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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Frankfurt?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Frankfurt, 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. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a dynamic, diverse, and accessible city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Frankfurt?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam. Although Amsterdam and Frankfurt are roughly the same size, Amsterdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amsterdam is more popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Frankfurt is known for its food. Amsterdam is more touristy than Frankfurt and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Frankfurt is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

How is Amsterdam different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Frankfurt. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

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 Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The nightlife in Amsterdam is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

The people in Frankfurt know how to have a good time. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Amsterdam or Frankfurt Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Frankfurt?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Amsterdam or Frankfurt Better for Families?

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

Frankfurt is a very kid-friendly city. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Amsterdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Amsterdam or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Amsterdam, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Is Amsterdam or Frankfurt Better for Students?

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

Frankfurt is a great destination for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Amsterdam or Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

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.

Frankfurt has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Is Amsterdam or Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Frankfurt?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Amsterdam and Frankfurt. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Frankfurt. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 1-3 days is enough time in Frankfurt.

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

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

People visit Amsterdam because there is so much to do. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Frankfurt. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Frankfurt?

People visit Amsterdam because there is so much to do. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the accessible big city of Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt?

People visit Amsterdam because there is so much to do. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dynamic city of Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt?

Amsterdam is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amsterdam, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Frankfurt 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Frankfurt?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Frankfurt. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Frankfurt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amsterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Frankfurt. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 and the shopping scene are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

In October, Amsterdam is generally around the same temperature as Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Frankfurt in the Winter?

Both Frankfurt and Amsterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Frankfurt. It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. Amsterdam is much warmer than Frankfurt in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets more sunshine than Frankfurt. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Frankfurt. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Frankfurt. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Frankfurt in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Amsterdam is cooler than Frankfurt. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Frankfurt during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of rain as Frankfurt. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Amsterdam