Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Amsterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Amsterdam or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?
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.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmsterdam €175Cartagena €45
The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is €175, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €45. 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 Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmsterdam €102Cartagena €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmsterdam €204Cartagena €50
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam or Cartagena? 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 Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amsterdam €20Cartagena €7.03
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:
- 1 - 15 persons Minibus Amsterdam City transfer: $120
- 1-15 pers Taxi/Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Hoek van Holland: $199
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $273
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Alkmaar: $155
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Almere: $155
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Amersfoort: $199
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Den Helder: $255
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Dordrecht: $288
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Hoorn: $183
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to IJmuiden: $122
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Noordwijk: $127
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Utrecht: $246
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Airport Hotel Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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 €43Cartagena €9.21
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 Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amsterdam €37Cartagena €20
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:
- Golden Age Canals Walking Tour: $1.08
- Free walking tour of haunted Amsterdam: $1.08
- Red Light District Haunted History Night Tour: $1.71
- The Amsterdam Walking Tour 2 hours: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Walking Tour: $3.23
- Rude Bastards Tour of Amsterdam: $3.23
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Best of Amsterdam City Tour: $3.23
- Two-hour walking tour of Amsterdam: $3.26
- Self Guided Tours Amsterdam With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $3.26
- Amsterdam Spanish Tour 2 Hours: $3.26
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmsterdam €24Cartagena €8.63
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 Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Cartagena, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amsterdam is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?
Amsterdam has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Amsterdam is much colder than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAmsterdam 17°C (62°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Amsterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the autumn, Amsterdam is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Amsterdam usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAmsterdam 11°C (51°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Cartagena. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. In January, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAmsterdam 2°C (36°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Cartagena. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Amsterdam is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the spring, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Amsterdam usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAmsterdam 8°C (46°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Amsterdam
| Amsterdam | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.