Before you Travel

Bookings needed & things you can prepare in advance to make the most of your time once in Amsterdam

Tickets & activities you NEED to book in advance


The huge majority of travelers visit the following attractions. They need to be booked to avoid huge queues or to guarantee availability.

The first tickets you MUST book in advance are the ones for Anne Frank's House. 80% of tickets are released exactly two months in advance at noon, 20% on the day itself. Every day at 9:00 am, the tickets for the day are made available. Make sure you get to book yours!

Anne Frank's House Tickets

The next tickets you should book in advance are the ones for the visit to the Royal Palace. It's under disposal of the King so check if it will be available to visit during your stay and reserve your tickets!

Royal Palace of Amsterdam Tickets

The other tickets you could book are the ones for the Rijksmuseum, it has over 8.000 works of art and some of the most famous artists showcased there are Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals.

Rijksmuseum Tickets

PASSES TO MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR VISIT

There are different Passes you can buy to enter attractions and each has its own options, so you should check them out before choosing. If you read the descriptions and still can't decide which pass to get, send me a message and I'll help you with it!

The I Amsterdam City Card is available to purchase for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours. With it you'll have access to lots of museums, like the Rijksmuseum, the Amsterdam Museum, the Museum Het Rembrandhuits and the Van Gogh Museum. It also includes GVB public transport in Amsterdam (metro, tram, bus, but not the NS trains) and a canal boat tour. Some attractions in other cities (Haarlem, Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Marken, Muiden and Enkhuizen) are included, but not the transport between Amsterdam and those places,

I Amsterdam City Card

There's also the Amsterdam Pass, which can be bought for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days. It includes over 30 attractions to visit, like some Museums, the Johan Cruijff Stadium Tour, the Heineken Experience and much more. It also gives you access to the Hop on-Hop off Bus and Boat tours for the duration of your pass and bus excursions to some beautiful areas outside of Amsterdam, like to Keukenhof or Zaanse Schans Windmills.

Amsterdam Pass

Pick your Transfers & Transport Cards


Amsterdam Schiphol airport is an extremely busy airport and there are different transport options to do the commute to the city center, but as it's one of the biggest airports in Europe and it's usually crowded, I'd suggest preparing your transfer in advance to avoid delays and complications.

The most comfortable option: Private Transfer

If you book a private transfer in advance you'll have someone waiting for you at the Arrivals Hall. The cost depends on the destination but calculate €40 per car, and it's definitely more comfortable than public transport because you'll be left off at the door of your accomodation. Taxis are usually a little bit cheaper than a private transfer but Schiphol Airport is a very busy one and finding a taxi can be difficult and take lots of time.

Amsterdam Private Transfer

The cheapest and fastest way with public transport: Train

This train will take you to Amsterdam Centraal Station in 15 minutes. One ticket costs €9,50 and you should definitely buy it online in advance to avoid lots of people and confusing machines.

Amsterdam Train from Airport

Once in the city, to move around there are several options and the best is Public Transport. You can buy one card and choose the number of days you need it for and use the trams, buses, ferries and metro.

Amsterdam Public Transport Ticket

Another good option to make the most of your time in the city is taking Hop On - Hop Off buses and boats, being able to get on and off at the different attractions that they have stops at. I recommend the City Sightseeing company.

Hop On - Hop Off Amsterdam Tickets

Riding a bike in Amsterdam is definitely a cool and local experience. You'll get to see the city as locals see it every day!

Bike Rental Amsterdam

Other recommended arrangements


Book your tours, guides & activities: the best tours sell out fast. Try to do your research and book before you go. Have a look at our Love Your Trip selection, we have the best services and experiences in town.

If you need advice to choose your activity or you’re looking for something specific, send me a message.

Curated Experiences & Tours Amsterdam

Have you just started to plan your trip? Too many things to decide? Too long do it all by yourself? Special needs or wishes? Then, you should plan your trip with a local to get tailored travel plans & advices.

Get full access

Get Android & IOS access and a printable version

Download guide
phone IOS & Android Offline
pdf Downloadable PDF
pc Web access
We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. By continuing, you agree to receive cookies on our website. Learn more.   I agree