Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Amsterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Amsterdam or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The historical architecture, scenic bridges, and energetic 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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Amsterdam Prices
Netherlands PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmsterdam $248Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is $248, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $53. 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 Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmsterdam $120Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmsterdam $240Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam or Cuenca? 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 Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amsterdam $23Cuenca $11
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$3.75
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Renting a Bike$18
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One Hour Canal Cruise$12
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Single Day Transit Pass$3.05
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport$3.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Amsterdam : $150
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Noordwijk: $140
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Utrecht: $271
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Zaandam: $116
- AMS Schiphol Airport VIP Meet and Assist Pickup (with Hotel Private Transfer): $210
- Airport Private Transfer: Schiphol Airport ↔ Amsterdam City: $150
- Airport Transfer Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam City: $138
- Airport Transfer: Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport AMS by Luxury Car: $131
- Airport Transfer: Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport AMS by Luxury Van: $107
- Airport Transfer: Schiphol Airport AMS to Amsterdam by Luxury Van: $107
- Airport or Port transfer Business Class (private car service) : $186
- Airport or Port transfer First Class (private car service) : $271
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca 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 $94Cuenca $26
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$7.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
- Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $11
- Stroopwafel & Secrets: Amsterdam Street Food Tour de Pijp : $42
- Bike Rental and Dinner or Lunch: $52
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $61
- 3-course Dinner in the Dark Amsterdam: $63
- 3-course dinner party at a secret pop-up restaurant: $72
- Bens Local Food Tour - 8 Tastings: $78
- Amsterdam Music Tour with Dinner: $86
- Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner: $94
- Dutch Food Tour with local guide: $94
- Amsterdam-West Food Tour with local guide: $102
- Dinner Canal Cruise 4-Courses Including Drinks: $107
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Experience Ecuador: Join an Andean Cooking Class in Cuenca: $85
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amsterdam $44Cuenca $16
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$7.04
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Entry for two to the Anne Frank House$20
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The Anne Frank Tour Amsterdam: $3.59
- The Classic Walking Tour of Amsterdam | 2 Hours with a Local: $3.59
- Bill's Bike Tour - Rent a Flower Bike in Amsterdam: $5.00
- Amsterdam Tour through its most famous Icons: $6.01
- Amsterdam Center Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $6.45
- Amsterdam (Museum Quarter) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $6.45
- Red Light District Amsterdam Tour with Audioguide: $8.40
- Amsterdam Interactive City Tour: $8.42
- WW2 Jewish & Anne Frank Amsterdam Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Amsterdam's Red Light District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Volendam Marken Express Boat Cruise: $12
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- Highlights City Tour : $16
- Half-Day Biking and Walking Tour in Cuenca: $30
- Cuenca Half-Day City Tour Including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Tour of the best of Cuenca walking through its Historic Center: $35
- Half-Day City Tour including Panama Hat Factory: $35
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
- El Chorro waterfalls and Busa lake tour from Cuenca: $44
- Cuenca Your Way Exclusive Private City Tour: $45
- City Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
- Wonderful Cajas National Park tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmsterdam $28Cuenca $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $29
- City Centre Bar Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $30
- Amsterdam Craft Beer Brewery Tour by Bus with Tastings : $78
- New Year's Eve Pub Crawl With Optional Club Entrance: $84
- Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $141
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Cuenca, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amsterdam is in Europe and Cuenca 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Cuenca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Cuenca?
Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cuenca. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
Amsterdam has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cuenca experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cuenca in the Summer?
Both Cuenca and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Amsterdam is cooler than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAmsterdam 17°C (62°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Amsterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the autumn for 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 Cuenca year-round.
In the autumn, Amsterdam is cooler than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Amsterdam usually gets more rain in October than Cuenca. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAmsterdam 11°C (51°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cuenca in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Cuenca. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Cuenca can be very cold. Amsterdam can be very cold during winter. In January, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAmsterdam 2°C (36°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Cuenca. The spring months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Amsterdam is cooler than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Amsterdam usually gets more rain in April than Cuenca. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAmsterdam 8°C (46°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Amsterdam
| Amsterdam | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.