Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Amsterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Amsterdam or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Cape Town, 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.
Where Should I go: Amsterdam or Cape Town?
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.
Cape Town
Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.
Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmsterdam €175Cape Town €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is €175, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is €91. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Amsterdam and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmsterdam €102Cape Town €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmsterdam €204Cape Town €72
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam or Cape Town? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Amsterdam Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amsterdam €20Cape Town €16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
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Ride on Tram€3.20
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Renting a Bike€15
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One Hour Canal Cruise€10
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Single Day Transit Pass€2.60
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport€3.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- VIP Transfer from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam City or Back to the Airport : $93
- VIP Amsterdam Airport Departure Transfer: $67
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Amsterdam City - Amsterdam Airport (AMS): $44
- Taxi Transfer from hotel in Amsterdam to cruise port terminal in Amsterdam: $67
- Schiphol: Private Transfer to Amsterdam - Travel Like a VIP: $135
- Roundtrip Transfer Schiphol - Amsterdam: $139
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Amsterdam Airport (AMS) - Amsterdam City: $108
- Rotterdam: Private transfer to/from Schiphol Airport: $312
- Rotterdam Cruise private Transfers: Hotel to Ship & Return: $145
- Private transfer from Schiphol airport to The Hague: $102
- Private transfer between Rotterdam - Amsterdam (incl. Schiphol airport) : $170
- Private departure transfer from Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport (AMS): $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $18
- Airport transfers: $22
- 1 Day Durbanville Valley Wine Tasting Tour with Private Transfers: $178
- 1 Day Explore Cape Town Like a Local with Private Guided Transfer: $149
- 1 Day Helderberg Valley Winelands Tour with Private Transfers: $232
- 1 Day Hemel en Aarde Whale Coast Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $205
- 1 Day Tastes of Stellenbosch Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $220
- 1 Day West Coast Wonders Tour with Private Transfers: $177
- 1 Day Wine Lover Wander Connoisseur Tour with Private Transfers: $180
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure Cape Town - Airport Transfers: $54
- 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $17
- AIRPORT Transfer to and from Cape Town City: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Amsterdam change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAmsterdam €43Cape Town €39
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
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Afternoon Tea€6.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
- Food Tour Amsterdam (Tip Based): $5.46
- Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $8.19
- Self-Guided Food Tour in De Jordaan Neighbourhood: $13
- Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood: $13
- Self-Guided Food Tour of Amsterdam's De Jordaan District: $14
- Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Exclusive Burger Dinner Cruise: $32
- Dinner Cruise with Fries Bitterballen and Drink from Amsterdam: $38
- Pizza Cruise with Drinks: $40
- Evening Canal Cruise with Pizza and Drinks: $43
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket with A GOLD MENU Hard Rock Dinner: $43
- Food Tour Jordaan District: $51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner At Mandela's - Cultural Township Dinner Experience: $28
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $41
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $43
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $55
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $56
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $59
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $61
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $61
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $62
- Cruise and Dine Dinner / Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $71
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $76
- Private Cooking Class and Meal in Local Wynberg Cape Town Home: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amsterdam €37Cape Town €21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum€6.00
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Entry for two to the Anne Frank House€17
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Amsterdam (Museum Quarter) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Anne Frank Story & Neighborhood Walk Tour in Amsterdam: $46
- Cheese, Wine with Unlimited Drinks in Amsterdam Luxury Cruise: $54
- 1 Hour Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Audio Guide: $20
- 1 Hour Canal Cruise in Amsterdam: $22
- 1,5 hours Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $164
- 1-Hour Canal Cruise in the Evening : $22
- 2 Hour Exclusive Canal Boat Cruise w/ Dutch snacks & Onboard Bar: $43
- 2 Hour Exclusive Canal Cruise: Including drinks & Dutch snacks: $63
- 2 Hours Private Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $213
- 2-Hour Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour: $131
- 2-hour Red Light District and Old Town Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $49
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $2.99
- District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $3.24
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.60
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- Cape Town 30-minute V&A Harbour Cruise: $4.15
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.15
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.35
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.35
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $5.00
- Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: Amble along the amazing False Bay Coast on an audio tour: $5.20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmsterdam €24Cape Town €19
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl with Shots and Beer Maid Guide: $25
- Red Light District Pub Crawl: $27
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Original Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entrance: $29
- Chateau Urban Wine Tasting and optional bites: $32
- Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $33
- Self-guided Red Light District Pub Crawl Mystery: $38
- Leidseplein and Red Light Pub Crawl: 2 Night Pass: $38
- Red Light District and Local Pub Tour: $39
- Dutch Cheese and Wine Tasting: $43
- Dutch Wine Tasting || Amsterdam City Centre: $48
Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town
Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Distillery Tour, rum and gin tasting: $7.13
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.60
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $24
- Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $25
- Sip 15 Wines on a 3-Region Wine Tour with Cheese: $38
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $38
- Three Region Wine Tour: $44
- Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $47
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $49
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $51
- Fullday Wine Tour: $51
- Stellenbosch Wine Tour half day from Cape Town: $54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Cape Town, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amsterdam is in Europe and Cape Town is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cape Town would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cape Town 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 Cape Town.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Cape Town, 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 Cape Town?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cape Town is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Amsterdam has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Cape Town. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Amsterdam is cooler than Cape Town in the summer. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amsterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin January. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.
Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Cape Townin January. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAmsterdam 17°C (62°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cape Town in the Autumn?
Both Cape Town and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Amsterdam is much colder than Cape Town. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Cape Town averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Cape Townin April. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAmsterdam 11°C (51°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Amsterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Amsterdam can be very cold. In January, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Cape Townin July. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin July. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun.
Amsterdam usually gets less rain in January than Cape Townin July. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAmsterdam 2°C (36°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cape Town in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Cape Town. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.
Amsterdam is much colder than Cape Town in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Cape Townin October. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAmsterdam 8°C (46°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Amsterdam
| Amsterdam | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.