Amsterdam Canal Cruises Prices

Amsterdam is, with Venice's permission, the city of canals par excellence. These canals are the arteries of the city, and navigating them is the best way to see what Amsterdam has to offer. There are different cruises that sail through its more than 160 canals and give us the opportunity to enjoy the most authentic Amsterdam experience. Below, I will tell you everything you need to know about prices, what is included and how to save on your city cruise.

The price of canal cruises in Amsterdam varies depending on the route and any extras you choose. The cheapest option costs £15, and prices increase depending on the length of the route and other factors.

Night cruises are a very interesting option in a city that transforms at night. Here you will find all the information you need about the best night cruises in Amsterdam.

At this link you can see the best cruises in Amsterdam and I have summarised the prices below:

Canal cruises are usually on semi-open boats with a capacity for around 70 people. The basic tour lasts 1 hour and takes you through the main canals, whose banks are home to some of Amsterdam's most famous monuments, such as the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and the imposing façade of the Rijksmuseum.

All cruises include audio guides in almost every language with explanations about the canals, the history of the city and the points of interest seen on the tour. As an extra, some evening cruises include dinner on board. Private cruises with an open bar can also be booked for small groups.

The basic price for cruises is £17, but there are discounts for children. Children aged 4 to 12 pay £8 and children under 4 go free.

If you are travelling with babies, please note that some boats are not accessible with pushchairs. However, in these cases, you can leave them on the quay and the company staff will store them until the end of the tour. Most cruises are equipped to carry pushchairs, although they must be kept on the lap of their parents.

When you purchase the I Amsterdam City Card, you can take a canal cruise. In addition, when you buy this card, you get added benefits such as unlimited use of public transport, admission to 70 museums and attractions in Amsterdam, 24-hour bike rental and much more.

The price of the 24-hour card is €65, but you can choose to activate it for 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours, depending on your preferences and needs.

In addition to the basic cruise, another popular option is to book it together with tickets to some of Amsterdam's most important museums and attractions. This alternative offers savings and several options and prices:

There are several companies operating on the canals offering different cruise services. The main ones are:

• Canal Bus: It has 19 piers located near museums and tourist attractions.
• Holland International: Specialises in cruises with dinner on board.
• Blue Boat: Offers basic cruises and organises events on board.
• Reederij Kooij: A company with cruises every 30 minutes.
• Rederij Plas: Offers many departures every 20 minutes and even 15 during peak periods.
• Lovers: One of the oldest companies offering the widest range of services.

All cruises offered by these companies are basically the same and at similar prices. The difference lies in the timetables and frequency of departures, as well as the extras that can be booked separately. The main piers for these companies are located at the central station, Leidseplein, the Anne Frank House and the main museums in Amsterdam.

Unfortunately not. It used to be possible to take a free cruise through the canals of the Dutch city thanks to the non-profit organisation El Club de Btes St. Nicolaas, a group of volunteers who restored old small boats that could also navigate the smaller canals that cruise ships cannot access.

Since 2014, only tourist cruises are available, and although there is no possibility of doing so for free, there are many offers and very affordable options for taking a cruise on the canals.

There are several ways to save money on tickets for canal cruises in Amsterdam. The best option is to buy your tickets in advance online. This way, you can find special offers and avoid queuing at the ticket office on the quayside.

Another option is to purchase a package that includes admission to a museum. These packages can save you a few euros, as buying both tickets separately is more expensive.

Finally, there is the I Amsterdam card. When you purchase this card, you get free access to the basic 1-hour cruise tours. It includes other benefits such as free admission to museums, access to public transport, etc. Depending on your circumstances, it may or may not be worth purchasing this card.