Differences between Holland Pass v. Museumkaart v. IAmsterdam?
 

I don’t really understand the difference between the Holland Pass, the Museumkaart, and the I Amsterdam card. HP looks the cheapest, but the website is not straightforward, and places like the Rijksmuseum don’t even mention it on the list of those that get in free. We plan on staying in a central part of Amsterdam, and I've read that Amsterdam is a walkable city. Therefore, I don’t think daily transport means as much to us (husband and I) as admission gratis does.

We are staying for 5 nights during the very first week in April 2011. We do plan on visiting Keukenhof despite the poor timing (that is when we can go, so that is when we will go). Places I definitely want to visit include:

Rijks
Van Gogh
Hermitage
Historical Museum
Van Loon
Anne Frank (not on any passes, I know)
Royal Palace (not really sure if we should)
Keukenhof
Bicycling, parks, etc.

If possible, can someone set me straight on the pass differences?

Thanks,
Staci

We just got back from a trip that included 5 nights in Amsterdam. We used the Museumkaart (~40€) and a 5-day (120 hr) transport pass (~22€).

This was better than 5 days of the iAmsterdam Card -- cheaper, and it included all of Netherlands, so the Hals Museum and History Museum in Haarlem (a day-trip) were covered. It covered the first five museums on your list. It's good for a year -- nice if you plan to go back, or you can give it to a friend who is going.

Here is the link for the Museumkaart (with a list of covered places):

http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/museumkaart/

SS

Someone on another thread also mentioned that the Museumkaart is good for using public restrooms and entrance into some churches.

ssander: Can I ask: Do you feel you got your money's worth on buying the 5 day travel pass?

Ssander,

Did you happen to look into the Holland Pass also? That one confuses me a bit.
http://www.hollandpass.com/en/

Thanks,
Staci

twiggers...

We used the trams 19 or 20 times -- I think that was a saving over the cost of individual rides. But even if it wasn't, the convenience is a major factor. Just swipe the card on boarding -- no worrying about whether you have the tickets or not. Also, if you're tired after a lot of walking, it's nice to feel that you can be lazy any time and hop on the tram.

We've always used single-day or multi-day cards - London, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Chicago, New York.

SS

WishIWasThere...

The Holland Pass COULD be a really good deal, if your choices fit into their group A,B,C...etc., system, since it covers some places that the Museumkart does not (such as the Wax Museum and Sightseeing Bus). Since these high-priced items were not on my to-do list, it was not cost-effective for me --plus, since we were there 5 days, we wanted to see a lot more the 6 places.

If I am decoding this right, it seems that (with the 48€ XL pass) you have to pick one from each letter A,B,C,D,E,XL -- which, essentially means, maximum of 3 from the first column, at least one from the last column.

Maybe someone else has used this and can enlighten us all.

SS

SSander,

Thanks for your help decoding the process. I feel like a dunce, but now I get it. I too want to go to more than 6 places, especially if you include Keukenhof. I broke down, did the math, and came up with Museumkaart as the more economical. Thanks for your help.
Staci

Hi guys,

I just came back from my holiday in Amsterdam.
I used the Holland Pass XL edition and saved myself a lot of money. The XL is €48,- and I visited the:

Wax Museum
Van Gogh Museum
Hermitage
Canal cruise
Historical Museum
Anne Frank
Diamond tour (free champagne with Holland Pass)

Everyting was for free and the Anne Frank was only €9,- extra.
The rest normally costs €73,-
But even better we skipped the line at all museums/attractions.

We didn't need transport but a day card was only 7 euro.
I would advise Holland Pass to all of you!

Have fun,
Stef

Stefkerk...

Can you explain the A,B,C,D,E system? It looks like you went to three A-B places...was that allowed? I thought you could only go to 1 A-place and 1 B-place.


Also, if someone also wanted to add the Rijksmuseum, that is an A-B attraction...would that be possible?

SS

SS,

I bought the XL edition from €48,- (XL is the same as A or B)
The A,B, and XL ticket can be used everywhere, also at Rijksmuseum.

Hope everything is clear.

Stefkerk

Buy a 5 ticket book, get A,B,C,D, & E tickets. Six tickets adds an XL. As said above A, B & XL are equally the max value with E being the lowest value. You can use a higher value ticket for a lower value event but the game is to maximize value & savings. Caveat: haven't actually been there or done that but we have studied hard and purchased our voucher for the Pass. BTW, Viator worked best and used $ (no conversion fee). Trying to purchase from HollandPass.com was disaster! There was a "Verified by VISA" screen that would not work in 5 tries.

We are buying BOTH the 5 ticket HP & the Museumkaart along with a 6 day GVB (transportation). The kaart gives us the better deal for the number of attractions but the Pass gives "line hopping rights at the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. (The Kaart lets you stand in line and get a free ticket. The Pass IS the ticket.) There are also a few attractions covered by the HP that are NOT by the kaart.

Bottom Line...

There is no "best" way. It all depends on:

(1) How many days you'll be there.
(2) Which attractions you want to visit
(3) When you are going (there are times when there are very short or non-existant lines)
(4) How much you plan to use the trams.

You really must take the time, plan, and do the math to get the best deal.

SS

Example (continue from previous post)...

We bought the Museumkaart for 40€ and visited attractions worth approximately 130€ over 5 days -- definitely the best deal for us. (For example, we went to the Hermitage twice, and dropped in for quick visits at some other places -- something we like to do in a foreign city.)

We used the 120 hr transport pass (23€) and got about 50€ worth of rides -- also a good deal for us, because we took the tram a lot.

Another note that probably does not apply to most folks: The Museumkaart is good for a year, so if we go back within a year (unlikely), or our kids go (possibly), or some friends go (likely), we can lend them the card.

SS

You can go straight in the van Gogh museum with a Museumkaart. You do not have to queue.

I can't see why you would want both a Museumkaart and Holland pass.

You need to register for "verified by visa" - it is to protect you, and the seller from internet fraud.