How much does it cost to travel to Amsterdam?
You should plan to spend around $190 (€175) per day on your vacation in Amsterdam. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $47 (€43) on meals
- $22 (€20) on local transportation
- $222 (€204) on hotels
A one week trip to Amsterdam for two people costs, on average, $2,658 (€2,444). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Amsterdam has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Amsterdam expensive to visit?
Prices in Amsterdam are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Amsterdam is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Naxos or Rovaniemi.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Amsterdam Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Amsterdam?
The average Amsterdam trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Amsterdam travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation1(Double Occupancy) | €204($222) |
| Local Transportation1 | €20($22) |
| Food2 | €43($47) |
| Entertainment1 | €37($41) |
| Tips and Handouts1 | €2 -7($2 - 7) |
| Alcohol2 | €12 -35($13 - 39) |
Accommodation Budget in Amsterdam
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Amsterdam is $111 (€102). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Amsterdam is $222 (€204). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Accommodation1Hotel or hostel for one person
$111
€102
Accommodation1Typical double-occupancy room
$222
€204
Hotel Prices in Amsterdam
Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Find the best hotel for your travel style.
Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Amsterdam based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $131. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.
Recommended Properties
Transportation Budget in Amsterdam
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The cost of a taxi ride in Amsterdam is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $22 (€20) per person, per day, on local transportation in Amsterdam.
Transportation1Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$22
€20
Recommended Services
Flights to Amsterdam
How much does it cost to go to Amsterdam? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
Rental Cars in Amsterdam
The price of renting a car in Amsterdam will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
What did other people spend on Transportation in Amsterdam?
Typical prices for Transportation in Amsterdam are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Amsterdam, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Ride on Tram
€3.20
Renting a Bike
€15
One Hour Canal Cruise
€10
Single Day Transit Pass
€2.60
Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport
€3.40
Food Budget in Amsterdam
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
While meal prices in Amsterdam can vary, the average cost of food in Amsterdam is $47 (€43) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Amsterdam should cost around $19 (€17) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Amsterdam is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
Food2Meals for one day
$47
€43
Recommended
What did other people spend on Food in Amsterdam?
Typical prices for Food in Amsterdam are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Amsterdam, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Afternoon Tea
€6.00
Entertainment Budget in Amsterdam
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
Entertainment and activities in Amsterdam typically cost an average of $41 (€37) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment1Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$41
€37
The Go City Amsterdam Pass offers great discounts on attractions in Amsterdam. With the Go City Explorer pass, you can choose to visit specific sights and attractions at a discount. Or, you can visit as many included attractions as you like with a multi-day All-Inclusive Pass. The average visitor saves 30% off of the regular admission prices.
Recommended Activities
What did other people spend on Entertainment in Amsterdam?
Typical prices for Entertainment in Amsterdam are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Amsterdam, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum
€6.00
Entry for two to the Anne Frank House
€17
Tips and Handouts Budget in Amsterdam
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Amsterdam is $4.81 (€4.42) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Amsterdam is 5% - 15%.
Tips and Handouts1For guides or service providers
$4.81
€4.42
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Amsterdam
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Amsterdam is $102 (€94), as reported by travelers.
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$102
€94
Alcohol Budget in Amsterdam
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average person spends about $26 (€24) on alcoholic beverages in Amsterdam per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcohol2Drinks for one day
$26
€24
Recommended
Water Budget in Amsterdam
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
On average, people spend $6.07 (€5.58) on bottled water in Amsterdam per day. The public water in Amsterdam is considered safe to drink.
Water2Bottled water for one day
$6.07
€5.58
Last Updated: May 10, 2023
Amsterdam on a Budget
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital, and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. There are over one million residents in the metro area. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that criss cross across the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The architecture, bridges, and cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.
A visit to Amsterdam often includes at least one side trip into the countryside. A visit to a small town outside of the city will let travelers see the tulips (when in season), visit the windmills so popular in the Netherlands, and explore the local communities that are so friendly and welcoming. These small towns are a great where to see more of the Netherlands than just Amsterdam.
Sights
Visiting Amsterdam is all about the atmosphere, but there are also many famous sights that are worth checking out. These include the many bridges and canals. Make a point of just wandering around town and enjoying the unique feel. Magere Brug is the best example of the traditional white draw bridges of the area.
Also notable in Amsterdam is the many religious sights. The Esnoga is the most famous synagogue and there are many churches including Oude Kerk, Nieuwe Kerk Zuiderkerk, Noorderkerk, and Westerkerk. Popular museums include the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Nieuw Dakota. If you plan on visiting many of the city's museums, a museum card may be beneficial. This will allow you access to over 400 museums throughout the country. If you want to enjoy a picnic outside, head to the popular park, Vondelpark, in the southern area of the central city. Amsterdam's Red Light District is also a popular tourist sight.
Neighborhoods
Visitors to Amsterdam most often come to see the city's Old Centre. This medieval center has the most interesting and traditional architecture, the largest number of canals, plenty of shopping opportunities, and a good number of Amsterdam's infamous coffeeshops. The very center of this neighborhood is Dam Square, but other interesting parts are Nieuwmarkt, Spui, and, of course, the Red Light District.
Another interesting neighborhood is the wealthy Canal Ring. This neighborhood is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has several celebrity residents. This is also a neighborhood to visit if you're looking for good nightlife.
Other interesting, but less visited neighborhoods include Jordaan, where there are many local art galleries, restaurants, and boutiques, Plantage, where you'll find the highest concentration of museums, and in the South you'll find museums, the Albert Cuyp Market, and affordable accommodation.
Activities
Canal Cruises in Amsterdam are a popular tourist activity. There are a handful of companies that run cruises throughout the city center.
Popular festivals in town include King's Day, which is the national holiday on April 27th. The whole city shows up in orange and there are flea markets, bands, and vendors throughout the city. The Tulip festival in May is popular outside of town in Noordoostpolder and the Holland Festival is a performing arts festival in June that is world renowned. The Amsterdam Light Festival is a great way to celebrate the holidays in December.
See also: Amsterdam itinerary 3 days.
Food and Dining
Restaurants can be quite expensive in Amsterdam. If you're on a tight budget, the many Asian restaurants around town may be your best bet. In particular, Indonesian food is quite popular and very good. Most of the Asian restaurants are found in Nieuwmarkt at the Zeedijk, which has been called Amsterdam's Chinatown. Damstraat has many smaller and affordable ethnic restaurants that are usually Chinese or Middle Eastern.
In the touristy areas of the city center you will pay a premium for lower quality food, so these are best avoided. There are also many supermarkets around town where you can pick up local cheese, bread, fruits and meat and enjoy a picnic by the canals. Head to Albert Cuyp market, Dappermarket, or any of the local cheese shops for the best cheeses. Ossenworst is a popular sausage that is originally from Amsterdam. A herring sandwich is also a local favorite and can be bought at the fish stand near the Flower Market.
Transportation
If you're exploring the city center, you can walk almost anywhere. It is very compact and incredibly flat. There is public transportation that is convenient and efficient if you are traveling outside of the city center. The tram is operated by the GVB and is available in the central part of the city. Buses travel to the further outskirts of town. A four line metro system is also available that serves the neighborhoods in the southeast. Amsterdam is also famous for its many cyclists. It's possible to rent a bike and explore town like the locals do. This is, perhaps, one of the most enjoyable ways to see Amsterdam.
Related
Looking for a party? Find a hostel in Amsterdam, London, or Paris.
Traveling alone to Brussels?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
