Should you visit Bucharest or Amsterdam?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Bucharest and Amsterdam. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Amsterdam or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $117, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is $151. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Bucharest and Amsterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $108 for a double occupancy room in Bucharest.
A hotel room in Amsterdam is about $174 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The price of a meal in Bucharest can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $50 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $20 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
In Amsterdam travelers spend around $37 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Bucharest $50
Amsterdam $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
-
Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours:
$80
-
Cooking Class in Transylvania - Day Tour from Bucharest:
$199
-
Walking Food Tour in the Old Town of Bucharest:
$199
-
Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience:
$223
-
Private Dracula Castle Tour by night and Romanian traditional dinner:
$331
Typical Food prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
-
Live online cooking class from Classic European 2-course meal:
$23
-
Three course lunch/dinner voucher:
$42
-
Withlocals the 10 Tastings: Amsterdam's Favourite Private Food Tour with a Local:
$50
-
Private Pizza Canal Cruise Amsterdam:
$62
-
Dinner with an Amsterdam artist on the river:
$62
-
Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café:
$63
-
Amsterdam Small Group Food Tour:
$69
-
Food Tour in the Albert Cuyp Market Amsterdam:
$73
-
Delicious Dutch Dinner in an Amsterdam Canalhouse:
$75
-
The Pizzaboat Amsterdam Min. 8 pax:
$75
-
Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner:
$76
-
Joy of Life - Bistro Dinner on an Amsterdam Canal:
$84
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Bucharest is $22 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Amsterdam is $18 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
-
Airport Private Transfer - to or from any Bucharest hotel:
$36
-
Airport Transfers in Bucharest City:
$75
-
Airport transfer to Bucharest:
$27
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Business Car:
$142
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP to Brasov in Luxury Van:
$165
-
Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City:
$41
-
Arrival Private Transfers from Bucharest Airport OTP to Bucharest City:
$55
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Bucharest Airport OTP to Bran Castle of Dracula:
$236
-
Best transfer from Bucharest Airport to City Center:
$3.72
-
Bran Castle of Dracula Yourself : Private Transfer from Bucharest Airport OTP:
$236
-
Bucharest (OTP) airport transfer to Predeal - fixed price for up to 7 seats:
$299
-
Bucharest - Private Airport Transfer:
$15
Typical Local Transportation prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
-
Amsterdam Airport Arrival Transfer in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Viano or S-Class:
$84
-
Amsterdam Airport Departure Transfer:
$58
-
Amsterdam Airport Departure Transfer (Amsterdam Hotels to Amsterdam Airport):
$83
-
Amsterdam Airport Private Departure Transfer:
$52
-
Amsterdam Airport Transfer (Airport to Hotel or address in Amsterdam) ROUND-TRIP:
$167
-
Amsterdam Airport Transfers : Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport AMS in Luxury Car:
$96
-
Amsterdam Airport Transfers : Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport AMS in Luxury Van:
$85
-
Amsterdam City Center - Schiphol Airport Transfer:
$143
-
Amsterdam City Center - Schiphol Airport Transfer (MiniVan):
$160
-
Amsterdam City Departure Private Transfer to Amsterdam Port in Luxury Car:
$79
-
Amsterdam City Departure Private Transfer to Amsterdam Port in Luxury Van:
$60
-
Amsterdam City Departure Private Transfer to Amsterdam Train Station in Business Car:
$52
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Amsterdam?
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and Bucharest 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.
Entertainment
Bucharest's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $12 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Amsterdam's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $34 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Bellu Outdoor Museum Exploration Game & Tour:
$5.67
-
Old Town Hidden Gems Exploration Game and Tour:
$7.95
-
Museum of Senses Bucharest Entrance Ticket:
$11
-
One Hour Epic Escape Room Adventure Mystery in Bucharest:
$14
-
Escape Room Experience:
$17
-
Half-day tour to the Mogoșoaia Palace by train from Bucharest:
$20
-
Skip the line: Bucharest Parliament Palace Ticket:
$23
-
Self-Guided Ruse from Bucharest Tour:
$24
-
Skip the Line: Palace of the Parliament - Bucharest:
$25
-
Guided Ceausescu Villa Tour:
$25
-
Jewish Tour of Bucharest:
$28
-
Dracula's Transylvania Virtual Private 2-Hour Live Guided Tour:
$31
Typical Entertainment prices in Amsterdam
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
A tasty stroll through Pijp: An audio tour of some of Amsterdam great food spots:
$5.00
-
An Amsterdam introduction: Explore the origins of Amsterdam on an audio tour:
$5.00
-
Amsterdam Red Light District Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.41
-
Amsterdam West Specialty Coffee Spots Cycling Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.41
-
Vondelpark and Old West Neighbourhood Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.48
-
Amsterdam Private Tour: Red Light District Exploration Game:
$5.65
-
The Red Light District self-guided Virtual Experience: The Highlights:
$7.45
-
Absolutely Tip-Based Walking Tour With Super Local Guide (2,5 Hours):
$8.09
-
Amsterdam Red Light District: A Walking Audio Tour on your Phone (1hour):
$9.94
-
Silent Disco Club Experience:
$9.95
-
Small-Group Cheese Tasting Experience in Amsterdam:
$12
-
Self-Guided City Experience:
$12
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Bucharest may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.84 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Amsterdam may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $21 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Pub Crawl in the Old Town:
$23
-
Wine Tasting Tour of Bucharest Old Town:
$61
-
Wine Tasting Tour at First Wine Bar:
$61
-
Private Wine Tasting at Bucharest's First Wine Bar:
$65
-
Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting – 2.5 hours:
$88
-
Traditions in Village Museum & Wine Tasting:
$93
-
Bike & Wine tour in Dealu Mare wineland:
$96
-
Wine tasting at the mansion, Dracula's grave from Snagov & Mogosoaia Palace:
$100
-
Traditions in Village Museum and Wine Tasting Tour:
$100
-
Romanian Wine Tasting:
$106
-
Romanian Wine Tasting Experience:
$113
-
Lacerta Crama Wine Tasting:
$113
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Distillery Tour & Tasting:
$22
-
Amsterdam Bar Crawl:
$27
-
Amsterdam Shared Bar Crawl:
$31
-
Private Amsterdam Red Light District and pub tour:
$61
-
4 hour Amsterdam Brewery Tour:
$81
-
High Class Culinary Lunch in Amsterdam - Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour:
$102
-
Drew's 3-Hour Amsterdam Brewery and Bar Tour to Top Rated Bars:
$106
-
Discover 3 gastronomic restaurants in Amsterdam - self-guided food & wine tour:
$129
-
Experience 4 Culinary Restaurants in Amsterdam Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour:
$152
-
Amsterdam Bachelor Party Bar Crawl:
$488
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Bucharest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bucharest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bucharest 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 Bucharest.
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