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

Should you visit Brisbane or Amsterdam?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Amsterdam can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a relaxed, diverse, and cultural coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a historic, canal-lined, and party-oriented 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.

Brisbane and Amsterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Amsterdam?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Amsterdam than Brisbane. While Brisbane is larger than Amsterdam, Amsterdam has more sights and attractions for tourists. Amsterdam is more popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Brisbane is known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Amsterdam is more touristy than Brisbane and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Brisbane is popular for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas.

How is Brisbane different from Amsterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Amsterdam and Brisbane. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Brisbane or Amsterdam?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Amsterdam and Brisbane.

Many visitors head to Brisbane specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

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.

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

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Brisbane. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

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 Brisbane or Amsterdam Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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.

Brisbane has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Is Brisbane or Amsterdam Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Brisbane 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.

Brisbane is not a live music destination.

Is Brisbane or Amsterdam Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Amsterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Brisbane has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Amsterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Amsterdam Better for Beaches?

Brisbane is well known for the beache. However, Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Brisbane. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Amsterdam Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is great for its historic old town charm. However, Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Amsterdam. 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.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Brisbane or Amsterdam Better for Hiking?

Brisbane is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

Brisbane has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Amsterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Amsterdam?

If you're looking to go shopping, Brisbane and Amsterdam both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Brisbane. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Brisbane or Amsterdam Better for Families?

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

Brisbane is a very kid-friendly coastal city. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

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 Brisbane or Amsterdam Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is great for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

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.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Brisbane or Amsterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Is Brisbane or Amsterdam Better for Students?

Brisbane is well known for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Brisbane is a great coastal city to visit as a student. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Brisbane or Amsterdam 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, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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.

Brisbane has a few public transit options. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Is Brisbane or Amsterdam a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal 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.

Brisbane is very walkable. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Amsterdam or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Amsterdam?

Both Brisbane and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Brisbane. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Brisbane, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.

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

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

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

You'll find nightlife and food around the coastal city of Brisbane. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

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.

A weekend in Brisbane or Amsterdam?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the cultural destination of Brisbane. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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.

Five days in Brisbane or Amsterdam?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the relaxed coastal city of Brisbane. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Brisbane or Amsterdam?

Brisbane is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, The Best Adventure Tours to Australia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Amsterdam?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane 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.

When is the best time to visit Brisbane or Amsterdam?

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

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

In January, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Amsterdamin July. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 25°C (77°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amsterdam. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the summer, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Amsterdamin July. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the summer. Brisbane usually gets more rain in January than Amsterdamin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

Both Amsterdam and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Brisbane is much warmer than Amsterdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during autumn. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Brisbane. In April, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Amsterdamin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brisbane or Amsterdam in the Winter?

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

Amsterdam can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Brisbane is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brisbane in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 2°C (36°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the winter, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Amsterdamin January. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun.

Brisbane usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Amsterdamin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Amsterdam in the Spring?

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

In October, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Amsterdamin April. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 21°C (69°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during spring. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Amsterdamin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Brisbane