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

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Should you visit Amsterdam or Rio de Janeiro?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Rio de Janeiro, 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 Rio de Janeiro?

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.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. The peak time to visit is during the city's famous Carnival festival, which is one of the most famous festivals in the world. However, Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year around. The city has a wonderful natural harbour that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting. And you can't miss the beach, either!

Which city is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Amsterdam?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is €138, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is €83. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Amsterdam and Rio de Janeiro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amsterdam €79
    Rio de Janeiro €52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amsterdam €158
    Rio de Janeiro €104
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Rio de Janeiro

Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam or Rio de Janeiro? 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 Rio de Janeiro


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 Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amsterdam €16
    Rio de Janeiro €6.43
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:

  • Amsterdam Airport Arrival Transfer in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Viano or S-Class: $84
  • Amsterdam Airport Departure Transfer: $58
  • Amsterdam Airport Departure Transfer (Amsterdam Hotels to Amsterdam Airport): $83
  • Amsterdam Airport Private Departure Transfer: $52
  • Amsterdam Airport Transfer (Airport to Hotel or address in Amsterdam) ROUND-TRIP: $167
  • Amsterdam Airport Transfers : Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport AMS in Luxury Car: $96
  • Amsterdam Airport Transfers : Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport AMS in Luxury Van: $85
  • Amsterdam City Center - Schiphol Airport Transfer: $143
  • Amsterdam City Center - Schiphol Airport Transfer (MiniVan): $160
  • Amsterdam City Departure Private Transfer to Amsterdam Port in Luxury Car: $79
  • Amsterdam City Departure Private Transfer to Amsterdam Port in Luxury Van: $60
  • Amsterdam City Departure Private Transfer to Amsterdam Train Station in Business Car: $52

Typical Local Transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Taxi Ride
    €2.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • ARMORED Airport Transfer - Rio de Janeiro (COVID-19 Prepared): $387
  • All-You-Can-Eat Brazilian Churrascaria in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $55
  • Angra dos Reis Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro: $115
  • Angra dos Reis Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $61
  • AquaRio Aquarium Guided Tour, Admission & Transfer: $58
  • Armação dos Búzios: Shared/Private Transfer to/from Rio: $29
  • Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $115
  • Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $52
  • Arrival Private Transfer GIG or SDU Airport to Rio City by Minivan: $144
  • Arrival Private Transfer Galeão Airport GIG to Rio City by Business Car: $135
  • Arrival Private Transfer Galeão Airport GIG to Rio City by Luxury Van: $98
  • Arrival Private Transfer Rio Airport to Buzios or Cabo Frio by Minivan: $428

Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Rio de Janeiro?

Prices for flights to both Rio de Janeiro 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 €35
    Rio de Janeiro €16
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.

  • Live online cooking class from Classic European 2-course meal: $23
  • Amsterdam Evening Pizza Cruise: $40
  • Three course lunch/dinner voucher: $42
  • Walking Food Tour: $43
  • 3 Course Dinner in the Dark: $48
  • Withlocals the 10 Tastings: Amsterdam's Favourite Private Food Tour with a Local: $50
  • Private Pizza Canal Cruise Amsterdam: $62
  • Dinner with an Amsterdam artist on the river: $62
  • Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $63
  • Amsterdam Small Group Food Tour: $69
  • Food Tour in the Albert Cuyp Market Amsterdam: $73
  • Delicious Dutch Dinner in an Amsterdam Canalhouse: $75

Typical Food prices in Rio de Janeiro

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Popcorn
    €0.59
  • Corn on the Cob
    €0.79
  • Hamburger
    €0.98

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.

  • Food Tour Rio de Janeiro: $30
  • Cooking Class for Cacao Lovers: $51
  • Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $55
  • Plant-based Brazilian Flavours Cooking Class: $56
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $60
  • Private Tour in Rio Scenarium with Dinner: $65
  • Skip the line: Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $70
  • Dinner and Brazilian Music Show in Rio Scenarium: $70
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $72
  • Small-Group Boozy 7-Recipe Brazilian Cooking Class: $75
  • Food Tour Experience in Rio de Janeiro (Small Groups or Private): $80
  • Samba Show Ginga Tropical with Optional Dinner: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amsterdam €30
    Rio de Janeiro €17
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:

  • A tasty stroll through Pijp: An audio tour of some of Amsterdam great food spots: $5.00
  • An Amsterdam introduction: Explore the origins of Amsterdam on an audio tour: $5.00
  • Amsterdam Red Light District Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap: $5.41
  • Amsterdam West Specialty Coffee Spots Cycling Audio Tour by VoiceMap: $5.41
  • Vondelpark and Old West Neighbourhood Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap: $5.48
  • Amsterdam Private Tour: Red Light District Exploration Game: $5.65
  • Self-Guided Tour with Over 100 Sights: $5.67
  • The Red Light District self-guided Virtual Experience: The Highlights: $7.45
  • Absolutely Tip-Based Walking Tour With Super Local Guide (2,5 Hours): $8.09
  • Red Light District 1-hour Smartphone Audio Tour: $9.06
  • Amsterdam Red Light District: A Walking Audio Tour on your Phone (1hour): $9.94
  • Silent Disco Club Experience: $9.95

Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Rio Line Panoramic City Tour - Boulevard Route: $10
  • Inside Rio Photography Walking Tour: $10
  • Hiking Tour to Pedra do Telégrafo (Telegraph Stone): $12
  • Carnival Backstage Tour - Visit a traditional Samba School: $16
  • Rocinha Lucky Tour: $16
  • Rio Street Art Experience 2 Hours: $19
  • Christ the Redeemer and Escadaria Selarón Half-Day Tour: $19
  • 2 Hour Vidigal Favela Tour Discovery the Most Laidback Favela: $19
  • Rio: Christ the Redeemer Official Ticket with Van Transport: $20
  • Historical Downtown and Lapa - Walking Tour: $20
  • Favela Tour -The path of Michael Jackson in Rio: $20
  • Rio: Christ the Redeemer Official Ticket by Cog Train: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amsterdam €19
    Rio de Janeiro €9.75

Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam

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

  • Distillery Tour & Tasting: $22
  • Amsterdam Bar Crawl: $27
  • Amsterdam Shared Bar Crawl: $31
  • Private Amsterdam Red Light District and pub tour: $61
  • Guided Craft Beer Brewery Bus Tour with Tastings: $67
  • 4 hour Amsterdam Brewery Tour: $81
  • High Class Culinary Lunch in Amsterdam - Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour: $102
  • Drew's 3-Hour Amsterdam Brewery and Bar Tour to Top Rated Bars: $106
  • Discover 3 gastronomic restaurants in Amsterdam - self-guided food & wine tour: $129
  • Experience 4 Culinary Restaurants in Amsterdam Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour: $152
  • Amsterdam Bachelor Party Bar Crawl: $488

Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Pub Crawl Rio de Janeiro: $11
  • Pub Crawl in Lapa: $19
  • Skip the line: Ipanema Pub Crawl: $28
  • Beautiful Imperial Petropolis City Tour Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $34
  • Rio By Night Tour: Pub Crawl Experiencing Music, Dancing, Drinks & Local Culture: $105
  • Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $135
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $160

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Amsterdam or Rio de Janeiro?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Amsterdam has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Amsterdam or Rio de Janeiro in the Summer?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.

In the summer, Amsterdam is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July are around 17°C (62°F), and Rio de Janeiro is about 26°C (79°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Rio de Janeiro. In July, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Rio de Janeiroin January. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Amsterdam 17°C (62°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Rio de Janeiro in the Autumn?

Both Rio de Janeiro and Amsterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Rio de Janeiroin April. Temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Rio de Janeiro stays around 25°C (77°F).

Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Amsterdam usually gets less rain in October than Rio de Janeiroin April. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Amsterdam 11°C (51°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Rio de Janeiro in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Rio de Janeiro. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Amsterdam can get quite cold in the winter. Amsterdam is much colder than Rio de Janeiro in the winter. The temperature in Amsterdam is usually 2°C (36°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro stays around 21°C (70°F)in July.

In January, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Rio de Janeiroin July. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Amsterdam 2°C (36°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Rio de Janeiro in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Rio de Janeiro. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Amsterdam is much colder than Rio de Janeiro. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April are around 8°C (46°F), and Rio de Janeiro is about 23°C (73°F)in October.

Amsterdam usually gets less rain in April than Rio de Janeiroin October. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rio de Janeiro receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Amsterdam 8°C (46°F) 
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)

Typical Weather for Rio de Janeiro and Amsterdam

Amsterdam Rio de Janeiro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)


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Amsterdam vs. Rio de Janeiro Travel Comparison

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