In a nutshell
- A canal cruise through Amsterdam is a total must — the canals define the city, and seeing them from the water gives you a whole new perspective.
- The problem? Many canal tours are seriously overcrowded, which kills the atmosphere. A more exclusive boat tour is the smarter choice — that way you can actually enjoy the ride.
- Flagship Amsterdam offers a relaxed Open Boat Tour including drinks at really fair prices — around €22 per adult.
- We did the tour ourselves and are sharing our honest experience. Spoiler: no city tour has ever been this laid-back.
- In winter, the boat is covered and heated! The open-air version only runs in spring and summer.
What Is the Open Boat Tour Amsterdam?
The Open Boat Tour is a canal cruise through Amsterdam on an open boat — exactly what the name promises.
Because the boat is fully open, you get an unobstructed 360-degree view of everything along the route — it’s honestly one of the best ways to explore Amsterdam from the water.
The operator is Flagship Amsterdam — a well-known and highly regarded company that runs a variety of top-notch boat tours across the city.
The Open Boat Tour lasts one hour and includes:
- Super comfortable boat
- Live commentary in English
- Views of many highlights and beautiful canal districts
- Drinks on board
Open Boat Tour Amsterdam Tickets & Prices
The easiest way to get tickets for your Open Boat Tour with Flagship Amsterdam is to book online — either directly through Flagship Amsterdam or through the booking platforms GetYourGuide and Tiqets.
You can also buy tickets on the spot at the boat — but there’s no guarantee a seat will still be available.
Book the Open Boat Tour Amsterdam
How Much Does the Open Boat Tour Amsterdam Cost?
The ticket price is the same across all three online platforms — around €22 per adult. Walk-up tickets on the day cost the same.
A ticket for children ages 3 to 11 costs around €11.
Open Boat Tour With and Without a Drinks Package
The Open Boat by Flagship Amsterdam has a small bar on board with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. There are two ways to grab a drink during the tour.
The simplest option: order your drink during the tour and pay on the spot. Easy.
The second option is a pre-booked drinks package, which costs just under €10 extra.
Honestly, we’d skip the drinks package. It’s not available for every departure, and nobody really gets through more than one drink on a relaxed one-hour tour anyway. A drink on the spot costs “only” €4.
You’re also welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks — that’s totally fine. Just note that coffee isn’t available on board.
Important Info When Buying Tickets
The Open Boat Tour by Flagship Amsterdam has three different departure points around the city: one at the Anne Frank House, one at Central Station, and one at the Rijksmuseum.
You pick your preferred departure point when booking, so just make sure you show up at the right address on the day. You’ll also find the exact address in your booking confirmation.
How the Open Boat Tour Amsterdam Works
Here’s everything you need to know so you’re fully prepared for your Amsterdam canal boat tour.
How Often Does the Open Boat Amsterdam Depart Each Day?
Departure frequency depends on which departure point you choose.
From the Anne Frank House, boats run daily from 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM every 15 to 30 minutes. The same goes for the Central Station departure point.
The Rijksmuseum departure point runs less frequently — only about eight departures per day between 10:00 AM and 8:30 PM. In the off-season there may be even fewer.
Where Does the Open Boat Amsterdam Depart From?
As mentioned, there are three departure points in central Amsterdam for the Flagship Amsterdam open canal boat tours:
Anne Frank House Departure Point
Prinsengracht 263-267
1016 DW Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum Departure Point
Museumbrug 1
1017 RW Amsterdam
Central Station Departure Point
Prins Hendrikkade 33A
1012 TM Amsterdam
You choose the departure point that works best for you when purchasing your ticket!
What Can You Bring on the Canal Tour?
Definitely bring a camera — you’ll want it. In good weather, sunglasses are a smart call. If the forecast looks iffy, pack a rain jacket or umbrella (umbrellas are also available to borrow on board).
You’re welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks too.
Smoking is not allowed on the boat. That said, if you’re curious, the guides are happy to share insider tips on the coffeeshops in Amsterdam.
When Should You Arrive at the Departure Point and Are There Wait Times?
Aim to arrive at your departure point about 15 minutes before your tour. Better early than late.
With an online ticket, you won’t have to worry about waiting in line — just show your ticket to a guide and you can board straight away.
If you’re buying on the day without a pre-booked ticket, expect some wait time. How long depends on the departure point, the season, the day, and the time.
Our tip: If you can, book the Rijksmuseum departure point. The tours from here are noticeably quieter and less crowded than those departing from the Anne Frank House or Central Station.
What Can You See on the Open Boat Tour Amsterdam?
What you’ll see on your Amsterdam open canal boat tour depends on which departure point you choose.
From the Anne Frank House, you’ll take in the famous Prinsengracht, the Anne Frank House itself, the Westerkerk, and the gorgeous Jordaan neighborhood.
From Central Station, highlights include the Amsterdam harbor, the VOC ship Amsterdam, and the historic docklands.
From the Rijksmuseum, you’ll cruise past the enormous Rijksmuseum building and the Museum Quarter, plus elegant canal districts with some of the city’s most expensive canal houses, the Magere Brug, and the Reguliersgracht with its famous seven bridges.
Where Does the Open Boat Tour Amsterdam End?
The tour ends right where it started — back at your chosen departure point.
Our Experience with the Open Boat Tour Amsterdam
We took the Amsterdam open boat tour from the Rijksmuseum at 10 AM. At that hour, everyone else was apparently still at breakfast — there were only six people on board.
With such a small group, everyone got to pick their own seat and we could ask as many questions as we liked. A morning canal tour is seriously worth considering if you prefer a quieter experience. Amsterdam is also wonderfully peaceful at that time of day.
We had two local guides with us who had an incredible depth of insider knowledge.
We’d expected the usual talking points about the most famous sights. Instead, we got one fascinating fact after another:
Why do the canal houses lean forward? Why are some houses so narrow and others so wide? What did canal houses cost back then — and what do they go for today? How was Amsterdam actually built? Can you swim in the canals?
The guides even showed us a water sample taken directly from the canals. And contrary to what you might expect, the water was completely clear!
Our favorite little tip, though: touching an Amsterdam bridge from underneath is said to bring you good luck for life. We were absolutely not going to pass that up.
Some of the bridges the boat passes under are so low you actually have to duck while sitting — quite a cool moment.
All in all, the Open Boat Tour Amsterdam is a fantastic way to explore the city in a totally relaxed, water-level setting, learn a ton about the different neighborhoods, and pick up Amsterdam insider tips straight from the locals.
And even though we think the peaceful tour from the Rijksmuseum is hard to beat, we’d love to try the other departure points too. We absolutely loved it!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Open Boat Tour Amsterdam
Are children allowed on the Open Boat Tour?
Absolutely! The Open Boat Tour Amsterdam is suitable for children ages 3 and up.
Are strollers allowed on board?
Yes, as long as the stroller can be folded up and doesn’t take up much space. Large strollers are not permitted.
Are dogs allowed on the Open Boat Tour?
Yes! The Open Boat Tour by Flagship Amsterdam is one of the only Amsterdam canal tours where dogs are welcome on board.
Is the Open Boat Tour Amsterdam wheelchair accessible?
No. The Open Boat Tour Amsterdam is not wheelchair accessible and is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.
Does the Open Boat Amsterdam rock a lot?
No — because Amsterdam’s canals don’t have real wave action, the boat stays very steady throughout the tour.
Can I cancel my Open Boat Tour Amsterdam ticket?
On GetYourGuide and Tiqets, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before your booked tour.
If you booked directly through Flagship Amsterdam, the refund policy depends on the specific situation.
Changing your date or time is always free of charge.
