A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Budapest for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Old Town

Should you visit Amsterdam or Budapest?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Budapest, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a historic, canal-lined, and party-oriented city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Budapest

Budapest is a artistic, historic, and authentic city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam and Budapest: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Budapest?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Amsterdam than Budapest. While Budapest is larger than Amsterdam, Amsterdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amsterdam is more touristy than Budapest and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. Budapest is well known for its thermal hot springs, European spas, rich culture, and wild nightlife scene.

How is Amsterdam different from Budapest?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Budapest and Amsterdam. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Amsterdam or Budapest?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Amsterdam and Budapest.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Budapest. Famous sights include the Buda Castle and Castle Hill, the Hungarian Parliament Building, and St. Stephen's Basilica.

Is the Food Better in Amsterdam or Budapest? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Amsterdam and Budapest can be an enjoyable experience.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Amsterdam. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Budapest may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Traditional dishes tend to be heavy on the meat and bread. They make good comfort food and are very filling meals. The city also has many great pastry shops. Make sure you check out the stuffed cabbage, goulash, and chimney cake.

Is Amsterdam or Budapest Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Budapest is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Amsterdam is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

Budapest has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's active nightlife includes dance clubs, local pubs, and cultural festivals throughout the year.

Is Amsterdam or Budapest Better for Music?

Amsterdam is terrific for its live music scene. However, Budapest is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Amsterdam. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Budapest is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Budapest Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam and Budapest both have excellent historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Amsterdam to see the historical old town. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Budapest is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The city grew from the merging of two towns, Buda and Pest, which were divided by the Danube River. Buda is the more historical part of town and Pest is more modern.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Budapest?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Budapest and Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Budapest. The city has a diverse shopping scene that you can experience by visiting the Central Market or Váci Street.

Is Amsterdam or Budapest Better for Families?

Budapest is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Budapest. The city has the typical trampoline parks and playgrounds, but kids will also enjoy the baths and pools around town. Do take note that most of the museums are less hands on than kids prefer.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Amsterdam or Budapest Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Budapest are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Budapest is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With it's many beautiful neighborhoods, and unique entertainment options including the opera, this is a fun city for couples. The baths and spas also make for a great experience for couples.

Is Amsterdam or Budapest Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam and Budapest are terrific places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Amsterdam. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

A large number of backpackers visit Budapest, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city is more affordable than many large cities and it has a number of fun hostels to choose from. There's a good backpacker vibe around town with many places to meet and hang out with other travelers.

Is Amsterdam or Budapest Better for Students?

Budapest is an unbeatable place for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Budapest is a great destination for students. The city has a great international vibe with several good universities that are welcoming to international students that are studying abroad.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Amsterdam or Budapest Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Amsterdam and Budapest.

Visitors in Amsterdam can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

Budapest has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The metro, trams, and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Amsterdam or Budapest a more walkable city?

Amsterdam and Budapest both are terrific when exploring on foot.

Getting around Amsterdam on foot is easy. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Budapest is a very easy city to get around on foot. Pest is very flat, making for an easy stroll, while Buda is more hilly.

For even more information, also check out Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Budapest Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Budapest or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Budapest?

In either Amsterdam or Budapest, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than Budapest because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 2-5 days is enough time in Budapest.

Families should spend more time in Budapest than Amsterdam. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Budapest, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Budapest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Amsterdam that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Budapest if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Amsterdam.

One day in Amsterdam or Budapest?

Amsterdam is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Budapest. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Budapest?

Amsterdam is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amsterdam, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic big city of Budapest. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Budapest?

Amsterdam is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amsterdam, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the authentic city of Budapest. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Amsterdam or Budapest?

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Budapest is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Budapest, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Budapest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budapest and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Budapest.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Budapest?

Budapest has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Budapest, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Amsterdam or Budapest?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Budapest in the Summer?

Both Budapest and Amsterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Budapest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Amsterdam is cooler than Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Budapest, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Budapest in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Budapest. The autumn months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.

In the autumn, Amsterdam is around the same temperature as Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Budapest. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Budapest in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Budapest. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Budapest. It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. In January, Amsterdam is generally much warmer than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Budapest. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Budapest in the Spring?

Both Budapest and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Amsterdam is much colder than Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Budapest. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Budapest and Amsterdam