Amsterdam: Buying tickets at the Anne Frank House

Editor’s Note: The Anne Frank House has significantly changed its ticketing policy since we first wrote this article in 2014.

Every summer my short stint as an Amsterdam tour guide begins with great intentions. We start at the Dam Square, stroll for an hour and soak in the good vibes from enjoying our afternoon wander. We check out the secret garden Begijnhof, dip into the art hall from the Amsterdam Museum, wander to the Flower Market and through the Canal Ring’s 9 Streets. Maybe we talk about weed and the Red Light District, and I always ramble off a to-do list for nightlife.

In the past, as we edged closer to the Anne Frank House, a cloud would roll over our heads. I would beg the museum gods to show mercy on my tour group, but starting in May, we were usually met with an entry line that rivaled the Louvre and Uffizi. Once July would come, my groups of first-timers to Amsterdam wouldn’t even try to get in.

But a new ticketing system at the Anne Frank House has added a ray of hope, especially for those that are good at planning ahead. Read on to find out how to make sure you see this essential attraction in Amsterdam.

Related:
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Anne Frank Sign

Welcome to the Anne Frank Huis. Photo: Lisa


Tips for visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam

An article in The New York Times reported that attendance at Europe’s top museums have caused enough congestion that directors are running out of ideas.

But that doesn’t mean you have to give up. In fact, a new ticketing system launched in 2016 (and then revised in 2018) has changed visitors’ strategy, and we are here to let you in on a few insider tips and answer questions like: How can you skip the line? When is the best time to go? Can I get tickets in advance? Here are your best options.

1. Reserve online and pick your time slot

The only way to get tickets to the Anne Frank House is to reserve them online. There are no more tickets at the door. As soon as you have your Amsterdam dates inked in the calendar, go to the Anne Frank House website and use your credit card to buy those tickets. Commit to a time slot and stick with it.

80% of tickets can be purchased up to two months in advance for entry to the museum. The other 20% is released each morning at 9 am for visits that day. 

There used to be a policy that after 3:30 pm, the museum would open up to visitors without advance tickets. But this is no longer the case.

Tip: Do NOT arrive in Amsterdam and try to reserve a ticket for the following day. Chances are they will be sold out, as there is only a selected amount available online.

2. Know the museum rules for getting tickets

Tickets go on sale at noon (Amsterdam time) exactly two months in advance of the date you want to go. So if you plan on going to the Museum on August 24th, the earliest you can buy tickets is June 24th. Noon in Amsterdam is 6 am in New York and 3 am in Los Angeles.

From April to October the Anne Frank House is now open daily from 9 am to 10 pm, and November to March 9 am to 7 pm (and Saturdays until 9 pm). The museum is open every day of the year except Yom Kippur.

Related:
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Anne Frank House

Crowds outside the Anne Frank House. Photo: redsun81

3. Early bird really does catch the worm

If you didn’t have a chance to get tickets before your trip, don’t give up hope! You can wake up and log onto the website at 9 am each day to try to get one of the 20% of tickets that are allocated. You might have to wait in an online queue, but at least you won’t waste hours waiting outside in the hot sun or cold rain. And if you don’t get tickets during your trip, you’ll just have another reason to return!

Related: 10 Tips for dining on a budget in Amsterdam

 

Anne Frank line

The view from above. Photo: migulski

4. Making the most of your time before your visit

If you have extra time before your entry time, I encourage visitors to picnic or enjoy a coffee break. Across the street from the Westerkerk is an Albert Hein grocery store, even a bakery or two. Grab a cup of coffee, a sandwich, snack, or whatever looks good.

You can also plan the rest of your day because They have Wi-Fi that you can connect to while you wait for your entry time.

Related: Top rookie mistakes to avoid in Amsterdam

 5. Off-season relief

If you are visiting Amsterdam after late September, patron traffic stays calm and cool until tulip season emerges early April and bus coaches come rolling in again. You’ll have a better chance of getting an online ticket less than two months in advance.

At €10.50 a ticket (€5.50 for kids 10-17), the Anne Frank House is a good deal of history at a lower price than most museums in Amsterdam. However, if you don’t score tickets for that day, you’re out of luck. Looking for alternatives to the Anne Frank House? Check out 20 free things to do in Amsterdam and smart alternatives for big attractions.

Good luck!

Do you have any tips for visiting the Anne Frank House? Let us know!

The post Amsterdam: Buying tickets at the Anne Frank House appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Source: Euro Cheapo

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