Is Go City Amsterdam Pass worth it? We used it on our trip to Amsterdam in March 2023. We would love to give you what we think about it, how to use it, and if you should buy the city pass. However, we are objective and give you full transparency about the card; it’s worth your time to read the post!
There are many tourists card for Amsterdam; here is a detailed comparison of the I Amsterdam City Card, the Go City Amsterdam Pass, and The Amsterdam Pass.
Is Go City Amsterdam Pass a good deal?
Yes, the card includes all the top-rated attractions in Amsterdam, including Rijksmuseum, Moco Museums, House of Bols, Heineken Experience, A’DAM Lookout, bike rental, canal cruise, etc. It has what you want to visit as a tourist in Amsterdam.
Advantages:
If you buy the All-Inclusive (Day) Pass, you can visit as many attractions as you want; if you utilize the card entirely, let’s say you use it for at least five sites, it only costs EUR 12 per attraction. The regular price per attraction is around EUR 18, which saves you a lot of money, and not to mention; we will share how easy it is to arrange your day trip to Amsterdam using the pass.
Disadvantages:
Some attractions, like Rijksmuseum and Heineken Experience, need to reserve the time slot in advance, but it’s easy to make a reservation; book it one to two weeks before your visit date.
Things to know before paying:
City Pass includes some tours, like Keukenhof tours and Anne Frank House walking tours. That’s why it is so popular. However, there are limited spots for the tours, and it’s a bit complicated to reserve your spot, and there’s no guarantee you will get the spot.
You need to email the tour company asking if you have any spots. If not, you cannot join. We recommend you buy this card for classic attractions, not for tours, since there’s no guarantee you can join the tours.
Of course, you can buy the pass one or two months in advance and reserve your spot once you get the pass. The pass is only activated when you scan the code for your first attraction.
Who should buy Go City Amsterdam Pass?
The pass is suitable for anyone as long as you plan to visit the attractions included in the pass.
Who should not buy Go City Amsterdam Pass?
Suppose you only want to visit one or two attractions covered in the Go City Amsterdam Pass, it might be more beneficial to buy the tickets separately, or the attractions you would like to see are not on City Pass, but on the I Amsterdam City Card, like Eye Film Museum, NEMO Science Museum, etc.
If you are traveling with kids in Amsterdam
We recommend the I Amsterdam City Card since popular attractions for kids, like Artis Zoo, NEMO Science Museum, etc., are only the I Amsterdam City Card. Besides, you get unlimited rides with GVB buses, trams, and the metro (I Amsterdam City Card includes public transportation by GVB to travel inside the city freely).
How to use Go City Amsterdam Pass? (Step-by-Step Guide)
#1 Purchase the card
There are two options for the pass: an All-Inclusive (Day) Pass or an Explore Pass (pick how many attractions you would like to visit).
An All-Inclusive (day) pass is a good option if you would like to visit as many attractions as possible. The explorer pass suits people who want to take their time or plan to see everything in one or two days.
We had Explorer Pass since we stayed in Amsterdam and wanted to use it for multiple days.
#2 Download the app on your phone
Once purchased, you get a confirmation email. You need to connect your order to your phone, and it’s super easy and convenient.
2-1 Download the app on your phone
Click on the first button – Download the app, and the system takes you to the app store on your phone, and you can download the app directly.
2-2 Connect your order with the app
Click on the second button – Sync your pass; the system will synchronize your order with your phone.
Connect your order with your phone as early as possible in case you need help from the customer service team. Also, you can reserve the tours and attractions early, guaranteeing your spots!
#3 How to enter the museums and attractions?
By showing your pass, you can immediately enter the place for attractions like A’DAM Lookout, House of Bols, and Moco Museums.
From our experience, we used the pass for the canal cruise, Moco Museums, and A’DAM Lookout; the staff immediately recognized our pass. It’s very convenient.
#4 How to reserve your spots for Rijksmuseum and Heineken Experience?
You need to reserve your spots first for Heineken Experience and Rijksmuseum. Here is how we did it.
Open your app, look for Rijksmuseum/Heineken Experience. Once you click on it, there’s a link to reserve your spot.
Please read the instruction first; for Rijksmuseum, you need to select “I already have a ticket/voucher.” After booking, you will get an e-ticket from Rijksmuseum in your email. Same instruction for Heineken Experience.
One-day itinerary using Go City Amsterdam Pass
Below is the itinerary for our one-day trip to Amsterdam for your reference. It’s our exclusive tips to fully utilize the card, especially if you have an All-Inclusive (day) Pass.
| Time | Where to go? |
| 9.00 | Rent a bike at MacBike (Return before 18.00) |
| 10.00 | Visit Dam Square + Palace |
| 11.00 | Explore Kalverstraat, also Enjoy the best Dutch fries |
| 12.00 | Museums in Museumplein + Canal Cruise |
| 17.00 | Return the bike & Visit A’DAM Lookout (A’DAM Swing) |
| 18.30 | Dinner at Loetje |
| 20.00 | Visit Red-Light District/Canal Belt Area |
#1 Rent a bike first
Once you arrive at Amsterdam Central Station, go to the MacBike shop. Take the exit for taking the ferry (behind the station at the waterfront). Then, walk toward the Mango and I Amsterdam shop, MacBike shop is at the end of the shopping street.
The City Pass includes bike rental. We recommend renting one since you can travel around Amsterdam with your bike without paying for public transportation. Of course, cycling in Amsterdam is the most fun way to get an unforgettable experience.
Note
You need to return the bike before the shop closes. You can drop it at the designated place if you miss it, but it costs you EUR 10. In addition, you need to pay EUR 50 as a deposit when you rent a bike (this is normal in the Netherlands).
#2 Head to Dam Square + Try the best “Patat” in Amsterdam
Once you have the bike, it’s easy to explore Amsterdam. First, go to Dam Square and Palace, one of the must-see attractions in Amsterdam city center.
If you want lunch, have the best Flemish fries (Dutch: Patat) at Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx. They have the best “Patat” in Amsterdam, and it comes with quite a big portion, and potato makes you have a filling feeling quickly. If you travel solo in Amsterdam, a small one is enough unless you are a big eater.
Note that the sauce is an extra cost; this is common in the Netherlands. The most popular choice is to have it with mayonnaise, which tastes good.
Since it’s popular, many people finish their food at the shop, but if you want to enjoy it at a better place, you can walk 1 minute to Koningsplein or visit Singel floating market while enjoying your lunch.
Our favorite cafe with a fantastic Amsterdam view is close to Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx. You can also visit there if you wish to have a proper meal for lunch.
#3 Visit Museums
There are many museums across Amsterdam for all ages. Here are our top five favorites:
Anne Frank House Museum & Anne Frank House Museum
These two places are at the top of the list for many people, but Go City Amsterdam Pass does not cover them.
If you wish to visit Anne Frank House, please remember that Anne Frank House releases tickets six weeks before the visit date. Anne Frank House website is the only channel that sells the tickets, so there is no chance to buy tickets at the door on the day (more tips for visiting Anne Frank House).
If you want to visit Van Gogh Museum, book the tickets online, especially during peak season.
Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum has a vast collection of world-famous paintings from Dutch painters like Rembrandt and Vermeer. If you are an art lover, don’t miss out on the chance to see their masterpieces with your own eyes.
If you visit Rijksmuseum, you need to reserve the timeslot for your visit beforehand. However, it’s easy to make a reservation if you book it at least one week in advance.
House of Bols
If you don’t like conventional art or traditional museums, House of Bols is for you 😉
A Dutch physician created Gin, so you should visit the House of Bols. The museum is in an interactive setting with colorful lighting, and the best part is that there’s a bar at the end of your visit.
Every visitor has a free (with/without Gin) cocktail! The bartender customizes the drink for you. When we were there, they let us try two shots of flavored Gin and one Gin-based cocktail. It was our first time trying it; it was a great experience. We highly recommend this place if you visit Amsterdam!
Moco Museum
Another fun contemporary art museum in Amsterdam!
They have a collection of work from UK-based famous street artist Banksy. If you like his work, don’t miss this opportunity! Besides Banksy, they have Digital Immersive Art Exhibition; it’s fun and interactive.
We access the museum by showing our Go City Pass at the door; no need to explain anything.
#4 Hop on Canal Cruises from Rijksmuseum
Canal Cruise is one of the top things you must do in Amsterdam, and Go City Amsterdam Pass covers it too!
The pass works with Stromma canal cruise company; they have multiple places, like Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, and Centraal Station, to get on the boat.
We recommend taking the cruise from Rijksmuseum since it’s less busy. On the day of our visit, we were the first guest boarding the boat and only a few people.
Where can you get on the canal cruise from Rijksmuseum?
The Stromma canal cruise company is just right in front of the Rijksmuseum. First, you must show your pass at the counter inside the store in exchange for the entrance ticket. You can give the tickets to the captain when entering the cruise.
The cruise is around 75 minutes, 15 minutes longers than taking the cruise from Amsterdam Central Station.
We were pleased that we took the boat from Rijksmuseum since we didn’t have to wait in line to get on the ship, saving us a lot of time.
What is the best time to take the canal cruise? (h4)
When you are tired, it’s nice to rest on the boat while enjoying the Amsterdam view. That’s perfect for us.
#5 Go to A’DAM Lookout & Take A’DAM Swing
If you rent the bike as we suggested in this post. Don’t forget to return it before six o’clock in the afternoon. Afterward, we recommend visiting A’DAM Lookout, the best place to see the Amsterdam skyline. This attraction is only for Go City Amsterdam Pass holders, not included in the I Amsterdam City Card.
We highly recommend taking A’DAM Swing, taking a swing from the rooftop of the tallest building in Amsterdam! It is super crazy if you think about it, but it’s a great thing to do and guaranteed that you would get an unforgettable experience! We did not dare to do it, but if you like it, do it.
Is it worth it to go to A’DAM Lookout if I don’t take A’DAM Swing?
We didn’t take the swing but we still believe it’s worth it. The scenery was great when we saw the skyline from the rooftop. Besides the view, the atmosphere was great. We greatly liked the bar vibe; it is super cozy and relaxing. A good place to hang out after a day traveling in Amsterdam.
You can also come here for sunset if you like.
#6 Have local food in Amsterdam City Center
After visiting A’DAM Lookout, it’s good to enjoy dinner. You can have the most famous steakhouse at Loetje.
You can have pizza at our favorite pizza restaurant De Pizzabakkers or one of our favorite Asian Restaurants in China Town, close to the Red Light District.
#7 Visit the Red Light District
Whether you like it or not, the Red Light District is part of Amsterdam.
If you want to look deeper into its behind-the-scenes cultural stories, the best way is to join a guided tour. Of course, you can also visit the museum about the Red Light District in Amsterdam.
| Tour Name | Highlights | Book |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5-Hour Walking Tour | Show you the historical secret areas, and the back alleys of De Wallen and meet local workers. | Click Here |
| 2-Hour Night Walking Tour | – Discover how and why Amsterdam Red Light District developed and its liberal attitudes towards sex and drugs – See the oldest building in Amsterdam, the canals, and beautiful old houses. | Click Here |
Is it safe to walk in the Red Light district alone?
Yes, walking alone as a female traveler is safe since the city government is doing all it can to keep the area safe and friendly to tourists. Remember, the Red Light District is a popular place for tourists. However, we recommend visiting there before 10 p.m. It’s not that it’s not safe to be there, but it gets much more crowded, and you might feel uncomfortable being there alone.
#8 Enjoy Quiet Amsterdam Canal at night
If you still have time and energy, walk along the Amsterdam Canal Belt Area to enjoy a peace of quiet here.
We love walking at night here since it’s much fewer people and a better atmosphere to enjoy the evening canal view. Amsterdam is much more beautiful at night, so seize the chance to do it while you can.
It’s also a good idea to visit the bars in the De Pjip area. De Pijp area is the area where the local young people hang out.
