The Museumkaart (or museum pass) is an annual membership card that gives free, unlimited admission to over 450 museums in the Netherlands, including 39 museums in Amsterdam.
I'm talking about it today.
Amsterdam museum pass: article summary
- How do I get a museum pass in Amsterdam?
- What are the alternatives to the Amsterdam museum pass?
- Find out more about the Amsterdam museum pass
- How much does Museumkaart cost?
- Some of the pass's partner museums
- How do I upgrade a temporary Museumkaart to the full map?
- How does the Museumkaart work when you visit a museum?
How do I get a museum pass in Amsterdam?
A temporary Museumkaart can be purchased over the counter at certain museums. However, the temporary card is only valid for 31 days and offers only 5 museum visits.
Dutch and European residents can register a temporary card online to upgrade to the full annual card.
If you wish to obtain the annual Amsterdam museum pass, you must apply online on the official Amsterdam museum pass website.
The card will then be mailed to the address you specify. A good option for visitors who make frequent trips to the Netherlands.
What are the alternatives to the Amsterdam museum pass?
If you don't want to opt for a one-year card, there are several very interesting alternatives.
For example, you can take advantage of the I Amsterdam City Card, which is valid for 1 to 5 days and includes museum admission, public transport and a few other bonuses and discounts.
To find out more about the I Amsterdam City Card, I recommend you read the article I wrote on the subject.
Find out more about the Amsterdam museum pass
The Museumkaart card program (also known as Museumjaarkaart or MJK) has been in existence since 1981, with around 1.3 million cardholders, including 140,000 children.
In 2021, there were 3.9 million visits to the Museumkaart. A slightly lower figure compared with 9.3 million visits in 2019 due to health measures.
How much does Museumkaart cost?
To purchase a museum pass, you will need :
- 64,90 € per adult
- 32,45 € for under-18s
Some of the pass's partner museums
21 museums in Amsterdam offer the card for sale, allowing you to use it immediately on their premises. These include :
- Anne Frank House
- Jewish Museum Museum
- National Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum)
- Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)
- Oude Kerk (Old Church)
- Rembrandt House Museum
- Rijksmuseum
- Stedelijk Museum
- Van Gogh Museum
- Van Loon Museum
Please note that it is not possible to buy the card elsewhere in Amsterdam.
If you only buy a temporary card, it will cost you an average of approximately €13 per museum visit.
Given that admission to the major museums now costs over €20, the temporary card could save you some money. Don't forget to buy the card at a museum you really want to visit.
How do I upgrade a temporary Museumkaart to the full map?
You can register a temporary Museumkaart online from any address in the European Union. You need to upload a passport-style profile photo and provide a bank account number (IBAN/BIC) to pay a one-off administration fee of €3.25. The complete annual card will then be sent by regular mail to your address.
How does the Museumkaart work when you visit a museum?
When you visit a museum, simply present your card at the entrance desk and they'll scan it. Some museums will give you a printed ticket, others will simply let you in.
Many museums now require you to make an online reservation for a specific date and time slot. There is also an option for Museumkaart holders to select during the booking process.
You will then need to bring your booking confirmation and Museumkaart with you at the museum.
The Amsterdam museum pass is particularly interesting if you spend a lot of time in this magnificent city. You'll be able to explore the various museums without having to pay a large entrance fee. It's worth save on travel costs when visiting this beautiful Dutch city.
What to do in Amsterdam in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Amsterdam guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special Amsterdam guide!
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