Amsterdam truly is the city of museums, boasting more museums per capita than any other city in the world. The Rijksmuseum is easily one of the most impressive, as it features a massive collection of Delftware, weapons, ship models, and famous paintings by notable Dutch artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Jan Steen, and Rembrandt. There’s so much to see in this incredible museum that you could easily spend three hours roaming its rooms, learning about art and Dutch history.
The Rijksmuseum is also one of the most popular museums in Amsterdam, with over 2.5 million visitors per year. We here at Road Affair want to make your visit as seamless as possible, which is why we’ve created this guide on how to buy tickets to the Rijksmuseum. This way, you won’t spend your precious vacation time being bummed that you couldn’t get tickets!
Quick Answer – How to Buy Tickets to the Rijksmuseum: The best way to buy tickets to the Rijksmuseum is online in advance here. If you want to combine a visit to the Rijksmuseum with a canal cruise, purchase a combination ticket instead.
Best Ways to Get Tickets to the Rijksmuseum
The best way to buy tickets to the Rijksmuseum depends on how you want to experience it. The tickets are only available online and allow entrance for a certain time slot, so we suggest figuring out when you want to go in advance. Think about other attractions in Amsterdam you may want to visit before you decide, as you can bundle tours and attractions to save money!
Book Online in Advance
As the museum only sells tickets online, it often sells out early for popular days on its official website. To avoid this headache, you should book tickets to the Rijksmuseum at least a few days (or even weeks, particularly if you go in the summer) in advance and check multiple websites. Even if the official website is sold out for your preferred date, you can often find entrance tickets for the Rijksmuseum on GetYourGuide for about the same price!
Book a Guided Tour
The best way to gain insights into the artworks on your visit is to take a two-hour guided tour of the Rijksmuseum. The guides share in-depth knowledge about the Dutch Golden Age and tons of interesting tidbits about other pieces in the permanent collection. After the tour, you can explore the rest of the museum on your own!
The guided tour tickets booked through GetYourGuide are completely refundable up to 24 hours before your visit, unlike on the official website. You also have the option to reserve your tour tickets in advance and pay later if you’re not ready to pull the trigger on the tickets quite yet.
Bundle a Rijksmuseum Ticket and Canal Cruise
An Amsterdam canal cruise is one of the most popular tours in the city. If you’re planning to take a canal cruise on your holiday, you can bundle your tickets to the museum and a cruise to save money. This canal cruise and Rijksmuseum bundle includes a 75-minute cruise with Blue Boat, an audio guide (as well as an audio story guide for kids), and a general admission ticket to the Rijksmuseum. The canal cruise is an open ticket, so you can use it at any time, but you’ll still need to reserve a date and time slot to visit the museum.
Purchase a Tourist Pass
With so many fantastic attractions and museums in Amsterdam, you may already have a jampacked itinerary. Before you leave out attractions because of budgeting concerns, consider purchasing a tourist pass. Both the Go City Explorer Pass and the Go City All-Inclusive Pass include entrance to the Rijksmuseum. You can save up to 50% on tours and tickets for attractions throughout the city, such as a Keukenhof tour, the A’Dam Lookout, and the Heineken Experience. This is definitely the way to go if you plan to visit a bunch of attractions in Amsterdam!
Useful Information for Visiting the Rijksmuseum
What’s the Best Time to Visit the Rijksmuseum?
The early bird gets the worm here, with 9 to about 10:30 a.m. being the best time to visit the Rijksmuseum. The earlier you arrive, the less you’ll have to deal with the crowds that flood in around 11 a.m. That rush lasts until 3 p.m., so you could also avoid the crowds by coming in the late afternoon. However, you’ll want at least two hours to cover all of the rooms, and the Rijksmuseum closes at 5 p.m., so you might feel rushed if you arrive after 3.
What Are the Rijksmuseum Hours of Operation?
The Rijksmuseum is open 365 days a year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the same hours for its surrounding gardens in the summer. The gift shop and cafe are open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How Do You Get to the Rijksmuseum?
Amsterdam is an easy city to navigate, thanks to its fantastic public transit. The Rijksmuseum is in Museum Square (Museumplein), roughly 2.5 kilometers (about 1.6 miles) from Central Station. You can easily reach the museum via several buses, trams, or metro lines. The best way to navigate the city is by downloading the 9292 app, which will give you the most direct and up-to-date schedules and routes for all public transit in Amsterdam.
How Do the Rijksmuseum Tickets Work?
Rijksmuseum tickets are pretty straightforward, with only one kind of entrance ticket (unless you book a guided tour). However, the entrance ticket doesn’t always include temporary exhibits, so if you want to see a specific temporary exhibit, see if the official website is selling tickets for it separately.
You’ll pick the date and entry time when you buy your ticket. Then, on the day of your tour of the Rijksmuseum, you’ll go to the main entrance in the Museumstraat tunnel. The museum allows a 15-minute grace period in case you’re late for your entry. Make sure to print out your tickets or have them readily available on your mobile phone, as museum staff will need to scan them when you walk through the doors. Once inside, you can explore the museum at your own pace!
How Much Do Tickets for the Rijksmuseum Cost?
A Rijksmuseum ticket for an adult older than 18 costs €22.50 (about $24.70) and lets you spend as long as you like inside the museum. Tickets for those 18 and younger are free!
A Rijksmuseum ticket that includes the two-hour guided tour costs €69 per adult, €40 for children ages 4-18, and €2.50 for infants. It’s also possible to take a one-hour highlights tour, which costs €27.50 and includes a general ticket to the Rijksmuseum. If you bundle a canal cruise with your ticket, it costs €43 for adults and €17.50 for children 17 and younger.
If you want to bundle and save up to 50% on multiple attractions, look into the Go City Explorer Pass and Go City All-Inclusive Pass. The best tourist pass for you depends on how many attractions you want to see. With the all-inclusive pass, you can choose how many days it’s valid and get unlimited access to over 25 attractions. The starting rate for a one-day Go City All-Inclusive Pass is €59 for adults and €24 for children ages 3-12.
The Go City Explorer Pass lets you choose three to seven attractions and is valid for 60 days after your first use. The starting price for a three-attraction pass is €54 for adults and €24 for children ages 3-12. Both passes are free for ages 2 and under.
What Are the Best Hotels Near the Rijksmuseum?
Seeing as the Rijksmuseum is centrally located and close to several other attractions, including the Vondelpark and the Van Gogh Museum, consider staying in a hotel near the museum for your Amsterdam visit.
Easily the most luxurious hotel in the city (where most celebrities stay while visiting) is the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, which is a 15-minute walk from Museumplein and less than a five-minute walk from Rembrandtplein and the Fotografiemuseum (Foam). This five-star hotel features an elegant interior with a swimming pool, spa, and fitness room.
Another excellent option is Boutique Hotel The Noblemen, which is less than a 15-minute walk from the Rijksmuseum and the Anne Frank House. This modern boutique hotel features a sauna, room service, and a killer breakfast.
The five-star Hotel 717 is perfect for couples or families, offering family rooms as well as a la carte, continental, or full English and Irish breakfast. This chic hotel is less than a 10-minute walk from Museumplein, the Vondelpark, and Leidseplein.
What’s the Security Process at the Rijksmuseum?
While the Rijksmuseum doesn’t have an actual security line with X-ray machines, it does have security guards who have the right to check bags and make sure visitors don’t have forbidden items. Prohibited items include food and drink, professional camera equipment (such as tripods, lighting, and props), weapons or sharp objects, and pets (except service animals).
You can bring backpacks and large bags into the lobby, but that’s as far as they’re allowed to go. Only handbags sized A4 or smaller are allowed into the exhibits. You can bring your own handbag or get a free one from the cloakroom (where you can check all bags, coats, and umbrellas). Luggage is not allowed inside, but there is a luggage storage service near the museum. You must bring identification along with your ticket to enter the museum.
What About Visiting With a Disability?
The Rijksmuseum is an extremely accessible space for people with all types of disabilities. For those with mobility disabilities, there is an elevator entrance on the west side of the building (your back will be toward the Museumplein grass area). Inside, the museum is completely accessible by wheelchair or scooter. Wheelchairs, rollators, pushchairs, walking canes, and foldable stools are all available at the information desk.
Guests with visual impairments can opt to use an audio guide or take a special guided tour that allows you to touch items. The Rijksmuseum app offers enhanced visual text and audio guides for those with auditory impairments. There is also a quiet room for those with sensory sensitivities. You can learn more about the museum’s accessibility on the official website.
FAQs: Facts About the Rijksmuseum
What Kind of Museum Is the Rijksmuseum?
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands. Though widely known for its paintings and other artworks, it also boasts a large collection of weaponry, ship models, and many other artifacts.
How Old Is the Rijksmuseum?
The Rijksmuseum officially opened its doors in 1885.
Is the Rijksmuseum Included in a Museum Card?
Yes, the Rijksmuseum is included with the Museum Card (Museumkaart), but you still need to book your free time slot in advance.
How Many Paintings Are at the Rijksmuseum?
There are roughly 6,000 paintings throughout the museum.
What’s the Most Famous Artwork at the Rijksmuseum?
The most famous artwork at the Rijksmuseum is “The Night Watch,” a painting by Rembrandt.
Can I Purchase a Skip-the-Line Ticket to the Rijksmuseum?
No, skip-the-line Rijksmuseum tickets do not exist.
Well, there you have it – all the information you need on how and where to buy tickets to the Rijksmuseum for a relaxing and fun-filled time. Don’t forget to check out the gardens facing Museumplein after your visit!
Comments