🎟️ How much a day in Amsterdam costs: tickets, transport and route

Amsterdam can genuinely be walked in one day. The center is compact, and the main sights sit along a single line from the station to the canals. In a day you'll see old churches, museums, the flower market, and the window district.

Many visitors waste a day bouncing between the outskirts. Don't repeat that mistake. The route below brings together thirteen stops, runs from the station through the center to the canals, and covers about six kilometers (on the map). In the morning museums are emptier, in the evening the canals are prettier.

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One-day Amsterdam route

💡 In short:

Start at Central Station, walk through Dam Square to Leidseplein, and save the evening for the canals.
Plan two museums per day, no more: the rest of the time will go to getting around and lines.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, checked on the official NEMO website

The order below is checked against the map: during the day it runs with almost no backtracking. In the evening you return to the center for the canals and the red-light district. You can skip any stop and come back to it in the evening.

1. Central station (Amsterdam Centraal)

Start from the square in front of the station. The building itself, from the late 19th century, with its towers and spires, is already considered a landmark, and it's worth taking a look at it from the water side.

Evening illumination of the Amsterdam Centraal station facade

The station remains the city's main transport hub. Trains leave from here for the whole country, and trams, metro, and buses run from here. The train to Schiphol Airport takes under twenty minutes, and a one-way ticket costs €5.50 (as of 09/2026, source).

If you're traveling on through the Netherlands or to Belgium, get tickets in advance: train schedules and tickets.

2. Public library with a city view

Behind the station stands the Amsterdam Public Library (OBA Oosterdok), the country's largest public book collection. Entry is free, and it's open every day from morning until late evening.

Interior of the Amsterdam Public Library with panoramic windows overlooking the city

On the seventh floor there's a cafe with a terrace, and the terrace looks out over the rooftops of the old center and the canals. Go up even for twenty minutes: coffee here costs the same as in a regular cafe, and the panorama is better than from many paid viewpoints.

Cost: entry is free, the cafe is paid separately
Who it's for: for a break and a view of the city from above
How to get there: 400 meters from Central Station (on the map)

3. NEMO Museum: hands-on science

The NEMO building looks like a green ship rising out of the water. Inside is a science museum where almost everything is hands-on. A ticket costs €21.50 (as of 09/2026, official website), and entry is included with the City Card.

Green NEMO Science Museum building by the water in Amsterdam

The first floor features chain reactions and DNA exhibits, along with short shows. The second floor is home to a ball factory and exhibitions about water and electricity. On the third floor there is a large laboratory where visitors run experiments themselves.

The fourth floor is dedicated to the brain, and on the fifth there is a cafe, a playroom, and an observation deck. With kids you can easily spend three hours here, so make NEMO your first museum of the day.

Cost: €21.50 (as of 09/2026, science museum rates)
Who it's for: families with children aged four and up, because half the rooms are designed for play
The catch: on rainy days the entry lines are longer

NEMO museum tickets

4. St. Nicholas Church

The Basilica of St. Nicholas (Basiliek van de Heilige Nicolaas) stands five minutes from the station, and you can see it from the station square. St. Nicholas is considered the patron saint of the city and of sailors.

Facade of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas in Amsterdam

This late 19th-century church combines neo-baroque and neo-renaissance styles: two tall towers, a relief of the Savior with his disciples, and a statue of the saint above the entrance. Admission is free, so you can stop by on your way from NEMO to the Beurs van Berlage.

Inside, pay attention to the acoustics. When the organ plays, the sound lingers for a long time, and at those moments the basilica draws more people than usual. If you happen to catch a concert, stay for a couple of pieces.

5. Beurs van Berlage

The Beurs van Berlage stands between the station and Dam Square, on Damrak. The building was designed by architect Hendrik Petrus Berlage, and his surname became part of the building's name.

Brick Beurs van Berlage building with a tower on the square

The style is called rationalism: no unnecessary ornament, just brick, rhythm, and honest construction. Look at the clock tower and the statues on the facade. Among the figures are the knight Gijsbrecht, the seafarer Jan Pieterszoon Coen, and the jurist Hugo Grotius.

Trading here ended in the late 20th century. Today the halls host exhibitions, concerts, and conferences, and part of the building houses a restaurant. The building is easier to take in from the outside: getting inside depends on the day's program.

6. Dam Square

Dam Square takes its name from a 13th-century dam. Over time the dam became so wide that a city grew up around it, and now it is Amsterdam's main square.

Panoramic view of Dam Square with pedestrians

The Royal Palace, the New Church, and Madame Tussauds all face onto the square. The National Monument, commemorating the victims of World War II, also stands here, and the De Bijenkorf department store is nearby.

The square is always crowded, so fifteen minutes is enough to take it in. From here on, all the stops on the route are within walking distance, and you won't need transport.

7. Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam)

The Royal Palace occupies the former city hall from the mid-17th century. Outside it is austere Dutch classicism; inside are richly decorated halls.

Facade of the Royal Palace in Amsterdam with a dome

The palace stands on thousands of wooden piles, and the main hall rises nearly thirty meters. On the floor you will see depictions of the Earth's two hemispheres. The picture gallery inside holds works by old masters, including Rembrandt.

Check the calendar before your trip: in 2026 the palace is open to visitors more than 230 days a year, daily from 10:00 (as of 09/2026, Paleis Amsterdam). Admission costs €13.50, and children under 18 enter free (as of 09/2026, Paleis Amsterdam).

Cost: €13.50 (as of 09/2026, reception calendar and tickets)
Who it's for: those who love interiors and city history
The catch: the palace closes on days of official receptions, check the dates in advance

tours and excursions in Amsterdam

8. Nieuwe kerk (De Nieuwe Kerk)

The Nieuwe Kerk stands right next to the Royal Palace. It is actually not new: the building was constructed in the 15th century, when the city's old church became too small.

Gothic facade of the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam at dusk

The church burned several times, which is why Gothic details appeared in its appearance. Royal weddings and inaugurations took place here, and today there are no services: the interior hosts exhibitions and organ music concerts.

The Nieuwe Kerk is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, last entry at 16:30, but it is closed on certain days (as of 09/2026, De Nieuwe Kerk). The ticket is valid for a specific exhibition, so check the price on the event page.

9. Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds occupies a building on Dam Square and has operated in Amsterdam since 1991. It is part of the London chain, and inside you will see figures of musicians, actors, and politicians.

Madame Tussauds museum building on Dam Square

The exhibition is updated, and new figures appear every year. The visit takes an hour and a half if you don't do a photo shoot at every figure. The museum is open daily; in September the doors are open roughly from 10:00 to 18:15 (as of 09/2026, Madame Tussauds).

It's cheaper to buy tickets online and at least a day before your visit. Get a combo ticket if you want to add the dungeon: combo ticket for Madame Tussauds and the dungeon.

10. Flower market (Bloemenmarkt)

The flower market on the Singel is considered the only floating one in the world. Back in the 17th century, traders sold flowers from boats, and after the city moat was filled in, the market moved to barges along the embankment.

Floating flower market on the Singel canal in Amsterdam

Today the barges house shops: bouquets, houseplants, tulip bulbs. Bulbs are sold individually and by weight, and packaging for transport is provided on site. Browsing is free, and haggling is appropriate when buying ten or more sets.

Come here before noon: during the day it's hard to move between the stalls. If you're taking bulbs home, check your country's plant import rules.

11. Leidseplein square (Leidseplein)

Leidseplein comes alive in the evening and at night. Theatres, cinemas, clubs, cafes and shops operate here, and street performers put on shows right on the square.

Leidseplein square with the Hirsch building dome in winter

During the day the square looks calmer, and it's a good time to have lunch. Toward evening, musicians and jugglers gather here, and the open-air concert stage draws a crowd.

Trams run from here toward Museumplein and the central station, so Leidseplein is a convenient place to head back to the canal district. Sunset on the canals near the square looks best.

12. Canal cruise: an hour on the water

A canal cruise is great because it shows the city from a different angle. Boats of various types run on the water: open, covered, and small twelve-person launches.

Sightseeing boats on an Amsterdam canal on a sunny day

The trip lasts from an hour to an hour and a half, and during that time you'll pass under the bridges of the old center. The guide usually talks about the houses on stilts and the canal ring, which is listed as a UNESCO site.

Take an evening departure: bridge lighting comes on at dusk, and the city looks completely different. The price depends on the boat, the time, and whether dinner is included, so compare options before buying. hour-long canal cruise

13. Red light district (De Wallen)

The red light district lies between Dam Square and the Oudezijds canal. It's an area of about twenty streets with its own cafes, shops and museums.

City canal with trees and historic houses

The window displays operate on the same streets where people live, so strict rules apply here. You can't photograph the windows, you can't make noise near the buildings, and cameras and police keep order. The minimum age for working in the district is twenty-one.

During the day the area looks like an ordinary city neighborhood, and the main activity starts after 11 pm. Most tourists come here just to look, and that's enough: walking two or three streets and heading back to the canals is plenty.

Tours and tickets in Amsterdam

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How to get from Schiphol to the center

Schiphol Airport lies southwest of the center, and you can reach the city three ways. The choice depends on your luggage and where your hotel is located.

The railway station is right under the terminal. Trains run to the center from early morning until late at night, and a one-way ticket costs €5.50 (as of 09/2026, Schiphol train schedule). The trip takes under twenty minutes, and it's the fastest option. buy a train ticket

Bus 397 runs from the airport through Museumplein to Leidseplein. It's convenient if your hotel is in that part of the city: no transfer needed. The trip takes about half an hour, but at rush hour the bus sits in traffic.

A taxi will cost several dozen euros and take you right to your hotel door. If you arrive at night, a taxi or pre-booked transfer remains the most stress-free option.

Getting around the city and day passes

Amsterdam's center is best explored on foot, so you'll only need transit for farther points. Trams, buses, metro and ferries are operated by GVB, and tickets work on all types of transport.

Buy a ticket at a machine or tap your bank card at the validator when boarding. A single ticket costs more than a trip on a day pass, so if you're taking three or more rides, a day pass is the better deal.

The ferries behind Centraal Station are free, and they're a convenient way to reach the A'DAM Lookout observation deck. If you want to combine transit with museums, check out the I amsterdam City Card: the card includes entry to NEMO and city transport.

Where to stay for one night

For a one-day itinerary, it's most convenient to stay between Centraal Station and Leidseplein. That way you step out of your hotel and you're right on the route with no extra travel.

Hotels near Dam Square and on the canals are the most expensive. The neighborhoods around the museums and De Pijp are a bit quieter and cheaper, but you'll need to take a tram to the start of the route.

Book in advance: the center fills up on weekends and during concert days. hotels in central Amsterdam on Trip.com

Route map: 13 stops

Below is a map with the route points in the order described above. Open it on your phone and follow the points: that way you won't get lost among the canals.

One-day route through Amsterdam

Places on the map

1Central Station The city's main transport hub, train to Schiphol in 20 minutes
2NEMO Museum Science museum in a ship-shaped building, interactive halls for families
3St. Nicholas Church Late 19th-century basilica, patron saint of the city and sailors
4Beurs van Berlage Monument of rationalist architecture, today hosts exhibitions and concerts
5Dam Square The city's main square with the National Monument
6Royal Palace Former 17th-century town hall, a gallery of Old Masters
7New Church Gothic church next to the palace, today exhibitions and organ concerts
8Madame Tussauds Wax figures on Dam Square, part of the London-based chain
9Flower Market The world's only floating flower market, on barges along the Singel
10Leidseplein Evening square with theaters, clubs, and street musicians
11Red Light District Historic district between Dam Square and the Oudezijds canal

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much money do you need for one day in Amsterdam?

Budget for museum entries and transport. NEMO costs €21.50 (as of 09/2026, NEMO), the Royal Palace €13.50, Madame Tussauds is cheaper online. The streets, the library, the flower market and a walk through the district are free. Set aside another twenty to thirty euros for food and coffee.

Is it realistic to cover all thirteen points on foot?

Yes, if you don't linger in the museums. The route is about six kilometers (on the map), which means about an hour and a half of pure walking. Do one museum in the morning, a second one later in the afternoon, and see the rest of the points along the way.

What should you do if it rains?

Take shelter in museums and churches. NEMO works in any weather. The New Church and the Royal Palace also work, but on certain days they are closed. A raincoat is more convenient than an umbrella: on narrow streets an umbrella gets in the way of passersby and yourself.

Is the City Card worth buying?

It pays off if you plan to visit two or three paid museums and use transport a lot. The card includes NEMO entry and city travel. For one day with one museum the card is usually not worth it, so work out your list in advance.

Can you take photos in the Red Light District?

You cannot photograph the windows, and this rule applies around the clock. Cameras monitor violations, and district security has the right to demand that you delete the photos. Feel free to photograph the streets and canals, there are no restrictions there.

In short: what's worth booking

The choice matrix is simple. If you need a museum with kids, get a NEMO ticket in advance. If you want to see the palace from the inside, check the reception calendar and buy a ticket for the morning. For an evening program, a canal cruise or Madame Tussauds works well.

Everything else in Amsterdam is free: the station, the library, the basilica, Dam Square, the market and the district's streets. The walking route requires no transport, and buy your train ticket from Schiphol right after landing. find city tours

One day in Amsterdam: a walking route with thirteen stops