What this solves
Amsterdam has three museum-pricing strategies: walk-up at the door, online pre-booked, or pass. Most guides dump you into a €74.90 Museumkaart or a €65-€85 City Card without explaining the math.
- Eight museums tracked: Rijksmuseum (€24 online / €30 door), Van Gogh (€22), Anne Frank (€16, mandatory online), Stedelijk (€22), Moco (€21), Hermitage (€19), FOAM (€15), Scheepvaartmuseum (€18).
- Four pass strategies: walk-up at the door, online pre-booked (often €5-€6 cheaper), I amsterdam City Card (€65-€85), Museumkaart year (€74.90).
- Breakeven calculator: tells you the exact number of museums needed for the pass to pay off, including Anne Frank (which costs €16 even on Museumkaart year).
The calculator
How to read results
The four strategies are ranked by total cost. Anne Frank House is €16 OUTSIDE every pass, so it gets added to all four totals as a separate line.
The calculator uses a €21 average online price and €26 average door price. Actual prices range €15-€30 across the 8 museums. Use the calculator as a directional guide, not a final invoice.
Limitations
- Average price ≠ your actual price. Rijksmuseum door is €30 but FOAM is €15. The math is directional, not invoice-accurate.
- Museumkaart requires Dutch address. Available at the museums\' own ticket desks for tourists with passport — but verify before relying on travel documents (it).
- Special exhibitions cost extra. Anne Frank\'s "Freedom" exhibit or Van Gogh\'s "Sunflowers" addition are ticket add-ons on top of base entry.
- City Card museum list is curated. It covers ~70 museums but not all. Check iamsterdam.com for inclusion before buying.
FAQ
Is Anne Frank House really €16 with no pass coverage?
Yes. The €16 entry is unique to Anne Frank House and not part of Museumkaart, City Card, Holland Pass, or any combo. Reservations open 6 weeks ahead on Tuesday 10am CEST, and sell out within hours.
Can I use Museumkaart at the Van Gogh Museum without pre-booking?
You\'ll need a time slot, even with Museumkaart. Book a free timeslot via the Van Gogh website after you have the card. Same for Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk.
Is the I amsterdam City Card worth it for transit alone?
The 24h City Card at €65 includes unlimited GVB. If you visit 0 museums and only transit, two €6.50 day tickets = €13. The Card is rarely worth it on transit alone.
Is there a museum discount pass for kids?
Museumkaart for under-19s is free (parent must be a member or pay one-time €32 for the kid\'s card). Most museums are free under 5, half-price 6-18.
Sources
- Museumkaart official site (museumkaart.nl)
- I amsterdam City Card list of included museums (iamsterdam.com)
- Anne Frank House ticket info (annefrenchhouse.nl)
- 2026 individual museum ticket pages (rijksmuseum.nl, vangoghmuseum.com, etc.)