not included in the Amsterdam Sightseeing Passes. 100% of tickets go on sale 6 weeks in advance and sell out quickly. There is no option to buy tickets at the museum door. Every Tuesday at 10 a.m., all tickets for the next six weeks will be available for purchase. You can choose between visiting the Anne Frank Museum on your own or with an introductory program. You will not have access to the museum on any of the Anne Frank-themed walking tours. The guided tours walk you through the city, explaining in detail the story of Anne Frank and about the events that occurred, especially those in the area. However, we have participated in a few Anne Frank walking tours and can say that it is a great way to connect with the story and learn more about the political decisions that led to this little girl becoming a worldwide symbol.

vondelpark-amsterdam-200515115655001

The most famous park in Amsterdam is undoubtedly Vondelpark. More than 10 million visitors walk through Vondelpark every year, picnicking on the lush green grass or take a stroll along the many ponds. Whether Amsterdamers or visitors, everyone who can use some relaxation from the hustle and bustle comes here. Numerous green spaces invite you for a picnic , a beautiful rose garden is perfect for a relaxing walk, and several cafes and restaurants offer delicious refreshments. But even those longing for more than a pause will find what they seek. Vondelpark is a venue for sporting and cultural events during the summer months. Summer concerts on the open-air stage are quite popular among locals and tourists alike. By the way, the green oasis was named after Joost van den Vondel, one of the most important Dutch poets of the Golden Age. In his honor, you will find a monument in the eastern part of the park. This is a particularly beautiful park, making a walk through the Vondelpark a shoo-in on the ‘things to do in Amsterdam’ best list.

Muiderslot Castle

Muiderslot-castle-GYG

Take a break from the winding streets and canals of Amsterdam and head 15 km south to Muiderslot Castle . This castle dates back to the 13th century, making it an enchanting medieval that’s a short ride away from the city. Restored most recently in the 1950s, Muiderslot is now a national museum .

It showcases its Middle Age architecture , gardens, idyllic setting, water shield, and historical exhibits to tourists looking for a unique attraction to add to their Amsterdam 3 day itinerary.

haarlem-ge540ca38e_1920

Just a 15-minute train ride from Amsterdam , a trip to Haarlem is a quick way to see a side of the city that most tourists never get to see .

In the medieval city of Haarlem, you can walk through cobblestone streets that lead to old buildings interspersed with picturesque waterways.

Haarlem is considered the city of flowers in the Netherlands, as it is the center of tulip bulb production . Haarlem hosts numerous festivals, fairs, concerts, and even amusement parks.

Here, you’ll get to see a beloved windmill of Holland while strolling the canals.

The city can be explored on foot and is a good option for a trip from Amsterdam or along a Dutch itinerary.

Itinerary for Amsterdam: Day 3

How sad that our trip comes to an end, but we got some time before heading towards home. So let us enjoy the last hours in this magnificent city!

Pannenkoekenhuis

Bulldog the first, de plantage, rijksmuseum.

  • Van Gogh Musuem
  • Canal Cruise

Heineken Experience

What to eat on your third day.

For a city known for what happens at night in the Red-Light District, the Pannenkoekenhuis will give you a delicious reason to visit in the morning.

Set inside a 16th-century house, this quirky restaurant serves only pancakes: From the Dutch variety (sometimes sweet, sometimes savory), to the Indonesian-influenced “Bali” pancake topped with bananas, coconut, cream, and Pisang Ambon Dutch liqueur , you’re sure to find a pancake for your palate.

Young woman takes pictures in vacation spent in Amsterdam with b

For our cannabis-forward visitors, Bulldog The First is actually the longest-running coffee shop of its type in the city.

It was founded in 1974 – before cannabis was legal – and has been built up as a shrine to Amsterdam weed culture . Due to its location in the Red-Light District , it is often quite busy on the weekends.

With a spacious terrace and a bright and stylish vibe , this is a classy location to stop off for dinner and celebrate your 3 days in Amsterdam. With a focus on Dutch and Mediterranean cuisine , you’ll savor the food, the friendly service, and the fantastic views.

What to do on your third Day?

Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum is visited by 2.2 million people annually, making it the most visited museum in the Netherlands. Located in the museum district “Museumsplein,” Rijksmuseum was designed by the Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers. The building alone is imposing and worth seeing. The Rijksmuseum is dedicated to the Netherlands’ arts, crafts, and history and contains over 8,000 objects. The focus of the museum is the Netherlands’ Golden Age. Here, you will find works by world-renowned artists, such as Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer, Jacob Isaakszoon van Ruisdael, Jan Steen, and more. Among the great artistic highlights of the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is “The Night Watch.” This painting portrays a militia group in Amsterdam and is Rembrandt’s largest and most complex work. Even today, it is considered his most famous painting. This a unique opportunity for you to admire works up close that are among the most important in the world. Another great attraction of the Rijksmuseum is the Cuypers Library. It is considered the largest public research library on art history in Holland. It is surprising not only for its extraordinary number of books, journals, and research papers but also for its architecture. My highlight of the Rijksmuseum is the corridor that connects the various internal galleries. The atrium consists of two rooms connected by a tunnel under the passage, with an entrance in the passage. The original brick walls of the route have been replaced by large glass surfaces through which visitors can admire the internal courtyards. Finally, directly across from the Rijksmuseum, you’ll find another view of Amsterdam: The red and white sculpture “I AM STERDAM,” with which you should take a souvenir photo. Tickets for the Rijksmuseum are only sold online, not in person. Another important piece of information is that you can only visit the Rijksmuseum with a reserved time slot. Whether you bought your ticket individually or chose one of the Amsterdam Tour Pass options, you must choose your time slot to visit the Rijksmuseum.

Van Gogh Museum

van-gogh-museum-amsterdam-gyg

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is one of the most visited art museums in the world. It hosts the largest Dutch painter Van Gogh collection, totaling over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and hundreds of documents. My personal highlights of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam are the paintings “Vincent’s Bedroom in Arles” and “Self Portrait.” Unlike other art museums in Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum is smaller and more intimate. Here, you will find not only his works of art but also a lot of information about the painter’s life, who also influenced art history. Known worldwide as the painter who cut off his ear and who later killed himself, Van Gogh’s life traces back to a man who suffered greatly from depression and sold few works during his lifetime. Ironically, his works are now the most expensive in the world. Tickets for the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam are sold only online, not in person at the museum. The Amsterdam Digital Pass offers tickets to the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and a boat ride on the canals. With this option, you can save much more than buying each ticket separately. To find out how much you can save and which pass is best for your trip, use our Amsterdam Pass Advisor: Simple, Free, and Online. When purchasing tickets online, you only need to select a time slot for your visit to the Van Gogh Museum. This requirement applies to single tickets and the Amsterdam Digital Pass. It is possible to combine the Van Gogh Museum ticket with other attractions in Amsterdam, for example, the Van Gogh Museum ticket and a canal cruise. With this combination ticket, you can save money on your trip. The Van Gogh Museum is in Amsterdam’s museum district, “Museumsplein,” where you can also find other famous museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Diamond Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. The Van Gogh Museum welcomes around 1.6 million visitors every year. No wonder a visit to the museum belongs to the list of the best Amsterdam things to do!

Highlights Canal Cruise in Amsterdam

low-cost-amsterdam-cruise-gyg

This low-cost canal cruise in Amsterdam is similar to the 60-minute round-trip option . Both take place during the day and show you the city’s highlights. The difference is that this boat tour is about 15 minutes long, a little more budget-friendly , and you have a live guide on board. The English-speaking guide tells you all sorts of interesting facts and is also available for questions, but many visitors from other countries feel more comfortable with an audio guide in your native language : Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Arabic, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian. On board a beautiful boat in Amsterdam nothing stands in your way to enjoy a canal tour!

Tip: This Amsterdam Canal Cruise option is included in both Go City Pass options : Amsterdam All-Inclusive & Amsterdam Explorer Pass

heineken-experience-amsterdam-gyg

One of the most popular Amsterdam things to do is the Amsterdam Heineken Experience.

As the name suggests, this is more than just a museum. The Heineken Experience offers a chance to learn about the history, brewing process, innovations, and sponsorship of the most famous beer in the country.

The Heineken Experience brewery in Amsterdam is divided into different areas, allowing you to enjoy this experience in different ways: • Guided tour • Guided tour + canal boat ride • VIP guided tour • Guided tour + rooftop bar • Heineken shop

For almost all entertainment activities in Amsterdam, you need a ticket for the Heineken Experience. You can choose between one-way tickets or in combination with an Amsterdam Tourist Pass . The only “free” attraction at the Heineken Experience is a visit to the Heineken Shop, which is open to everyone.

Since the Heineken Experience is one of the most popular activities in Amsterdam, it is highly recommended that you book your time slot in advance.

De 9 Straatjes (The Nine Streets in Amsterdam)

Stadtteile Amsterdam

To make sure you get the most out of your Amsterdam 3 day travel, stop by the historic 9 Streets area (De 9 Straatjes). With nine Instagram-worthy shopping alleys filled with art galleries, gardens, bars, and restaurants, you’ll find plenty of great reasons to stop, chat, snack, and take a photo.

Plus, you can pick up a souvenir for yourself or your loved ones: There are chic stores with vintage clothing, shoes, bags, antiques, housewares and much more. And with over 400 years of history reflected in the architecture alone, just walking through the neighborhood is the perfect way to discover Amsterdam.

3 days in Amsterdam: Tips

  • Amsterdam is arguably the bike city and is designed to be explored entirely by bike. There are rental bikes everywhere, or you can join a bike tour with a local !
  • Be sure to try the gravy on classic fries at De Foodhallen – you won’t regret it!
  • Look for a hotel in the center, so you have the must-see sights right on your doorstep!
  • Book your tickets in advance, because Amsterdam is one of the most popular cities in Europe and you can expect long queues during peak hours. Especially the Van Gogh Museum is booked up superfast.

Is it worth spending 3 days in Amsterdam

Absolutely! 3 Days in Amsterdam is a well spend time to discover all the beautiful places and spots in and around Amsterdam. You will have so much fun wandering the streets, eating alooot of pancakes and relaxing on a canal cruise!

What to do in Amsterdam in 3 days?

If you are in Amsterdam for three days, then you should definitely see the Rijksmuseum, the Red-Light District, the Anne Frank House. You are an art lover? Then an inspiring visit to the Van Gogh Museum is infallible, but of course a relaxing canal cruise and a picknick in the Vondelpark is not to be missed!

How much money is needed for 3 days in Amsterdam?

With a budget of 500€ per person, you get along very well for 3 days in Amsterdam. This includes hotel costs, daily breakfast and dinner, and the I Amsterdam City Card. But it is quite possible to stay even cheaper for 3 days in Amsterdam: There are some great hostels that offer cheap but comfortable private rooms!

What to see in 3 days in Amsterdam in the winter?

Of course spring, summer or late summer is an inviting time for Amsterdam, but winter is great too! You can go to the Christmas markets, go ice skating and warm up in one of the interesting museums. Especially if you want to visit the canal city a bit cheaper, the low season is great for a visit.

Where to stay in Amsterdam for 3 days?

If you are visiting Amsterdam for three days, you should definitely stay in a hotel that is located in the immediate center. Our personal favorite places in Amsterdam are Hotel Frank , Single Hotel Amsterdam and Banks Mansion . There you have the best sights of the city right at your doorstep.

1 Day in Amsterdam

1 day in Amsterdam: What to do?

2 Days in Amsterdam

2-Day Visit To Amsterdam

I am an absolute travel enthusiast with a great love for the USA, Spain and Italy. And England. And France. You can find lots of travel inspiration from me regularly on our YouTube-channel .

Get exclusive content, real insider info and the best travel deals completely FREE!

Your trip start: We’ll provide you with little reminders to prepare for your trip and up-to-the-minute events when you’re traveling!

You have disabled JavaScript

JavaScript is required to use this website. Therefore, please enable JavaScript in your browser to visit this website.

IMAGES

  1. 3 Day Amsterdam Region Travel Pass Ticket Map

    3 day travel pass amsterdam

  2. 3 Day Amsterdam Region Travel Pass Ticket

    3 day travel pass amsterdam

  3. Amsterdam Travel Ticket

    3 day travel pass amsterdam

  4. Amsterdam Travel Ticket

    3 day travel pass amsterdam

  5. 3 Day Amsterdam Itinerary For First Time Visitors

    3 day travel pass amsterdam

  6. Amsterdam: Amsterdam Travel Ticket for 1-3 Days

    3 day travel pass amsterdam

VIDEO

  1. LISBON PORTUGAL

  2. DAY 2 OF MY AMSTERDAM TRIP 💁🏻‍♂️ VISITING GIETHOORN AFTER 3 YEARS #shorts #travelwithshivesh

  3. Best Secret Day trips From Amsterdam, Noord (North) Holland, The Netherlands

  4. The Island of #Vidoy in the #FaroeIslands. #djimavicair2 #nordictravel #faroe #vidoyfaroe

  5. Поездка в Амстердам. Часть 3

  6. Best Things to Do in Amsterdam: 3 Day Travel Guide

COMMENTS

  1. PUBLIC TRANSPORT AMSTERDAM: tickets, fares 2024

    Current prices for the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (2024) With the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket you can travel in a much larger area than with a GVB day pass. Therefore the price is higher. Current prices for the "Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket" Valid for 1 day: €21 Valid for 2 days: €31.50 Valid for 3 days: €40.50

  2. Public Transport Tickets in Amsterdam 2024 (Complete Guide)

    The Amsterdam Travel Ticket in 2024 is priced as follows: 1 day ( €18.00 ), 2 day ( €24.00) and 3 day ( €30.00 ). Amsterdam Travel Ticket. Please note that this product has validity on a "calendar day basis" rather than 24 hours, so the card expires at 0400 in the morning after the last valid day.

  3. Schiphol

    Amsterdam Travel Ticket lets you use virtually all of the city's public transport on one ticket. ... You can choose either a one, two or three-day card to best suit your travel needs. All public transport with one ticket. Buses, trains and trams are an efficient way to get around the city. They run regularly during the day until late at night ...

  4. Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

    The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket allows you to explore all that Amsterdam has to offer, along with the iconic sights and scenery of the surrounding area. Tickets are available for one, two or three consecutive days, so that you can use it for a day trip, weekend break or three-day excursion. A map filled with sightseeing tips is included ...

  5. visit-amsterdam

    With P+R you park and travel in Amsterdam. A day out in and around Amsterdam Choose a ticket that suits you. Tourists in Amsterdam; Plan journey and buy ticket with GVB app. GVB hour, day and multi-day tickets. Tourist ticket for Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport.

  6. Amsterdam Travel Ticket

    And in all GVB trams, day buses, night buses and metros. 1-day (€ 18), 2-day (€ 24) and 3-day (€ 30) tickets are available. Included is a handy map showing places of interest in Amsterdam. Please note this is not a 24 hour ticket: a ticket is valid from the moment you check in for the first time until 04:00 the next morning.

  7. Amsterdam Travel Ticket

    1-day (€ 18), 2-day (€ 24) and 3-day (€ 30) tickets are available; Included is a handy map showing places of interest in and around Amsterdam; active tab . ... With the Amsterdam Travel Ticket, you may travel by train (2nd class) between Schiphol Amsterdam Airport and any of the following stations in Amsterdam: Amstel, Bijlmer ArenA ...

  8. Amsterdam Day Ticket

    Public Transport Amsterdam Day Ticket- GVB. Rated 4.85 out of 5 based on 52 customer ratings. ( 53 customer reviews) € 9,00 - € 41,00. The GVB day or multi-day travel ticket provides you with unlimited travel through Amsterdam - day or night - by bus, tram, and metro, for exactly the number of hours that best suits your plans.

  9. Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

    Unlimited travel across the Amsterdam area with just one ticket; Carefree travel on public transport in Amsterdam and the Amsterdam region; Cheaper than separate tickets; Useful information. 1-day (€ 21), 2-day (€ 31,50) and 3-day (€ 40.50) tickets are available; Including a handy map showing places of interest in and around Amsterdam

  10. Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

    Traveller Information. Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket. Get around Amsterdam the easy way with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket - a travel card that delivers carefree travel on public transport. Depending on the length of your stay, choose between 1, 2 or 3 day tickets, for € 21, € 31.50 or € 40.50 respectively.

  11. travel-products-tourists-amsterdam-travel-ticket

    The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is also valid on Connexxion bus route 397 and Niteliner N97 between Schiphol and Amsterdam city center. The ticket is valid for 1, 2, or 3 calendar days from first check in. A day in this context begins at 0:00 AM and ends the next day at 4:00 AM. Buy online on discoverholland.com

  12. I amsterdam City Card

    Make sure to check if you need to book a time slot in advance. The I amsterdam City Card offers a unique way to explore Amsterdam. You get access to major highlights and more than 70 museums, city-wide public transport, a canal cruise and bicycle rent. Major benefits are that you can save money and get exclusive discounts at restaurants ...

  13. Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

    Rated 4.89 out of 5 based on 9 customer ratings. ( 9 customer reviews) € 21,00 - € 40,50. Discover Amsterdam and the surrounding area with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket - a special 1, 2 or 3 day public transport pass valid on metros, trams and buses operated by GVB, Connexxion and EBS and NS trains. This ticket will be delivered ...

  14. Amsterdam Public Transport Guide: Metro, Bus and Tram Tickets

    Perfect for 1-3 day city trips; If you also plan to go sightseeing in the area surrounding Amsterdam, the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket for 1-3 Days is ideal: Purchase one pass to travel without limits across the region of Amsterdam. Valid on all public transportation within the region of Amsterdam, including buses, ferries, subway, trains ...

  15. Schiphol

    With the Amsterdam Travel Ticket, you are able to travel on virtually all of Amsterdam's public transport. You can buy a one, two or three-day pass. Your ticket also includes the trip between Schiphol and Amsterdam, by Amsterdam Express (bus 397) or Niteliner (bus N97). Read more about the Amsterdam Travel Ticket.

  16. Amsterdam City Pass: A 3-day itinerary with the I amsterdam Card

    Day 2 - Explore Zaanse Schans and the windmills with the Amsterdam city pass Feast at Restaurant 1ste klas for Breakfast. Head to Amsterdam Centraal Station for a classy breakfast in this first-class, award-winning restaurant from 1889.In the old days, social classes were strictly observed and the waiting rooms were no different.

  17. Amsterdam: Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket for 1-3 Days

    Please note that the voucher needs to be redeemed before usage. This ticket is valid from the first time you check in until 4 AM the morning after the last valid day (depending on whether you have the 1,2 or 3-day ticket). The day starts at midnight. Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today.

  18. Amsterdam: Travel Ticket for 1-3 Days With Airport Transfer

    Includes. 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day travel ticket valid on the Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397) and niteliner N97 operated by Connexxion, which brings you from the airport directly into the city center of Amsterdam; all train connections between Schiphol Airport and any train station in Amsterdam with NS; and all trams, buses, night buses, and ...

  19. 3 Day Amsterdam Region Travel Pass Ticket

    Now let's compare that cost to the cost of the 3 day Amsterdam Region Travel Pass Ticket. The Amsterdam Region Travel Pass Ticket for 3 days costs 33.50 euro. But unlike most other types of travel pass, it is a CALENDAR DAY pass. Days begin anytime between 00:00 and 23:59.

  20. 3 Days in Amsterdam: Detailed Itinerary (+Map & Essential Info)

    A canal cruise is a must-do in Amsterdam! 3 Days in Amsterdam - short overview: MAP. DAY 1: Rijksmuseum, old town, canal cruise, Anne Frank House…. DAY 2: Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Albert Cuyp Market, Heineken Experience, WWII history…. DAY 3: Dutch countryside, A'DAM Lookout, East Docklands, Red Light District Tour….

  21. Amsterdam GoCity Pass

    Amsterdam » Discount Cards » Amsterdam Pass. Amsterdam GoCity Pass. A good deal that includes many Amsterdam attractions and transport to them. Inside and outside of the city. How it works. The good thing of this pass is that you do not have to pick up a physical card from their office. Like some other passes need. ... (3-12) 21€ 2 day ...

  22. ᐅ 3-Day Visit To Amsterdam

    Steffen. 31. May 2023. 278 ratings. With 3 days in Amsterdam, you'll have plenty of time to immerse yourself in a city rich with history, culture, and cuisine. To help you make the most of your trip, we've curated the best of the best museums, tours, and eats from the capital city.

  23. 3 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary (Perfect for First-Timers)

    This will help lead you around the museum, and in my opinion, a must-visit with 3 days in your Amsterdam itinerary. Admission: €22.50 for adults 19 years and older; 18 and younger are free. Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM. Address: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands.