Tip 8: City Discount Passes

City Discount Passes in NL

Discover how to explore the best of the Netherlands’ major cities without breaking the bank. City discount passes offer free and discounted access to top attractions, helping you save while enjoying museums, tours, and more. Whether you’re an expat or a local, these passes will help you experience the Netherlands affordably.

The Netherlands is known for its vibrant cities filled with cultural, historical, and modern attractions. However, the cost of visiting museums, iconic sites, and events can quickly add up. That’s where city discount passes come in. These passes offer free or heavily discounted access to a variety of local activities and attractions. They’re particularly useful for expats looking to experience their new city without spending a fortune. Whether you’re in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or The Hague, a city discount pass can help you explore like a local while saving big.

A city discount pass is a prepaid card or digital pass that provides access to a city’s top attractions at no extra cost or at a reduced price. These passes typically cover entry to museums, guided tours, local events, and public transportation. Depending on the city, passes may be valid for different durations, ranging from 24 hours to a full year. For those planning to visit multiple museums or cultural sites, city passes can offer significant savings.

If you’re someone who enjoys visiting cultural and historical landmarks, a city discount pass might be a smart investment. For instance, the Rotterdam Pas offers extensive free access and discounts throughout the year, meaning you’ll easily get your money’s worth with regular use. Similarly, while The Hague City Pass may have fewer free entries, its low cost and year-long validity still offer great value with various discounts. On the other hand, the IAmsterdam City Card is more suited for shorter visits (up to 120 hours) and is ideal if you plan to visit several attractions over a day or weekend trip.

Once purchased, you can activate your city discount pass by scanning it at your first attraction or by downloading a digital version onto your phone. Some passes, like the IAmsterdam City Card, are activated the moment you use them at your first destination and are valid for a set time (24, 48, or 120 hours). Others, like the Rotterdam Pas and The Hague City Pass, are valid for an entire year from the date of purchase, giving you long-term access to attractions and events.

Most passes provide free or discounted entry to major tourist attractions, museums, and local activities. Additionally, the IAmsterdam City Card includes unlimited use of public transportation, making it easier to move around the city without extra costs. When planning your visit, it’s a good idea to mention that you have a city discount pass when making reservations or arriving at a venue. This ensures that any applicable discounts or free entries are applied immediately.

For example, the Rotterdam Pas covers hundreds of activities, and regular use will quickly make up for the pass’s cost. The The Hague City Pass, while offering fewer free activities, still provides excellent discounts year-round for a fraction of the cost of other passes. However, if you’re visiting Amsterdam for just a weekend, the IAmsterdam City Card could be your best option to access multiple top attractions within a few days.

City Discount Passes in a Nutshell

City discount passes offer a convenient and budget-friendly way to explore the top attractions in the Netherlands’ major cities. Whether you’re new to the country or simply want to experience more of what each city has to offer, these passes provide excellent value.

1. IAmsterdam City Card: Provides free access to over 70 attractions, including the Rijksmuseum, Nemo Science Museum, and EYE Museum, plus unlimited public transport and a free canal cruise. Ideal for expats looking to dive into Amsterdam’s rich culture and history.
2. Rotterdam Pas: A year-long pass with access to over 750 attractions, including the Euromast, Rotterdam Zoo, and various museums. Perfect for expats wanting year-round entertainment and access to cultural events.
3. The Hague City Pass: Offers free or discounted access to iconic attractions like the Mauritshuis, Panorama Mesdag, and Madurodam. It’s a great choice for expats interested in the city’s cultural and political history.

City discount passes are available in many of the Netherlands’ biggest cities, offering significant savings on top attractions and public transport. Whether you’re exploring museums, taking city tours, or enjoying local events, these passes make it easier and more affordable to experience the best each city has to offer. Below is a breakdown of the main city discount passes in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, and Groningen.

The IAmsterdam City Card offers unlimited access to public transport (trams, buses, metro), free entry to more than 70 museums and attractions, as well as discounts at various restaurants, bike rentals, and shops. It also includes a free canal cruise, one of Amsterdam’s most iconic tourist activities.

• Major Museums – Free entry to the Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, and Rembrandthuis.
• Historical Landmarks – Free access to the Anne Frank House, Portuguese Synagogue, National Holocaust Museum, and Museum van Loon.
• Science & Nature – Free entry to NEMO Science Museum, ARTIS Zoo & Micropia, and Hortus Botanicus.
• Canal Cruises – Free boat tours with LOVERS Canal Cruises, Amsterdam Circle Line, Mokumboot, and more.
• Unique Experiences – Discounted or free access to Heineken Experience, THIS IS HOLLAND, A’DAM Lookout, and Boom Chicago.
• Specialty Museums – Free entry to the Tulip Museum, Pipe Museum, Verzetsmuseum (Resistance Museum), and more.
• Windmills & Villages – Free entry to De Zaanse Molen, Fort Pampus, and Molen van Sloten.
• Outdoor Adventures – Free access to Klimbos Fun Forest and De Hortus botanical gardens.
• Public Transport – Unlimited free access to trams, buses, and the metro within Amsterdam.

Please note that the offerings and discounts may change over time, so it’s best to check the latest information on the official website: IAmsterdam City Card

Amsterdam offers a City Card with validity ranging from 24 to 120 hours:

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

1. Purchase your card: You can buy the City Card online or visit the I amsterdam Store located at Amsterdam Central Station to purchase it in person.
2. Activate your card: You choose when to activate your City Card. Activate the digital card in the City Card app, or if you have a physical card, it will be activated the first time you use it.
3. Use your card: To visit City Card locations, show your card at the entrance. Traveling on public transport is easy—just scan your card when boarding a bus, tram, or metro.

The Rotterdam Pas provides year-long access to over 750 activities and attractions within Rotterdam and nearby areas. The pass includes free or discounted entry to museums, cultural events, sports activities, and more. It’s a perfect way for expats to experience the vibrant culture of Rotterdam throughout the year.

• Free entry to Euromast – 1x free entrance to the viewing platforms, plus a free Euroscoop experience.
• Diergaarde Blijdorp (Rotterdam Zoo) – 1x entry for €5 or 50% off an annual membership.
• Free entry to Miniworld Rotterdam – 1x free entry or 50% off an annual subscription.
• Free entry to major museums – Includes Museum Rotterdam, Maritiem Museum, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, Kunsthal Rotterdam, and Nieuwe Instituut.
• Free or discounted guided tours – 1x free walking tours with Pippin Hikes, Gilde Rotterdam, and a free stadium tour at Feyenoord Museum.
• 25% off family and fun activities – Includes Jump-010 (trampoline park), Glowgolf Schiedam, Outdoor Valley(kayaking and canoeing), and Zero Latency VR.
• Free or discounted harbor and boat tours – 1x free harbor tour with Spido or Rondvaarten Schiedam.
• Food & Drink offers – Free ice cream at Ijssalon Venezia and Ijssalon Capri, and a free pancake at Pannenkoe.
• Free cinema tickets – 1x free movie tickets at Pathé, KINO Rotterdam, Cinerama, and VUE Cinemas.

Please note that the offerings and discounts may change over time, so it’s best to check the latest information on the official website: Rotterdam Pas

Rotterdam offers a city pass valid for a full year:

• Annual Pass: €60 (adults)

There are also discounted rates available for students, people with lower incomes, and children in some cases. For the most up-to-date pricing details and eligibility, please refer to the official Rotterdam Pas website: Rotterdam Pas (lower tariffs).

1. Purchase your card: You can buy the Rotterdam Pas online or visit a local sales point in Rotterdam or in surrounding cities, including libraries and some museums.
2. Activate your card: The card is automatically activated the first time you use it, whether for a free or discounted activity.
3. Use your card: Show your card at participating locations to receive free or discounted entry.

The Hague City Pass offers excellent discounts and deals on key attractions, dining, and leisure activities in The Hague for a full year.

• Museums & Culture: €2.50 off at Museon-Omniversum, Muzee Scheveningen, Museum Panorama Mesdag, and Museum Beelden aan Zee. Also, €2 off at Rijksmuseum de Gevangenpoort and The Hague Historical Museum.
• Dining Deals: Enjoy €5 off a 7-course meal at Chef Bulbol, 15% off at De Pizzabakkers, and €5 off the luxury The Hague Cocktail Board with Stork.
• Leisure & Wellness: Discounts at Day Pass Promenade Healthclub & Spa, Hotel Spa Savarin (all-day spa entrance), and ThePhoneLab (save €20 on repairs).
• Family Fun: Discounted entry at SEA LIFE (15% off online tickets), Avonturenboerderij Molenwaard (30% off), and The Park Playground VR Experience (20% off).
• Unique Experiences: Take the Royal Tour for free, including a royal audio and video walking tour. Clone of Royal Tour also available at no cost.
• Shopping & Services: Get Haags Zaad 3 = pay for 2 at The Hague Info Store and enjoy a free cup of coffee or tea at Brasserie Gallery61.
• Exclusive Performances: Discounts at Theater Ludens (€1.50 off select performances) and Theatre de Veste (€2 off per performance).

Please note that the offerings and discounts may change over time, so it’s best to check the latest information on the official website: The Hague City Pass

The The Hague City Pass costs €7.50 for a full year of discounts and deals.

1. Download the The Hague City Pass app for free here.
2. Purchase the pass for €7.50 through iDeal, credit card, or other methods.
3. Activate your pass via a confirmation email and use it through the app.

• Valid for one year from purchase.
• You can extend the pass after one year without a subscription commitment.
• The pass is personal and registered to a single email.
• Always check if bookings are required in advance for discounts.