An Amsterdam canal cruise is one of the best ways to explore the city, especially if it’s your first visit. In this guide, I’ll cover the different types of Amsterdam cruises, from budget-friendly to luxury experiences, compare prices (starting at €15,50), and share my tips on where to book the best deals in 2026.
Hop aboard a boat and see Amsterdam from a unique perspective: the city’s canal district, with its charming 17th-century houses, iconic Dutch houseboats.
Which Amsterdam canal cruise should you choose?
Not sure which Amsterdam canal cruise to book? Here’s my quick guide:
| If you are | Best canal cruise | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| First-time visitor | 1-hour classic canal cruise | €15,50 – €25 |
| Couple | Evening or wine & cheese cruise | €35 – €60 |
| Family with children | Standard daytime or pancake cruise | €15,50 – €25 |
| Food lover | Dinner cruise | €89 – €142 |
| Special occasion | Small luxury boat cruise | €40 – €100 |
| Group of friends | Private boat rental | from €150 |
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Try the tools →My tips:
- NEW! High-end 3-course dinner canal cruise in Amsterdam. Book online >>
- Special: Jazz canal cruise with live music by KINboat.
- Visit 70 museums, take a free canal cruise and use public transport with the I amsterdam City Card. See what is included and order it online.
My best experiences with canal cruises in Amsterdam:
I’ve been living in the Netherlands since 2013 and have taken canal cruises dozens of times, but these three are the ones I would definitely do again:
- a simple one-hour Lovers cruise made me fall in love with Amsterdam during my first visit in 2012
- Starboard Amsterdam, evening cruise during SAIL Amsterdam 2025 was unforgettable (check photos and video)
- on a sunny day in June my friend rented a boat for her birthday – and I cannot recommend it more!
Which company to choose for a canal cruise in Amsterdam?
My advice is simple: don’t overthink the cruise company. There are dozens of canal cruise operators in Amsterdam (Lovers, Blue Boat, Stromma, Starboard Amsterdam (nice affordable luxury boats), Captain Jack, KINboat and many others).
But for most visitors the type of cruise matters more than the company itself. You only need to choose between six types: classic sightseeing cruises, luxury small-group boats, dinner cruises, wine & cheese cruises, private boat rentals and hop-on hop-off boats.
Whether you choose Lovers, Stromma or another well-known operator, the canals are largely the same. Focus on the experience you want rather than spending hours comparing companies.
Canal cruises in Amsterdam: what are the best boarding locations?
Many tours depart from Stationplein or Prins Hendrikkade, right across from Amsterdam Centraal Station – these are also the most convenient departure locations for most travellers.
Canal boats begin their tours around 9:00 in the morning and run until 22:00. While departure times may vary, generally, boats depart every 30 minutes during the summer season and once an hour in the winter.
Canal cruises prices in Amsterdam in 2026
A usual boat tour prices start from € 17,50 per person. Some boat companies offer audio guides only in the most popular languages (English, German, Dutch). While some, like Lovers have audio guides in 19 different languages.
- Order your canal cruise tickets online >>
There is also a number of evening canal cruises, including:
- Dinner Cruise. 2-hour Amsterdam canal cruise, including three-course meal and drinks. Tickets from €89. Book online >>
- Pizza Cruise. Enjoy a 1,5-hour long cruise and your favourite pizza and wine served on board. Tickets from €42,50. Make a reservation >>
We also recommend considering combi-tickets for canal cruises and Amsterdam museums and attractions. It’s a great way to save money while exploring the city.
- Van Gogh museum + canal cruise
- Rijksmuseum + canal cruise
- Heineken Experience + canal cruise
- Madame Tussauds museum + boat cruise
Which canal cruises are free with I amsterdam City Card in 2026?
Have you already heard about I amsterdam City Card? It gives a free access to 70+ museums, the city’s top attractions, free public transport in Amsterdam and a free 1-hour canal cruise.
Here is an official full list of participating cruise companies in Amsterdam in 2026. You can also take a free cruise in Haarlem and Volendam.
Rent a boat in Amsterdam
If you are looking for some privacy, you can rent your own boat and relax with your friends or family. Private boat rentals require an online reservation.
- Read more: Amsterdam in one day: things to do >>
Hop on Hop off boat tours in Amsterdam in 2026
You can also choose to take hop on, hop off canal bus which will take you through all the famous canals and past all the famous museums. You can buy ticket valid for 24 or 48 hours and enjoy navigating through Amsterdam by the so called “water taxi”.
Prices in 2026:
- 24 hours – € 27,50. Book online >>
- 48 hours – € 35. Book online >>
Canal Cruises on King’s Day
The best way to celebrate Kings’s Day in Amsterdam is on a boat on the canals, like a local. You can join a 90-minute cruise, including a skipper, drinks and music. Book this special Kingsday party cruise in advance. Tickets for the 2026 season are already available online.
FAQ about canal cruises in Amsterdam:
Please click the question to expand the answer. And if you have more questions, please ask in comments.
How much do canal cruises in Amsterdam cost in 2026?
Standard 1-hour canal cruise tickets in Amsterdam start from € 17,50 per person. Evening dinner cruises start from € 89. Pizza cruises cost from €42,50. Hop-on hop-off boat tickets cost € 27,50 for 24 hours or € 35 for 48 hours. Private boat rentals are also available and require an online reservation.
Are canal cruises in Amsterdam free with the I amsterdam City Card?
Yes. The I amsterdam City Card includes one free 1-hour canal cruise. Participating companies in 2026 include Blue Boat, Lovers Amsterdam, Amsterdam Circle Line Sightseeing, Stromma, Smidtje Canal Cruises, and Amsterdam Boat Cruises. With the card you can also take a free cruise in Haarlem and Volendam. No prior reservation is required for the canal cruise in 2026.
Where do canal cruises depart from in Amsterdam?
Most canal cruises in Amsterdam depart from Stationsplein or Prins Hendrikkade, right across from Amsterdam Central Station. Some cruise companies also have additional departure points along the canals.
What time do canal cruises run in Amsterdam?
Canal boats in Amsterdam start their tours around 09:00 and run until 22:00. Boats generally depart every 30 minutes during the summer season and once an hour in winter. Canal cruises operate all year round, including in winter.
Are there canal cruises in Amsterdam in winter?
Yes, canal cruise companies in Amsterdam operate all year round, including in December and other winter months. A special winter season departure schedule runs from late October to late March, with boats typically departing once an hour.
What types of canal cruises are available in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam offers many types of canal cruises: standard 1-hour sightseeing cruises with audio guide, evening dinner cruises with a 3-course meal, pizza cruises, jazz cruises with live music, hop-on hop-off boat tours (valid 24 or 48 hours), private boat rentals, and special event cruises such as King’s Day party boats. Combination tickets with museum entry (Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Heineken Experience, Madame Tussauds) are also available.
Can I rent a private boat in Amsterdam?
Yes, you can rent your own private boat in Amsterdam to explore the canals with friends or family at your own pace. Private boat rentals require an online reservation in advance.
How much does a hop-on hop-off boat tour cost in Amsterdam in 2026?
In 2026, a hop-on hop-off boat ticket in Amsterdam costs € 27,50 for 24 hours or € 35 for 48 hours. The boat passes all major museums and landmarks along the canals.
Do Amsterdam canal cruises have audio guides?
Yes, most Amsterdam canal cruise companies provide audio guides on board. Some companies offer audio guides in a limited number of languages, while others – such as Lovers Amsterdam – offer audio guides in up to 19 languages.
Can I combine a canal cruise with a museum visit in Amsterdam?
Yes, combination tickets are available for canal cruises paired with popular Amsterdam museums and attractions, including the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Heineken Experience, and Madame Tussauds. These combi-tickets are a good way to save money compared to buying each ticket separately.
Hop-on hop-off canal cruise in Amsterdam — is it worth it?
A hop-on hop-off canal cruise is absolutely worth it in Amsterdam — seeing the city’s historic canal houses from the water is a nice experience, and the flexible format lets you explore at your own pace. Skip the hop-on hop-off bus though – in Amsterdam they are not allowed in the city center, so you won’t see a lot.
Enjoy your visit to Amsterdam!
About the author:
Hi, my family and myself plan to visit Amsterdam in December. Will there be any canal cruise in winter season? Your reply will be most appreciated.
Hi, yes, canal cruise companies in Amsterdam operate all year round. There is a special Winter season departures schedule valid from October 31 to March 22. You can select the cruise from the list and check departures schedule in the right column.