A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Philadelphia for Attractions, Nightlife, Music, and Backpackers

Should you visit Amsterdam or Philadelphia?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Philadelphia, 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 canal-lined, party-oriented, and laid-back city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Amsterdam is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the live music, shopping, and museums. See Amsterdam travel costs.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a historic, cultural, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Philadelphia is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife. See Philadelphia travel costs.

Amsterdam and Philadelphia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Philadelphia?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Amsterdam than Philadelphia. While Philadelphia is larger than Amsterdam, Amsterdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amsterdam is better known for its nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Philadelphia is more popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, and christmas markets. Amsterdam is more touristy than Philadelphia and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum. Philadelphia is well known for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history.

How is Amsterdam different from Philadelphia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Philadelphia is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Philadelphia are among the most recognizable in the world. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Amsterdam. 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.

Is Amsterdam or Philadelphia Better for Theater?

Philadelphia is well known for its theatre productions. However, Amsterdam is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Philadelphia. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.

Amsterdam is not a theatre destination.

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

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.

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 Philadelphia Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Amsterdam is a world class party destination. 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 Philadelphia know how to have a good time. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.

Is Amsterdam or Philadelphia Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its music scene.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Amsterdam. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Philadelphia has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.

Is Amsterdam or Philadelphia Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Amsterdam to see the historical old town. 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.

Philadelphia offers a nice historic old town area. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Philadelphia?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.

Is Amsterdam or Philadelphia Better for Christmas?

Philadelphia is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Amsterdam does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Philadelphia. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.

Amsterdam does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Amsterdam or Philadelphia Better for Christmas Markets?

Philadelphia is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Amsterdam does not offer Christmas markets.

Philadelphia has Christmas markets worth visiting. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.

Amsterdam does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Amsterdam or Philadelphia More Beautiful?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Amsterdam is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.

Philadelphia offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With its diverse neighborhoods and rich history, this city offers its own type of beauty.

Is Amsterdam or Philadelphia Better for Families?

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

Philadelphia is a very kid-friendly city. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.

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 Philadelphia Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Philadelphia is a good city for couples to visit. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.

Is Amsterdam or Philadelphia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Amsterdam is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Philadelphia is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.

Is Amsterdam or Philadelphia Better for Students?

Philadelphia is well known for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Philadelphia is a great city to visit as a student. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Amsterdam has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. 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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Philadelphia. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.

Is Amsterdam or Philadelphia a more walkable city?

Amsterdam and Philadelphia both are amazing when exploring on foot.

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

Philadelphia is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.

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

Should I spend more time in Philadelphia or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Philadelphia?

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

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

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

Each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and theater around the city of Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia?

Amsterdam is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find theater and nightlife around the cultural big city of Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia?

Each neighborhood in Amsterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cultural city of Philadelphia. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Philadelphia?

Amsterdam is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Philadelphia 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When comparing the travel costs between Amsterdam and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Amsterdam is in Europe and Philadelphia is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Philadelphia. The summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.

Amsterdam is cooler than Philadelphia in the summer. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amsterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Philadelphia. Amsterdam usually gets less rain in July than Philadelphia. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

Both Philadelphia and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Amsterdam is cooler than Philadelphia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 56°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Philadelphia in the Winter?

Both Philadelphia and Amsterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Philadelphia can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. In January, Amsterdam is generally much warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Philadelphia. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Philadelphia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Philadelphia. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Amsterdam is cooler than Philadelphia in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Amsterdam