museumkaart

I used my museumkaart a lot over a long stay in the Netherlands and found at places like the Rijksmuseum (which I visited multiple times), it was almost dependent upon the guard at the main entrance. With some, I just showed the card and they let me bypass the line and go right in and with others I had to stand in line (with the Museumkaart, you totally avoid the ticket line that is located inside the Rijksmuseum lobby, but you may or may not avoid the entrance line just to get into the building. Once inside, you go straight to the security checkpoint and they scan your card and you are able to go straight to the galleries. The Van Gogh had a special entrance line for Kaart holders and you just walked right in (but once inside you did have to get in line for security screening). At the Stedelijk and a few other museums, there were special ticketing kiosks in the lobby and you scan your card to print your ticket that gets taken by the security guard so you can enter the galleries. At Anne Frank's House, I was visiting in season when the entrance lines are typically long, but I didn't bother going until around 6PM (it's open fairly late) and there was no line at all and I was immediately able to show my card, get my ticket and go in.

The upside of having the Museumkaart is if you want to see part of a large museum on one day, and then go back on another, you can do so without paying for another ticket. It's also worthwhile for some of the small museums and historic canal homes that are covered which don't take much time to tour and aren't overwhelming and crowded. Since the locations of the sites covered by the kaart are all over the city, it's also great to use if you just need to pop into one of the smaller sites to use their restrooms while you are out walking around. And admission is good for up to 1 year in case you plan on going back to the Netherlands.

Another advantage is that it is good for the whole country, not just Amsterdam.

Thanks for the information. I think we'll go with the card to save us time.

My husband and i are also going to be spending a couple of days in Amsterdam in July. I was also researching about the Museumkaart and had the same question. Harold, you mentioned that the card can be used all over Netherlands. So, can i use it in Maastricht if needed? Can someone also please tell me the approximate time one will need inside Anne Frank House? Since we are there for just 2 days, i want to be sure i have time for the places i definitely want to see.

The museum kaart is good in some many places in the Netherlands, in addition to Amsterdam. We used it thoroughly on our recent visit, including on one day trip Rick Steves recommends, the 'triangle' of Hoorn, steam train from there to a fishing village, boat from there to Enkhuisen, and entry to the open air museum there. It was ALL included in the museum kaart. Along with other Amsterdam museums not even listed in the brochure they give you with the card. Remarkable, and I wish other cities/countries had something exactly like this-- it's never as thorough.

What is the cost of the card? Is it a 24/48 hour type of card?

If we arrive in Amsterdam one day early and are also on the 21 day Europe tour, is there a way to get the museumkaart a day early so we can utilize it on our pre-tour day? I'm assuming it is included in the 21 day tour?

kathyromack,

First, it's better to start a new thread, since your question is different from the original poster's. Second, you should check with the RS Tour Department. Since you're only in the Netherlands a few days, I would NOT assume you will get a Museumkaart as part of your tour; but only the RS folks will know for sure. Call them at 425-608-4217, or e-mail there here: http://www.ricksteves.com/forms/contact-tour