Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo or Amsterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Amsterdam or Sao Paulo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?
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.
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, and The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmsterdam €175Sao Paulo €49
The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is €175, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is €49. 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 Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmsterdam €102Sao Paulo €28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmsterdam €204Sao Paulo €56
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam or Sao Paulo? 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 Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amsterdam €20Sao Paulo €5.50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
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Ride on Tram€3.20
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Renting a Bike€15
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One Hour Canal Cruise€10
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Single Day Transit Pass€2.60
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport€3.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- Private Transfer to/from Bruges: $829
- Kinderdijk & Delft Private Day Trip w/ Transfers: $807
- Private Transfer to/from Brussels: $743
- Private Transfer to/from Antwerp: $592
- Private Transfer to Bruges: $387
- Amsterdam Cruise Port: Private Transfer to The Hague hotels: $335
- Amsterdam and Rotterdam: 1-Way Private Transfer: $312
- Rotterdam: Private transfer to/from Schiphol Airport: $312
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Dordrecht: $288
- Private Direct Transfer from Amsterdam to Bruges: $274
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $273
- Layover Sightseeing Tour with Airport Transfer: $268
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $63
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos Hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $125
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $63
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $77
- Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $125
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $123
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $197
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $181
- Private Arrival Transfer | Congonhas Airport (CGH) x São Paulo City: $95
- Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City : $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo 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
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Food Meals for one dayAmsterdam €43Sao Paulo €14
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
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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.
- Food Tour Amsterdam (Tip Based): $5.46
- Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $8.19
- 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: $32
- Dinner Cruise with Fries Bitterballen and Drink from Amsterdam: $38
- Pizza Cruise with Drinks: $40
- Evening Canal Cruise with Pizza and Drinks: $43
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket with A GOLD MENU Hard Rock Dinner: $43
- Food Tour Jordaan District: $51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amsterdam €37Sao Paulo €3.77
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum€6.00
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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:
- Amsterdam (Museum Quarter) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Anne Frank Story & Neighborhood Walk Tour in Amsterdam: $46
- Cheese, Wine with Unlimited Drinks in Amsterdam Luxury Cruise: $54
- 1 Hour Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Audio Guide: $20
- 1 Hour Canal Cruise in Amsterdam: $22
- 1,5 hours Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $164
- 1-Hour Canal Cruise in the Evening : $22
- 2 Hour Exclusive Canal Boat Cruise w/ Dutch snacks & Onboard Bar: $43
- 2 Hour Exclusive Canal Cruise: Including drinks & Dutch snacks: $63
- 2 Hours Private Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $213
- 2-Hour Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour: $131
- 2-hour Red Light District and Old Town Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $49
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $35
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $35
- Breakfast Tour in Bom Retiro: $43
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $54
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Bixiga Walking Tour: $67
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmsterdam €24Sao Paulo €3.28
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
- Red Light District Pub Crawl: $27
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Original Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entrance: $29
- Chateau Urban Wine Tasting and optional bites: $32
- Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $33
- Self-guided Red Light District Pub Crawl Mystery: $38
- Leidseplein and Red Light Pub Crawl: 2 Night Pass: $38
- Red Light District and Local Pub Tour: $39
- Dutch Cheese and Wine Tasting: $43
- Dutch Wine Tasting || Amsterdam City Centre: $48
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $98
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Sao Paulo, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amsterdam is in Europe and Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo in the Summer?
Both Sao Paulo and Amsterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.
Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Amsterdam usually gets less rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAmsterdam 17°C (62°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Sao Paulo. 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.
In October, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin April. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In October, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAmsterdam 11°C (51°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Sao Paulo. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is much colder than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.
Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAmsterdam 2°C (36°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
Both Sao Paulo and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Amsterdam is much colder than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.
In April, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin October. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAmsterdam 8°C (46°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Amsterdam
| Amsterdam | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 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.