A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Lima for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Amsterdam or Lima?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Lima, 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 Lima?

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. While it is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, 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.

Lima

Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Lima or Amsterdam?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is €211, while the average daily cost in Lima is €85. 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 Lima in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amsterdam €102
    Lima €47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amsterdam €204
    Lima €94
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Lima

Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam or Lima? 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.

Hotels in Amsterdam


Hotels in Lima


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 Lima Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amsterdam €20
    Lima €5.43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:


  • Ride on Tram
    €3.20
  • Renting a Bike
    €15
  • One Hour Canal Cruise
    €10
  • Single Day Transit Pass
    €2.60
  • Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport
    €3.40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:

  • 1-Way Train Transfer to/from Haarlem: $7.37
  • Train Transfer Amsterdam from/to Leiden: $16
  • Madurodam: Train + tram transferring to/from Amsterdam: $22
  • Train Transfer Schiphol Airport from/to Eindhoven: $33
  • Amsterdam Airport (AMS) Transfer to Amsterdam/Rotterdam/Keukenhof: $35
  • Private Transfer: Hotel in Amsterdam to Amsterdam Cruise Port: $39
  • AMS Airport Private Transfer ⇄ Amsterdam/Rotterdam: $39
  • Private Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Transfer Service: $40
  • Private Transfer to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $41
  • Amsterdam Private Door to Door Transfer Luxury Vehicles: $46
  • Private Amsterdam Local Transfer to/from any Location: $46
  • Amsterdam Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $53

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    €5.14
  • Taxi Ride
    €5.14
  • Short Taxi Ride
    €3.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:

  • Airport Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima by Sedan: $50
  • Deluxe Car Lima Transfer - Private Service: $29
  • Enjoy a Football Game in Lima with local guide and Transfers: $99
  • Guided Assistance -Hassle-free service -Airport -Hotel transfers: $30
  • Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
  • Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
  • Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $58
  • Larco Museum Tour & Gastronomic Experience with rountrip transfer: $160
  • Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores city - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
  • Lima Airport Departure Transfer: $22
  • Lima Airport Private Transfer to Miraflores & Barranco: $35
  • Lima Airport Transfer Service Available 24 7: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Lima?

Prices for flights to both Lima 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Amsterdam €80
    Lima €29
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:


  • 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.

  • Romantic Dinner or Lunch in the Dark Amsterdam: $48
  • Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $58
  • Top 10 Tastes of Guided Walking Food Tour: $70
  • Amsterdam Walking Food Tour with 6 Tastings and Drink: $73
  • Amsterdam : Guided Cultural Food Tour: $80
  • Amsterdam Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $86
  • Amsterdam Food Tour: Authentic Dutch Tastings, Canals & Culture: $99
  • 10 Tastes of Amsterdam Food Tour: Small Group, Full Meal & Drinks: $107
  • Private Dutch Pancake Cooking Class in an Amsterdam Canal Home: $109
  • Private Amsterdam Red Light District and Food Tour: $117
  • Eating Jordaan Food Tour with Dutch Tastings: $125
  • Italian Pasta Cooking Class in Amsterdam with Italian Chef: $125

Typical Food Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:


  • Lunch for Two
    €4.11
  • Ice cream
    €3.34
  • Coffee
    €2.83
  • Donut
    €0.90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.

  • Food Tours on the Forbidden Side of Lima with Elite DRONE FOOTAGE: $4.00
  • Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $43
  • Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $44
  • Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
  • Miraflores Cooking Class Ceviche, Tartar & Pisco Sour: $48
  • #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
  • Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
  • Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $50
  • Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $55
  • Barranco Food Tour: $60
  • Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $62
  • Dinner at the Cala Restaurant in Lima: $63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amsterdam €36
    Lima €8.20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam

Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum
    €6.00
  • 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:

  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $3.42
  • Amsterdam Alternative Tour: Drugs Policy, Street Art & Jordaan: $3.42
  • Self-Guided Tours Amsterdam With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.42
  • Two-hour walking tour of Amsterdam with storyteller: $3.43
  • Bill's Bike Tour - Rent a Flower Bike in Amsterdam: $5.00
  • Anne Frank & WWII Jewish Quarter History Walking Tour Amsterdam: $5.60
  • Amsterdam History Walking Tour: $5.71
  • Amsterdam Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.71
  • Amsterdam Ghost Hunt: Self-Guided Mystery Adventure: $6.16
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of The Red Light District: $6.72
  • Amsterdam self-guided walking tour & scavenger hunt: $7.85
  • Vondelpark and Old West Neighbourhood: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99

Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:


  • Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)
    €15
  • Movie Tickets
    €2.18

Tours and Activities in Lima

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:

  • Night Tour Lima Pisco and Metropolitan and water show: $4.00
  • Barranco Walking Tour with Sunset Option: $5.00
  • Street Art Walking Tour in Barranco: $5.00
  • Gastronomic Walking Tour A Taste of Lima: $5.00
  • Dark Side of Lima Evening Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Adventure at the Airport of Peru: $10
  • Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
  • Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
  • Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $15
  • Private Beach Guided Bike Tour in Lima: $19
  • Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
  • Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amsterdam €24
    Lima €5.33

Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam

Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Halloween Leidseplein Bar Crawl & Nightclub Entry: $29
  • Red Light District Halloween Pub Crawl & Nightclub: $29
  • Red Light District Pub Crawl in Amsterdam with 4 Shots: $34
  • Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $140

Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    €6.91
  • Beer
    €3.85
  • Cocktail
    €3.08

Sample the Local Flavors in Lima

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:

  • Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
  • Barranco Bohemian Bar Crawl: 4 Bars & Live Music: $24
  • From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135


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

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


Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Lima?

Lima has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Lima, 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 Lima?

Amsterdam has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Lima in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Lima. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Amsterdam is generally around the same temperature as Lima. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Amsterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amsterdam usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Lima. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Amsterdam 17°C (62°F) 
    Lima 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Lima in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Lima. 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. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.

Amsterdam is much colder than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Amsterdam often gets more sunshine than Lima. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Amsterdam 11°C (51°F) 
    Lima 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Lima in the Winter?

Both Lima and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Amsterdam can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Amsterdam is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Amsterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Lima during winter. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Lima. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Amsterdam 2°C (36°F) 
    Lima 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Lima in the Spring?

Both Lima and Amsterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.

In April, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Lima. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In the spring, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Lima. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Amsterdam 8°C (46°F) 
    Lima 22°C (72°F)

Typical Weather for Lima and Amsterdam

Amsterdam Lima
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 22°C (72°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (66°F) 7 mm (0.3 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)