Amsterdam, The Dutch capital city is a popular tourist spot, known for its charming canals, museums, and vibrant nightlife. But Is Amsterdam expensive to visit?
If you’re used to costs in Northern European cities such as Stockholm or Oslo, Amsterdam will seem affordable. On the other hand, if you’re used to visiting Southern and Eastern European destinations, an Amsterdam trip cost will feel on the higher end.
Amsterdam can be an expensive destination, however, with an average of €83-255 (roughly $90-277 USD) per person per day, there are certainly ways that you can stick to a budget in the Dutch capital, as well.
With a range of prices, the city offers options for most budgets, whether you’re looking to enjoy a low-cost weekend getaway or a luxurious stay in Amsterdam. In this article, we’ll delve into the costs of Amsterdam and give you an idea of what to expect when budgeting for your trip.
Amsterdam Trip Cost Guide
Accommodation Prices in Amsterdam
Likely the most important cost in any travel budget, accommodation is going to be one of your first points in planning a trip to Amsterdam.
Accommodation is relatively affordable in Amsterdam, with popular accommodation options ranging from a bed in a hostel, to high-end hotel rooms.
For the most cost-efficient accommodation, a bed in a hostel like Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark is your best option, and fortunately, Amsterdam has a wide and thriving hostel culture, leaving you with plenty of options for hostels.
These can be typical “party hostels” with hostel-wide events and social opportunities, to a simple hostel with a comfortable bed to lay your head that simply makes for an affordable place to stay in the city.
A bed in a hostel dorm will start at around €50-60, making hostel costs in Amsterdam a tad higher than average in Europe, but also more affordable than other accommodation options in the city.
If you’re keen to retain privacy during your time in Amsterdam and don’t mind paying a bit more, your next option will be a mid-range hotel with expected hotel necessities but without luxuries.
If you fall into this category, the average cost of a mid-range hotel in Amsterdam such as the Van Gogh Hotel is about €125-175 a night, making a bit of a jump from the costs of a hostel, but still pretty affordable for the cost of a trip to Amsterdam.
If you’re traveling with another person, staying in a mid-range hotel is going to be about as affordable an accommodation option as paying for two beds at a hostel – and you will also get the value of a private room.
Finally, for those looking to splurge on an Amsterdam trip cost, a nicer hotel room in Amsterdam such ‘t Hotel typically comes out to around €200-300 per night depending on the time of year and the location of the hotel.
While this is the average cost for a hotel that’s a bit nicer and with more amenities than a mid-range hotel, there are luxurious hotel options in the city such as Hotel Estheréa upwards of €500 per night.
The time of year that you visit Amsterdam will also play a large role in the cost of accommodation. Spring is one of the busiest seasons in Amsterdam due to being tulip season, so costs will be higher in comparison to fall or winter months.
Summer is also a popular time to visit Amsterdam, so you can also expect costs to be much higher. If you’re motivated to visit Amsterdam and save as much money as possible, visiting in the winter months is ideal if you’re able to look past unfavourable weather along with short hours of daylight to sightsee.
Amsterdam’s accommodation costs are relatively high compared to other cities in Europe and will factor significantly into your daily costs. However, with careful planning and consideration of your travel needs, it is still possible to find affordable accommodations in Amsterdam.
Transportation Prices in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city with a wide public transportation system, without the necessity to rent a car. Because of this, transportation prices in and around Amsterdam only add a small fraction of the cost of a trip to Amsterdam
Transportation costs in Amsterdam can vary depending on your preferred mode of transportation during your time in the Dutch capital. The city’s public transportation system consists of trams, buses, and metro, all part of the GVB transportation system.
The GVB offers a variety of ticket options, including a single-use ticket and a multi-day ticket, if you’re looking to save money during your stay and further decrease your Amsterdam trip cost.
A single-use ticket costs €3.40, while a multi-day ticket can cost anywhere from €9 for a 24-hour ticket to €41 for a seven-day ticket. You can buy a transport ticket in advance.
You’ll notice that public transportation costs are higher than in other countries in Europe, but they still won’t take a huge chunk out of your daily budget as the city is quite walkable.
Public transport in Amsterdam is efficient and frequent, with many different points throughout the city and its outskirts, making it convenient if your accommodation is outside of the city center.
Another option for transportation during an Amsterdam trip is to rent a bicycle and make your way around the city like a local.
The city is known for its impressive system of bike lanes and biking is an excellent way to explore Amsterdam, giving you freedom to explore the ins and outs of the beautifully canaled city.
Bike rental prices can vary depending on the type of bike and the rental duration, but on average, you can expect to pay around €10-€15 per day for a basic bike rental in Amsterdam. There are also bike tours such as this 3-hour bike tour or this half-day tour if you want to explore with a guide.
While it’s completely unnecessary to rent a car during your time in Amsterdam, you may desire to rent a car to explore the surrounding areas.
There are numerous car rental companies in Amsterdam (you can pick up at Schiphol Airport or in the city center) and rental prices can vary depending on the type of car, rental duration, and time of year, with the spring and summer months being the peak.
On average, you can expect to pay around €50 per day for a car rental in Amsterdam. You can browse car rental options here.
Food Prices in Amsterdam
Our next category, food, is easily one of the biggest joys of traveling to a new destination and Amsterdam is no different. Amsterdam is known for its delicious street food and comforting classics, as well as exciting fusion restaurants continuously arising in the city.
Amsterdam is a city that is renowned for its diverse cuisine and offers a range of dining options to suit every budget.
However, the cost of food in Amsterdam can vary significantly depending on the type of food and the restaurant’s location. For example, “friet”, Dutch fries in the surrounding areas of Dam Square will cost more than a fry shop somewhere on a side street further from tourist attractions.
If you are looking for a quick and affordable meal, Dutch street food such as “friet” (fries) or “bitterballen” (deep-fried meatballs) are delicious and can be found at many points throughout the city, from street vendors to even fast-food restaurants with food vending machines.
The cost of most fried savouries from fast-food restaurants typically ranges from €3-7 depending on the food that you choose.
If you’re looking to have a sit-down meal for an average cost, the cost of a meal at a mid-range restaurant in Amsterdam can range from €20-30 per person.
These costs typically include a main and side dish, with mid-range restaurant options in Amsterdam ranging from traditional Dutch pubs to French-style brasseries and ethnic restaurants with Indonesian food specifically being a great part of Dutch culinary culture.
Overall, food costs in Amsterdam can be pretty affordable if you opt for street food or budget-friendly restaurants ideally outside the direct city center. You can eat pretty well even if you’re visiting Amsterdam on a budget.
Activities Prices in Amsterdam
When it comes to activities, Amsterdam is truly a city for everyone and there is a lot more to the city than coffee shops and the Red Light District.
Whether you’re visiting the city on a budget or you’re visiting the Dutch capital city to experience the ins and outs of the full depth of art, and culture of Amsterdam, you’ll undoubtedly find something exciting to explore.
If you’re mainly interested in visiting museums during your time in Amsterdam, Amsterdam is home to some of the most well-known art museums in the world, such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. Admission fees for these museums are typically €20 for a standard adult ticket, but some museums offer discounts for students, children, and seniors.
For those particularly keen to learn more about Amsterdam’s place in history, you can visit important historic sites such as the Anne Frank House or the Royal Palace. Entry fees for these sites can range from €10-€20, depending on the attraction and the time of year. There are also plenty of other attractions in Amsterdam to visit, as well.
If you’re looking for a unique way to see the city, canal boat tours and bike tours are popular ways to see Amsterdam from a unique perspective. Prices for Amsterdam tours are typically around €20 per person but costs vary depending on the specific tour.
If you’re on a tight budget, you’re in luck, as Amsterdam is truly one of the most picturesque cities in the world.
Wandering around the numerous canals of the city and taking in the quaint and colorful Dutch homes proves that the city itself is a museum and the perfect destination for any budget traveler.
For more specific free spots in the city, head to Vondelpark, the largest green area of Amsterdam, or the Albert Cuyp and Bloemen Markets to experience the local side of the city.
Another great option to cut down costs on any Amsterdam budget is to take part in a free walking tour of the city with a local, giving a deeper look into the city, its culture, and history without taking a dent into your budget. While these tours are free, tour guides do rely on tips so a small tip is typically expected on a “free tour”.
If during your visit to Amsterdam, you’re planning on visiting quite a few museums and attractions, purchasing the Amsterdam City Card is a great option, as it offers free or discounted admission to multiple attractions and activities as well as free transportation.
The Amsterdam City Card is ideal for visitors who plan to do a lot of sightseeing and want to further decrease Amsterdam trip costs.
Costs for the Amsterdam City Card vary depending on the length of time you’d like to purchase it, with the starting point being €60 for a one-day card (it also includes public transport and a bike rental).
Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city known for its vibrant nightlife, but how much will a taste of the local entertainment and nightlife scene cost you?
To begin with, Amsterdam has a thriving coffee culture, and has an immense amount of coffee shops and cafes throughout the city.
If you’re a coffee drinker and are curious about the caffeinated cost to start your day, a cappuccino or latte can cost around €3.50-4, while a simple black coffee or americano will be slightly cheaper. All in all, coffee costs are pretty on par with the rest of Europe and also cheaper than other Northern/Western European capital cities.
On the other side of Amsterdam’s drink scene, alcohol prices in Amsterdam can vary depending on where you go and what you drink. A pint of beer at a local Dutch pub can cost around €4-6, while a cocktail at a trendy bar will set you back around €12-15.
Many bars and pubs in Amsterdam also offer happy hour specials, typically in the late afternoon or early evening, offering discounted prices or buy one get one free on drinks and sometimes food.
Amsterdam also has a variety of other entertainment options, such as live music venues, comedy clubs, and theaters. Tickets for these events can range from around €15-50, depending on the venue and the popularity of the performance.
Is Amsterdam Expensive? Average Prices in Amsterdam
So overall, how expensive is Amsterdam? Ultimately, a trip to Amsterdam cost can be quite low or on the high end. This depends on your interests, time in advance to plan and catch advance deals on accommodation, as well as the time of year that you’re hoping to visit.
To help answer the question of how much does it cost to visit Amsterdam, let’s take a closer look at the various categories of expenses and their average costs.
While the following budget ranges and categories are meant as a general guide, they provide a great starting point for estimating your expenses during your stay in Amsterdam.
The travel costs below are under the assumption that you’re traveling with another person and hotel costs are split in half.
Accommodation: €50-150 / night
Transportation: €3-15 / day
Food: €15-40 / day
Activities: €10-20 / day
Entertainment: €5-30/ day
On average, you can expect your Amsterdam travel cost to be between €83-255 per person per day for a trip to the Dutch capital.
This won’t include any pre-trip expenses such as flights to Amsterdam or travel insurance. For travel insurance, World Nomads offers flexible and simple travel insurance policies with coverage for more than 150 activities that you can buy or extend while on the road.
While Amsterdam isn’t as expensive as other European capital cities, you’ll find when planning that costs aren’t as affordable as other popular European destinations. But with the right planning and being wise about budgeting your Amsterdam trip budget, you’ll be on your way to an enjoyable and affordable trip to one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Are you curious about the cost to travel to Amsterdam? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!
