Quick overview: How to skip the lines at the Rijksmuseum?

The Rijksmuseum is one of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions, welcoming millions each year, so long queues are common. Entry waits often reach 60–120 minutes during peak season, weekends, and holidays, with lines stretching outdoors and offering limited shelter. To avoid the wait, here are a few easy ways to head straight inside.

• Combo ticket: Tickets with entry to both the Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum offer priority access at each stop. With these, you can save close to an hour per museum, enter after a security check, and start exploring right away. 
  
• Private guided tour: Private tours keep wait times to a minimum, usually under 10 minutes, while offering a more personal experience. You’ll explore the museum’s hidden gems and must-see highlights with an art historian, without the usual entry hassles.
  
• Quick pick: Regardless of your choice, for a less crowded visit, go during the off-peak season on a weekday, ideally in the morning before the midday rush.

​See all your options to skip the queues at the Rijksmuseum. ↓

Book skip-the-line tickets to the Rijksmuseum

Long entry lines are common at the Rijksmuseum, especially during peak hours. Skip-the-line tickets can save you up to two hours, letting you get straight to the art. For the best experience, choose a ticket that fits your interests, whether a guided tour, combo pass, or flexible entry.

How long are the queues at the Rijksmuseum entrance?

The Rijksmuseum sees thousands of visitors per day, so entry queues are a common part of the experience. However, they do vary slightly depending on when you visit the museum.

• Peak season (April–August): General admission waits typically range from approximately 30 to 60+ minutes, especially between 11 am and 3 pm, when arrivals are heaviest.
  
• Low season (November–February): Wait times generally drop to around 15–30 minutes, though late mornings and early afternoons remain busier than opening or late-day slots.
  
• Busiest days: Fridays, weekends, school holidays, and rainy days can occasionally push waits to around 90–120 minutes, even with timed-entry tickets.
  
• Where lines form: Queues usually build up outside the main entrance facing Museumplein and may extend across the forecourt when capacity limits slow entry.

Note: All ticket holders must pass through security after scanning their ticket, which adds a short additional wait regardless of ticket type.

What does “skip-the-line” really mean for the Rijksmuseum?

At the Rijksmuseum, skip-the-line access means skipping the on-site ticket purchase queue and entering at a pre-booked time while still going through the mandatory security screening.

How it works in practice:

• Book online: Select a dated, timed ticket in advance. Popular slots, especially between 11 am and 3 pm, often sell out several days ahead.
  
• Arrive and scan: Present your digital ticket at the main entrance on Museumplein. Ticket scanning and validation usually take around 5–10 minutes.
  
• Skip the ticketing line: Pre-booked tickets allow you to walk past the ticket-buying queue, avoiding the longest and most unpredictable wait.
  
• Security screening: All guests must clear airport-style security, which typically takes about 5–15 minutes, depending on crowd levels.
  
• Inside the museum: Most skip-the-line ticket holders enter within 15–20 minutes total, compared to 60–120 minutes or more for walk-up entry.

Bottom line: You replace a long outdoor wait with a faster, more predictable entry into the museum.