Should you visit Amsterdam or Reykjavik?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Reykjavik, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital, and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. There are over one million residents in the metro area. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that criss cross across the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The architecture, bridges, and 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.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
Which city is cheaper, Reykjavik or Amsterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is €127, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is €186. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Amsterdam and Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Amsterdam is about €152 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
The prices for places to stay in Reykjavik can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €106, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €212.
Food
In Amsterdam travelers spend around €31 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
On average, meal and food prices in Reykjavik cost around €23 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €9.20.
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Food
Meals for one day
Amsterdam €31
Reykjavik €23
Typical Food prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
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Live online cooking class from Classic European 2-course meal:
$23
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Three course lunch/dinner voucher:
$42
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Withlocals the 10 Tastings: Amsterdam's Favourite Private Food Tour with a Local:
$50
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Private Pizza Canal Cruise Amsterdam:
$62
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Dinner with an Amsterdam artist on the river:
$62
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Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café:
$63
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Amsterdam Small Group Food Tour:
$69
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Food Tour in the Albert Cuyp Market Amsterdam:
$73
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Delicious Dutch Dinner in an Amsterdam Canalhouse:
$75
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The Pizzaboat Amsterdam Min. 8 pax:
$75
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Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner:
$76
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Joy of Life - Bistro Dinner on an Amsterdam Canal:
$84
Typical Food prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)
€168
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Exclusive dinner with a local family:
$112
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Weekend Reykjavik Food Tour with a stop at the Reykjavik Flea Market:
$123
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Dinner with an Icelandic Artist in Reykjavik Home:
$151
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Secret Lagoon, Buffet Dinner, and Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik:
$159
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South Coast: Volcanoes, waterfalls & Viking dinner at the Viking house:
$179
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Private Reykjavik Food Tour:
$198
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South Coast: Small group glacier hike, fire & ice with dinner at Viking lodge:
$199
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Cook and Dine Icelandic Cooking Class Gourmet Lunch or Dinner:
$204
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Kopar Fine Dining Dinner and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik:
$229
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West Iceland Private Food Tour from Reykjavik:
$723
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Amsterdam is €19 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
To get around in Reykjavik, the average visitor spends €35 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
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VIP Local Transfer inside Amsterdam:
$81
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VIP Amsterdam Airport Departure Transfer:
$67
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VIP Amsterdam Airport Departure Transfer:
$61
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Ultra - Amsterdam Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Amsterdam City Centre:
$9.55
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Ultra - Amsterdam Private Transfer from City Centre to Amsterdam Cruise Port:
$9.55
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Ultra - Amsterdam Private Airport Transfer City Center to Schiphol Airport AMS:
$73
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Transfer in Private Vehicle from Amsterdam City to Airport:
$34
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Transfer in Private Minivan from Amsterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport:
$46
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Taxi Transfer from cruise port terminal in Amsterdam to hotel in Amsterdam:
$56
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Schiphol Airport Transfer - Amsterdam City Center:
$135
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Roundtrip Transfer Schiphol - Amsterdam:
$104
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Roundtrip Private Transfer Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam:
$101
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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3-Hour Lava Caving Tour Including Transfers from Reykjavik:
$84
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Airport Express Shared Departure Transfer from Reykjavik Hotels to Keflavik Airport:
$37
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Airport Express Shared Departure transfer from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport:
$28
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Airport Transfer:
$230
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Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport One Way:
$31
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Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport with Hotel Pick Up:
$43
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Airport transfer to or from Reykjavik with up to 3 hours stop in Blue Lagoon:
$485
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Blue Lagoon Admission Including Transfer:
$229
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Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik:
$33
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Blue Lagoon with transfer:
$217
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Departure Private Transfer Business Car Reykjavik City to Reykjavik Airport KEF:
$112
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Departure Private Transfer Luxury Van Reykjavik City to Reykjavik Airport KEF:
$184
Entertainment
Amsterdam's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €16 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
In Reykjavik, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average €55 per person, per day.
Typical Entertainment prices in Amsterdam
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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1 hour Amsterdam City Tour in Pedicab:
$87
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1,5 hours Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour:
$174
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1.5 Hour Walking Tour of Amsterdam’s Red Light District with a Local:
$41
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1.5-hour Amsterdam Bubbly Bike tour:
$757
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2 Hours Private Walking Tour of the Highlights of Amsterdam:
$81
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2 hours Amsterdam City Tour in Pedicab:
$162
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2-Day Nightclub Admission Ticket: Best Nightlife in Amsterdam:
$13
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2-Hour Private Anne Frank Walking Tour with Drink:
$162
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2-Hour Private Custom Amsterdam Walking Tour With A Local Guide:
$70
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2-Hour Private Walking Tour:
$306
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2-Hour Semi Private All-Inclusive Cruise on our Boutique Style boats:
$79
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2.5 hours Amsterdam Pedicab Tour:
$249
Typical Entertainment prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum
€10
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Wine and Spa
€28
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Admission Ticket to Viking World Museum:
$14
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Aurora Reykjavík, The Northern Lights Center Entrance Ticket:
$16
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Skip the Line: Volcano House Admission Ticket:
$17
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Tales from Iceland Admission Ticket:
$18
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Skip the Line: Admission Ticket - The Culture House Reykjavik:
$19
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Skip the Line: The National Museum of Iceland Ticket:
$20
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Whales Of Iceland Admission Ticket:
$26
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Bryggjan Brugghús Craft Beer Tour:
$27
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Reykjavik Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing Reykjavik Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$32
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Perlan Wonders of Iceland - Ice cave & Nature Exhibition Ticket:
$36
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Reykjavik Escape Game Experience - Hangover:
$36
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Reykjavik Escape Game Experience - Taken:
$36
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Amsterdam may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €13 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typically, people visiting Reykjavik spend on average €21 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Distillery Tour & Tasting:
$22
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Amsterdam Bar Crawl:
$27
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Amsterdam Shared Bar Crawl:
$31
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Private Amsterdam Red Light District and pub tour:
$61
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4 hour Amsterdam Brewery Tour:
$81
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High Class Culinary Lunch in Amsterdam - Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour:
$102
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Drew's 3-Hour Amsterdam Brewery and Bar Tour to Top Rated Bars:
$106
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Discover 3 gastronomic restaurants in Amsterdam - self-guided food & wine tour:
$129
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Experience 4 Culinary Restaurants in Amsterdam Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour:
$152
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Amsterdam Bachelor Party Bar Crawl:
$488
Typical Alcohol prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
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Private Reykjavik Pub Crawl:
$181
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Reykjavik Food & Wine Tour:
$249
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Amsterdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Amsterdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Amsterdam 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Amsterdam.
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