How Much is a Trip to Amsterdam? [Full Trip Cost Guide]
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Written by Kyle Kroeger
Even the most seasoned travelers will tell you that Amsterdam should be on your list of destinations. The capital city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, is not only home to a rich history but also bursting with a vibrant culture.
Gracefully gabled, colorful residences, green meandering canals, casual cafes, museums, and art galleries galore, breathtaking gardens (especially in the spring, when the world-famous tulips bloom), and a vibrant nightlife.
These are just some of the features that make Amsterdam such an incredible city, and it is a place everyone should experience at least once.
While Amsterdam may be a place you’d love to explore, the cost may be holding you back. While there’s no denying that it’s one of the dreamiest destinations in Europe, the city can also be quite pricy.
If you’re on a budget, you might assume that a trip to Amsterdam is off the table; however, with a bit of research and proper planning, an affordable trip to the capital city of the Netherlands is possible.
How much is a trip to Amsterdam? Read on to learn how much you can expect to spend on a trip to the “Venice of the North” – and if it’s possible without draining your bank account.
So, How Much is a Trip to Amsterdam?
What’s the average cost of a trip to Amsterdam? To start planning your budget, it’s first important to list the most common travel expenses. These expenses include:
- Flights to and from Amsterdam: Use Skyscanner to find Amsterdam flights to save money.
- Accommodations in or near the city: We recommend using Booking.com to find accommodation in Amsterdam.
- Transportation throughout the city and the surrounding areas: If you want to save, ensure you buy a GVB ticket for all-inclusive transport during your stay.
- Food and beverages: Things like dining out, drinks, and those essential mid-afternoon snacks.
- Sightseeing, such as museums and tours: the Van Gogh Museum isn’t free after all…
That said, remember that the prices highlighted in this guide are estimates based on research conducted at the time of writing.
The average travel prices are constantly changing and fluctuating. It’s also important to note that the time of year you are traveling will directly impact the cost of your trip.
The average travel prices on expenses and accommodations tend to be higher during the tourist season (between May and August), while they’re usually lower during the quieter times of the year (early spring, fall, and winter).
It’s also worth pointing out that the currency used in the Netherlands – including Amsterdam – is the Euro. The exchange rate varies constantly and depends on what type of currency you’re exchanging it for; when writing this guide, the average exchange rate was about $1.15 US dollars.
Since the US dollar is a currency that most countries understand, the costs discussed below will be estimated in dollars. Before we get into the breakdown of the cost of visiting Amsterdam per person, consider using our free printable travel planner to help you budget and plan your trip.
See Related: Tips to Plan An Amazing Girls’ Trip to Amsterdam
How Much is a Trip to Amsterdam Per Person?
The amount you can expect to spend on a trip to Amsterdam depends on several factors, including what type of trip you plan to take (backpacking is more economical than staying in high-end hotels in the Netherlands) and the time of year you’re traveling.
With that said, here’s a breakdown of how much you can expect to spend, on average, per person for a one-week (7-day) trip to Amsterdam.
| Expense | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Airfare | $650 |
| Accommodations | $160/night or $1,120/week |
| Transportation | $20/day or $140/week |
| Food and beverages | $45/day or $315/week |
| Attractions | $85/week |
| Extras | $100-$200 |
| Total | Approximately $2,410 |
Remember that the estimates listed in the above chart are in US dollars. If your native currency is different, use a currency converter to determine the average expense in your home money.
Also, it’s important to note that the above is a rough estimate. Generally, Amsterdam isn’t an inexpensive travel destination; however, if you’re savvy and use the tips offered below, you should be able to keep the costs to a minimum and stay within your travel budget.
See Related: How Many Days You Need in Amsterdam
How Much is Airfare to Amsterdam?
The cost of airfare varies and depends on where you’re flying from and the time of year you will be traveling; however, $650 is a good approximation for a flight to Schiphol Airport.
If you travel during the off-season (early spring, fall, and winter), you should get better airfare rates, but if you fly during the height of the tourist season (between late May and August), flights are more expensive.
Schiphol Airport is a large airport that is considered a gateway to Europe so even though it depends on where you are coming from, you’ll likely find a range of airlines, from budget to luxury options, that fly into the airport.
See Related: Weekend Trips from Amsterdam
Accommodations
Amsterdam offers an assortment of accommodations to suit every traveler and every budget. Options include hostels, bed and breakfasts, budget hotels, and lavish resort-style hotels. With that pointed out, the average hotel cost is about $160 per night; hence, we used this number in our chart of estimated costs above.
Remember that just like the cost of airfare, the cost of accommodations in Amsterdam will vary and largely depend on the time of year you will be traveling.
Furthermore, all accommodations are cheaper on weekdays than on weekends and holidays. Be sure to read our full guide on where to stay in Amsterdam to help you narrow down accommodation locationally.
That said, here’s a look at some of the different types of accommodations that Amsterdam has to offer.
Hostels
Popular among backpackers and tourists traveling on a limited budget, hostels offer dorm-like accommodations. In other words, multiple people sleep in a single room, and the restrooms are usually shared, though some offer private rooms and bathrooms.
The number of beds per room usually includes 4, 8, and 12; the larger the dorm, the less expensive the price. Note that private rooms will be more expensive but more affordable than a traditional hotel.
Mid-range hotels
While some hotels can accommodate all types of budgets in Amsterdam, mid-range hotels tend to be the most popular and what most people opt to stay in, as they offer nice, clean rooms and relatively affordable rates.
Some of Amsterdam’s most popular spots for mid-range hotels include Central Station, Museumplein, and Dam Square. These spots are centrally located and offer easy access to popular tourist destinations.
If you don’t mind staying a little further away from the “action,” you may find more affordable rates on mid-range hotels just slightly outside these central locations. If you’re traveling as a family, read our guide to family-friendly hotels in Amsterdam.
Luxury hotels
If you’d like to stay in more lavish accommodations on your trip to Amsterdam, you’ll find no shortage of upscale hotels in the city.
There are lots of great luxury hotels in the heart of the city and further away from the central points. However, note that if you plan on staying in a higher-end hotel, you can expect the average price to add up to $200 per night to your trip. Check out our review of the Pulitzer Hotel from our stay in Amsterdam.
Vacation Rentals
Apartment rentals through Booking.com and VRBO have become quite popular for travelers to Amsterdam. You can find some beautiful, clean, safe, and well-appointed spots at affordable prices in Amsterdam.
If you decide to go this route for your accommodations, take the time to research and read through the reviews thoroughly before you book.
Like hotels and hostels, the rates will be higher for apartment rentals in the heart of Amsterdam than along the city’s outskirts.
See Related: Best Things to Do in Amsterdam
Transportation
You really can do the entire city center of Amsterdam on foot or by bike for your entire length of stay. However, if your feet are weary, the weather is poor, or you want to reach your destinations faster, you may consider public transport via cabs and car hire.
There’s also the train, which costs about 3.20 euros for an hour’s trip. You can purchase an OV Chipkaart for about 7.50 euros if you plan on traveling via train a lot, which will take you around Amsterdam city center, as well as other locations throughout Holland.
It can also be used for regional trains, but you must have a minimum balance of 20 euros. The best spot to purchase one of these cards is at your entry point to Amsterdam, either at the airport or Amsterdam Centraal Station.
Many travelers decide to depart Amsterdam and take day excursions to other popular destinations in the Netherlands, like Rotterdam and Marken.
While these trips usually don’t cost a whole lot, if you’re planning on including them in your trip, you’ll want to account for the additional expense when you’re calculating your budget. With all that said, the average cost of local transport while you’re in Amsterdam will be around $60.
See Related: Free Printable Travel and Vacation Planner
Food and Beverage
Of course, you need to eat and drink while you’re traveling. Amsterdam offers a vibrant food scene. There are so many tasty dishes and great eateries where you can enjoy the local cuisine.
Beer is perhaps the most popular libation in Amsterdam; wine and spirits flow freely in the city, too.
Of course, you can skip the alcoholic drinks completely or keep them extremely limited to save yourself some cash. With that said, a rough estimate for your food and beverage budget is as follows:
- Breakfast – $5
- Lunch – $10-$20
- Dinner – $30
Based on this breakdown, the total cost for food and drink per day is about $45 per person; however, that amount may be slightly higher or too low, depending on what and where you plan on eating.
Some of the most popular dishes in Amsterdam include:
- Rookworst
- Stroopwafels
- Bitterballen
- Croquette
- Rijsttafel (which is an Indonesian dish, but it has been adapted and modified by the Dutch)
See Related: Best Hotels in The Hague
Tours and Activities
Now let’s talk about the activities. There are many wonderful things to do, see, and experience in and around Amsterdam. To save yourself some money, we highly recommend investing in the I Amsterdam card. This card is good for four days or 96 hours and costs about 98 euros or $120.
It includes coverage of some of the most popular sites, attractions, and activities in and around Amsterdam, including the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt House Museum, Rijksmuseum, Nemo Science Museum, and even a canal cruise (and more!).
This card will also cover the cost of public transportation within Amsterdam’s city limits (but not at Schiphol Airport); plus, it provides discounted rates at various restaurants, cafes, and shops.
If you don’t intend to go to all of the destinations included with the card, it may cost you less to pay for each attraction you visit. We suggest allotting about $85 for individual attractions in total.
Purchasing tickets in advance to many of the top museums in Amsterdam is highly recommended, as you may be able to get a discounted rate and will be able to avoid the lines when you get there. Use GetYourGuide or Viator to search and book attractions in advance. The top sites to visit in Amsterdam include:
- Heineken Experience
- Van Gogh Museum
- Anne Frank House
- Rijksmuseum
- Amsterdam canal cruise
- Volendam, Edam, and Zaanse Schans windmill village tour
See Related: How to Travel with a Drone
Extraneous Expenses
Like most people, you’ll probably want to pick up some extraneous items; that is, things that you don’t necessarily need but things that you’d like to have, such as souvenirs to bring back to your friends and family at home or as a treat for yourself for a keepsake.
There’s no shortage of shops in Amsterdam, and there are many things to purchase, from novelty items like tourist shirts and bags to tulips.
If you love to shop, there are some great shops in Amsterdam where you can score beautiful shoes, clothing, accessories, and houseware. Some of the best spots for shopping include De Negen Straatjes, the Old South area, and De Jordaan.
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