Van Gogh Museum
Frequently Asked Questions

The museum uses timed-entry tickets booked online. Visitors using free or discounted admission categories still need the appropriate ticket or reservation. Check the official booking page for the latest entry rules before travelling.

Popular dates and times can sell out, particularly during busy travel periods. If your visit date is fixed, booking earlier gives you more choice. Use the live calendar on the official museum site or your chosen booking platform rather than relying on a fixed number of weeks.

No. The Van Gogh Museum ended its partnership with the I Amsterdam City Card in June 2022. The City Card no longer gives you access to the museum. Some third-party websites still list it as included — this information is outdated. Do not buy the City Card expecting to use it at the Van Gogh Museum.

Admission is free for visitors under 18, but every visitor still needs the appropriate timed ticket or reservation. Add the free under-18 tickets during the same booking process as the adult tickets and verify the selected date and time before completing the order.

If your preferred date is unavailable, compare the official museum calendar with reputable third-party booking platforms because availability can differ. You can also check again closer to the date and look for any special-event or late-opening tickets shown on the official calendar. If nothing works, the Stedelijk Museum next door is a strong alternative for modern-art fans.

No, and this is the single most common disappointment for first-time visitors. The Starry Night is permanently displayed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and has been there since 1941. It is not on loan to Amsterdam. The Van Gogh Museum has many other extraordinary works — Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, The Potato Eaters, The Bedroom, Wheatfield with Crows — but The Starry Night is not among them.

The museum holds more than 200 paintings, over 500 drawings, sketchbooks and hundreds of letters by Van Gogh. Not everything is displayed simultaneously: works can be in storage, on loan or undergoing conservation. Check the official collection record if one particular painting is essential to your visit.

Most visitors spend 90 minutes to 2 hours. If you use the audio guide and read the interpretive panels carefully, allow 2.5 to 3 hours. Serious Van Gogh enthusiasts could comfortably fill a half day, particularly if a major temporary exhibition is running alongside the permanent collection.

Photography rules can differ between the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. Follow the signs in each gallery and the instructions of museum staff; flash, tripods and selfie sticks may be restricted. Check the official visitor FAQ for the latest policy.

Yes, the museum is fully wheelchair accessible. Lifts serve all floors of the main Rietveld building. The museum operates a Sunflower Lanyard programme for visitors with hidden disabilities — staff are trained to recognise the lanyard as a signal that you may need additional support. One companion ticket is free for visitors who cannot navigate the museum independently.

For many first-time visitors, yes. The adult audio guide is currently €3.75 and the official booking page lists 14 languages. It adds context about Van Gogh's techniques, biography and individual paintings. Prices, languages and availability can change, so check the current booking page.

The museum has food and drink facilities, but opening arrangements and menus can change. Food and drinks are not permitted in the galleries. Check the official visitor information if the café is important to your plans.