We will be in the Netherlands for 9 days in May and will be traveling outside of Amsterdam so the Holland Pass seems to best fit our needs but want a better understanding of how it works. I'm looking at the pass with 2 gold & 2 silver free entries plus discounts on multiple museums and attractions. My question is about the discounts and how they work. Is there a separate line for those with a pass to buy a discounted ticket or will I have to stand in a long line with everyone who pays full price? Also wondering how much tickets are discounted. Trying to decide if I should buy the pass or tickets online so that I will arrive at all attractions with a skip the line ticket. Although a little more expensive, it sounds like lines are horrific and having ticket in hand for all places I wish to visit may be worth a little extra. Also wondering if I have to select the time that I will visit when purchasing pass, taking away flexibility. Any experience with using the museum pass is much appreciated.
Posted by
Alma, AR, USA
92 posts
Wife and I were in the Netherlands last April. Looking at options for museum sightseeing cards, the Museumkaart was a far better choice for us than the Holland Pass. The Museumkaart covers admission to a multitude of museums throughout the country and most of the museums in Amsterdam. The card can be purchased at any museum where it is accepted, so we easily bought it at a small museum in Delft and used it elsewhere during the remainder of our trip. The card easily paid for itself in just 3 days in Amsterdam alone. No timed reservations are needed and at the larger museums where it is accepted, there is a shorter line for Museumkaart holders that bypasses the ticket buyer line. Because we had the card, we visited some of the more unique museums in Amsterdam that we likely would have not tried to see. My wife especially liked the Museum of Bags and Purses! The Dutch Resistance Museum was one of my top choices. The Museumkaart website lists the museums in other cities around the country where it is accepted, so if you know where you will be visiting, you'll be able to see if the card will be of use there as well.
Posted by
the Netherlands
2487 posts
If you want to visit 4 of 5 museums, the Museumkaart - costing EUR 59,90 - is already an attractive offer. And at the major museums you can skip the queue. I find the additional bonus it invites you to visit smaller museums which you otherwise would have skipped. Here you find the list of the participating museums, arranged by province.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Even if you are sticking to Amsterdam only, the Museumkaart grants admission to a lot of interesting smaller places that you can visit without queues and any extra payment. So you can take a quick look, if you are not interest, just move on (and likely the way in and out to the museum will be interesting on itself).
Posted by
OP
Richmond, Virginia, USA
116 posts
Thanks to all for info about Museum Pass. I incorrectly called it the museum pass. The Holland Pass covers museums and attractions; i.e., kuekendoff gardens, Delft factory tour, sights in Haarlem, The Hague, etc. I'm looking for info from anyone who has used the Holland card. I appreciate your responding. Many thanks.
Posted by
Orange Park, Fl
985 posts
Kyle - the other posters are telling you about the museumkaart because it is the better deal, especially for a visit of nine days. I looked at the HP description and it is pitiful imo. You would be paying almost the same price for the 2/2 card as for the museumkaart and getting only four "free" entries with your pass, and the discounts offered for other places are miniscule. There is not a separate line for Holland Pass holders that I have ever seen. You either stand in the line with all of the other people who don't have a ticket or you enter the much shorter line for those who already have a ticket or museum card. The accompanying train prices are pretty much what you would pay at the station anyway, and their cost is in addition to the cost of the card!
We have bought the museumkaart twice and will buy it a third time this fall. It is a no brainer of a deal. If you are only planning a couple of day trips while you are there you would be better off going a few minutes early and buying your travel tickets at the train station from either machine or at the counter.