Amsterdam’s canal cruises are best way to get to know the city. There are boat cruises for every occasion: a first sightseeing trip, an evening cruise with drinks, a high-end 3-course dinner canal cruise or a boat ride through the Amsterdam Light Festival in winter. Here we’ve collected everything in one place, so you can pick the right cruise.
📋 What’s in this guide
Which canal cruise should you take?
Use this tool to choose a cruise that best fits your budget
What’s your budget per person?
Select a range to see the best cruises for your budget.
Prices verified August 2026. Online prices are lower than at the counter.
If this is your first canal cruise in Amsterdam, start here. Our guide compares every type of cruise, so you can pick based on your budget, preferences and how much time you have.
Amsterdam canal cruise tickets
Every cruise type and price compared: classic sightseeing, dinner cruises, private boats and hop-on hop-off, from €15.50.
Compare all the options →Company & themed cruises
Already know you want a specific boat company, an evening cruise, or a dinner cruise? These guides go deeper into those options.
Lovers canal cruises
Departure points, prices from €15.50, and which Lovers sailings are free with the I amsterdam City Card.
Read the Lovers guide →
Evening canal cruises
Night cruises, drinks and the best time to go once the sun sets, from €17.50.
Read the evening cruise guide →
Amsterdam dinner cruises
The LOVERS 4-course cruise, the high-end 3-course dinner cruise and a private BBQ cruise, compared by price and menu, from €89.
Read the dinner cruise guide →Amsterdam Light Festival cruises
Visiting between late November and mid-January? The Light Festival turns a regular canal cruise into something worth planning around, and worth booking early.
Amsterdam Light Festival cruises
The 2026/2027 route, opening hours, and the best-rated Light Festival cruises, walks and bike tours.
Plan your Light Festival visit →
Light Festival tickets sold out?
What to do if your preferred timeslot is booked out, plus backup cruise and walking options.
See your backup options →
FAQ about Amsterdam canal cruises
Which canal cruise should I book?
For a first visit, our canal cruise tickets guide compares all the standard sightseeing options and prices. If you specifically want an evening cruise, a dinner cruise, a cruise from Lovers, or a boat cruise through the Amsterdam Light Festival in winter, those are covered separately above.
Are canal cruises free with the I amsterdam City Card?
Yes, several operators, including Lovers, include a canal cruise with the I amsterdam City Card. Here you can check the most up-to-date list of participating cruise companies in Amsterdam.
What if my Amsterdam Light Festival cruise is sold out?
Popular evening timeslots (18:00 to 19:30) can sell out during the holidays. See our guide on what to do if Light Festival tickets are sold out for backup cruise and walking options.
Have a nice cruise in Amsterdam!
Written by a local
Anastasia Dudina
I’ve been living in the Netherlands since 2013 and exploring it ever since. I write and update all articles on Amsterdam Explorer and Holland Explorer myself — real tips, not tourist traps.
Last updated: 8 October 2026 by Anastasia Dudina