Do I still have to go through security with skip-the-line tickets?

Yes, all visitors pass through security regardless of ticket type. The benefit is bypassing the ticket counter, meaning most guests reach the museum galleries within about 15–20 minutes instead of waiting outside.

How much time can I save using skip-the-line tickets?

During busy periods, regular entry can take 60–120 minutes. Skip-the-line tickets typically let you enter in 15–20 minutes, saving roughly an hour or more, especially on weekends, holidays, and during the peak season from April to August.

Which exhibitions are included with skip-the-line tickets?

Tickets provide access to all permanent and temporary exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum. Combo tickets also include entry to the Stedelijk Museum, with an audio guide in English and Dutch at that location.

Can I buy skip-the-line tickets on the same day?

Usually not during busy times. Popular morning and midday slots sell out days in advance. Your best chance for same-day entry is an early morning visit or booking a guided tour if available.

What happens if I don’t purchase skip-the-line tickets?

Without them, you’ll queue at the ticket counter, which can take up to two hours at peak times. Security still applies, so your visit starts later, cutting into the time you have to explore the museum.

Can I leave and re-enter the museum with the same ticket?

No. Skip-the-line tickets are valid for a single entry only. Once you exit, reentry is not permitted, so plan your visit accordingly to see everything in one session.

Do combo tickets include the Stedelijk Museum?

Yes. The combo ticket covers both the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum. You bypass the ticket lines at both, with access to all exhibitions and an audio guide in English and Dutch at the Stedelijk.

Best ways to skip the lines at the Rijksmuseum

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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. ↓

What lines at the Rijksmuseum look like

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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.

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Combos

Combo (Save 10%): Stedelijk Museum + Rijksmuseum Tickets

Explore Dutch masterpieces at both the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum—just a few steps apart—with a single combo ticket.

Everything you get at the Rijksmuseum: Fast-track entry with no waiting and access to all permanent collections and displays inside the museum.
Everything you get at the Stedelijk Museum: Skip-the-line entry and an audio guide in English and Dutch to learn more about the masterpieces on display.
Why choose this: Discover Dutch art and heritage at its finest, with over one million artworks across two of Amsterdam’s top museums, located just a short five-minute walk apart, all with a single skip-the-line ticket.

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Check availability

Explore at your pace

Audio guide

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Guided Tours

Rijksmuseum Hidden Gems Private Guided Tour in English

What’s not allowed

Pets are not allowed on this experience.
Flash photography is strictly prohibited inside the museum.
Cash payments are not accepted at the museum’s cafés or shops.

Accessibility

The experience is wheelchair- and pram/stroller-friendly.
Guide dogs are welcome.

Additional Information

The tour is conducted in English only.
The tour duration may vary depending on your group’s pace and energy. Small tea breaks may be incorporated into the tour.
Private tours are available daily at 10am and 2pm.

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Check availability

Flexible cancellation

Book now, pay later

2 hrs 30 mins

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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.

Types of queues you’ll encounter at the Rijksmuseum

Pre-booked ticket queue

Location: Outside the main entrance on Museumplein
Who uses it: Guests who have booked tickets online
Average wait time: Roughly 60–120 minutes during peak periods and 20–45 minutes in the off-season
Skip-the-line: No, this is a mandatory entry line

Ticketing queue

Location: At the main doors before security
Skip-the-line: Yes, this queue can be bypassed with pre-booked tickets
Who uses it: Guests purchasing tickets on the spot
Average wait time: Roughly 30–60 minutes, depending on crowd levels, season, and time of day, with longer waits around midday

Security screening

Location: At the entrance, immediately after ticket scanning
Who uses it: Everyone entering the museum
Average wait time: Approximately 5–15 minutes, depending on crowd volume
Skip-the-line: No, mandatory for all guests

Guided tour priority entry

Location: Designated group access point near the main entrance
Skip-the-line: Yes, private guided tours include faster ticket validation, though security checks still apply
Who uses it: Private guided tour groups
Average wait time: Around 5–10 minutes in most cases

Gallery-specific queues

Location: High-demand areas such as the Night Watch Gallery
Who uses it: All guests wishing to access popular galleries
Average wait time: Reaching a viewing spot or entering may take around 15–20 minutes, depending on crowd levels
Skip-the-line: No, all guests must follow internal queues, though guided tours may use alternate routes

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.

Not sure which skip-the-line option makes the most sense?

If you want the best value in one day, go for the Rijksmuseum + Stedelijk Museum combo. You’ll skip the on-site ticket purchase lines at both museums and enter at reserved time slots, heading straight to security. Less waiting outside, more time with the art.

Visitors exploring exhibits in the Rijksmuseum library, Amsterdam.

All the ways to reduce waiting time at the Rijksmuseum

Even with skip-the-line access, your entry experience depends on when you go and how you plan. Use the options below to cut down waiting and get inside with minimal hassle.

Secure your tickets ahead of time

Booking a ticket online allows you to bypass the on-site ticket purchase line and arrive for a reserved window. Late morning and early afternoon slots often sell out days in advance, so make sure you book your tickets at least 2 weeks in advance

Pick a private guided tour

Guided tours typically use the group entry lane, which can move more efficiently than the general line. Beyond quicker entry, your guide handles logistics and pacing, helping you avoid bottlenecks and focus on the highlights once inside.

Time your arrival carefully

Crowds peak between late morning and early afternoon (11 am to 3 pm). For a smoother entry, aim for the first slot of the day or arrive later in the afternoon after 3 pm, when entry and security lines tend to ease, even for skip-the-line ticket holders.

Steer clear of high-traffic days

Weekends, public holidays, and school break periods attract the largest crowds. If your schedule allows, visiting midweek usually results in shorter waits and a more relaxed experience from entry to exit.

Compare your skip-the-line ticket options at the Rijksmuseum

Ticket type	Wait time without STL	Queues skipped	Inclusions	Access/route	Best for
Combo with Stedelijk Museum	60–120 minutes at each museum during busy periods	✅	Skip-the-line entry to both the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum, audio guide in English & Dutch at the Stedelijk Museum, and access to all displays in both museums	Fast track entry at both museums, then a brief security check	Value and flexibility, saving time at two major museums in one day
Rijksmuseum private tour	Around 30–60 minutes for standard entry	✅	Skip-the-line entry, access to all exhibitions, a 2.5-hour private tour, and an art historian guide	Priority ticket validation with the guide, then mandatory security	Fastest entry and a more focused, guided experience in an intimate setting

Frequently asked questions about Rijksmuseum skip-the-line tickets

Skip-the-line tickets let you avoid the on-site ticket counter and enter at your reserved time. You still pass through mandatory security, but it saves you from waiting 60–120 minutes in the main line during peak days.

Best ways to skip the lines at the Rijksmuseum

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

What lines at the Rijksmuseum look like

Book skip-the-line tickets to the Rijksmuseum

Combo (Save 10%): Stedelijk Museum + Rijksmuseum Tickets