Artis Zoo
AmsterdamARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo: Skip-the-Line Guide, Best Times, and Smart Combos
If you want a classic Amsterdam day that blends animals, science, heritage architecture and leafy park vibes, ARTIS is the move. Crowds can swell on weekends and holidays, but with a timed ticket and a smart plan you can stroll straight past the ticket queue and into the good stuff. ARTIS welcomed 1,272,515 visitors in 2024 (–1.3% vs ~1.30 million in 2023). Management has moved away from a hard “2 million” growth target and is focusing on spreading visits across the year, with a max of ~8,000 visitors per day to protect the experience, so expect the usual peaks on sunny weekends and school holidays.
Why book skip-the-line tickets for ARTIS?
Timed tickets from official and reputable partners let you bypass the onsite ticket counter and head to the gates with a QR code. That matters because late mornings often get busy, especially weekends, school holidays and sunny days. Good combo tickets also roll Micropia or the Groote Museum into one barcode so you are not queueing twice.
Recommended options
-
ARTIS Zoo entry with timed admission.
-
ARTIS + Micropia combo for a two-in-one day, ideal if you like science and interactive exhibits
What to see inside (and what’s new)
Planetarium
Included with zoo admission. Shows rotate throughout the day and are popular with kids and grown-ups. Check the program boards inside.
ARTIS-Micropia
The world’s only microbe museum sits just outside the main zoo gates. It is interactive, award-winning, and surprisingly fun even if you are not a science geek. Combo tickets with the zoo are excellent value.
ARTIS-Groote Museum
A reimagined 19th-century museum that explores how humans, animals, plants and microbes are interconnected. Great storytelling in a historic building. Open daily, late on Thursdays.
Aquarium status
The monumental Aquarium building’s restoration finished in June 2025, with a grand reopening planned for the first half of 2026. Until it reopens, plan your day around other highlights and Micropia.
How to build a perfect skip-the-line day
Two hour highlights sprint
Enter at 09:00, head straight for big-ticket areas before they get busy, check a Planetarium show, then coffee on Artisplein.
Half day with science twist
Late morning zoo wander, lunch, then Micropia mid-afternoon when lines dip.
Culture combo
Zoo in the morning, Groote Museum mid-day, canal time after. Thursday evenings the Groote Museum is open late.
Practical ARTIS tips that actually help
-
Buy timed tickets in advance and keep the QR codes handy for quick scanning.
-
Go cashless. ARTIS is pin-only at gates and cafés.
-
Check the visitor forecast on the morning of your visit and shift your plan if the site shows “busy” or “very busy”.
-
Strollers and accessibility: Paths are mostly flat; accessibility details and disabled parking are listed on the official page.
-
Peak periods: School holidays and sunny weekend afternoons create the longest queues. ARTIS’s 7-figure annual attendance means planning pays off.
Opening Hours & Best Time to visit Artis Zoo
ARTIS is open daily, all year round. Discover something new every time you visit ARTIS.
Be there at 08:55 for the 09:00 opening or aim for after 15:00 when families start to peel off.
Weekdays beat weekends.
Use ARTIS’s “visitor forecast” tool on the official site on the day you visit to see how busy it is expected to get and adjust your slot.
How To get to Artis Zoo
Tram
Tram 14 (Amsterdam Centraal – Flevopark) stops at the ARTIS, close to the main entrance.
Metro
The nearest metro station is Waterlooplein. Metros 51, 53 and 54 stop here from Amsterdam Centraal. From the station, it is a ten-minute walk to ARTIS.
Bus
Buses 22 and 43 run from Amsterdam Centraal to Kadijksplein. From there it is a six-minute walk to ARTIS.
Artis Zoo on Maps
Ticket Price Comparison
What are skip-the-line tickets for Artis Zoo?
Skip-the-line tickets for Artis Zoo let you bypass the regular ticket queue and enter via a faster, dedicated entrance. Perfect when Artis Zoo is busy during weekends or holidays.
.
How do skip-the-line tickets work at Artis Zoo?
Once you book, you’ll receive an instant confirmation and a digital ticket. Just show it at the entrance of Artis Zoo, no need to print. Staff will guide you to the fast-track line.
Are skip-the-line tickets worth it for Artis Zoo?
Definitely! Especially if you’re visiting during weekends or high season. Lines for Artis Zoo can exceed 1 hour. With skip-the-line access, you can save time and avoid standing in the heat or cold.
Do skip-the-line tickets for Artis Zoo guarantee immediate entry?
While skip-the-line tickets let you skip the ticket queue, you may still wait briefly for security or crowd control. Still, it’s much faster than standard entry, especially at popular sites like Artis Zoo.
Can I show my Artis Zoo ticket on my phone?
Yes, most skip-the-line tickets for Artis Zoo are mobile-friendly. Simply show the ticket on your smartphone at the entrance. No printing required unless stated otherwise.
