Iamsterdam City Card vs. Go City Card: Which card is the best option for your Amsterdam adventure?

Amsterdam, with its beautiful canals, rich history, and vibrant neighbourhoods, is a city that begs to be explored.

To help you make the most of your visit, city passes like the Iamsterdam City Card and Go City Card offer convenience and savings. But which one is the best fit for your trip?

Hi I’m Alexandra from Who Is Amsterdam Tours. We offer our Hello Amsterdam Walking Tour and our self guided food tours in the de Pijp district and in the Jordaan district via Iamsterdam and via Go City, me and my team have talked to hundreds of travellers using both.

We spoke to travellers who where complete happy about their choice and also to some which wished they would have done more research before because then they would have gotten the other city card.

I’m writing this article to help you make the best choice based on your needs and wishes.

This is why I’ll compare the two, highlighting not only their features but also the exclusive tours and experiences you can access with these passes—including our highly recommended Hello Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour  and two self-guided food tours in the iconic Jordaan  and De Pijp districts.

Iamsterdam City Card: For the museum lovers

Overview: The Iamsterdam City Card is a product of the city of Amsterdam and it is the go-to option for travelers seeking a more cultural experience. It covers almost every museum in Amsterdam (except from Anne Frank and Van Gogh. Tip: Book ahead online, they are book out super fast!), public transport, a couple of cool attractions, and also our Hello Amsterdam Introduction walking tours as well as our self-guided food tours in de Jordaan and in de Pijp.

Key Features:

• Unlimited Public Transport: With the Iamsterdam City Card, you can use GVB public transport (buses, trams, metro) without any additional cost. This is a cool feature but kee in mind that a public transport day ticket is 9 EUR. So a go city pass might still be a solid choice even without the public transport.
• Free Entry to Top Museums: Enjoy access to over 70 museums and some cool attractions. It’s insane how many museum’s this card includes. If you’re a museum lover, this is your choice!
• Discounts and Offers: Get discounts at various restaurants, bike rentals, and cultural performances.
• Exclusive Tours: Take part in our Hello Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour to get acquainted with the city’s history and hidden gems, or indulge in local flavors with our self-guided food tours in the Jordaan and De Pijp districts.

Pricing:

• 24 hours: €60
• 48 hours: €85
• 72 hours: €100
• 96 hours: €115
• 120 hours: €125

Best For: Travelers who want a more cultural experience of Amsterdam, including access to almost every museum in the city, seamless public transport, and an introduction to the city’s through a wonderful introduction walking tour, canal cruise and a self-guided bike tour and self-guided food tours.

Go City Card: For the attraction lovers and those who prefer more flexibility

Overview: Guests who joined us said that they chose this pass because of all the attractions it has included. It’s also perfect for those who prefer a more flexible and tailored sightseeing experience. With this card, you can choose either a set number of attractions (explorer pass) or an unlimited amount of attractions within a certain timeframe (All-inclusive)

Key Features:

• Choose Your Attractions: Select from a list of over 46 attractions, including the Heineken Experience, A’DAM Lookout, and the Amsterdam Dungeon.
• Skip-the-Line Access: Avoid the queues at certain attractions, giving you more time to explore.
• Customisable Packages: Opt for an All-Inclusive Pass for 1 to 5 days or an Explorer Pass to visit a set number of attractions.
• Exclusive Experiences: With the Go City Card, you can also join our Hello Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour or embark on a culinary journey with our guided Jordaan food tour of our self-guided food tours in Jordaan and De Pijp
• Digital Convenience: Our guests who joined our tours via the Go City Pass where always very positive about how easy the mobile app operates and it’s very convenient to navigate it and plan all activities.

Pricing:

• All-Inclusive Pass:
• 1 day: €64
• 2 days: €84
• 3 days: €99
• 4 days: €114
• 5 days: €124
• Explorer Pass:
• 3 attractions: €54
• 4 attractions: €69
• 5 attractions: €79
• 6 attractions: €94
• 7 attractions: €104

Best For: Travelers who value flexibility and want to mix traditional sightseeing with local experiences and attractions, particularly those interested in exploring Amsterdam’s food scene.

Comparison: Iamsterdam City Card vs. Go City Card

Here’s how the two cards stack up:

1. Scope of Attractions and Tours: The Iamsterdam City Card provides broad access to museums, while the Go City Card allows you to curate your itinerary with specific attractions and some museums. Both cards include our Hello Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour and self-guided food tours in Jordaan and De Pijp, making them excellent choices for those wanting a deeper connection with the city.

2. Public Transport: The Iamsterdam City Card offers unlimited GVB transport, which is ideal for travelers planning to move around the city extensively. The Go City Card does not include transportation, so you’ll need to purchase transport tickets separately.

3. Flexibility: The Go City Card stands out for its customizable approach. You can choose specific attractions and tours, making it easier to tailor your experience. The Iamsterdam City Card offers a more all-inclusive package, ideal if you’re looking to maximize the number of attractions visited.

4. Price: Both cards are competitively priced. If you’re eager to visit multiple museums and take advantage of public transport, the Iamsterdam City Card may offer more value. However, if you prefer a selective approach with a focus on particular attractions, the Go City Card is a smart choice.

5. Children Option: Go City has a slightly discounted children’s option, however bear in mind that some of the attraction’s are not meant for kids like the Tour de BonTon, House of Bols or the Heineken Experience.

Here’s also our comparison chart:

Comparison Chart

FAQs

1. Can I use the Iamsterdam City Card for the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum?
No, the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum are not included in the Iamsterdam City Card. You’ll need to purchase a separate ticket directly from the museum’s official website. Same goes btw for the Go City pass. You might wonder why, well these two are two of the most popular museums in Amsterdam, especially the Anne Frank house doesn’t have lots of space in comparison with other museums and Van Gogh does have more space but is simply (and rightly so) insanely popular. So for both you need to book again friends!

2. Does the Go City Card include transportation?
No, the Go City Card does not cover public transportation in Amsterdam. You’ll need to buy transportation tickets separately. A day ticket is 9 EUR and easy to purchase at Amsterdam Central station or in each tram or bus.

3. What tours are included with these cards?
Both the Iamsterdam City Card and Go City Card include our Hello Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour, which is perfect for first-time visitors, as well as our self-guided food tours in the Jordaan and De Pijp districts. The Go city pass also offers a Anne Frank walking tour, a brother tour (super cool) and a craft beer tour experience. Next to that Go city also offers our guided Jordaan food tour.

4. How do I activate the Iamsterdam City Card and my Go city pass?
The Iamsterdam City Card is activated upon first use at an attraction or on public transport and is valid for the specified duration (24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours). The Go City pass is activated the same way, upon the first use at one of the activities.

5. What happens if I don’t use all my Go City Card attractions?
With the Go City Explorer Pass, any unused attractions will expire 60 days after the first activation. No refunds are given for unused attractions. The All-Inclusive pass expires automatically after your chosen time period.

So what’s the verdict? 

When it comes to choosing between the Iamsterdam City Card and the Go City Card, your decision should align with your travel goals. The Iamsterdam City Card is ideal for those who want a comprehensive experience, especially focusing on access to our top museums, unlimited public transport, and unique tours like our Hello Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour and food tours. If you prefer more flexibility, the Go City Card allows you to customise your itinerary, picking the attractions and experiences that most appeal to you, including our exclusive tours. Also this pass is for everyone who is focussing more on attractions like This is Holland or the Amsterdam Dungeon.

Both cards offer great compact ways to explore Amsterdam, ultimately it really depends on you! Do you want a more cultural, museum driven experience? Then go for Iamsterdam. Do you prefer more entertaining activities and attractions? Then the Go City Pass is for you.