Amsterdam Van Gogh

Don't use Trip Advisor, book tickets and a time slot directly on the official museum website https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/visit/tickets-and-ticket-prices - click "book tickets" to open the reservations calendar. They only let you in for your time slot, so the "long line" is going to be those who purchased tickets at that same time slot. The online system shows you times (in green) that the museum is less busy. It appears tickets are bookable out until October at least, but don't wait they do sell out.

Do not buy tickets on Trip Advisor. We didn't buy tickets in advance because we went to Anne Frank first and I didn't know how much time we'd need. When we got to the Van Gogh museum, the ticket line was long. I didn't have cell service, but I found if I stood next to the museum or the shop, I had wifi. I bought my tickets online and was amazed that I was able to get tickets without a wait. I went and pulled my husband out of the line and told others they could buy tickets online but no one moved. The line to get into the museum for ticketed guests was only about 10 people long.

We didn't get the audio guide and we found the signage sufficient. That said, for $3.50, I'd go for it, since you are a Van Gogh fan.

So, either, buy your tickets online in advance or day of. If you want an actual guide, maybe check their website or ask when you get to the museum.

The stories about long lines date back to the time before the Van Gogh museum adopted the time slot system, since then the lines are gone. There can be a short line at the start of each new time slot, because you’ll have to go thru security, but that’s it.
Don’t believe these 3rd party websites who claim they sell skip-the-line-tickets. The only line is the short line for security and no ticket allows you to skip that line or cut to the front of it.

If the Van Gogh Museum is an itinerary priority I would buy tickets on the museum website sooner than later. This past April, while waiting in the not-so-long-line for my entry time, I saw several disappointed tourists turned away because the day was already sold out.

This was our 4th visit to the museum and with our prior experience we managed to have several galleries to ourselves. Here’s how we did it: get an opening time slot, get there a little early and get in line (we were first!). Upon entry go down the escalator, turn left and take the elevators to the top floor. Everyone else is still milling about trying to get their bearings and you’re in the gallery with Van Gogh‘s all to yourself!

Holy gouging! 😬

When I was there the line was to purchase tickets, and it was very long. The time slot system was in effect. What was dumb was all the people that were in line had to do was purchase a ticket online instead of waiting for a person. The line to get in the museum was very short.

I see this in many places. The ticket line for the castle in Lisbon was extremely long. People could have purchased a ticket online and walked right in. I never wait in a line without checking out my options.

The last 2 times I visited (2023 and 2022) you couldn’t even buy tickets at the museum. You must purchase online.

According to their website:

“Tickets are available online only. At the Van Gogh Museum there are no exhibition fees. All entrance tickets include admission to the permanent collection and the current temporary exhibitions. All visitors need a ticket with a start time to have access to the museum.”

https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/visit/tickets-and-ticket-prices

As others have said, the line is only those in your time slot. Wherever you are reading about long lines, it must be info from several years ago.

“ When I was there the line was to purchase tickets, and it was very long”

This is must have been years ago, because for several years now the only way to get tickets to the Van Gogh museum is to buy them online. The Van Gogh museum does even not have a ticket window any longer., so there can’t be a line to purchase tickets.
The only line is for security and the only people you’ll be in that line with, are the people with the same time slot as you.
So to reconfirm the answer for the OP; forget about Tripadvisor, buy your tickets on the official website of the Van Gogh museum.

It is so annoying that most search engines lead you to 3rd party booking sites for all kinds of travel-related planning. E.g. when googling Anne Frank tours, one can be easily mislead into thinking they will get to visit inside the house by booking with what pops up at the beginning of the search results!
What a price difference between Trip Advisor and the direct website! Paying more does not mean getting more in many instances.

We were just in Amsterdam for the Vermeer exhibit and we could not get Van Gogh tickets for the time we were there -- in past years, we just got them a day or two before on line. I would book those tickets as soon as you know your dates. With timed tickets there is a minimal wait for security. No guarantee tickets would be available lining up on the day.