All independent and not so tourists who have been outside their homeland at least once know perfectly well how quickly the contents of a wallet can disappear if you do not plan your budget. Whether you want to visit the capital of Italy or take a selfie with the Eiffel Tower in the background, take a walk through the canals of Venice or feel the unique atmosphere of London, or maybe you want to get acquainted with the sights of Amsterdam, almost from the first days of the trip you can face many different unplanned expenses.
Here are the costs of travel, food, and visits to attractions, parks, exhibitions. At the same time, not all tourists know that when traveling in Europe there is a great way to save money - to use a tourist card (tourist card).
What are the advantages of a tourist card
This card entitles you to free travel on public transport and provides discounts or free tickets to most local museums. If you purchase such a card, you will receive discounts or bonuses at certain restaurants and cafes, while shopping in malls.
In addition to saving money, such a card can significantly save time. Its owners do not always stand in the queues of museums or ticket offices. Also, in addition to the tourist map itself, you get a good quality city map and a travel guide.
It is attractive that you can pay for the purchase of a tourist card by bank transfer - that is, you can start a walk around the city even if you do not have cash on hand. As for the price of a tourist card, it depends on how long such a card is valid for. You can limit yourself to 1 day or take 2 or more. It is better to purchase a card after drawing up a trip plan. The card is activated automatically after the first use. You cannot take a break from use.
If you need a three-day tourist card, you need to actively use it for exactly three calendar days. If the card was activated at noon, it is valid until 12 noon on the third day. In addition, before buying a card, it is better to calculate the total expenses for the same tickets and other expenses. It so happens that the card will be beneficial only for a long stay in the city.
How to buy a tourist card
When buying a card, it is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the conditions: the types of transport for which it gives discounts, the age categories to which it gives benefits (students, for example, will not receive additional benefits, except for those that they initially have; there are certain types of children's tourist cards) , documents that will be needed when using the card, and it is also better to immediately clarify how to return the cost of a card that has not been activated.
You can buy cards in tourist centers, hotels, and some local shops. In this case, the second option will always be preferable, since there you can get more complete information and help. At the same time, materials are usually available in most of the common languages of the world, and employees of tourist centers speak several languages. You can also buy a card online by making a payment with a bank card.
There are even discounts for online payments. By purchasing a card, you will receive an activation code that enables you to receive it in one of the special machines or a partner travel agency. It happens that cards are received at the airport upon arrival.
Learn more about the cards of popular cities in Europe.
Roma Pass (Rome)
The cost of the card for 3 days, at the time of publication of this article, is 36 euros. The cost of the card for 48 hours is 28 euros. The Roma Pass gives you the opportunity to visit two places of your choice - archaeological sites or museums. In addition, by purchasing Roma Pass, you will receive a discount on entrance tickets to thematic exhibitions, concerts, interesting cultural events, and besides, you will be able to use public transport for 3 days absolutely free of charge, including buses of the ATAC line, lines A, B of the metro and commuter trains.
On the back of the card, you must fill in the blank fields, indicate the name and surname of the owner, since it is personalized, as well as the date of its activation. Also, the Roma Pass allows you to go to museums without queuing, which can significantly save time.
The Roma Pass Kit Kit includes:
- free travel on public transport
- detailed city map
- museum guides
- the program of cultural events Roma News, information about the discounts offered by the Roma Pass card (music, art, theater)
- card usage guide
Paris Sightseeing Pass (Paris)
The cost of the card for 2 days is 116 euros for adults, 60 euros (teenagers), 39 euros (children from 4 to 11 years old), 69 euros (children from 12 to 17 years old), children under 3 years old - free. The Paris Sightseeing Pass for 4 days for an adult will cost 172 euros and 209 euros for 6 days. The price includes a tour of the beauties of the French capital. You can, say, visit a craft museum, which has over 3 thousand inventions in its collections.
Also, the card holder will have access to the traditional tourist places of Paris - Notre Dame Cathedral, the same Louvre museum, the Arc de Triomphe, will be able to take a trip to the Big Bus Hop-on, Hop-Off (and thus save 27 euros on the ticket). And of course, unlimited travel by public transport. Be sure to read our guide “On Your Own to Paris. 5-day guide ”.
London Pass (London)
With this card, you can see more than 60 sights of the city for free, as well as get discounts at some restaurants and shops. By purchasing the card, you will also receive a detailed guide, unlimited travel on public transport, a list of attractions, cafes and shops where you can use it.
The London Pass saves you the hassle of queuing at the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, ZSL London Zoo, Tower of London, London Bridge, Kensington Palace. There are cards for up to 6 days. The cost of the card for 1 day is 49 euros, 2 days - 68 euros, 3 days - 81 euros, 6 days - 108 euros. A children's ticket will cost approximately 30% less. Be sure to read our best 3-day travel guide to London before heading out.
Amsterdam Holland Pass (Amsterdam and other cities in the Netherlands)
There are 2 types of cards to choose from - gold and silver, which provide free admission tickets and skip-the-line admission to the main museums and attractions in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht (each type of card has its own list of places), travel on public transport, discounts up to 50% off in selected restaurants and shops, plus a colorful travel guide.
In the capital of the Netherlands, with the Amsterdam Holland Pass, you can cruise the canals, take part in a sightseeing tour for free, visit world-famous museums, ride a Hop on Hop off boat and get vivid emotions from visiting other places of interest.
You also choose the package of options you need:
- 2 tickets + Holland Pass discount card: 35 euros
- 5 tickets + Holland Pass discount card: 52 euros
- 7 tickets + Holland Pass discount card: 72 euros
- Child ticket + Holland Pass discount card: € 39
The children's package and the package for 2 and 5 tickets provide travel on public transport within 24 hours. The 7-ticket package provides public transport for 48 hours. Public transport tickets can be redeemed at any GWK Travelex office.
I Amsterdam city card (Amsterdam)
The I Amsterdam city card includes a card that entitles you to free admission to museums (from the list), a free public transport pass (does not apply to travel from and to the airport by train), a booklet with useful information and instructions for use. Another nice bonus is a free canal boat cruise.
You can purchase:
- Card for 24 hours for 47 euros
- Card for 48 hours for 57 euros
- Card for 72 hours 67 euros
The countdown starts from the moment of its activation. If you rent a car, you will receive a 50% discount on parking with your card.Also, I Amsterdam city card allows you to get absolutely free a cup of aromatic coffee at La Place or a cup of tea at De Bazel Cafe en Conferentiecentrum. If your soul asks for something "hotter", then in De Drie Fleschjes you will be poured a glass of liquor for free, upon presentation of the card.
Venice Card (Venice)
For those travelers who plan to visit Venice, we recommend purchasing the Venice Card, which provides excellent discounts at local restaurants and shops, as well as skip-the-line access to historical sights and exhibitions. Also Venice Card allows you to visit the Doge's Palace, 15 churches of the Chorus Churches Association, the Querini-Stampalia Foundation for free. Also attached to the map is a tourist map-guide around the city.
Venice Card cost:
- Venice Card Adult = 39.90 € (30 years and older)
- Venice Card Junior = 29.90 € (from 6 to 29 years old)
- Venice Card San Marco = 24.90 € (from 6 to 29 years old)
The card is valid for 7 days from the date of activation. More information can be found on the official website veneziaunica.it.
Rolling Venice (Venice)
Buying this card will allow you to save on public transport and get pleasant discounts in more than two hundred shops in the city. The card is valid for three days. The cost is four euros. Available from Hellovenezia offices. The only drawback of this tourist card is that it can be used by travelers who are between 14 and 29 years old. The presence of Rolling Venice allows you to count on a profitable purchase of the ACTV card, which will cost a tourist only 18 €.
ACTV Tourist Card (Venice)
This card entitles you to unlimited travel on public transport for a period from 12 hours to 7 days. A 12-hour card will cost a tourist 18 €, a 72-hour card 35 €, a week 50 €. You can buy such a pass at Hellovenezia offices, as well as in vending machines that can be found in all tourist points of the city.
