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Explore More, Worry Less: Amsterdam’s Transport is Your City Pass!

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Unlimited Amsterdam adventures with a 1-7 day Travel Ticket — your all-access pass to trams, buses, and metros!

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Seamless city exploration: 1-7 day Travel Ticket, including airport shuttle. The key to Amsterdam, from arrival to departure!

Travel Ticket + City Card Free Entrance

Discover more with a 1-7 day Travel Ticket plus City Card: unlimited transport and freee entrance to Amsterdam’s finest attractions!

Amsterdam Travel Tickets: information and tickets

The city of Amsterdam is a tapestry of winding canals, historical landmarks, and vibrant cultural scenes. To truly experience what this city has to offer, getting around efficiently is key. That’s where the Amsterdam Travel Ticket comes into play, an essential for any traveler. In this blog, we’ll explore how the ticket works, the benefits it offers, and some insider tips to make the most of your journey.

What is the Amsterdam Travel Ticket?

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is a public transport pass specifically designed for visitors to the city. It provides unlimited travel across Amsterdam’s extensive network of trams, buses, metros, and ferries operated by GVB (Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf), as well as train travel between Schiphol Airport and any station in Amsterdam. Available in 1 – 7-day variants, the ticket caters to the duration of your stay, ensuring you have the freedom to explore the city to the fullest.

Seamless Convenience from the Start

From the moment you land at Schiphol Airport, the Amsterdam Travel Ticket becomes your travel companion. The easy-to-use ticket eliminates the hassle of navigating a new public transport system or dealing with foreign currency. It’s not just about ease; it’s also about economy. By combining airport transfers with city transportation, the ticket saves you both time and money.

The Benefits: Beyond Unlimited Travel

While the unlimited travel provision is the main attraction, the benefits of the Amsterdam Travel Ticket extend beyond just getting from point A to B.

Dive Into the Heart of Amsterdam

With the travel ticket, you are not just buying transport; you’re buying time – more time at the Rijksmuseum, more time enjoying a coffee by the canal, and more time immersing yourself in the historic De Pijp neighborhood. You’re free from the constraints of ticket lines and loose change, empowered to enjoy a spontaneous journey through Amsterdam.

A Greener Way to Travel

Amsterdam is one of Europe’s greenest cities, and by using the public transport network, you’re contributing to a sustainable future. The city’s commitment to eco-friendly transport is reflected in their clean and efficient public transport system, which you’ll be utilizing extensively with the Amsterdam Travel Ticket.

Essential Tips for Using Your Travel Ticket

To ensure you make the most of your Amsterdam Travel Ticket, here are some insider tips and tricks:

• Plan Your Routes: While spontaneous trips are exciting, having a rough plan can help. Use apps and online resources to check tram and metro times, so you’re less likely to miss the last ride home.
• Off-Peak Perks: Consider traveling during off-peak hours. Not only will you avoid the crowds, but you’ll also experience a more laid-back Amsterdam, as the city reveals a different side when it’s not bustling with commuters.
• Check the Validity: Make sure to check the validity each day. The ticket works on a consecutive day basis from the first check-in, not a 24-hour cycle, so be mindful of when you start using it.
• Cultural Combinations: Combine your travel ticket with cultural passes like the I amsterdam City Card for an even richer experience. While the travel ticket covers your transport, the city card can offer discounts and free entry to various attractions.
• Keep it Safe: Treat your ticket like cash. If it’s lost or stolen, it’s gone, so store it in a secure spot and always check you have it before leaving any location.
• Embrace the Full Experience: Lastly, remember that the ticket is more than a pass – it’s a key to unlock the real Amsterdam. Use it to explore lesser-known neighborhoods, local markets, and the city’s diverse culinary scene.

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket is more than just a convenience; it’s your passport to discovery in this enchanting city. Whether you’re marveling at the artistry of Van Gogh, cycling along the Amstel River, or enjoying a herring from a street market, the freedom afforded by this ticket allows for a fully immersive Amsterdam experience. So grab your ticket and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the Netherlands.

What visitors of Amsterdam say

Jochem de Boer

Purchased a 3-day Amsterdam Travel Ticket and it was a game-changer! It made moving around the city a breeze. I zipped between museums, parks, and markets without once fumbling for change or worrying about fare zones. Plus, it included the train to and from Schiphol, which was super convenient. Highly recommend for any tourist!

Eva Veenstra

The 5-day Travel Ticket was my best investment in Amsterdam. It saved me so much time and money. As someone who loves spontaneous adventures, the ease of hopping on and off public transport without the hassle of buying individual tickets was fantastic. The coverage is extensive, and I even discovered charming neighborhoods I wouldn’t have found otherwise!

Linda Jansen

I was initially skeptical about getting a 7-day Amsterdam Travel Ticket, but it proved invaluable. Not only did it cover all my transport needs within the city, including the tram and metro, but it also simplified my travel to the airport. It’s a no-brainer for tourists who want a smooth, no-fuss experience. Thumbs up!

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Amsterdam Transport Tickets

The public transport system in Amsterdam is not only efficient and easy to use, but also inexpensive. Compare the various GBV travel cards and tickets available to see which option is best for you.

The tickets and travel cards mentioned below are valid for Amsterdam ’s tram, urban buses and metro system.

Single journeys

Travel cards.

If you plan to stay for a week or more, we suggest you purchase a weekly, monthly or annual travel card .

OV-chipkaart

OV-chipkaart is a contactless card used to pay the various transport systems in Holland. If you are going to spend several days in the capital city and plan visiting other towns in the country, purchasing an OV-chipkaart is the best idea. You will be charged according to the distance of each journey . The smart card costs 7.50€ and it is rechargeable.

 Validate your card each time you get on the metro, tram or bus and do the same when you get off.

What ticket is right for you?

• OV-chipkaart : If you are going to stay over 3 days in Amsterdam and visit other Dutch cities.
• Travel card : If you’re going to use the city’s transport system frequently.
• I amsterdam City Card : If you want to visit numerous museums and landmarks and also use the public transport.

Where to buy?

If you want a single ticket, you can purchase them directly from the tram or bus driver . Otherwise, you can get the various types of travel cards from Tourist Information Centers, kiosks or in some hotels .

You may also be interested in

Operated by GVB, Amsterdam Metro includes both underground lines and light rail system. Visitors won't find this means of transport very useful. 

How to Save

Amsterdam is an expensive city, where you'll need all the tricks in the book to save money if you want to make sure your budget goes as far as possible. The most important thing is always to reserve your flight and hotel as far in advance as possible.

Save with an Amsterdam Public Transportation Travel Card Ticket Pass

Save on Amsterdam public transportation by using a travel card or special regional ticket passes that include trains, buses, metro, trams, and Schiphol Airport transfers.

Travelers to Amsterdam may save on transportation tickets by using a multiple-day travel pass that includes buses, metros, trams, and ferries. Further travel card options include transfers from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam or all public transportation including trains in the larger Amsterdam region. A more expensive option is the I Amsterdam Card , which also adds free admission to top sights and discounts on many experiences. Buy passes online , or from vending machines and many hotels or tourist shops.

Save with Amsterdam Transportation Cards and Passes

Travelers to Amsterdam may save on public transportation costs by using a variety of transportation travel cards or regional day tickets.

The basic Amsterdam tourist and visitor transportation deals are similarly named but cover different parts of the network. The basic options in order of increasing coverage are:

• The Amsterdam GVB City Multi-Day Ticket (24 hours to 7 days) — includes only Amsterdam GVB network buses, trams, and metros, i.e. basically transportation inside the city itself.
• The Amsterdam Travel Ticket (1 to 3 days) — covers the same area plus some transfers to Schiphol Airport.
• The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (1 to 3 days) — includes the above plus non-GVB transportation in the region to amongst others Haarlem, Zaanse Schans , Keukenhof , Aalsmeer ( FloraHolland ), and Almere ( Floriade ).

The I Amsterdam City Card is a traditional sightseeing pass that includes an Amsterdam City GVB transportation ticket and free (or discounted) admission to top sights — it works best as a mobile ticket.

Buying Amsterdam Transportation Passes Online

It is easy to buy the GVB City Ticket , Travel Ticket , or Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket online but the voucher (paper or mobile QR code) must be exchanged in Amsterdam for an actual paper ticket. This paper ticket must be used to check in and out on each journey.

The collection points of the tickets are different. The easiest is the Amsterdam & Region Ticket that may be exchanged upon arrival at Schiphol Airport — simply scan the QR code at the white GVB public transportation ticket machine at the baggage reclaim area or in the plaza area. This option is available 24/7 and no need to find the correct shop and opening hours downtown. Alternatively, it is also possible at most stations in the Amsterdam region. Use the white GVB public transportation vending machines, not the yellow ones that are part of the railway network!

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket may also be exchanged at Schiphol Airport but the Amsterdam GVB City Day Tickets may only be picked up at a GVB office — usually in front of Central Station. It is easier to simply buy the GVB City Day Ticket from any white public transportation vending machine in Amsterdam. The one-day ticket is also sold on most buses and trams while multiple-day tickets are also available from many hotels and souvenir shops.

Prices of the Amsterdam Transportation Passes

The prices of the Amsterdam transportation passes are as follows in 2022 — prices may increase but the relative differences generally remain the same for years:

Note: *24, 48, 72 hours rather than a calendar day, GVB card also available for 144 (€34) and 168 (€37) hours.

A €1 surcharge is added to many single-use paper tickets. A GVB 1-hour ticket is €3.20 and a transfer from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam by train or bus is around €5 one-way.

Using the Transportation Passes in Amsterdam

The transportation passes are automatically activated on first use — it is thus possible to pick up the ticket or retrieve it from a vending machine and only start using it on a different day. It is essential to check in before every journey and check out at the end of each trip, also when transferring to a different vehicle. The scanners are usually at gates for the metro and some train stations, on railway platforms, and inside buses and trams.

The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket and Amsterdam Travel Tickets are valid for 1, 2, or 3 days and expire at 4 am the morning after the last calendar day. The GVB City Ticket is valid for 1 to 168 hours (in 24-hour intervals) and should still be valid at the end of the last journey (only a real problem with the metro gates).

Which Amsterdam Transportation Pass to Buy?

Several factors should be considered in deciding which Amsterdam transportation pass to buy. All travel cards give convenient access to public transportation but they not only differ in price and coverage but also in the ease of getting the actual paper ticket. Furthermore, while the GVB City Ticket is valid for a specific number of hours, tickets that include transportation to Schiphol Airport, all expire at 4 am on the morning after the final calendar day of validity irrespective of when it was first used. In many cases, it may be sensible to simply buy a train or bus ticket at a vending machine for the transportation between Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam — around €5.

On longer trips, it is useful to combine tickets. For example, buy a single Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam ticket on arrival, a GVB City Ticket for days only traveling in Amsterdam, and an Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket for day trips and the return to the airport.

Amsterdam & Region Transportation Ticket

The Amsterdam & Region Transportation Ticket is the more expensive travel pass. However, it not only covers a larger area but also includes regular trains and buses in addition to the Amsterdam GVB buses, trams, metros, and ferries. Trains covered include trains from amongst others Hoofddorp and Schiphol, Zandvoort and Haarlem, Zaandijk Zaanse Schans and Zaandam, Naarden, Almere, Lelystadt, Hilversum, and all further trains in the suburbs of Amsterdam.

Notable buses included outside Amsterdam include amongst other the popular Connexxion Airport Express Bus 397 (Schiphol, Museumplein, Leidseplein), buses to Haarlem, Zaanse Schans , Edam, Voldendam, Marken, Monnickedam, Muiden, Aalsmeer ( FloraHolland ), and the Keukenhof Express buses (in Keukenhof spring season only).

Amsterdam Travel Ticket

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket includes all the Amsterdam GVB buses, metros, trams, and ferries inside Amsterdam city (similar to the GVB City Ticket) but also a transfer from / to Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam via either NS railways to any station inside Amsterdam or on the Connexxion Airport Express Bus 397 or Niteliner N97.

Generally, a single trip outside Amsterdam (other than to Schiphol Aiport) usually makes the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket better value than a similar Amsterdam Travel Ticket.

GVB City Day Ticket

The Amsterdam GVB City Day Tickets cover only buses of the GVB public transportation network, as well as all trams, ferries, and metros in the Amsterdam city area. It does not include transportation to Schiphol Airport, Connexxion buses (even inside Amsterdam), or regular NS trains other than the metro network.

A GVB 24-hour ticket is cheaper than three single tickets while a 168-hour (7-days) ticket is priced similarly to ten single tickets. Especially on longer trips, it is sensible to combine this cheap ticket either with a regional transportation pass at the end of a trip, or separate tickets for Schiphol Airport and other destinations near Amsterdam.

The I Amsterdam City Card is a traditional sightseeing and public transportation pass — it includes admission to many top sights and large discounts on private museums and experiences. It is significantly more expensive than the stand-alone transportation passes but is easy to make work , especially on a first visit to Amsterdam.

About the author:

Henk Bekker

Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer with over 20 years of experience writing online. He is particularly interested in history, art, and culture. He has lived most of his adult life in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. In addition to European-Traveler.com , he also owns a travel website on the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland and maintains statistical websites on car sales and classic car auction prices . Henk holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and an MSc in Development Finance from the University of London.

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National Public Transport Tickets Holland

Amsterdam Airport Express Single E-Ticket

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Choose the right card for you for Public Transport Schiphol Airport

Always check in and out.

Schiphol Airport is the main international airport of The Netherlands. In terms of passengers, Schiphol is the third most busiest airport in Europe. Public Transport from Schiphol Airport into Amsterdam or the rest of Holland is easy.In addition to paper tickets, many Dutch people use a public transport card called the ‘OV-chipkaart’. You can use the OV-chipcard on the train, bus, tram and metro services. Several different types of public transport cards are available – read on to find out more.

Public Transport Cards For Schiphol Airport

Public Transport Tickets Amsterdam

Public Transport Amsterdam Day Ticket- GVB

1-Hour transport ticket Amsterdam

The Personal OV-chipcard

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket 1, 2 or 3 day

Public Transport Chip Card

Amsterdam Day Ticket for Children

Amsterdam Travel Ticket 1 Day, 2 Days or 3 Days

the 3 Options

1. Amsterdam Airport Express ticket

With the Amsterdam Airport Express ticket you can travel easy from Schiphol Airport to the city centre of Amsterdam. The bus takes only 30 minutes from Schiphol Plaza to the centre of Amsterdam (Leidseplein). There are 6 buses each hour. Return journeys do not have to take place on the same day.

Destinations: Museumplein (28 minutes), Rijksmuseum (32 minutes), Leidseplein (34 minutes) and bus station Elandsgracht (38 minutes). Where can you find the bus?: Platform B9 at Schiphol Plaza. Look for a red bus nr. 397 marked “Amsterdam Airport Express” When: Departs every 10 minutes (between 7 am and 6 pm) or every 15 minutes before 7 am and after 6 pm. Prizes: One-way ticket: € 6,50 Two-way ticket: € 11,25 Buy your Amsterdam Airport Express Ticket »

2. Amsterdam Travel Ticket

The Amsterdam Travel Ticket allows you to travel limitless from the international airport Schiphol to Amsterdam by train and in Amsterdam – day and night – on bus, tram and metro, for 24, 48 or 72 hours for € 17,00, € 22,50 and € 28,00 respectively.

The day card is valid for 24 hours – from first check in by Train when boarding and check out when getting off the tram, bus or metro. This is the best sold ticket for tourists that want to travel from Airport Schiphol to and visit Amsterdam. Prizes: 1 day : € 17,00 – 2 day: € 22,50 – 3 day: € 28,00 Buy your Amsterdam Travel Ticket »

3. Amsterdam Region Travel Ticket

The greater Amsterdam area offers so much more than just the big city sights. The Amsterdam & Region Travel ticket lets you explore the beaches of Amsterdam, Edam’s cheese market, the Aalsmeer flower auction, Keukenhof Gardens and traditional villages like Volendam and Zaanse Schans with a single 24-hour public transport pass. When you purchase this ticket, you’ll also get a public transport guide for the Amsterdam region (PDF) filled with useful tips and sightseeing highlights. Prizes: 1 day: € 19,50 – 2 day: € 28,00 – 3 day: € 36,50 Buy your Amsterdam Region Travel ticket »

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Amsterdam & tulips travel guide, i amsterdam city card. is it worth it.

I amsterdam Card – is it worth it? If you are an active and curious traveller, the I amsterdam city card can save you lots of money. The official tourist pass gives free access to 70+ museums, top attractions, free public transport in Amsterdam and 24 hours bike rental. Moreover there are a few not widely known tips that will make the I amsterdam City Card totally worth buying it.

NEW: free entry to A’DAM LOOKOUT – an observation deck with a panoramic view of Amsterdam and Europe’s highest swing – now included in the I amsterdam City Card !

A complete guide to the I amsterdam City Card in 2024:

• What is included in I amsterdam City Card in 2024?

I amsterdam City Card prices in 2024

• Where to buy the I amsterdam card?

I amsterdam City Card: how it works

• I amsterdam City Card digital app

Which canal cruises are free with I amsterdam City Card?

I amsterdam city card tips, public transport with i amsterdam city card, is travelling from schiphol to amsterdam included into i amsterdam city card, i amsterdam city card and travelling by train, i amsterdam city card pick-up location, information & helpdesk.

What is included in the I amsterdam City Card ?

Download the City Card booklet with all included locations >>

• free admission to 70 museums and attractions in Amsterdam, including the Rijksmuseum ( see a full list of free museums here )
• free canal cruise in Amsterdam , as well as in Haarlem and Volendam
• unlimited use of the GVB public transport in Amsterdam (bus, tram & metro)
• free bike rental for 24 hours
• free entrance to This is Holland , one of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions
• free admission or discounts in Haarlem , Zaanse Schans , Volendam .

The Anne Frank house in not included in the I amsterdam card.

From July 2022 the Van Gogh museum is also no longer included in the I amsterdam City Card. Make sure you book the Van Gogh museum tickets separately >>

Check it out:

• Amsterdam 3 days itinerary with I amsterdam city card >>
• Best free things to do with I amsterdam card outside Amsterdam >>

I amsterdam City Card is available in five options: for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours .

Order I amsterdam Card online >>

Are there discounts on i amsterdam city card for students, children or seniors.

No, there are no discounts on I amsterdam City Card for students, children or seniors. But there are sometimes general discounts on I amsterdam card at the card’s official website .

1. Order your card online . You can pick it up at I amsterdam Visitor Center at Amsterdam Centraal train station.

NEW! You can also download the I amsterdam app and choose to use the city card digitally on your phone.

2. Activate your I amsterdam City Card. It works automatically, you don’t need to do anything special. The card has two components:

• public transport
• museums and attractions.

Each component is activated separately at the moment of first use (the first time you check-in at public transport or enter a museum or attraction).

3. Use your I amsterdam City Card .

• for traveling by public transport with the City Card you just need to scan your card when entering and leaving a bus, tram or metro (do check-in and check-out). Learn more about using public transport in Amsterdam .
• you are required to book time slots before visiting most museums and attractions . Find out how to book your time slots .

Here is an official full list of participating cruise companies in Amsterdam. You can also take a free cruise in Haarlem and Volendam.

Is Amsterdam Light Festival canal cruise free with I amsterdam card? No, for this cruise you need to buy a separate ticket .

On I amsterdam official website you can find out what’s included in I amsterdam city card . This is an example of what you can save by using the card instead of buying separate tickets:

And here are some extra tips that will make I amsterdam City Card totally worth the money.

So, what is good to know to make I amsterdam City Card absolutely worth it?

1. You can use your card for one extra day

Though some travellers mistakenly think that I amsterdam City Card is valid for 1 – 5 days, in fact it’s valid for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours.

So if you activate your card on your first day at 11:00, it will still be valid till 11:00 on the day after the last one. So you can enter a large museum or attraction – for example the Artis Royal Zoo or the Rijksmuseum – at 10:30 and spend half of the day there (even though by that time your I amsterdam card will have expired).

2. The card’s transport and museum components are activated separately

The City Card has two elements – one for the GVB public transport, the other one for museums , attractions and a canal cruise . They are both activated automatically: the transport element at the moment you first use tram, bus or metro. The museum element – the first time you visit a museum, attraction or take a canal cruise .

Keeping this in mind, you can plan your itinenary correspondingly to get the best out of your 24 – 120 hours in museums and in public transport.

3. You can get free compliments and gifts

They include free walking tour guide in Volendam and Enkhuizen, free brochure in Haarlem tourist information office, free cup of coffee or tea in a museum cafe in Naarden (the list of gifts and free extras is subject to change).

The I amsterdam city card gives an unlimited access to public transport in Amsterdam – the GVB bus, tram, and metro. The card is also valid on night buses.

Please note: the card is only valid in the municipal GVB bus, tram and metro lines in Amsterdam. Connexxion, R-net and other regional buses, as well as train service , are not included.

How to use your I amsterdam city card in public transport:

• when you enter a tram, bus or metro station, you need to check-in. Just tap your card against the card reader – and that’s it. Using your card to check in will activate it. After activation the card is valid for 24, 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours (depending on the duration of your card).
• before you exit, you have to check-out. To do so, just tap the card against the card reader once again.

Generally speaking, no, train and direct Airport Express bus from Schiphol to Amsterdam are not included into I amsterdam city card. But there is still one way to travel from the airport to the center with I amsterdam city card.

The I amsterdam city card is only valid in GVB public transport. So you can:

• buy I amsterdam digital pass , so that you can use it directly
• take GVB bus line 369 from Schiphol to Station Sloterdijk
• from Station Sloterdijk take GVB bus line 22 , direction Muiderpoortstation, which will take you to Amsterdam Central station.

If you follow this route, it will take you around 1 hour to get from Schiphol to Amsterdam with your I amsterdam city card , which is not that fast and easy. We recommend to download a free Glimble door-to-door travel planner , which will help you to find directions:

• Download Glimble for iOS >>
• Download Glimble for Android >>

It the app, check for the possible travel options. You can use I amsterdam city card in buses, trams, metro marked with the white and blue GVB logo.

Train service is not included in the City Card. If you are planning to explore the Netherlands, we recommend buying a public transport Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket.

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT) is valid for 1 – 3 days of unlimited travel by train, bus, tram and metro in Amsterdam and surrounding areas (including Schiphol airport , Volendam, Edam, Marken, Zaanse Schans , Haarlem , Zandvoort and Keukenhof ).

Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket map in 2024. You can find a full-size image at Iamsterdam.com official website. Learn more about ARTT >>

Prices in 2024:

• 1 day – € 21,00
• 2 days – € 31,50
• 3 days – € 40,50

Order Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket >>

During the Keukenhof opening season the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket is also valid in bus lines:

• 852 ( Amsterdam RAI – Keukenhof )
• 858 ( Schiphol – Keukenhof )
• 50 (station Haarlem – Keukenhof).

The ticket is valid from the first time you check in until 04:00 hours after the last valid day. Order Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket online >>

After completing the online booking process, you will get an e-mail confirmation. You can show it and collect your physical I amsterdam City Card at the following location :

• Amsterdam Central Station : I amsterdam Store, on the North side of the station.

Opening times may be subject to change. Please check it on I amsterdam official website .

If you have any questions or problems regarding your I amsterdam city card, you can visit I amsterdam Store at Amsterdam Centraal station or contact the support team at [email protected] .

Enjoy your visit to Amsterdam!

Related articles:

• I amsterdam card: where to buy it?
• I amsterdam digital card: how to use it?
• Amsterdam in one day: things to see and do
• Red Light District in Amsterdam
• Lovers canal cruises in Amsterdam

This page is also available in German: I amsterdam City Card: Wie funktioniert sie?

Last updated: 11 April 2024

About the author:

42 comments

Is de Amsterdam City Card geldig vanaf het Centraal Station naar het Corendon Village Hotel Amsterdam, Schipholweg, Badhoevedorp en later van het hotel naar het centrum van Amsterdam?

I amsterdam city card is valid only in transport operated by the GVB company. Please check 9292.nl journey planner to see what company operates on your trajects.

If I buy the city card only but can’t activate it until my arrival in May, how can I make time slot reservations for the Van Gogh Museum and Rijks? Is it better to get the museum card if only use it for 5 museums?

With I amsterdam city card you do indeed need to make time slot reservations at the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum.

1. For the Van Gogh museum you need to have the City Card on hand. Reservation can be done via this link. 2. For Rijksmuseum you do not need to have the card on hand. Reservation can be done via the museum’s official website.

There is also an announcement on I amsterdam official website :

Attention: Visitors coming to Amsterdam between 12 April and 2 June 2019

The Van Gogh Museum time slots are almost fully booked for this period. There are a few time slots still available, but you’ll need to reserve one quickly to secure a spot. Occasionally, time slots open up at the last minute, so we recommend checking just before you come to Amsterdam.

Do you need to book any museums ahead of time? (Except for Van Gogh and Anne Frank) I’m a little confused because on the iAmsterdam site, for some of the museums, it says ‘book tickets now.’ Is this necessary?

You also need to book a timeslot for “All the Rembrandts” exhibition in the Rijksmuseum. In other museums online booking is not necessary but it often saves time because you can skip the line, especially in popular museums (Heineken Experience, Madame Tussauds etc.)

I went on Rijksmuseum official website trying to book a time slot for “ All the Rembrandt” exhibition. It asked me to pay €19 entrance fee. I canceled it. How can I just book the time slot with I Am Amsterdam voucher? Thank you in advance.

Hi! On official website https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en just pick the option “I already have a ticket/voucher. Free”.

Can my parter and I use the same card or do we have to get separate ones?

To be able to use public transport and enter museums/attractions together, you need separate cards.

Hi there! Which canal cruise can I take for free with I amsterdam city card?

Hi Nick! Here you can find a full list of participating boat companies and departure points where you can take your free canal cruise.

Hi, can we still use the I amsterdam city card for discount to Museum visit after it had expired after 1 day? Thank you

No, you cannot use the I amsterdam city card to enter museums for free after the card had expired.

But you can still use the card to enter museums which offer discount with the I amsterdam city card (like Madame Tussauds museum etc.). Discounts are valid till the end of the year. Enjoy your stay in Amsterdam!

Hi! I didn’t know about the extra day, could you confirm that again? If I bought a 5-day pass and use the pass 9 am on The 3rd of a month, I will actually be able to use it until the 10th?

Hi! The 5-day pass is valid for 120 hours after activation. So if you activate it at 09:00 om the 3rd, it will be valid till 09:00 on the 8th.

If you activate it at 10:00, you will still be able to enter a museum/attraction on the 8th before 10:00, and spend as much time there as you want.

Hi! I am trying to use the City Card to take the metro. When I scan the bar code in the app, my phone defaults to my Apple Pay in Wallet and the bar code won’t scan. I was locked in the metro station. Am I doing something wrong? How do I fix this so I can use my City Card in the app to take the metro? Thank you.

Hi Darby! Hope you’re fine! For this question it’s better to contact the I amsterdam card webcare team .

The digital card feature is very new, and we ourselves don’t have experience with it yet. I hope the I amsterdam card team will help you. Enjoy your stay in Amsterdam!

In case it’s helpful to anyone, as of today, it looks like you can only pick up a pre-purchased Iamsterdam card at the Amsterdam Centraal train station. (But you can buy one directly at many other locales.) Their current hours are a little shorter than in 2019: Monday – Friday: 10:00 until 19:00 Saturday and Sunday: 09:00 until 18:00

Hi Lauren! Thanks a lot for your valuable update! We’ve updated information in the article above.

Can I buy the I Amsterdam Card via app and activate it when I arrive to Amsterdam in July? Or does it get activated as soon as I purchase the card?

Hello Ledya,

Yes, you can do it. The card is activated not at the moment of purchase, but at the moment you first use it (check-in in public transport or visit a museum).

Have a nice time in Amsterdam!

I want to pre-book a location now. However, it requires me to provide a promo code. If I enter the promo code, does it mean that my city card has already been activated? (I plan to go to the location on June 21 but today is June 16). Besides, if I want to go to This is Holland, can I experience it several times? Or only once?

Thanks and Best Regards!

Do I need to buy the card in advance in order to book time slots– I don’t understand how to book time slots at museums without paying for tickets. Should I already buy the card now and that’s the only way to book time slots? Also is the transportation activation different from the museums activation. If I get on a public transport at 9am- I have until the next day at 9 am to use public transport but if I only go to the first museum at 10 then i have until 10 the next day?

Public transport and museum activation work independently from each other.

As for the time slots, all museums have their own booking system, and they differ. On most museums’ websites you can just choose “I already have a ticket” and proceed with the time slot booking. The process will be the same as if you purchase a museum ticket, but you will see a €0,00 price at the check out.

“… take a tram line 2, which departs from Amsterdam Central station. Ride to Antwerpenbaan tram stop (it will take 40 minutes).” – i think it’s incorrect, you have to get off at Laan v. Vlaanderen tram stop. Then walk a few meters to Antwerpenbaan bus stop.

“Here you need to switch to the GVB bus line 69, direction Schiphol Airport/Plaza, which will take you to the airport in 12 minutes”. – actually it is GVB bus line 369. There is no GVB bus line 69 in Amsterdam.

Please check your text and fix it, it is quite confusing (I’ve spent last 20 minutes searching the bus line 69). Thanks.

Hi Lenka, thank you for your feedback. Public transport routes and bus line numbers do change. To get the most up-to-date travel information we advice to use 9292.nl journey planner, which will help to avoid confusing situations.

Hi, I found out that i only can make time slot for Heineken Experience online but not for museum. can you please assists? thanks

Hi Christy! You can book your timeslot for Heineken Experience museum visit via this link https://tickets.heinekenexperience.com/iamsterdam

Hi there! I’m trying to book our time slot for the Foodie Tour but don’t know how to input the City Card number. How do I find my numbers after placing my order number in the app? Thank you

Hi Theresa! Please address your question to the I amsterdam card official support team . I think they can help better with that. Have a nice stay in Amsterdam!

What I read in their FAQ is:

You can still book timeslots in the app or on our website using your card ID (starting AM04) or CC code provided in your City Card order confirmation email.

If you are trying to add a Digital City Card order to the app, you can also register it in the app by entering the CC code provided in the order confirmation email.

I bought online 4 cards for the family members. I got one code. Can someone help how to split it for 4 persons on 4 mobile phones. Thank you!

Hi there! When I buy a city card, am I able to make reservations before activating the card? Or does the card need to be activated before reservations are able to be made?

Hi! I’ve just checked a few museums (Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt house), and there you don’t need you card to be activated. You just choose “Iamsterdam card holder” and pay €0 at the check out.

I expect it’s more or less the same at other museums, but it’s better to double check the websites of attractions you want to visit.

I want to buy 3 online cards for the family members. Can I split it on 3 mobile phones? Thank you!

Can I use the I Amsterdam card from airport to city centre? e.g. by bus?

Hi! I Amsterdam card is not valid in Amsterdam airport express bus 397 (operated by Connexxion company).

It is valid in the bus 369 (GVB company), but it goes to Amsterdam Sloterdijk, which is not close to center. You can still switch from the bus 369 to another GVB bus or tram (I’m not sure which number) to the center. Then it will be free, but not fast .

Hi can i book tickets via digital card prior to arrival in the Netherlands. Regards

Hi! Yes, you can book your tickets or time-slots for museums visit prior to arrival. At some museums (like Rijksmuseum) you don’t even need to have a card to make a booking. But at some (like Heineken Experience) you have to enter your voucher code during the booking process.

Booking a time-slot doesn’t activate your card.

Hello, if i purchased the 72 hour ticket do i get free bike rental every 24 hour or just one time? Same question for the canal cruise please. Thank you.

Hello! Every type of I amsterdam card (24 – 120 hours) includes one canal cruise and 24 hours free bike rental. So you can visit/use both activities only once. Have a nice time in Amsterdam!

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Privacy Overview

OV-chipkaart: Public Transport Smart Card in the Netherlands

The OV-chipkaart (OV-chip card) is the public transport contactless ticket system in the Netherlands which replaced most of the old paper-style tickets.

The OV-chip card is in use on all forms of public transport including trains, trams, buses and metros.

Note, ‘OVpay’ – travel using contactless debit/credit cards/mobile – was introduced in 2023 onto public transport providers in the Netherlands. This has given visitors another payment option.

The current OV-chip card will be phased out by 2025. In 2024 the ‘OV-pas’ will be introduced – a public transport pass which will be available digitally via a phone or on a physical card.

The OV-chip card system is rather complex and we will do our best below to explain how the system works.

OV-chipkaart Summary

• There are 3 types of OV-chipkaart (OV-chip card).
• [1] Disposable OV-chip card , one-time use cards like singles or day tickets.
• [2] Anonymous OV-chip card , an unregistered card option for visitors who will travel around a lot.
• [3] Personal OV-chip card , a registered card for Dutch/Belgian/German residents only.
• Anonymous and personal cards (empty) cost a non-refundable €7.50 , last up to 5 years.
• Load and top-up credit on the card’s e-purse (max €150) for travel.
• Passengers must check-in and check-out of every journey using card readers.
• Minimum card balance of €4 (public transport) and €20 (train) – taken off as a deposit on check-in.
• Correct fare deducted on check-out, deposit is refunded.
• Every traveller aged 4 or higher must have their own ticket.

“OV” stands for Openbaar Vervoer which means “public transport” in Dutch. Like London’s Oyster and Hong Kong’s Octopus, the OV-chip smart card system works using an embedded RFID chip inside the card.

Passengers need to “check-in” and “check-out” respectively, at the start and end of their journey. This is done by placing the OV-chip card onto the special free-standing card readers – these are found either at station platforms/halls, gate barriers or near the doors on board trams and buses.

There are 3 types of OV-chipkaart available:

1. Disposable OV-chipcard (Eenmalige OV-chipkaart)

This is a card which is bought as a single travel product only. Examples for GVB (public transport in Amsterdam) include the standard 1 hour ticket and multi day tickets (1 day to 7 days). For train travel there is the NS Dutch Railways disposable ticket which carries a €1 surcharge over the standard fare.

Disposable OV-chip cards are made from paper card and can be discarded after use.

If you are on a short visit to Amsterdam it’s probably best to stick with disposable tickets. There are various ticket options aimed at tourists/visitors which can be purchased online in advance and can offer really good value if used well:

Which tickets do I need in Amsterdam? For a full analysis see public transport ticket types in Amsterdam

If you plan a longer stay in the Netherlands or come here on multiple visits then you may wish to purchase an anonymous OV-chipkaart.

2. Anonymous OV-chipcard (Anonieme OV-chipkaart)

This is a plastic card which has a printed expiry date valid for 4-5 years. It costs €7.50 (non-refundable) to purchase an ’empty’ card with no credit – to this you can load travel credit onto the e-purse up to a maximum of €150.

The anonymous OV-chipcard can be used on any public transport in the country as long as you have sufficient e-purse credit – though some cards may need to be pre-activated for rail travel (see below).

Travel using the e-purse on metro/trams/buses is generally cheaper than buying single 1 hour tickets, especially for shorter trips. Travel on trains with the anonymous card saves paying the €1 disposable ticket surcharge.

It’s also possible to load one-off travel products (such as 24 hour tickets, night bus tickets) onto the card which are then automatically used instead of the e-purse balance.

An anonymous card can be shared between different people but not at the same time – everyone travelling together on a journey must have their own ticket.

An anonymous OV-chip card can be purchased by anyone, with no registration required. The card could be useful for (1) frequent visitors to Amsterdam or the Netherlands and (2) anyone planning to travel a lot on Dutch public transport. One advantage is that you don’t have to worry about buying a new ticket every time you travel so long as you have sufficient credit.

Where to buy an anonymous OV-chip card? Cards can be purchased at any of the following locations:

• NS (Dutch Railways) stations – OV Service & Tickets shops/ticket desks or ticket machines • GVB (Amsterdam public transport) – Tickets & Info offices or ticket machines • Other transport providers – such as RET (Rotterdam), HTM (Den Haag), U-OV (Utrecht) • Newsagents – such as AKO, Bruna, Primera • Supermarket service desks – such as Albert Heijn, Dirk, Jumbo

Some outlets may sell cards already pre-loaded with credit.

At Amsterdam Schiphol airport you can purchase at the Tickets & Service desk, one of the yellow and blue ticket machines or at the AKO Newsagent.

At Amsterdam Central station you can purchase at the main service ticket desk, OV Service & Tickets office, ticket machines or the “GVB Tram Bus Metro” tickets & info office.

You will also find GVB Tickets & Info desks at Amsterdam Bijlmer-ArenA, Station Noord and Amsterdam Zuid stations. GVB has automatic ticket machines at all metro stations.

The anonymous card may be branded with the travel provider you purchased it from – however the card is valid as normal on all public transport companies.

How to load credit onto an anonymous OV-chip card? We recommend visitors immediately load some credit when buying their anonymous card at the NS or GVB ticket desk. To top-up the card either return to the desk, use a NS ticket machine (cards and coins only, no banknotes) or GVB ticket machine (cards, coins and banknotes).

Some sales outlets have small yellow machines which can be used to top-up credit – they only accept debit cards.

Once purchased and loaded with credit the anonymous card can be immediately used. Note, the anonymous card is not insured against any loss or theft.

You can view up the travel history of anonymous cards online at the ov-chipkaart.nl portal . Alternatively, you can see the last 10 transactions at ticket machines. You can do this by holding your card against the reader on the ticket machine.

For more on rail travel with the OV-chip card see How To Buy a Dutch Train Ticket

Refunding credit from an anonymous OV-chip card – Credit under €30 can be refunded with a €1 service fee at a transport company service desk. The procedure is a bit bureaucratic and you will have to fill in a form and show ID (so much for the name “anonymous” OV-chip card). Bear in mind that the initial €7.50 fee cannot be returned.

A credit refund can be requested online here – one requires a Dutch bank account to process such a refund.

3. Personal OV-chipcard (Persoonlijke OV-chipkaart)

This is a personalised OV-chip card available to anyone resident in the Netherlands who registers their details with the OV-chip card operating company (Trans Link Systems bv). Each personal card contains the holder’s name and a digital photograph. For security reasons, the holder’s date of birth is no longer printed on the card.

It costs €7.50 and lasts for 5 years.

Dutch residents can buy online at ov-chipkaart.nl and pay by iDeal, the domestic internet banking payment network. Expect the card to arrive within 6 working days.

As with the anonymous card, the e-purse of a personal card can be loaded with a maximum of €150 travel credit – standard transportation fares are exactly the same.

The so-called benefit of the personal card is that it can be linked to a Dutch bank account for automatic top-ups when the e-purse balance falls below a certain level, say €5.

Some travel companies (such as NS and GVB) have introduced various Flex products which allow travel using an OV-chip card without balance. You are invoiced monthly for your travel costs.

Personal card holders can register for the online “My OV-chipkaart” portal which shows all card use – this can be useful for employees claiming back travel expenses. Lastly, if you lose a personal card it can be blocked – you can then apply for a replacement card.

Only holders of personal OV-chip cards are entitled to travel with discount (if eligible) or travel on a monthly pass or season ticket. For example, resident children aged 4-11 and OAPs 65+ get a 34% reduction off the standard fare when using their personal cards. Students in further education can get a mixture of free or discounted travel.

This means most non-resident visitors are NOT entitled to discounted travel on Dutch public transport. Non-resident visitors 65+ need to pay standard fares on GVB public transport in Amsterdam.

Non-resident children aged 4-11 can travel on a GVB children’s day ticket (€4.50) in Amsterdam as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket; they can also travel on the Dutch rail network all day with a RailRunner ticket (€2.50).

Can a non-resident purchase a personal OV-chip card? Yes, but only those who live or have an address in Belgium, Germany or Luxembourg. Initial payment for the card can be made by Paypal – however, automatic top-up is only possible via a Dutch bank account.

It should be noted that residents who do not wish to register their details should opt for the anonymous card or just use disposable tickets.

Using the OV-chip card on Public Transport (excluding Rail Travel)

To check-in hold the card once against the card reader. If check-in is successful a green light flashes accompanied by a single beeping sound.

A ticket inspector will require that you have a valid ticket – in this case a checked-in OV-chip card – so be careful not to miss checking-in and don’t check-out by accident!

If there is an error on check-in the card reader will beep 3 times.

When you check-in on public transport (buses, metro or trams) a deposit of €4 is taken off the e-purse balance – so you must always have at least €4 credit on the e-purse to check-in successfully. Some regional buses may take higher amounts (€8 or €12) if the journey is longer.

At the end of your journey hold the card against the reader again to check-out . If successful the card reader beeps twice and will show either the journey cost and the remaining e-purse balance or will display a check-out message if using a travel product. The cost of the journey will have been deducted but you get the €4 deposit back.

Note, if you fail or forget to check-out you will lose the €4 deposit which will likely be more expensive than the journey cost! You can rectify a failed check-out online here

If you have 12 failed check-outs in a 2 week period the card is disabled – it can only be restored by visiting a customer service desk.

The cost of a trip (using the card balance) has 2 components – a fixed boarding fee and a variable distance fee . The current boarding fee in the Netherlands for 2024 is €1.08. On top of this each transport company sets its own distance fare.

GVB in Amsterdam charges €0.196 per km travelled which during a journey is calculated every 50m. So this means e-purse journeys of 3km and 10km will cost about €1.67 and €3.04, respectively. Compare this with the GVB 1 hour disposable ticket which costs €3.40.

If you need to make a transfer you should generally check-out and then re-check-in. If this is done within 35 minutes, you will not be charged the €1.08 base fare again.

On the Amsterdam metro you can meet or say goodbye to someone on a station platform for free – as long as you check-in and check-out at that station in less than 20 minutes.

At all metro stations in Amsterdam there are additional blue card readers which only display the balance of your card. These are labelled “ Saldolezer ” (balance reader). They cannot be used to check-in and check-out – this must be done using the yellow card readers.

Once your card validity date expires you can no longer travel on it – you must invest in a new one. Also be wary about having other contactless cards close to each other in your purse or wallet.

Using the OV-chip card on NS Dutch Railway Network

The OV-chip card is in use for train travel with NS. To use a personal or anonymous OV-chipkaart for NS train journeys the card must be activated for reizen op saldo zonder NS-abonnement (pre-paid travel without NS subscription) unless it was initially purchased from the NS. This activation procedure can be done at NS service desks or ticket machines.

Train travel requires a minimum check-in deposit of €20 (for standard personal and anonymous cards) or €10 (with one of the NS discount cards which are effectively personal OV-chip cards, again only available to residents). At check-out the standard single train fare for your trip is charged and the deposit is returned.

During the initial card activation, the default class of rail travel for the OV-chip card is set to 2nd class. At a ticket machine you can change the default to 1st class if you wish (this can be done permanently or temporarily for a single day’s travel). Remember that 1st class fares will be about 70% higher.

You can check-in up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of your train. You must complete check-out on the rail network within a maximum of 6 hours after check-in. Officially you are not allowed to backtrack, you must be travelling away from your check-in station unless it is an allowable route.

Check-in and -out at the same NS station – There may be occasions where after checking-in at a station you decide not to travel. In that case if you check-out within 1 hour you will not be charged. As a security measure you cannot check-out again within 100 seconds of checking-in. If you leave it longer than the hour you will lose the €20 deposit (unless you check-out at another station within the 6 hours).

Intercity Direct trains (Amsterdam-Schiphol-Rotterdam-Breda) require a small supplement for travel between Schiphol and Rotterdam. This costs €2.90 and can be paid by anonymous or personal OV-chip card e-purse balance by holding the card once against the special red supplement card readers. There is a discounted rate for using an OV-chip card during the off-peak hours (0900-1600 and 1830-0630).

Disposable OV-chip card tickets (singles and day returns) were introduced in 2014 replacing the old style paper tickets. Passengers are required to check-in and check-out of their journey to validate the ticket. These tickets carry a €1 surcharge in addition to the standard fare.

There are other smaller rail companies in the Netherlands which operate train services. These have their own card readers so you must always check-in and check-out of one company first before using another.

Most of the larger Dutch train stations have gate barriers installed. Smaller stations tend to have the self-standing card readers.

OV-chip card criticisms

The OV-chipkaart system has attracted a significant amount of criticism and privacy concerns over the years.

The obvious attraction to the transport companies and the authorities is the ability to log and analyse all public transport journeys down to the individual level. Even the holder of a so-called “anonymous” card could likely be tracked and identified by cross-referencing various data sources.

The OV-chip card was also brought in for revenue protection purposes. The transport companies wanted to reduce the ability of people to ride for free, something which was endemic on the Amsterdam metro. Some passengers still try to get round the system by checking out early (before their stop) or by using children’s day tickets.

However if you are caught without a valid ticket you face a standard fine of €50.

At €7.50, the OV-chip card has always been too expensive, particularly for short-term visitors. The whole transport ticket system has become overly complex with over 27 different ticket options in Amsterdam .

Another criticism of the system is that large groups travelling together (such as a teacher with students) must each buy separate cards and all check-in and check-out individually. Only since 2021 have some transport companies been offering a single group ticket for school children and teachers!

Additionally, by requiring all travellers to have sufficient pre-paid credit the transport companies are effectively getting an interest-free loan on any unused credit. There has been tens of millions of euros in unused credit going unclaimed by travellers with expiring cards.

Finally, people can easily make mistakes by not checking-in or out properly, thus losing the deposit or risking a fine.

OV-chip Card: The Future

The Dutch government is expected to phase out the OV-chip card by 2025.

In 2024 the replacement to the OV-chip card will be rolled out – the OV-pas (OV pass) which will have a digital version through a smartphone as well as a physical card version.

This article was originally published in 2010 and has been regularly updated. Last update 11 December 2023 .

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.

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How to choose a credit card for airport lounge access

W hen people find out my job is to write about travel credit cards, they usually ask for expert advice. They want to know which of our favorite credit cards I recommend, which cards will complement their existing portfolio and whether their current everyday card is a good one.

Just as often, they also want to know which credit card they should get if they want airport lounge access.

Until recently, this question was fairly easy to answer since many cards offered similar lounge benefits. But lately, it's gotten more complicated. The issuer lounge space has more options than ever, while some cards have lost perks like guest privileges and restaurant access.

It can feel overwhelming, but we've got you. Here's a breakdown of what to consider when choosing a credit card for airport lounge access .

Access with top cards

If you have a lounge in your home airport.

Presumably, your home airport is where you spend the most time. If you live in an airline hub or have a perfectly placed lounge that you want access to, let that drive your decision.

For instance, if Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is your home airport, you probably pass an airline lounge regardless of your preferred airline since it is a hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

Similarly, if you have an issuer lounge in your home airport, you may want to choose the premium card from that issuer that includes lounge access. Someone whose home base is Dulles International Airport (IAD), for example, will likely want access to the Capital One Lounge that's conveniently located just past the airport's security lines.

On the flip side, not all of us have a wide range of lounge options at home. I'm based in Nashville, and as much as I love Nashville International Airport (BNA), it has limited lounge options. As such, I've based my lounge access decision on the airports I frequently travel through rather than my home base.

If you're loyal to a specific airline

If you're loyal to American, Delta or United, you'll likely benefit from airline-specific lounge access since you'll most frequently fly through hubs with a lounge.

American Airlines

Frequent American flyers will want to go with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees ) since it's the only credit card with an Admirals Club membership.

Delta Air Lines

If you're a regular Delta passenger, note that the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card includes unlimited complimentary Sky Club access through January 2025. After that, cardmembers will receive 15 complimentary visits per year and can receive unlimited visits by spending $75,000 on the card each calendar year.

United Airlines

Similarly, United fans will benefit most from the United Club Infinite Card , the only card with a United Club membership as one of its perks.

Of course, if you're loyal to an airline that doesn't have its own airport lounges, you can cross these off the list. As a Southwest Airlines loyalist , I knew I didn't want to limit my lounge access to a specific airline, so I was able to turn my attention elsewhere.

If you want issuer-specific lounge access

For quite a while, American Express had the issuer lounge market cornered. But as Capital One and Chase continue to grow their own lounge networks, you may decide you want to choose your credit card based on the issuer's lounge access it gets you.

American Express

You can find American Express Centurion Lounges in over 20 locations, making them the most prominent issuer lounge. If you want access, you'll most likely want either the Amex Platinum or the Amex Business Platinum .

Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business cardmembers can also access Centurion Lounges when flying Delta, as long as the flight was booked on their card (excluding basic economy tickets).

Related: I'm an Amex Platinum newbie — here's why lounge access is surprisingly my favorite perk

Capital One

While not as well established as Centurion Lounges, Capital One Lounges have grown rapidly. Currently, you can find them in three airports: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) , Denver International Airport (DEN) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) .

A planned location in Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas has been announced but is not yet open. To access these lounges, you'll want either the Venture X or the Venture X Business .

Additionally, Chase has been asserting its presence in the lounge space with Chase Sapphire Lounges. With their impressive designs and amenities like complimentary facials, they may be gunning for the No. 1 spot.

Currently, you can find Sapphire Lounges in four locations: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) , Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) , John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York. There's also a smaller terrace location at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) .

To get unlimited access to these lounge concepts, you'll need the Chase Sapphire Reserve . You can also get one complimentary visit to a Sapphire Lounge per calendar year if you have a Priority Pass Select membership from another credit card.

If you want more diverse lounge options

If you want a wider range of airport lounge access options, opt for a card with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. Priority Pass is a network of over 1,500 lounges, Minute Suites , Be Relax spas and various restaurants located in 600-plus airports in more than 150 countries.

Airline cobranded cards don't include Priority Pass access, but you'll get it with the premium cards that unlock issuer lounge access: Amex Platinum (enrollment required), Amex Business Platinum (enrollment required), Chase Sapphire Reserve , Capital One Venture X and Capital One Venture X Business .

Additionally, you can get Priority Pass access with some other cards:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card : Unlimited complimentary access for the primary cardholder and up to two guests (enrollment required)
• Hilton Honors American Express Business Card : 10 complimentary visits annually (enrollment required)
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card : Eight complimentary visits annually
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card : Four complimentary visits annually

The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve and U.S. Bank Altitude Connect have been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Is a Priority Pass lounge membership actually worth it?

If you want access to Priority Pass restaurants

If you frequently pass through airports with a Priority Pass-affiliated restaurant, getting a card with access can save you big bucks. This perk will comp a certain amount of the restaurant bill for you and up to one registered guest. The amount varies by restaurant and is typically $28 to $30 per person; you can look up the exact values for each restaurant on the Priority Pass website .

Many cards with Priority Pass Select access have eliminated restaurant access in recent years, but you can still get it as a part of the Priority Pass Select membership included with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Venture X Business .

While my home airport in Nashville doesn't have much to offer in the way of lounges, it does have a Priority Pass restaurant. With my Chase Sapphire Reserve, I get a $28 credit toward my bill for me and another $28 credit for a guest. This benefit was a major factor in my decision to go with the Chase Sapphire Reserve over other credit cards that include airport lounge access since I can get at least $28 of value from it every time I fly.

Related: Better food and more options: Why I value the Priority Pass' airport restaurant credit over lounge access

If you want to bring guests for no additional cost

If you frequently travel with a partner or family, you'll want to choose a card that includes guest access. While some cards like the Amex Platinum and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve allow you to bring guests for an additional fee, the following cards include complimentary access for the primary cardholder and up to two guests:

• Citi® / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard (can be either immediate family — spouse, domestic partner and children up to 18 years old — or up to two guests)
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• United Club Infinite Card
• Capital One Venture X (also includes access for authorized users and up to two guests with them); see rates and fees
• Capital One Venture X Business (see rates and fees )

Related: A guide to guest policies for airport lounges

If you're unsure

If you're new to the airport lounge world, committing to a credit card with a hefty annual fee can feel daunting. If you aren't ready to make the jump, consider one of these options to dip your toes in first.

Go as someone's guest

As outlined above, several credit cards come with lounge access, allowing cardholders to bring guests into a lounge. If you have a friend with this access, try to find a time to visit a lounge as their guest to see how you like it.

Become a Venture X authorized user

One of the most valuable perks of the Capital One Venture X is the ability to add up to four authorized users, each with their own airport lounge access benefit, for no additional cost (see rates and fees ). If you have a friend who has the Venture X, ask them to add you as an authorized user .

Doing so will give you access to Capital One Lounges, as well as Priority Pass Select lounges for no additional cost.

Get a card with a set number of visits

You can get a limited number of lounge visits without paying a premium annual fee. Consider one of these options if you're aiming to keep your annual fee costs down:

• U.S. Bank Altitude Connect : With this card, you'll get four complimentary visits to Priority Pass Select lounges annually for just a $95 annual fee, making it a great way to try out some lounges without committing to a high annual fee.
• American Express® Green Card : The Amex Green has a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees ) and comes with a up to $100 LoungeBuddy credit , which you can use to try out some airport lounges before committing to a card with unlimited access.
• United Explorer Card and United Business Card : With either card, you'll get two one-time United Club passes per year for an annual fee of under $100.

The information for the Amex Green has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: 11 credit cards that offer Priority Pass airport lounge access

Pay for a one-time pass

You don't necessarily have to have a membership or access through a credit card to get into a lounge. Most lounges give you the option to pay out of pocket per visit. If there's a lounge you pass often and are considering getting a credit card to access, paying for a visit to see if it's worth it to you can be a great option.

Bottom line

You have some great options when choosing a credit card for airport lounge access. The different types of access can feel overwhelming, but deciding which type of access matters most to you is key to landing on a card that's the perfect fit. No matter which you choose, you'll be well on your way to lounging in style on your next layover.

Related: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here .

For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here .

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click here .

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, click here .

For rates and fees of the Bonvoy Brilliant, click here .

For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Business, click here .

For rates and fees of the Amex Green, click here .

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.