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Museumkaart and museum reservations

How do Museumkaarts and museum reservations work together? We're traveling to Amsterdam from the U.S. Is it possible to make museum reservations now if we're planning to buy and use Museumkaarts when there?

Posted by
3777 posts

Yes. I preordeed tickets for Anne Frank house, Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum while home. You just check the box that says Museumkaart, pay any fees for extras (such as timed entrance for Van Gogh or audio headsets) and show the card with your receipt/ticket when you are at the entrance. We purchased our card at the first museum we passed. I printed out my tickets but you might be able to show it on your phone, check the respective websites.

Posted by
3200 posts

This is a timely question for me. I was under the impression that the museum kart was the ticket to get into any number of museums, Rijksmuseum included, skipping line. I'm planning a March trip back to Amsterdam to devour the museums, particularly the Rijksmuseum. Planning to go day after day until I've seen it all. It is my understanding the museum kart is the card/ticket that will allow me to visit the R. day after day with no additional ticket. I wasn't planning any reservations...at the art museums. So thanks for this clarifying question. I'm all eyes!

Posted by
3777 posts

If memory serves me right, the Van Gogh had different lines: one general admission, one Museumkaart holders and one ticket/Museumkaart holders with timed entrance. We had the time entrance and waited around 5 minutes. The other lines were very, very long. We were there in July.

Posted by
92 posts

We were in Amsterdam at the end of July and beginning of August. We purchased Museumkaarts in Amsterdam.

We did not have any advance museum reservations, except for the Anne Frank House.

We went to the Rijksmuseum several times, and never had to wait to enter. Either there was no line, or we were able to use a shorter line.

We went to the Van Gogh Museum and there was a very long line, but we were directed to another entrance around the side (perhaps the group entrance?) and walked right in.

We also just walked in to the Rembrandt House as well. None of the other museums/places we visited had any sort of line (Maritime Museum, Portuguese Synagogue, Royal Palace, Amsterdam Museum, Jewish Historical Museum, Museum Van Loon, Stedelijk Museum). Actually, there was a short line at the Palace to buy tickets, but we walked past that.

I have no idea if that's usual, or if we just got lucky.

Hope you enjoy your trip to Amsterdam.

Posted by
2829 posts

You can make time reservation for the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frankhuis online. You fill the form for a reservation and indicate you are in possession of the museumkaart. I have done it myself several times to visit the Van Gogh museum. However, maybe, you need to use the Dutch website. Reservations are free in that case.

Posted by
2487 posts

Reservations for the Van Gogh Museum can also be done on their English-language page. Click on »Tickets« at the bottom and select »More options« at the next page to get it free with a Museumkaart.

Posted by
2047 posts

We are in Amsterdam now. We bought the museum card, but no reservations. We had no trouble getting into any of the museums. We even got into the Anne Frank House later in the evening without reservations, but they will be stopping the unreserved tickets Oct. 16, when their entrance remodeling starts.

Posted by
2 posts

Hi! I was trying to buy a MuseumKaart online but saw this message:

'According to new rules, only Dutch residents can use the Museum Card for a full one year. To others the card will expire after 31 days and they have to go through some paperwork to get it. The Museumkaart website is in dutch language only and online purchase is only to Dutch residents.'
https://www.amsterdam.info/museums/museumkaart/

So I guess I can't buy it online in advance. Did anyone have any problem buying the Museumkaart after arriving in Amsterdam? I'm asking because I want to make online reservations for the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House, and indicate that I have the Museumkaart. It will be a real problem if we arrive in Amsterdam but can't buy the Museumkaart there...

Thanks everyone!

Posted by
2487 posts

Don't worry about being able to buy a Museumkaart. All major museums (and also some smaller) sell them, whether you're Dutch or foreign. And I can't remember much paper work.

Posted by
2487 posts

Here you'll find a complete list of museums in Amsterdam which accept the Museumkaart. Use it to visit some less known, but no less interesting museums. The Cromhouthuis has a beautifully preserved interior, showing the hidden grandeur of those canal houses. The 17th century Portuguese synagogue is well worth a visit. And while you'll be passing it, have a look in the Royal Palace on the Dam, once the City Hall of a proud merchant city. (It's still used for official functions, so check whether it is open for visit.)

Posted by
513 posts

Thank you for this thread.
What is one of your favorite of the lesser known museums on the museum pass?

Posted by
2487 posts

I find the Portuguese synagogue really a must together with the Royal Palace. They both reflect the importance of the city in its heyday.

Posted by
11294 posts

"What is one of your favorite of the lesser known museums on the museum pass? "

Don't forget that the Museumkaart covers museums in the entire country. Many of my favorites weren't in Amsterdam, such as the Rail Museum, Centraal Museum, and Speelklok Museum (all in Utrecht), the Gemeentemuseum (in the Hague) and the Boerhaave (medical museum, in Leiden).

My favorite that wasn't covered by the Museumkaart was the Cube House Museum in Rotterdam.