The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands, located at Museumstraat 1 on Museumplein in Amsterdam, and it holds the country’s largest collection of Dutch art and history spanning 800 years. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, how to get there, parking, accessibility, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.
Entry to the Rijksmuseum is included in the Go City Amsterdam Pass, which can save you significant amounts of money if visiting several Amsterdam attractions. If you want to know a lot more about what you’re looking at, it’s also worth taking a small group Rijksmuseum tour.
Updated February 2026: The adult admission price is now €25 — many third-party guides still show the previous price of €22.50. The Night Watch is currently displayed inside a glass chamber while researchers conduct an active study of the painting; this is different from its usual open installation.
Quick facts: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
| Opening hours | Daily 09:00–17:00, 365 days a year including all public holidays |
|---|---|
| Adult admission | €25 · Under-18s free · CJP/EYCA card holders: €11.25 |
| Address | Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam |
| Nearest public transport | Tram 1 or 19 (Rijksmuseum stop, adjacent to the entrance) · Bus 397 direct from Schiphol Airport |
| Nearest parking | Q-Park Museumplein, approx. 300 m away (up to €60/day in 2026) |
| Typical visit duration | 2–3 hours for highlights; 4+ hours for a thorough visit |
Rijksmuseum opening hours
The Rijksmuseum is open every day of the year from 09:00 to 17:00, including Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and all Dutch public holidays. There are no regular closure days.
The museum shop and café are open 09:00–18:00. Between 17:00 and 18:00, the shop and café can be accessed without an entrance ticket. The RIJKS restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. The museum’s gardens are open during summer months only, 09:00–18:00.
Opening hours were checked on the official Rijksmuseum website and last updated February 2026.
Rijksmuseum ticket prices
The standard adult admission fee is €25. Entry is free for visitors aged 17 and under. Holders of a CJP or EYCA card pay half price (€11.25). Friends of the Rijksmuseum enter free without needing to pre-book a time slot.
| Adults (18+) | €25 |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | Free |
| CJP / EYCA card holders | €11.25 |
| Museumkaart holders | Free (pre-booking required) |
| Amsterdam City Card holders | Free (pre-booking required) |
City pass schemes: The Rijksmuseum is included in the I Amsterdam City Card (24h from €65) and the Go City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass. The I Amsterdam City Card also covers the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, Rembrandthuis, and unlimited GVB public transport. The Go City pass includes the Heineken Experience, Moco Museum, Madame Tussauds, and A’DAM Lookout, among others. All pass holders must still pre-book a timed entry slot on the Rijksmuseum website.
Ticket prices were checked on the official Rijksmuseum website and last updated February 2026.
Why book the Go City Amsterdam All-Inclusive Pass?
- 🏢 Access 30+ Top Attractions: Enjoy entry to Amsterdam’s most popular sites, including the Heineken Experience, Rijksmuseum, Moco Museum, and This is Holland.
- 🚤 Iconic Canal Cruise: Includes a quintessential 1-hour cruise through the historic UNESCO-listed canal belt, the best way to see the city’s unique architecture.
- 💰 Substantial Savings: Save up to 50% on admission prices compared to purchasing individual tickets at each attraction.
- 📱 100% Digital & Easy: No need for physical tickets; simply download the pass to your smartphone and scan it for instant entry at every stop.
- ⏱️ Flexible Scheduling: Choose a pass for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days, allowing you to explore the Dutch capital at a pace that perfectly suits your itinerary.
How to book Rijksmuseum tickets
All visitors must book a timed entry slot in advance, including Museumkaart and Amsterdam City Card holders. Only Friends of the Rijksmuseum and ICOM/ICOMOS pass holders may enter without prior booking. A limited number of same-day tickets may be available at the museum entrance, but availability is not guaranteed.
Tickets are linked to a specific date and start time. Missing your start time means your ticket is no longer valid. Once inside, you can stay until closing at 17:00. The museum is entirely cashless — payment at the café, shop, and restaurant requires a bank card or contactless method. Tickets can be changed up to 48 hours before your booked start time by contacting the museum via its website.
How to get to the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum recommends using public transport. The most direct options are:
- Tram 1 or 19 — alight at the Rijksmuseum stop, directly adjacent to the museum entrance
- Bus 397 — direct service from Schiphol Airport, stopping at the Rijksmuseum stop (journey approximately 30 minutes)
- Metro line 52 — alight at Vijzelgracht, approximately a 10-minute walk to the museum
From Amsterdam Centraal station, tram lines 1 and 19 reach the Rijksmuseum stop in under 20 minutes. Single GVB tickets, day passes, and the OV-chipkaart are all valid on trams, buses, and the metro.
Parking at the Rijksmuseum
The nearest car park is Q-Park Museumplein, approximately 300 metres from the museum entrance. In 2026, the daily rate is up to €60; pre-booking online reduces the cost. Parking in central Amsterdam is consistently expensive. Holders of a European disability parking card may park free in most of the city but must first obtain a parking permit from the municipality.
Park-and-ride (P+R) facilities on the outskirts of Amsterdam offer lower rates and onward public transport connections. These are signposted on the main approach roads.
How long to spend at the Rijksmuseum
The museum has more than 80 galleries across four floors displaying over 8,000 objects. Most visitors need 2 to 3 hours to see the main highlights, including the Gallery of Honour and the Night Watch room. A thorough visit covering multiple floors and the Asian Pavilion typically takes 4 hours or more.
The free Rijksmuseum app includes self-guided tours of varying lengths, including a one-hour highlights route, which can help visitors manage their time.
Accessibility at the Rijksmuseum
The museum has two entrances, both located in The Passage — the arcade running beneath the building. One entrance has stairs; the other has a lift. Security staff will direct wheelchair users, visitors with prams, and anyone using a mobility aid to the accessible entrance. All main galleries are wheelchair-accessible.
Audio guides are available in multiple languages. The museum’s free app also includes accessible tour options. Prams and pushchairs are permitted throughout the building and a cloakroom is available near the entrance.
Inside the Rijksmuseum: what to see
The museum’s collection spans Dutch and European art and history from 1200 to the present day. The majority of visitors focus on the Gallery of Honour on the second floor, which contains the museum’s most celebrated works, including Rembrandt’s The Night Watch (currently displayed inside a glass chamber during an ongoing research project) and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid.
Other notable highlights include works by Frans Hals, Jan Steen, and Judith Leyster; a collection of Delft ceramics; a series of 17th-century dollhouses; and artefacts relating to Dutch maritime history. The Asian Pavilion, accessible from the museum’s garden, houses a dedicated collection of Asian art and is typically quieter than the main building.
The Cuypers Library, located inside the museum’s historic building, is one of the oldest and largest art history libraries in the Netherlands. It is open for study visits by appointment.
Practical visitor tips for the Rijksmuseum
| Timing | Booking a start time before 10:30 or after 15:00 typically means fewer visitors in the galleries. January and June are the quietest months of the year overall. |
|---|---|
| Crowds | The Gallery of Honour and the Night Watch room are the busiest areas. Visiting these early in your session, before group tours arrive, is advisable. |
| Layout | The museum has four floors and more than 80 galleries. Downloading the free Rijksmuseum app before arrival and selecting a themed route helps prevent fatigue from trying to see everything. |
| Entry process | Arrive at or slightly before your booked start time. Tickets are scanned from a mobile phone — printing is not required. All bags pass through security screening at the entrance. |
| On-site payments | The museum is fully cashless. The café in the atrium is accessible during museum hours. The RIJKS restaurant requires a separate reservation and is not included in the admission ticket. |
Frequently asked questions about the Rijksmuseum
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Rijksmuseum? | Yes. All visitors must pre-book a timed entry slot online. A limited number of walk-up tickets may be available at the entrance, but these are not guaranteed. |
|---|---|
| Is the Rijksmuseum open on Sundays? | Yes. The Rijksmuseum is open every day of the year, including Sundays and public holidays, from 09:00 to 17:00. |
| Is the Rijksmuseum suitable for children? | Yes. Entry is free for all visitors under 18. The museum offers a free family audio guide and child-friendly tour routes via the Rijksmuseum app. Prams and pushchairs are permitted throughout. |
| Are bags allowed at the Rijksmuseum? | Yes. All bags pass through a security check at the entrance. Large bags and coats can be left in the cloakroom. |
| Can you take photographs inside the Rijksmuseum? | Yes. Personal photography for non-commercial use is permitted in the permanent collection galleries. Flash photography and tripods are not allowed. |
| Is the Rijksmuseum included in the Amsterdam City Card? | Yes. Holders of the I Amsterdam City Card and the Go City Amsterdam Pass receive free admission, but must still pre-book a timed entry slot on the Rijksmuseum website. |
Things to do near the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is located on Museumplein, making it straightforward to combine with other nearby attractions on the same visit.
- Van Gogh Museum (3 min walk) — dedicated museum covering Van Gogh’s complete career, located directly adjacent on Museumplein.
- Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam (4 min walk) — national museum of modern and contemporary art and design, also on Museumplein.
- Moco Museum (7 min walk) — privately run museum showing works by Banksy, Salvador Dalí, and others.
- Museum Het Rembrandthuis (25 min by tram) — Rembrandt’s former home and studio in Amsterdam’s city centre, with reconstructed 17th-century interiors.
- Vondelpark (10 min walk) — Amsterdam’s largest public park, suitable for a break between museum visits. Free entry.
