Which place is cheaper, Rio de Janeiro or Amsterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
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. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Contiki Tours to Brazil, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmsterdam €175Rio de Janeiro €99
The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is €175, while the average daily cost in Rio de Janeiro is €99. 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 Rio de Janeiro in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmsterdam €102Rio de Janeiro €62
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmsterdam €204Rio de Janeiro €124
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.
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 €20Rio de Janeiro €7.48
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 - 15 persons Minibus Amsterdam City transfer: $120
- 1-15 pers Taxi/Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to 's-Hertogenbosch: $287
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Amsterdam : $136
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $272
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Alkmaar: $155
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Almere: $155
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Harderwijk: $254
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Hoorn: $182
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Noordwijk: $127
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Utrecht: $245
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Zandvoort: $121
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam city to Airport: $109
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€2.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- 2025 Sambadrome Carnival Parade: Transfer Included Sector 5: $467
- 2025: Rio Carnival Parade at Sapucaí with Transfer Sector 7: $467
- A transfer with safety and comfort in Rio: $45
- Airport Private Transfer - Premium Service: $65
- All Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: $275
- Angra dos Reis Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro : $107
- Angra dos Reis Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $53
- Arraial do Cabo Private Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $123
- Arraial do Cabo Shared Transfer From Rio de Janeiro: $54
- Arrival Private Transfer GIG or SDU Airport to Rio City by Minivan: $91
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rio Airports to Buzios by Minivan: $205
- Arrival Private Transfer from Rio Airports to Buzios by Sedan Car: $121
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 dayAmsterdam €43Rio de Janeiro €19
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.
- 2 Hours Food Tour in Amsterdam (Tip Based): $5.44
- Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $8.16
- Self-Guided Food Tour in De Jordaan Neighbourhood: $13
- Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood: $13
- Self-Guided Food Tour of Amsterdam's De Jordaan District: $14
- Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Exclusive Burger Dinner Cruise through Amsterdam: $31
- Pizza Cruise with Drinks: $40
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket with A GOLD MENU Hard Rock Dinner: $43
- Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise With Pizza and Drinks: $43
- Food Tour Jordaan District: $51
- Food Tour Amsterdam's Jordaan District Self-Guided: $52
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€0.55
-
Corn on the Cob€0.73
-
Hamburger€0.92
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.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $45
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $71
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
- Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $81
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $88
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local - All Included: $99
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $103
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amsterdam €37Rio de Janeiro €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:
- Golden Age Canals Walking Tour: $1.07
- Red Light District Haunted History Night Tour: $1.69
- Two-hour walking tour of Amsterdam: $2.60
- Rude Bastards Tour of Amsterdam: $3.20
- Best of Amsterdam City Tour: $3.20
- City Exploration Game and Walking Tour: $3.20
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
- The Anne Frank Tour (Tip Based) Amsterdam : $3.25
- Dark History of the City Walking Tour: $3.41
- Free walking tour of haunted Amsterdam: $4.26
- Amsterdam West Specialty Coffee Spots: A Self-Guided Cycling Tour: $5.41
- Private Walking Tour through the Streets of Amsterdam: $5.44
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.68
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $9.81
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmsterdam €24Rio de Janeiro €11
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl with Shots and Beer Maid Guide: $25
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Red Light District Pub Crawl: $27
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Original Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entrance: $29
- Chateau Urban Wine Tasting and optional bites: $32
- Self-guided Red Light District Pub Crawl Mystery: $37
- Leidseplein and Red Light Pub Crawl: 2 Night Pass: $37
- Kings Night Ultimate Party Pub Crawl: $37
- Red Light District and Local Pub Tour: $39
- Dutch Wine Tasting || Amsterdam City Centre: $48
- Red-Light District Pub Crawl and Booze Boat Tour: $52
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:
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $27
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $55
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $64
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $129
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Rio de Janeiro, 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 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 average around 17°C (62°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at 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 JanuaryAmsterdam 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. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates 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 AprilAmsterdam 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 daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Rio de Janeiro fluctuates 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 JulyAmsterdam 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 average around 8°C (46°F), and Rio de Janeiro averages at 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 OctoberAmsterdam 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) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.