Rijksmuseum Ticket Prices 2026: All Options, Discounts & What You Pay
Standard adult entry is €25 (2026), free for anyone under 18, and €11.25 with a CJP or EYCA youth card. Museumkaart (€75/year, Dutch/EU) and I Amsterdam City Card holders enter free. Guided tours start around €55-65 per person (entry included). Private tours start around €200 per group. Combo tickets with the canal cruise, Van Gogh Museum, or Rembrandt House range from €45 to €90. Prices are identical on the official site and major resellers — authorised reseller platforms all sell standard entry at €25. The real pricing difference comes from cancellation policy (resellers usually offer free cancellation; the official site does not) and what’s bundled.
The Rijksmuseum has more ticket options than most visitors realise, and pricing is less transparent than it looks. The €25 adult ticket is the headline number, but depending on your age, citizenship, travel passes, and interests, you might pay anywhere from €0 to €300+ for a Rijksmuseum experience. This guide covers every ticket option, every discount, every combo, and which is actually worth your money.
Standard Entry Prices (2026)
The Rijksmuseum’s standard entry prices are simple: €25 for adults (18+), free for under-18s, and €11.25 for CJP and EYCA cardholders. Every visitor needs a timed 15-minute entry slot booked in advance, including free-entry visitors. There are no on-site ticket desk sales — all tickets are booked online. The museum is entirely cashless.
| Visitor type | Price 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | €25 |
| Child / Teen (0–17) | Free |
| CJP cardholder (Dutch youth) | €11.25 |
| EYCA cardholder (European Youth Card) | €11.25 |
| Museumkaart holder | Free |
| I Amsterdam City Card holder | Free |
| ICOM / ICOMOS member | Free |
| Friend of the Rijksmuseum | Free |
Critical rule: Every visitor needs a timed entry slot booked in advance, even if the ticket itself costs €0. Free-entry pass holders book through the same rijksmuseum.nl flow, selecting “I already have a ticket/voucher” and choosing their time slot.
Where to Buy — Official vs Resellers
Standard entry tickets cost the same €25 whether you book on rijksmuseum.nl, reseller platforms, or authorised reseller. There’s no “official discount” or “reseller markup” on the basic ticket. The real differences are: (1) cancellation policy — resellers typically offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before; the official site offers only free rebooking with 48 hours’ notice; (2) what’s bundled — resellers offer combo tickets, guided tours, and private tours that the museum doesn’t sell directly; (3) interface language — resellers support 15+ languages; the official site is English and Dutch only.
Where €25 is €25
- rijksmuseum.nl — official site, English/Dutch, no refunds on paid tickets
- Authorised reseller platforms — free cancellation typically available up to 24 hours before, mobile voucher delivery, broad language support
All four sell the same standard entry ticket for €25. The price parity is enforced by the museum — there’s no “best price” on basic entry, just different cancellation and user-experience terms.
When reseller products cost more than €25
Resellers offer products the museum doesn’t sell directly:
- Entry + audio guide bundle (~€30) — adds a rental audio guide
- Entry + canal cruise (~€45) — bundles a 1-hour canal cruise
- Entry + guided tour (~€55-65) — expert-led walk-through
- Entry + Van Gogh Museum combo (~€50-80) — both museums with a guide
- Private tours (~€200+ per group) — a dedicated guide for your group
- Skip-the-line tours (~€80-100) — separate tour-operator inventory
The premium on these products is for the added value — a guide’s fee, an audio guide rental, or a second attraction — not for a markup on the basic museum entry.
Discount Cards: Which Is Worth It?
If you’re visiting multiple museums in Amsterdam or the Netherlands, a discount card can pay for itself within a few visits. Here’s how the major cards compare for Rijksmuseum access.
Museumkaart
- Price: €75/year (adult)
- Best for: Dutch residents and EU-based visitors with multiple Dutch museums on the itinerary
- Access: Free entry to 400+ Dutch museums including the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Mauritshuis, and every major Dutch institution
- Restriction: Must be purchased at a Dutch museum or online with a Dutch address
- Payback point: 3 museum visits at €25 each
If you’re a Dutch or EU resident, or if you’re travelling around the Netherlands for a week and visiting 4+ museums, Museumkaart is the single best-value card available.
I Amsterdam City Card
- Price: €70-120 depending on duration (24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours)
- Best for: Tourists visiting Amsterdam for a short trip with multiple museums and public transport needs
- Access: Free entry to 70+ Amsterdam attractions including the Rijksmuseum, unlimited GVB public transport, free canal cruise
- Important: Does NOT include the Van Gogh Museum
- Payback point: Roughly 3-4 attraction visits plus transport in 48 hours
See our full I Amsterdam City Card review for a detailed breakdown.
CJP / EYCA (Youth Cards)
- Price: CJP — €17.50/year (Dutch youth under 31); EYCA — varies by country (~€10-15/year)
- Best for: Young visitors 18-30 travelling around Europe
- Access: Rijksmuseum entry at €11.25 (55% discount), plus discounts at thousands of European venues
Worth it if you’re already planning to use it across multiple European countries, not for a single Rijksmuseum visit.
Go City / Amsterdam Pass
- Price: €70-180 depending on duration and tier
- Best for: Tourists with many attractions planned
- Access: Variable — includes the Rijksmuseum on most tiers
- Payback: Similar to the I Amsterdam City Card; compare included attractions
Combo Tickets and Bundles
Combo tickets pair Rijksmuseum entry with another Amsterdam experience, often at a small discount versus booking the components separately.
Rijksmuseum + Canal Cruise Combo
- Price: ~€45-50 per person
- Includes: Rijksmuseum entry + 1-hour Amsterdam canal cruise
- Savings: Roughly €5-8 versus booking separately
- Best for: First-time Amsterdam visitors who want the two headline experiences
See our review: Rijksmuseum + Canal Cruise Combo.
Rijksmuseum + Van Gogh Museum Guided Tour
- Price: ~€80-100 per person
- Includes: Both museums in one day, with an art historian guide
- Best for: Art lovers who want context for both collections
See our review: Rijksmuseum + Van Gogh Museum Combo Tour.
Rijksmuseum + Rembrandt House
- Price: ~€50-60 per person
- Includes: Both museums, expert-guided combo tour
- Best for: Rembrandt enthusiasts
See our review: Rijksmuseum + Rembrandt House Combo.
Rijksmuseum + Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus
- Price: ~€50-65 per person
- Includes: Rijksmuseum entry + 24-hour or 48-hour bus access
- Best for: Tourists who want transport plus one cultural stop
See our review: Rijksmuseum + Hop-On-Hop-Off Combo.
Guided Tours
Guided tours include museum entry plus an expert guide for 1.5 to 2 hours. They’re a substantial step up in price from self-guided visits.
Standard Guided Tour
- Price: ~€55-65 per person
- Duration: 2 hours
- Group size: Usually up to 15 people
- What’s included: Entry ticket + art historian guide
- Best for: First-time visitors who want expert context
See our review: Rijksmuseum Guided Tour.
Skip-the-Line / Exclusive Tour
- Price: ~€80-100 per person
- Duration: 2 hours
- Features: Guaranteed entry even when standard tickets are sold out, often smaller groups
- Best for: Peak-season visitors who couldn’t get standard tickets
See our review: Rijksmuseum Skip-the-Line / Exclusive Tour.
Private Tour
- Price: ~€200-400 per group (not per person)
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Group size: Just your group (family, friends)
- Best for: Families, groups wanting a personalised experience
See our review: Rijksmuseum Private Tour.
Audio Guide Pricing
- The free Rijksmuseum app — €0 (download before arriving; bring headphones)
- Physical audio guide rental at Information Desk — €6.50 if you don’t have a smartphone
- Bundled audio guide ticket from resellers — ~€30-32 (entry ~€25 + audio guide ~€5-7)
The museum’s free app is genuinely good and equivalent to the paid audio guide content. Unless you don’t have a smartphone or headphones, the app is the better choice. See our full Rijksmuseum Audio Guide Review.
Total Price Comparison by Experience Type
| Experience | Price per adult |
|---|---|
| Entry only (self-guided) | €25 |
| Entry + free app audio guide | €25 (app is free) |
| Entry + rental audio guide | €31.50 (€25 + €6.50) |
| Entry + canal cruise combo | ~€45 |
| Standard guided tour | ~€55-65 |
| Skip-the-line tour | ~€80-100 |
| Rijksmuseum + Van Gogh combo tour | ~€80-100 |
| Rijksmuseum + Rembrandt House combo | ~€50-60 |
| Private tour (per group, not per person) | ~€200-400 |
| Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) | €50 |
| Pair aged 18-30 with EYCA cards | €22.50 |
| Pair with Museumkaart | €0 (+ €150 if buying cards) |
Cancellation Policy Comparison
The actual pricing differences between platforms come from cancellation terms, not the base price.
| Platform | Refunds | Free cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| rijksmuseum.nl | No | Rebook to new date, 48h notice |
| Reseller platforms | Yes | Up to 24h before |
If your Amsterdam plans are flexible — cruise stops with weather risk, connecting flights, packed multi-city itineraries — booking through a reseller is the safer choice at the same price.
Which Option Is Right for You?
A solo first-time visitor with limited time: Standard entry ticket (€25). Use the free Rijksmuseum app for audio guidance.
A couple on a weekend trip: Entry + canal cruise combo (~€45 each). You’ll see the two headline Amsterdam experiences efficiently.
A family of four: Standard entry tickets for the adults (€50 total, free for kids). Optional: add the €2.50 Family Quest scavenger hunt. See Visiting the Rijksmuseum with Kids.
An art lover: Guided tour (~€55-65) with an art historian. Genuinely adds value for visitors unfamiliar with Dutch Golden Age painting.
A serious art enthusiast visiting multiple museums: Museumkaart (€75) if you’re EU-based, or the combo tour with Van Gogh Museum (~€80-100) if you’re visiting from further afield.
A group of 4-6 friends or family wanting a customised experience: Private tour (~€200-400 per group). Works out at €50-100 per person with group dynamics you can’t get in a scheduled public tour.
A visitor whose dates might shift: Book via a reseller platform for the free 24-hour cancellation window.
An Amsterdam tourist planning 4+ attractions: I Amsterdam City Card. Factor in that it doesn’t include the Van Gogh Museum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit the Rijksmuseum?
Adult entry is €25 in 2026. Children and teenagers under 18 enter free. CJP and EYCA cardholders pay €11.25. Museumkaart and I Amsterdam City Card holders enter free with their card but must still book a timed slot.
Is the Rijksmuseum more expensive than the Van Gogh Museum?
Slightly. The Rijksmuseum is €25 adult, the Van Gogh Museum is €24 adult. Both are free for under-18s. See our full comparison of the two museums.
Can I get a student discount at the Rijksmuseum?
There’s no general adult student discount. CJP (Dutch under-31) and EYCA (European Youth Card) cardholders pay €11.25. Under-18s of any nationality are free.
Is it cheaper to book on the official site or via a reseller platform?
Neither — the price is identical at €25 on both. The real difference is cancellation: reseller platforms offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before; the official site only allows free rebooking with 48 hours’ notice.
Are Rijksmuseum tickets refundable?
Tickets booked on rijksmuseum.nl are not refundable but can be rebooked to a different date free of charge with 48 hours’ notice. Tickets booked through reseller platforms typically include free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit.
Does the I Amsterdam City Card include the Rijksmuseum?
Yes. The I Amsterdam City Card includes free Rijksmuseum entry (you still need to book a timed slot). But it does not include the Van Gogh Museum — factor that in if you’re buying the card specifically for museum access.
How much is a Rijksmuseum guided tour?
Standard guided tours cost €55-65 per person (entry included, 2 hours). Skip-the-line and small-group tours are €80-100 per person. Private tours are €200-400 per group.
Is the audio guide free at the Rijksmuseum?
The free Rijksmuseum app includes full audio tours — the same content as the paid rental. The €6.50 physical audio guide rental is only worth it if you don’t have a smartphone or headphones.
Do I pay more for a same-day ticket?
No. Walk-up tickets (when available) cost the same €25. The museum holds a limited number of walk-up tickets for in-person purchase but they sell out on busy days — pre-booking online is more reliable.
What’s the cheapest way to visit the Rijksmuseum?
For an adult: the €25 standard ticket via rijksmuseum.nl or authorised reseller. For younger visitors (18-30): €11.25 with a CJP or EYCA card. For EU residents planning multiple Dutch museum visits: the €75 annual Museumkaart pays back in 3 visits. For under-18s: always free (with booking).