A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cairo vs. Amsterdam for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cairo 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 Cairo 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: Cairo or Amsterdam?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.


Which place is cheaper, Amsterdam or Cairo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is $190. 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 Cairo and Amsterdam in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.27
    Amsterdam $111
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    Amsterdam $222
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Amsterdam

Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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.

Hotels in Cairo


Hotels in Amsterdam


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Amsterdam Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.96
    Amsterdam $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • Airport and excursion in Hurghada , Luxor or Cairo Transfer: $17
  • Cairo Airport Arrival Transfer: $20
  • Cairo Airport Transfer to Hotel: $16
  • Private Pickup transfer from Cairo Paradise Hotel to Cairo airport: $12
  • Private Pickup transfer from Windsor Hotel Cairo to Cairo airport: $12
  • Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
  • Private airport Transfer: $15
  • Private transfer from Sonesta Hotel, Tower& Casino Cairo to Cairo airport: $12
  • Private transfer from The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo to Cairo airport: $12
  • Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx Half Day Tour With Private Guide & Transfers : $135
  • Skip-the-line to Great Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza with Transfer: $24
  • 01 way Private Transfer from your Hotel in Cairo to Cairo Airport: $13

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:


  • Ride on Tram
    $3.48
  • Renting a Bike
    $16
  • One Hour Canal Cruise
    $11
  • Single Day Transit Pass
    $2.83
  • Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport
    $3.70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:

  • 1-15 pers Taxi/Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to 's-Hertogenbosch: $292
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $276
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Almere: $157
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Den Helder: $258
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Hilversum: $157
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Hoorn: $185
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Leiden: $129
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Zaandam: $107
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam city to Airport: $110
  • AMS Schiphol Airport VIP Meet and Assist Pickup (with Hotel Private Transfer): $193
  • Airport Private Transfer: Schiphol Airport ↔ The Hague City : $215
  • Airport Transfer: Schiphol Airport AMS to Amsterdam by Luxury Car: $114

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Amsterdam?

Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and Cairo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cairo $4.70
    Amsterdam $47
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.

  • Cairo Dinner Cruise With Belly Dancer Show: $10
  • Giza Dinner Cruise With Belly Dancer Show: $10
  • Cairo Nile dinner cruise night show with belly dancer: $10
  • Dinner Nile Cruise belly dancer open buffer tanora show sailing on Nile: $11
  • Food Tour in Local Cairo Life with Egyptian tea: $11
  • 2-hours night dinner cruise show : Eat , Dance and Sing : $13
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $13
  • Private "Cairo Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Nile" with Pickup: $13
  • Private Cairo food tour and Egyptian tea: $14
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $14
  • Experience Magic A 4Star Cairo Dinner Cruise with Belly Dancer: $15
  • Local Oriental Food Tour from Cairo or Giza hotels: $15

Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:


  • Afternoon Tea
    $6.53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.

  • Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $8.29
  • Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood: $14
  • Self-Guided Food Tour in De Jordaan Neighbourhood: $14
  • Pizza Cruise with Drinks: $26
  • Exclusive Burger Dinner Cruise: $31
  • Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $31
  • Pizza Cruise in Amsterdam Including Drinks and Ice Cream: $41
  • Evening Canal Cruise with Pizza and Drinks: $42
  • Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket with A GOLD MENU Hard Rock Dinner: $44
  • Food Tour Jordaan District: $52
  • 3 Course Dinner in the Dark: $57
  • 3-course dinner party at a secret pop-up restaurant: $61

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $5.69
    Amsterdam $41
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.83
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.43

Tours and Activities in Cairo

Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Dahshur Pyramids Entry Tickets: $4.37
  • Baron Palace Entry Tickets : $4.60
  • Prince Mohamed Ali Palace Entry Ticket: $4.80
  • 3-Hour Private Tour of Papyrus and Perfumes in Ancient Egypt: $5.00
  • Full Day Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara: $5.00
  • Coptic Museum Entry Ticket : $5.20
  • Entry Ticket to the Prince Mohamed Ali Palace : $5.57
  • Private Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx : $6.00
  • Cairo Museum of Islamic Arts Entry Ticket: $7.00
  • Baron Palace Skip the line Access Entry Tickets: $7.11
  • Museum of Islamic Art Entry Ticket : $7.35
  • TOP Half Day Tour To Explore Coptic Cairo Visit Ben Ezra Synagogue: $8.00

Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam

Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum
    $6.53
  • Entry for two to the Anne Frank House
    $19

Tours and Activities in Amsterdam

Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Golden Age Canals Walking Tour: $1.09
  • Best of Amsterdam City Tour: $1.09
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • The Amsterdam Walking Tour 2 hours: $3.26
  • Rude Bastards Tour of Amsterdam: $3.26
  • Dark History of the City Walking Tour: $3.26
  • City Exploration Game and Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Amsterdam Spanish Tour 2 Hours: $3.30
  • Alternative tour Amsterdam (Tip-Based): $3.30
  • Two-hour walking tour of Amsterdam: $3.30
  • Self Guided Tours Amsterdam With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.30
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $3.30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.16
    Amsterdam $26

Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam

Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $21
  • Amsterdam Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $22
  • Breugem Meeting Point: Brewery tour and beer tasting: $23
  • Original Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entrance: $26
  • Bar Crawl with Shots and Beer Maid Guide: $27
  • Red Light District Pub Crawl: $27
  • Distillery Tour & Tasting at Spirited Union: $28
  • 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: $40
  • Dutch Wine Tasting || Amsterdam City Centre: $49
  • Red-Light District Pub Crawl and Booze Boat Tour: $53


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Amsterdam?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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 Cairo or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cairo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cairo or Amsterdam in the Summer?

Both Amsterdam and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cairo is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    Amsterdam 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

Both Amsterdam and Cairo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, 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, Cairo is generally much warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the autumn, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Amsterdam. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Amsterdam 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Amsterdam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Amsterdam. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. Cairo is much warmer than Amsterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during winter. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Amsterdam 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Amsterdam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Amsterdam. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cairo is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun.

Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Amsterdam. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    Amsterdam 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Cairo

Cairo Amsterdam
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)