A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Dallas for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Amsterdam or Dallas?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Dallas, 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. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Dallas

Dallas is a upscale, chic, and active city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Dallas?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Amsterdam than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than Amsterdam, Amsterdam has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Amsterdam is better known for its nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Dallas is more popular for its food. Amsterdam is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. Dallas is well known for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Amsterdam different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dallas 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 Dallas?

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

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 Dallas. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

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

Dallas is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Dallas. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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!

Is Amsterdam or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Amsterdam is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Dallas has a large number of nightlife venues. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is Amsterdam or Dallas Better for Music?

Amsterdam is renowned for its live music scene. However, Dallas is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Amsterdam The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Dallas is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Dallas Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is a well-known place for its old town. However, Dallas does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Amsterdam. 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.

Dallas does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Dallas?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Dallas 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 Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Amsterdam or Dallas Better for Families?

Dallas is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Dallas is a very kid-friendly city. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

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 Dallas Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Dallas 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.

Dallas is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Is Amsterdam or Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is renowned for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city 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.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

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

Amsterdam is renowned for its public transit. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Amsterdam has a great 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.

Dallas has some public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Amsterdam or Dallas a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is renowned for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Amsterdam or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Amsterdam due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

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

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Dallas. 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 Dallas 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 Dallas?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Dallas. 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 Dallas?

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the upscale destination of Dallas. 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 Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active city of Dallas. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Dallas?

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Dallas is a popular choice for travelers. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Dallas, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amsterdam is in Europe and Dallas is in North 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 Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Dallas.

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Dallas, 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 Dallas?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Dallas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Dallas. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Dallas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Amsterdam is much colder than Dallas in the summer. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Dallas. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Dallas. 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. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

In the autumn, Amsterdam is much colder than Dallas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Dallas averages at about 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in October than Dallas. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. In January, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Dallas. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas and Amsterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Dallas in the spring for the activities around the city.

Amsterdam is much colder than Dallas in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in April than Dallas. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Amsterdam