Is the I Amsterdam Card worth it?

I Amsterdam Card can be an affordable, convenient, useful way to enjoy the beautiful city at reduced costs. You can visit world-class museums, visit places of tourist interest, cruise the wonderful canals, enjoy delicious, local goodies and more with the card. All of the aforementioned benefits are either free or come with substantial discounts.. The City Card also gives unlimited access to the GVB public transport system in Amsterdam for 24hrs, 48hrs, 72hrs or 96hrsupon activation. It translates to realizing huge savings on your trip

The museum benefit is automatically activated once one visits a museum or an attraction site. The element of public transport too is automatically activated when one uses a bus, metro or tram in Amsterdam. An individual can use it to visit many places that he or she can within the mentioned time-frame. However, it does not cover the charges for trains, including any rides from Amsterdam Airport (Schiphol) to the Amsterdam Central station.

I Amsterdam Card – Things to know before using one

Upon activated, the card is to be used by the particular cardholder. It cannot be transferred or shared by someone else. The validity of the I Amsterdam card is for that particular year. So, if it is activated before December 31, the card remains valid for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours depending on the type you buy. One can only go for one canal cruise with the card. All inclusive locations can be visited just once with the card. Refunds cannot be provided if the card is lost or stolen. One cannot get refund, if the trip is canceled, because the card is not used for that location. The card can be blocked upon being misused or stolen. You cannot combine the I Amsterdam card with other offers that may be available, at a particular tourist spot.

Attraction sites that one can visit using I Amsterdam Card include the following:

• Canal cruise
• Van Gogh Museum
• Rijksmuseum NEMO Science Museum
• Rembrandt House Museum
• Hermitage Amsterdam
• Artis Royal Zoo
• Diamond museum
• Stedelijk Museum
• Amsterdam Museum
• Allard Pierson Museum
• Amsterdam Diamond Factories and the Diamond Museum
• Amsterdam Pipe Museum
• ARTIS Royal Zoo
• Cromhouthuis Biblical Museum
• Cobra Museum Amstelveen
• EYE Film museum
• Hermitage Amsterdam
• Portrait Gallery of the Golden Age
• Outsider Art Museum
• Hortus Botanicus
• ARTIS –Micropia
• Oude Kerk

 

 

I Amsterdam Card – Where to Buy?

There are three easy ways from which one can choose from to get the card depending on convenience. They are:

Home delivery

It is the simplest way and involves ordering is the City card online then it is delivered toone’s home address. It takes only ten business days or less, regardless of where one lives in this world. The delivery is worldwide with DHL, however, one will be required to meet the delivery costs and this is bound to vary based on the location as well as the number of City Cards an individual ordered. A free city map and magazine is included with in every order.

Picking up on arrival

It involves ordering the City card online then picking it thereafteron arrival in Amsterdam. One receives a confirmation email once the online application is completed. It is then required that this is printed out and presented in person in any of the pick-up locations in exchange of I Amsterdam City Card. The pre-purchased card can be collected in any of the three locations:

• Amsterdam Central Station: This is an I Amsterdam Store that is located on the Northern side of the station. It opens from Monday to Wednesday at 08:00am to 19:00am. On Thursday to Saturday it opens from 8.00am to 20.00am. On Sunday, it opens only for a short period of time that is from 10:00am to 16:00pm.

 

• Amsterdam Central Station: This is an I Amsterdam Visitor Information Centre and it is located inStationsplein 10 that is found opposite the entrance to main station. It is opened from Monday to Saturday as from 09:00am to 17:00pm.It is closed on Sundays.

 

• Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: It is I amsterdam Visitor Information Centre located in Schiphol Airport at the Arrivals Hall 2. It is opened on a daily basisfrom 07:00am to 22:00pm.

Purchase on arrival

The I Amsterdam City Card can also be purchased upon arrival at any of the sales locations found in the city.

Note: If one is ordering several cards online, it requires only one name to be presented at checkout.

Tip: The Van Gogh Museum is usually quite busy and it is advisable book the required time slot early enough.

 

Inclusions

By having a valid I Amsterdam Card, one is entitled to the following:

• Free admission to any of the 44 museums and sites of attraction in Amsterdam
• Ride in the city public transport system for free within the stipulated time-frame
• Free or discounted admission to other sites found outside Amsterdam’s city center
• Free canal cruise (only one)
• Detailed city map
• Unlimited use of the GVB public transport in Amsterdam (bus, tram and metro)
• Free entrance to any of Amsterdam’s major attractions and museums
• Discounts on concerts, attractions, theater,rentals and many more
• Free fun surprises, giveaways as well as special monthly offers
• Free entrance to any attractions at ZaanseSchans
• Free entrance to the major museums found in Haarlem
• Free trip on a ferry from Volendam to Marken
• Free entrance to Zuiderzee Museum, including other discounts in Enkhuizen
• Free entrance to the museums in Naarden, Muiden and Laren
• 25% discount offered at many restaurants and cafés
• Exploring Amsterdam by boat, scooter or bike with discount rates
• Discovering Dutch icons like beer, cheese, diamonds, and windmills

 

Exclusions

Most specialist museums and the ever-popular Anne Frank House is not covered as on 2018.

Free giveaways

• De DrieFleschjes (one gets a shot of free genever for those over 18yrs)
• Holland Casino Amsterdam – Free entrance (18+)
• Eetsalon Van Dobben (Offers Free croquette roll)

Free Canal Cruise

• Canal cruise by the Blue Boat Company and Canal Company
• Lovers and Grey Line Canal Cruises
• Amsterdam Circle Line

25% Discount on Music and Stage

• Bimhuis – Jazz
• Boom Chicago
• Het Concertgebouw
• National Opera and Ballet

I Amsterdam card – cost

• The cost of the I Amsterdam Card starts from 59 Euros for 24 hours, 74 Euros for 48 hours, 84 Euros for 72 hours, 98 Euros for 96 hours and 69 Euros for 72 hours.

Important Information

• There I am City Card does not offer any special rates for children.
• The City Card does provide significant savings for all children aged 10 years or older. However, it dependsthe locations to be visited
• The I Amsterdam City Card is also not meant for groups. One can order a maximum of ten City Cards. It is due the museums and attractions’ policies. They don’t allow group entries without registration.
• Confirmation is received immediately one books the card.
• The city card is valid only for the consecutive number of hours indicated on your card.
• All the locations can be visited within the given timeframe.

Cancellation Policy for I Amsterdam Card

 

One can get a full refund if the cancellation process is effected 24hrs in advance before the trip’s start date is due.

Is I Amsterdam Card worth it?

Understanding that the 72 hour card costs 84 Euros, and you go to six tourist sights and spend on public transport, the overall cost will be above 84 Euros, which makes it a sensible option to use the I Amsterdam Card.

Ideally, the 24 hour card is not really worth it, because you will have to justify the 59 Euros you spend, in that time . Also, if you have children, do check the savings and free rates available to them for a particular tourist spot or museum on their official website. I Amsterdam card is recommended when you are staying in the city for 3 to 4 days.

 

Here is how you can play a 3 day itinerary to Amsterdam.  Also check out the best places to stay in Amsterdam.