In a nutshell
- There is only one hop-on hop-off provider in Amsterdam: City Sightseeing.
- Hop-on-Hop-off City Sightseeing Amsterdam offers bus tours, boat tours or a combination of both.
- Our personal recommendation is the Hop-on Hop-off-Boat Amsterdam.
- In this article we show you why we recommend the hop-on hop-off boat and everything else you need to know.
What You Need to Know About Hop-On Hop-Off in Amsterdam
There is only one provider of hop-on hop-off tours in Amsterdam: City Sightseeing.
But this provider has a great special feature to offer! Not only are there hop-on hop-off buses, but also hop-on hop-off boats that take you along Amsterdam’s canals.
As the buses cannot travel through the city center due to their size, the boats cover this area on the water.
Which attractions can you reach with hop-on hop-off buses in Amsterdam?
- NEMO Museum Amsterdam
- Hermitage Amsterdam
- Rembrandthuis Amsterdam
- Jewish Cultural Quarter
- Red Light Secrets Museum
- Heineken Experience
- Rijksmuseum
- Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam
- A’DAM LOOKOUT
Which attractions can you reach with hop-on hop-off boats in Amsterdam
- Central Station (Amsterdam Centraal) East
- Gassan Diamonds
- Hermitage
- Albert Cuyp Market
- Rijksmuseum
- Central Station West
You can buy a single bus ticket, a single boat ticket or a combined ticket.
Is Hop-on Hop-off in Amsterdam Worth it?
Amsterdam’s historic center is large and winding and has a lot of sights to offer.
Hop-on hop-off is a great way to get an overview of the city and offers you the best starting points for later sightseeing on foot.
You don’t have to choose between providers in Amsterdam. There is only one. But it offers three options: Bus, boat and a combination of both.
Of these three options, however, only the hop-on hop-off boat, which takes you along the canals in the center of Amsterdam, is worthwhile.
Our Recommendation: Hop-on Hop-off Boat Amsterdam
We recommend the Amsterdam hop-on hop-off boat.
Why? Because the most important sights in Amsterdam are all located in the city center. And the city center is criss-crossed by the cute little canals – the Grachten – for which Amsterdam is famous.
So you’re in the center all the time and you’re exactly where you want to be for your sightseeing. At the same time, you also tick off the most important attraction of all: the canal cruise through Amsterdam.
Advantages:
- Great value for money
- You combine sightseeing with canal cruises
- You are central all the time
- The most important sights are in the center
- Discounts for children under 14
Disadvantages:
- The boat is unfortunately not barrier-free
Book your hop-on hop-off boat ticket online
Is the Amsterdam Hop-on Hop-off bus really not worth it?
The hop-on hop-off buses in Amsterdam do not travel through the city center. This is their big disadvantage, even compared to public transport in Amsterdam. After all, Amsterdam’s most important sights are in the city center.
The bus or the combined ticket are only worthwhile if you already know Amsterdam city center or are visiting Amsterdam in the rain.
Hop-on Hop-off Options Amsterdam at a Glance
For a quick overview, we have listed the most important facts about the hop-on hop-off options in Amsterdam in a table:
| Hop-on Hop-off Boat | Hop-on Hop-off Bus | Combined Ticket Bus + Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Validity | 24h & 48h | 24h & 48h | 24h & 48h |
| Prices for 24h | €27.50 | €27.50 | €32.50 |
| Kids for free | Up to 3 years of age | Up to 3 years of age | Up to 3 years of age |
| City pass Discount | Not included in the city passes | Not included in the city passes | Not included in the city passes |
| Routes | 1 route | 1 route | 2 routes |
| Stops | 6 | 12 | 6 + 12 |
| Tactus | 25 minutes | 30 minutes | 25 - 30 minutes |
| Duration | 9:30 am - 5:45 pm | 10 am - 5 pm | 10 am - 5 pm & 9:30 am - 5:45 pm |
| Audioguide / Live | English | English | English |
| Link to Ticket | Get your ticket | Get your ticket | Get your ticket |
Our Summary of Hop-on Hop-off in Amsterdam
If you fancy a hop-on hop-off in Amsterdam, then the hop-on hop-off boat is a great option for relaxed sightseeing from the canals.
You are right in the middle of the action, have all the sights nearby and can get off the boat at 6 different stops.
At 27.50 euros, the hop-on hop-off cruise is slightly more expensive than other canal cruises, but you have the advantage of being able to hop on and off as often as you like for 24 or 48 hours.
The combined ticket only costs 5 euros more, but even these 5 euros are definitely better spent in Amsterdam than on the bus trips.
Book your Amsterdam hop-on hop-off boat ticket online
FAQ about Hop-on Hop-off in Amsterdam
Should I purchase my hop-on hop-off ticket in advance?
Yes. We recommend that you buy your ticket in advance.
Especially because there is only one hop-on hop-off provider in Amsterdam, demand is quite high. If you buy the ticket in advance, you can save yourself waiting time.
Where can I buy the Amsterdam hop-on hop-off ticket locally?
You can buy tickets for the hop-on hop-off trips at all tourist information centers in Amsterdam. However, tickets on site are a few euros more expensive than if you buy them online in advance.
Are the hop-on hop-off buses included in an Amsterdam Citypass?
Unfortunately, the hop-on hop-off boat is not included in any of the city passes for Amsterdam, including the popular I Amsterdam City Card!
If you still want to know what the city passes have to offer, then we have all the information for you here:
Is there a family ticket for hop-on hop-off boats in Amsterdam?
No. The hop-on hop-off boats in Amsterdam do not offer family tickets. There are ticket options for adults and discounted tickets for children.
Is the hop-on hop-off ticket available digitally?
If you buy your hop-on hop-off ticket online, for example via Tiqets or GetYourGuide, then you will automatically have it on your mobile phone in the app you are using and you do not have to print it out.
Is the hop-on hop-off tour in Amsterdam wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately, the hop-on hop-off boat is not barrier-free and can only be accessed with a slim stroller, which in the best case can even be folded up.
The hop-on hop-off Bus is barrier-free and can also be accessed by wheelchairs, for example.
Is the Amsterdam hop-on hop-off boat suitable for children?
Children up to 3 years of age travel free on the hop-on hop-off boats and buses in Amsterdam. From 4 to 13 years the ticket is half price. However, there are no other benefits for children beyond this.
Children must sit on your lap, there are no special audio guides for younger children and only a limited number of slim strollers can be transported.
The hop-on hop-off Trip in Amsterdam only really makes sense with school children.
If you are traveling to Amsterdam as a family with children, be sure to read our article Amsterdam with children.
Are dogs allowed on the Amsterdam hop-on hop-off boat?
No. Dogs are not allowed on the hop-on hop-off boats or buses.
Alternatively, there are other canal trips that you can take with your dog. For example, the Flagship Amsterdam canal cruise.
Where can I find the exact route for Hop-on Hop-off Amsterdam?
You can find the exact route of hop-on hop-off boats and buses in Amsterdam on the City Sightseeing website.
Are there alternatives to hop-on hop-off Amsterdam?
As an alternative to the hop-on hop-off options, you can also take exciting city tours through Amsterdam or choose an individual Amsterdam canal trip.
Our favorites are:
Anne Frank Walking Tour: Take a tour of Anne’s Amsterdam with a knowledgeable guide and learn all about her life, the Jewish Quarter and World War II in Amsterdam.
Evening canal cruise: Experience the beautiful canals and canal houses at night. A tour with a very special atmosphere.
Red Light District Tour: A tour of Amsterdam’s most famous district. You will learn everything about the work of prostitutes, the coffee shops and the history of the district.
These were our tips for hop-on hop-off in Amsterdam!
Would you like to share your experiences about hop-on hop-off in Amsterdam with us? Then write us a comment. We look forward to hearing from you!