Which place is cheaper, Amsterdam or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Arusha or Amsterdam?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Amsterdam can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Arusha or Amsterdam?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The historical architecture, scenic bridges, and energetic 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.
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Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesAmsterdam Prices
Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $189Amsterdam $245
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is $245. 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 Arusha and Amsterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $126Amsterdam $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $252Amsterdam $238
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Amsterdam
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Amsterdam? 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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Amsterdam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Amsterdam $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
- Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport Transfers with Private Day Tours: $60
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $294
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$3.72
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Renting a Bike$17
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One Hour Canal Cruise$12
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Single Day Transit Pass$3.03
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport$3.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- VIP Transfer from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam City or Back to the Airport: $101
- Transfer: Amsterdam City Center to Airport Schiphol (AMS): $40
- Transfer from cruise port in Amsterdam to a hotel in Amsterdam: $77
- Taxi minibus Transfer cruise port Amsterdam to Airport Amsterdam: $166
- Taxi minibus Transfer Amsterdam Hotel to cruise port Amsterdam: $130
- Taxi Transfer from hotel in Amsterdam to cruise port in Rotterdam: $187
- Taxi Transfer from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam: $95
- Schiphol to Amsterdam VIP Transfer | Meet & Greet Taxi: $178
- Schiphol airport to the cruise terminal IJmuiden. Private transfer.: $79
- Schiphol Amsterdam Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $77
- Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam | Private Luxury Transfer: $112
- Schiphol Airport Transfer From Amsterdam: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Amsterdam?
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and Arusha 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 dayArusha $40Amsterdam $93
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
- Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $197
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$6.98
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
- Food Tour Amsterdam | Taste The Best of Dutch Flavors: $14
- Self Guided Food Tour in De Pijp District of Amsterdam: $59
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $60
- 3-course dinner party at a secret pop-up restaurant: $71
- Amsterdam Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $89
- Amsterdam Food Tour: +10 Tastes, Culture and Canals with Sherpa: $89
- Top 10 Tastes of Guided Walking Food Tour: $91
- Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner: $95
- 10 Tastes of Food Tour by UNESCO Canals and Jordaan: $105
- Dinner Canal Cruise 4-Courses Including Drinks: $105
- Jordaan Food Tour: Special 10 Year Anniversary Edition: $108
- Private Dutch Pancake Cooking Class in an Amsterdam Canal Home: $109
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Amsterdam $42
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Arusha Guided Walking City Tour: Culture, History & Local Markets: $19
- Arusha's Soul: A Guided Walking & Drive City Tour. Learn & Live.: $21
- Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $30
- Arusha Waterfalls,Coffee farm Tour & Swing(all inclusive): $30
- Sunset Tour in Arusha with Scenic Views of Mountain: $35
- Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
- Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
- Mountain Bike Tour of the Foothills of Mount Meru: $40
- Banana Bliss Plantation Coffee Medicinal and Waterfall Tour: $45
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Arusha: $50
- Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
- Coffee tour and Buffet Lunch with Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
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$6.98
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Entry for two to the Anne Frank House$20
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Hour Iconic Canal Belt Cruise: $69
- 1 Hour Private Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $118
- 1, 2 or 3-7 Days Nightclubs & Best Nightlife in Amsterdam Ticket: $15
- 1,5 hours Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $178
- 2 Countries in 1 Day: Cologne Day Tour from Amsterdam: $236
- 2 Hours Amsterdam Private Walking Tour: $136
- 2 Hours Private Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $231
- 2 hour food tasting Tour in Amsterdam Group Tour: $107
- 2-hour Red Light District and Old Town Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $53
- 420 Official Smoking Boat Tour in Amsterdam: $24
- 4Hrs with a Local in Full Private & Personalized Tour.: $284
- 75 minute Blue Boat Company City Canal Cruise and Maritime Museum: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Amsterdam $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Red Light District Bar Crawl: $24
- Amsterdam Private Pub Crawl in the City Center: $30
- Cheese and Wine tasting in Amsterdam: $32
- Halloween Bar Crawl in Central Amsterdam: $101
- Private Amsterdam Red Light District and Pub Tour including drink: $103
- Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $140
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Arusha much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha is in Africa and Amsterdam is in Europe, 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 Arusha would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arusha 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 Arusha.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Amsterdam Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Amsterdam?
Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Amsterdam, 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.
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.