Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam: accessibility profile

Both entrances are level, lifts reach every floor and doorways are threshold-free — with a published loan stock of six wheelchairs and twenty folding chairs.

The Van Gogh Museum makes the accessible route the ordinary route. Both public entrances — the glass hall on Museumplein and the older approach on Paulus Potterstraat — are accessible, and visitors with a disability are offered priority entry, which matters at a museum that runs close to capacity most days. Inside, lifts reach every floor of the Main Building and the Kurokawa Exhibition Wing, connected by an underground passage with its own lift.

Circulation is unusually clean for a museum of this age. Doorways are wide and threshold-free throughout, and the exhibition halls carry enough space for a wheelchair to turn without reversing into a sightline — the museum says as much in its own guidance, and the open plan of the main galleries bears it out. Wheelchair-friendly toilets are provided in both buildings and are marked on the museum’s downloadable accessibility floor plan.

The loan stock is published in unusual detail: six wheelchairs, twenty folding chairs, two wheeled walkers and two walking canes. That precision is useful, because it tells you the equipment is finite. Reserving by email at info@vangoghmuseum.nl is the difference between having a chair waiting and being told the last one went out at eleven. Folding chairs matter here too — the chronological hang rewards standing and pausing, and the seating in the galleries is limited.

Companions come free alongside a disabled visitor. Trams 5 and 12 stop at Van Baerlestraat about 250 m away and are low-floor with level boarding at raised platforms; metro 52 at Vijzelgracht is step-free but around 1.3 km distant. The Museumplein forecourt is smooth paving and gently graded, and the crossing from the Rijksmuseum is level — the two museums make a comfortable pair in one day if energy allows.

What the measurements mean

The main entrance is step-free. The main door measures 120 cm, which is generous for any wheelchair or mobility scooter. Accessible parking is available on site or immediately adjacent.

The lift cabin is 140 × 180 cm, enough room for a powerchair and a companion together. Its door opening is 100 cm. Internal routes are around 250 cm wide, so two wheelchairs can pass each other.

There is an accessible toilet. Grab bars are fitted. Turning space is about 180 cm, enough for a full turn in most wheelchairs.

Surfaces are smooth & even, which rolls easily. The steepest gradient is around 0%, gentle enough for most users.

The nearest step-free station is Van Baerlestraat on the 5 line, about 250 m away.

Sensory and communication support includes audio guide and sensory map.

A companion or carer is admitted free. Assistance animals are welcome. Staff are trained to assist. Seating and rest points are available along the route. Booking ahead is advisable to secure accessible entry.

What to expect

Both the Museumplein and Paulus Potterstraat entrances are accessible, and disabled visitors get priority entry.
Reserve loan equipment by emailing info@vangoghmuseum.nl — stock is six wheelchairs, twenty folding chairs, two rollators and two canes.
Download the free accessibility floor plan, which maps entrances, exits, lifts and wheelchair-friendly toilets in both wings.

Getting there step-free

Van Baerlestraat Tram · 5 · 250 m Step-free

Van Baerlestraat Tram · 12 · 250 m Step-free

Vijzelgracht Metro · 52 · 1,300 m Step-free

Full accessibility profile

Every attribute below is recorded against the same protocol, so figures are comparable between places. Values are marked Measured or Estimate, and the sources are listed above.

Entrance & arrival

Step-free entrance Measured Yes

Main door width Estimate 120 cm

Accessible parking Measured Yes

Elevators & lifts

Elevator (cabin) Estimate 140 × 180 cm

Elevator door width Estimate 100 cm

Accessible restroom

Accessible restroom Measured Yes

Grab bars Measured Yes

Turning space Estimate 180 cm

Surfaces & slopes

Surface quality Measured Smooth & even

Maximum slope Measured 0%

Path width Estimate 250 cm

Getting there

Accessible transport Measured Bus & metro

Step-free transit nearby Measured Yes

Sensory & communication

Audio guide Measured Yes

Hearing loop Measured No

Braille signage Measured No

Sensory map Measured Yes

Quiet hours Measured No

Low-stimulus room Measured No

Policies & assistance

Companion ticket Measured Yes

Assistance animals Measured Yes

Trained staff assistance Measured Yes

Seating & rest points Measured Yes

Practical tips

Tickets are timed and online only, and busy slots leave little manoeuvring room — book the first or last of the day.
The underground passage between the Main Building and the Exhibition Wing has a lift, so no wing is stairs-only.
No hearing loop or quiet room is published; ask at the desk about the calmest galleries on the day.

Van Gogh Museum: common accessibility questions

Is the Van Gogh Museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Both the Museumplein and Paulus Potterstraat entrances are accessible, lifts reach every floor of both wings, doorways are wide and threshold-free, and wheelchair-friendly toilets are provided. Visitors with a disability are offered priority entrance and a companion is admitted free.

Can you borrow a wheelchair at the Van Gogh Museum?

Yes, free of charge, but stock is small and published: six wheelchairs, twenty folding chairs, two wheeled walkers and two walking canes. Reserve in advance by emailing info@vangoghmuseum.nl rather than relying on availability at the entrance.