For those considering purchasing an iAmsterdam card, a few notes from my recent trip (June 2022). I know you can purchase all of the items covered by the pass separately but I selected this option for efficiency and help my travel companion focus on choices (first time overseas, didn't know where to start).
- The iAmsterdam app was helpful to identify covered sites and activities and was easy to use on both Android and Apple phones.
- You can choose electronic (using app) or physical card, but you can't do both with same card number. I chose physical card because I'm old school and didn't want to mess with my phone on the trams. The physical card can be purchased online ahead of time and picked up in person at the iAmsterdam store inside Amsterdam Centraal train station. Note the store hours to make sure it is open when you arrive.
- Many museums require advance time slot booking. For some you can book time slot ahead of time without a card number (e.g. Rijksmuseum). Just show your time slot reservation on arrival and they scan your card for entry.
- It was pretty easy to get time slots for the less busy museums on the same day, but we didn't try popular places. The app shows if time slots are necessary and gives links to the museum web pages to book. You can't book time slots using the app itself which was a bit inconvenient.
- As of June 1, 2022, the card no longer includes the Van Gogh museum. At the time I purchased the card it was still covered and we pre-booked time slots using the card order number (which thankfully worked). But that is unfortunately no longer an option.
- We had a hard time finding a canal tour covered by the pass in the late afternoon (5 p.m.). Not sure if this was due to pandemic hours or if it was just an odd day. We ended up doing the Lovers Amsterdam tour which was not that great (though we were severely jet lagged, so maybe that's unfair). You should book a time slot if you have a specific company in mind.
- The pass worked great on the trams and it was handy to jump on for a short ride when our feet tired out. We definitely made the most of the transit component as our hotel was on a main tram line.
The pass covered most of the sites we planned to see and necessary transportation. We went to a handful of places we wouldn't have gone otherwise (Artis zoo, A'dam Lookout, Eye film museum), totaling about 50 euros in entrance fees, so we got bonus value in that sense.
The convenience factor was the best benefit overall. However, now that Van Gogh museum is not included, I probably would have just reserved the individual sites and transportation. If you're thinking about an iAmsterdam card, I'd suggest doing a calculation of entry fees for sites you plan to visit to see if it will have value for you. Be sure to read the fine print on what's covered/not covered, as the rules did change on short notice. In case you need it, here's the GVB page with daily transit pass options to help with the math.