Van Gogh Museum FAQ — Every Question Answered
The Van Gogh Museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Fridays until 9:00 PM), located at Museumplein 6 in Amsterdam. Adult admission is €25; visitors under 18 enter free. All tickets must be booked online in advance — there are no door sales. The museum holds the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s work, including Sunflowers, The Bedroom, and Almond Blossom. Trams 2, 5, and 12 stop at Van Baerlestraat, directly beside the entrance.
Whether you are planning your first visit or looking for a specific detail before you go, this page brings together answers to every common question about the Van Gogh Museum — from tickets and opening hours to what to see, how to get there, visiting with children, and accessibility.
Tickets & Booking
Do I need to book tickets in advance for the Van Gogh Museum?
Yes. The Van Gogh Museum sells tickets online only — there are no tickets available at the door. Every visitor, including those with free entry via a Museumkaart or discount card, must book a timed-entry slot online before arriving. During peak periods (July, August, and public holidays), popular morning slots can sell out a week or more in advance. Book as soon as your Amsterdam dates are confirmed. See our guide to where to buy tickets safely.
How much does the Van Gogh Museum cost?
Adult admission is €25. Students with a valid international student card pay €15. Visitors under 18 enter free — a free timed-entry reservation is still required. There are no additional exhibition fees; your ticket covers both the permanent collection and any temporary exhibitions running during your visit. See the full ticket prices guide.
Where is the best place to buy Van Gogh Museum tickets?
The official museum website (tickets.vangoghmuseum.com) and five authorised resellers: GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Musement, Klook, and Tours & Tickets. GetYourGuide is a strong choice for most visitors as it offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit. Avoid any platform not on this list — fraudulent tickets are a documented problem at this museum.
Book Entry Ticket →What is a timed-entry ticket?
When you book, you select a specific date and start time — this is your window to enter the museum. You must arrive within roughly 30 minutes of your booked time. Once inside, you can stay as long as you like until closing. Re-entry is not permitted once you leave the building.
Can I get a refund if I cancel?
Tickets purchased through the official museum website are generally non-refundable. Tickets booked through GetYourGuide typically allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit — check the specific listing for terms. If your plans are uncertain, booking through a reseller with a cancellation policy is advisable.
Does the Museumkaart cover the Van Gogh Museum?
Yes. The Museumkaart (Dutch Museum Pass) grants free admission, but you must still reserve a timed-entry slot online before visiting. Walk-in access is not available even with a Museumkaart. The card costs €69/year for adults and makes financial sense if you plan to visit three or more major Dutch museums.
Is the I Amsterdam City Card valid at the Van Gogh Museum?
No. The Van Gogh Museum ended its affiliation with the I Amsterdam City Card in June 2022. Van Gogh Museum admission must be purchased separately. See our museum passes guide for a full comparison of which passes are valid.
What happens if my time slot passes before I arrive?
Museum staff generally admit visitors up to 30 minutes after their booked start time. If you are more than 30 minutes late during a busy period, you may be asked to wait for the next available entry window.
Are there combo tickets available?
Yes. Several authorised resellers offer bundle options — the most popular being the Van Gogh Museum entry ticket combined with an Amsterdam canal cruise. The Tiqets Amsterdam Pass bundles the Van Gogh Museum with the Rembrandt House Museum and a canal cruise. A guided private tour covering both the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum is also available. See the combo tickets guide.
Opening Hours
What are the Van Gogh Museum opening hours?
The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with last entry at 5:30 PM. On Fridays the museum stays open until 9:00 PM, with last entry at 8:30 PM. The museum is open 365 days a year with one exception — it is closed on 1 January. Hours can vary around public holidays and during major exhibitions; always confirm on the official website before travelling. See our full opening hours guide.
Is the Van Gogh Museum open on Mondays?
Yes. Unlike many European museums, the Van Gogh Museum is open every day of the week, including Mondays.
Is the Van Gogh Museum open on Christmas Day?
Yes, on 25 and 26 December, though hours may vary from the standard schedule. Check the official website before your visit.
When is the Van Gogh Museum least crowded?
The quietest visiting windows are 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on weekdays, and after 3:00 PM any day. Friday evenings from 5:00 PM onward are consistently calm despite the extended hours. Saturday is the busiest day of the week. For a full seasonal and daily breakdown, see the best time to visit guide.
Getting There
Where is the Van Gogh Museum?
The museum is at Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, in the Museum District. It is located on Museumplein, the large public square also home to the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum.
Which tram goes to the Van Gogh Museum?
Trams 2, 5, and 12 stop at Van Baerlestraat, immediately beside the museum entrance — a less than 2-minute walk. Trams 3, 5, and 12 also stop at Museumplein, another short walk away. From Amsterdam Centraal Station, trams 2 and 12 go directly to Van Baerlestraat in approximately 15 minutes.
How far is the Van Gogh Museum from Amsterdam Centraal Station?
About 15 minutes by tram. On foot, the walk takes approximately 30–35 minutes along a pleasant canal route. Most visitors take the tram.
Is there parking near the Van Gogh Museum?
The nearest car park is Q-Park Museumplein, with its entrance on Van Baerlestraat. Street parking near the museum is very limited and expensive. Arriving by public transport is strongly recommended. See the full how to get there guide.
How do I get to the Van Gogh Museum from Schiphol Airport?
Take the Intercity train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal (15–20 minutes), then tram 2 or 12 to Van Baerlestraat (15 minutes). Total journey time is approximately 35–45 minutes.
Planning Your Visit
How long does a visit to the Van Gogh Museum take?
Most visitors spend 90 minutes to 2 hours with the permanent collection. If a temporary exhibition is also running, add 30–45 minutes. Art enthusiasts who engage with the letters display and explore less-visited works often spend 2.5 to 3 hours. See the how long to spend guide.
What should I do first when I arrive?
Store your bags at the free cloakroom near the entrance, then take the lift or stairs directly to the first floor — the permanent collection begins there, not on the ground floor. The ground floor contains the cloakroom, café, and shop. Starting on the first floor and following the chronological collection upward is the intended experience. See the full tips for first-time visitors.
Can I re-enter the museum after leaving?
No. Re-entry is not permitted once you have left the building. Plan your café visit and museum shop browsing for either the start or end of your visit rather than stepping out mid-visit.
Is there a café or restaurant at the Van Gogh Museum?
Yes. The museum has a café on the ground floor serving hot drinks, light meals, and snacks during museum hours. Restaurant Bistro Vincent in the Rietveld building offers more substantial meals. Both are open during standard museum hours.
Is there a museum shop?
Yes. The museum shop is on the ground floor and stocks prints, books, art supplies, and Van Gogh-themed gifts. It is worth browsing before or after your visit — not in the middle, as leaving the building ends your admission.
Can I take photos inside the Van Gogh Museum?
Photography for personal use is permitted in most of the permanent collection. Flash photography and tripods are not allowed. Some temporary exhibitions or individual works may have photography restrictions — signage in the gallery indicates where photography is not permitted.
Is there a dress code?
No. There is no dress code for visiting the Van Gogh Museum. Comfortable shoes are recommended as you will be on your feet for 90 minutes or more.
What to See
What are the must-see paintings at the Van Gogh Museum?
The ten works not to miss are: Sunflowers, The Bedroom, Almond Blossom, The Potato Eaters, Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat, Wheatfield with Crows, The Yellow House, The Sower, Wheatfield with a Reaper, and Self-Portrait as a Painter. Most are on the third floor. See our full must-see paintings guide for where to find each work and what to look for.
Is The Starry Night at the Van Gogh Museum?
No. The Starry Night is at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This is one of the most common misconceptions about the Amsterdam museum. The Van Gogh Museum holds the world’s largest Van Gogh collection, but this particular painting was sold during his lifetime and is not part of it.
What floor is Sunflowers on?
Sunflowers is on the third floor, in the galleries covering Van Gogh’s Arles period (1888). The third floor is also where The Bedroom, Almond Blossom, and most of the famous late works are displayed.
How is the collection organised?
The permanent collection is arranged chronologically across four floors. The first floor covers Van Gogh’s early Dutch period (dark palette, social realist subjects). The second floor covers his Paris period (Impressionist influence, self-portraits). The third floor covers Arles, Saint-Rémy, and Auvers — the iconic works. See the full permanent collection guide.
Are temporary exhibitions included in my ticket?
Yes. All temporary exhibitions running during your visit are covered by the standard entry ticket at no additional charge. The museum runs two to three temporary exhibitions per year in its Kurokawa exhibition wing. See the exhibitions guide for what is currently showing.
Are the letters on display?
Yes. Selections from Van Gogh’s extraordinary correspondence — particularly the letters to his brother Theo — are displayed throughout the permanent collection, integrated with the paintings from the same period. These are among the most affecting parts of the museum and are frequently undervisited. See the letters and drawings guide.
Audio Guide & Tours
Is there an audio guide at the Van Gogh Museum?
Yes. A multilingual audio guide is available in 12 languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Mandarin), and Arabic. It runs on a dedicated multimedia device — not your phone — and includes close-up screen views of painting details alongside audio commentary. It costs approximately €5–7 and can be added at the time of booking. See the audio guide review.
Are there guided tours of the Van Gogh Museum?
Yes. Several guided tour options are available: a small-group tour of up to 8 guests led by an art historian (2 hours), a private tour exclusively for your group, a family tour designed for children, and a combo tour covering both the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. See the guided tours comparison.
Book Guided Tour →Do guided tours include entry?
Yes. All guided tours listed on this site include timed-entry to the Van Gogh Museum. You do not need to purchase a separate entry ticket if you have booked a guided tour.
Children & Families
Is the Van Gogh Museum free for children?
Yes. All visitors under 18 enter free of charge, regardless of nationality. A free timed-entry reservation must still be booked online before the visit.
What is the minimum age for the Van Gogh Museum?
There is no minimum age. However, the museum is most engaging for children aged 5 and above. Very young children can visit but the format — paintings, text, letters — is not designed for toddlers.
Is the Van Gogh Museum good for families with children?
Yes, with the right preparation. The museum offers free family activity sheets and a dedicated family route through the collection. A private family guided tour specifically designed for children is also available, using storytelling and games to engage younger visitors. Children under 18 enter free. See the visiting with children guide.
Book Family Tour →Can I bring a pushchair or stroller?
Pushchairs are permitted in the museum but must be stored at the free cloakroom at the entrance. They cannot be taken through the galleries. Baby carriers are permitted throughout.
Accessibility
Is the Van Gogh Museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The museum is fully step-free with lifts connecting all floors, accessible toilets on each level, and free loan wheelchairs available at the entrance. Personal wheelchairs, including powered chairs, are welcome throughout. See the full accessibility guide.
What is the Sunflower Lanyard at the Van Gogh Museum?
The Sunflower Lanyard is a symbol of hidden disability — including autism, ADHD, anxiety, chronic pain, and other non-visible impairments. Wearing one signals to trained museum staff that you may need additional support or a quieter approach. Lanyards are available free at the entrance with no advance arrangement required.
Does the Van Gogh Museum have a hearing loop?
Yes. Hearing loops are installed in the auditorium and selected gallery areas. T-coil enabled hearing aids can connect to these systems.
Is there a discount for disabled visitors?
Visitors with qualifying discount cards (Museumkaart, ICOM card, Stadspass, and others) may be entitled to free or reduced admission. A companion or carer may also qualify for a discounted ticket — contact the museum directly before booking to confirm eligibility.
Nearby & Around Museumplein
What else is near the Van Gogh Museum?
The Rijksmuseum is a 5-minute walk north across Museumplein. The Stedelijk Museum is immediately adjacent on the south side. The Moco Museum is a 3-minute walk on Honthorststraat. Vondelpark is an 8-minute walk west. P.C. Hooftstraat — Amsterdam’s luxury shopping street — runs alongside the square.
Can I combine the Van Gogh Museum with the Rijksmuseum in one day?
Yes. Both museums are 5 minutes apart on foot. A visit of 90 minutes in the Van Gogh Museum followed by 2 hours in the Rijksmuseum is a comfortable and rewarding cultural day. A guided private tour covering both museums is also available.
Book Van Gogh + Rijksmuseum Combo →Is there somewhere to eat near the Van Gogh Museum?
Yes. The museum itself has a café and restaurant (Bistro Vincent) on the ground floor. Outside the museum, the Cobra Café on Museumplein is popular for drinks and lunch. The De Pijp neighbourhood, a 10-minute walk south, has the highest concentration of independent restaurants in Amsterdam and the Albert Cuyp Market for street food on weekday and Saturday mornings.
