What to Do When Anne Frank House Tickets Are Sold Out
The Anne Frank House is one of Amsterdam’s most visited and emotionally powerful museums. Because of its small size and global significance, it sells out quickly—often weeks in advance. If you’re planning a trip and discover that tickets are no longer available for your dates, don’t panic. There are still options and strategies that can help you secure a visit or make the most of your time in Amsterdam.
🎟️ Why Do Anne Frank House Tickets Sell Out So Quickly?
The museum limits daily visitors to preserve the intimate and respectful experience of Anne Frank’s hiding place. With millions of people wanting to visit each year, demand far exceeds the available supply—especially during high tourist seasons like spring and summer.
Tickets are only sold online, and there’s no on-site ticket office. This means planning and timing are essential if you want to visit.
🕘 When Are Tickets Released?
- Tickets become available exactly six weeks in advance.
- New tickets are released every Tuesday at 10:00 AM (Amsterdam time).
- They are for time slots throughout the day and include optional introductory programs.
If your preferred date is sold out, there’s still a chance new tickets may appear due to cancellations or new releases, especially on Tuesday mornings.
✅ What Can You Do If Tickets Are Sold Out?
1. Try Again on Tuesday Morning
Each Tuesday, tickets for a new week open at 10:00 AM local time. If your original date was sold out, refresh the website at this time and you may find availability has returned.
2. Be Flexible with Dates and Times
If you’re in Amsterdam for several days, broaden your options. Early morning or late evening slots may be less popular and still available.
3. Look for Tickets Including the Introductory Program
These 30-minute sessions are sometimes easier to book and offer added context to the experience.
4. Check Back for Cancellations
Tickets occasionally become available again when people cancel. Checking the official ticketing system regularly might reward your persistence.
5. Avoid Third-Party Sellers
Tickets are non-transferable and only valid when purchased from the official source. Buying through other platforms is not only risky—it will likely be refused at the door.
🔄 Alternatives If You Can’t Get In
While nothing replaces the impact of visiting the Anne Frank House itself, there are related sites and experiences worth considering:
- Jewish Historical Museum and Holocaust Memorial – Provides deep insight into Jewish life in Amsterdam before, during, and after WWII.
- Westerkerk – Located next to the Anne Frank House, this is the church Anne referenced in her diary.
- The Resistance Museum – Tells the broader story of Dutch life under Nazi occupation and the acts of resistance.
You can also walk around the Jordaan district, where the museum is located. It’s a historic and atmospheric part of the city with beautiful canals, independent shops, and quiet reflection spots.
📚 Prepare for Your Visit
Even if you don’t get a ticket, reading The Diary of Anne Frank and exploring her story online or in books can provide powerful context. Watching documentaries or listening to audio tours about the Secret Annex can offer meaningful insight.
💡 Final Thoughts
If Anne Frank House tickets are sold out, it can be frustrating—but with persistence and planning, many visitors still manage to find an opening. Remember to monitor official release times, check frequently for cancellations, and be flexible with your schedule.
Even if you don’t make it inside, Amsterdam offers many opportunities to reflect on history, learn, and engage with the legacy of Anne Frank in meaningful ways.