Hop-on/hop-off canal boats

Amsterdam's Canal Bus allows you to travel the canals of Amertdam on a public ferry service, with four lines and 20 stops near major sights

The hop-on, hop-off Canal Bus of AmsterdamThe trams and buses of Amsterdam are wonderfully efficient, but imagine getting about instead by water aboard a hop-on/hop-off Canal Bus (www.canal.nl).

The boats chug along popular canals, following four color-coded routes (detailed below) and 20 stops at or near major sights, museums, monuments, and squares.

Once you buy a ticket (€20 for the day, €22/$32 for 24 hours, €33/$48 for 48 hours—though about 13% cheaper if you buy online through Viator.com), you can the boats as often as you like, jumping off to do some sightseeing, then back on the next one to continue along (they pass every 35–60 minutes, depending on time of year and route).

• Green line: Central Station West > Anne Frank House/Prinsengracht > Rijksmuseum/Van Gogh Museum > Leidseplein > Rembrandtplein > Rembrandt House > Central Station West
• Red line: Central Station East > Sea Palace > City Hall > Hermitage > Rijksmuseum/Van Gogh Museum > Leidseplein > Anne Frank House/Keizersgracht > Central Station East
• Blue line: Central Station East > NEMO > Passenger Terminal (Cruises) > Artis Zoo > Plantage > Hermitage > City Hall > Gassan Diamonds > Central Station East
• Orange line: Central Station West > Passenger Terminal (Cruises) > Maritime Museum > Dapper Market > Tropenmuseum > Albert Cuyp Market/Heinkenen Experience > Rijksmuseum/Van Gogh Museum > Leidseplein > Anne Frank House/Keizersgracht > Central Station West

The same company also runs smaller Canal Hopper boats that can get into smaller waterways, and rents Canal Bikes (essentially paddle boats seating up for four).

Prefer to book it ahead of time—and at a 13% discount? Get a pass for the Amsterdam hop-on/hop-off canal boat via our partners at Viator.com—with or without a museum entry ticket tacked on. The 24-hour pass sells for about $28.60 (as opposed to roughly $32), wile the 48-hour pass is $41.40 (versus $48):

• Amsterdam Canal Bus Hop-On Hop-Off
• Skip the Line: Van Gogh Museum and Amsterdam Canal Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Day Pass
• Amsterdam Canal Bus Hop On Hop Off Day Pass and Heineken Experience
• Amsterdam Canal Bus Hop On Hop Off Day Pass and Rijksmuseum

Unless otherwise indicated, all photographs © the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board