Amsterdam… on a budget?!
Don’t let the tourist forums fool you into thinking a trip to the "Venice of the North" means watching your wallet sink to the bottom of a canal. Yes, it’s a pricey European capital, and yes, heavy tourism has increased prices.
But remember: it’s a popular stop for backpackers and gap-year students for a reason.
You can visit the capital of the Netherlands on the cheap and check off all of the culture and cuisine your expertly calculated budget can afford.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Drazen_
Can you afford Amsterdam? A budget-friendly breakdown
Why is Amsterdam so expensive to visit?
Many Americans think Amsterdam is expensive to visit, and it certainly is compared to other cheaper cities in Europe. The bad news is, yes, you could drop a lot of coin if you don’t track your spending. The good news is being the savvy shopper that you are, you can cut costs easily with a little research and planning.
Is Amsterdam budget-friendly?
Yes, Amsterdam is a budget-friendly city if you know how to sniff out the savings. For instance, buying a Museum Pass may sound expensive at $70, but it gives you year-long access to more than 400 museums in the Netherlands.
What season is the cheapest to go to Amsterdam?
Like many other European capitals, shoulder seasons like March to April and September to November have fewer tourists, and so, cheaper rates. You might get luckier with bargain-basement prices in the middle of winter, but don’t skimp on a jacket.
What is the cheapest way around Amsterdam?
Unless you’re renting a pair of traditional Dutch clogs, walking is the cheapest way to get around Amsterdam. Trains, trams, boats, and buses also run throughout the city for relatively low prices considering the distance traveled. From a cost-value perspective, renting a bike may be cheapest if you’re going far frequently. Our advice? Try hoofin’ it first and then consider other options if your soles are shot.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari
How to visit Amsterdam on a budget
First thing’s first: where to stay in Amsterdam on a budget?
You don’t need a fully stamped passport to know that hostels are usually the cheapest place to stay in Europe. You also don’t need to have stayed in a hostel to know that some beds are better slept un-bunked. Here are a few considerations for hotels and hostels in Amsterdam:
- If you want to stay near Amsterdam Centraal: This Ho(s)tel is, and we quote, “where the 🦆-ing magic happens”, so wave your wand and save some cash in their cubes. Then there’s Ibis Amsterdam Center, which is within steps of the train platforms, has private rooms, and isn’t too heavy on the budget.
- If you want to stay in the Red Light District: Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub & Hostel is just that – a fiscally fantastic place to stay and enjoy a pint of Heineken. The Bulldog Hotel, a few blocks up, bills itself as a hotel but also has dorms available and was actually the first coffeeshop in Amsterdam.
- If you want to stay near the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum: The Flying Pig is nothing to swine about; this hostel has free walking tours and has an indoor smoking area for people who puff. Max Brown Museum Hotel Square has its hotel rooms in charming townhouses, giving you upscale vibes for a low price.
Image credit: Getty Images, pixdelux
How to visit Amsterdam on a budget by the numbers
For one day in Amsterdam, the average traveler could spend around $60 to $90, which puts three days in Amsterdam at a budget of $160 to $260, not including hotels/hostels. Here are some average prices in euros for the essentials in Amsterdam:
🍺 Beer: €3
☕ Coffee: €2
🥞 Meal: €4 to €20
🚲 Bicycle rental: €12
🛥️ Canal cruise: €15
🖼️ Museum: €15
🚆 Train ticket from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal station: €6.30
Crunch the numbers on that last one again: Less than $7 to get from Amsterdam’s airport to Amsterdam’s city center. Amsterdam is a wonderfully walkable city which means you can spend as low as $13.50 on all of your vacation transportation costs.
Let's get you there!
Download the Trainline app. It’s totally free and lets you snag the cheapest train and bus tickets available without needing to stop at the currency exchange.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari