A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Rotorua for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Amsterdam or Rotorua?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Rotorua, 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 party-oriented, laid-back, and scenic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Amsterdam is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums. See Amsterdam travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a natural, world-renowned, and diverse town. The beauty of Rotorua is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Rotorua travel costs.

Amsterdam and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Rotorua?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Rotorua, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Rotorua is known for its food and hiking. Amsterdam is more touristy than Rotorua and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Rotorua is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Amsterdam different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Amsterdam and Rotorua.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Rotorua. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

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

Rotorua 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 Rotorua. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

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 Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Amsterdam has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Amsterdam or Rotorua Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Rotorua is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Rotorua is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Rotorua Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Rotorua does not have a historic old town.

Is Amsterdam or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Rotorua. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Rotorua?

Amsterdam is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Amsterdam. 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.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Amsterdam or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Rotorua 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.

Rotorua is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Is Amsterdam or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Rotorua has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Amsterdam is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Is Amsterdam or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam and Rotorua are first-rate places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Amsterdam. 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.

A large number of backpackers visit Rotorua, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Amsterdam is top-notch. 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.

You'll find some public transit in Rotorua, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Amsterdam or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Amsterdam. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Rotorua is somewhat walkable. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Rotorua?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Rotorua. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Rotorua?

Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the natural destination of Rotorua. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Rotorua?

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the world-renowned town of Rotorua. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. Because Amsterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Rotorua is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Rotorua?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Rotorua. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Amsterdam is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Rotorua in the Autumn?

Both Rotorua and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In October, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Amsterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Amsterdam can get quite cold in the winter. Amsterdam is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Rotorua in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Rotorua. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Amsterdam is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Amsterdam