A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Toulouse for Food, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Amsterdam or Toulouse?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Toulouse, 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. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a dynamic, historic, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amsterdam and Toulouse: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Toulouse?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Amsterdam than Toulouse, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Amsterdam is more popular for its nightlife, music, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Toulouse is known for its food. Amsterdam is more touristy than Toulouse and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Toulouse is popular for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine.

How is Amsterdam different from Toulouse?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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

Toulouse is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Toulouse is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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 Toulouse Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Amsterdam is a world class party destination. 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.

Toulouse has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Is Amsterdam or Toulouse Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Toulouse Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam and Toulouse both have high quality historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Amsterdam to see the historical old town. 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.

Toulouse is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Toulouse?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Toulouse and Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Is Amsterdam or Toulouse Better for Families?

Toulouse is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Toulouse is a very kid-friendly city. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

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 Toulouse Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Toulouse are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Toulouse is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Is Amsterdam or Toulouse Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Amsterdam, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Amsterdam or Toulouse Better for Students?

Toulouse is a nice place to visit for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Toulouse is popular with students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Amsterdam has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. 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.

Toulouse has a few public transit options. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Amsterdam or Toulouse a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Toulouse is very walkable. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulouse or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Toulouse?

It's fun to spend time in either Amsterdam or Toulouse. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Amsterdam due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 2-4 days is enough time in Toulouse.

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

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Toulouse. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Amsterdam that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

Amsterdam is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Toulouse. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Toulouse?

Amsterdam is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amsterdam, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Toulouse. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Amsterdam or Toulouse?

Amsterdam is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amsterdam, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Toulouse. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Toulouse?

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Amsterdam has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Toulouse is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Toulouse?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Toulouse. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Toulouse, 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 Toulouse?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Toulouse in the Summer?

Both Toulouse and Amsterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Toulouse for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Toulouse. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Toulouse averages at about 22°C (72°F).

In Toulouse, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 275 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Toulouse. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Toulouse in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Toulouse. 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 Toulouse in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Amsterdam is generally cooler than Toulouse. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Toulouse fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Toulouse. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Toulouse in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Toulouse. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Toulouse 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 Toulouse in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Toulouse fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 88 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Toulouse. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Toulouse in the Spring?

Both Toulouse and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Toulouse because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Amsterdam is much colder than Toulouse. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Toulouse averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Amsterdam usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toulouse during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Toulouse. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toulouse and Amsterdam