Should you visit Copenhagen or Amsterdam?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Copenhagen and Amsterdam can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark. It has a small town vibe but is still a cosmopolitan city with lots of shopping, culture, and nightlife. It's a very safe and comfortable city that is easy to explore on foot. Copenhagen is the birthplace of many old fairytales, but also has modern, world class architecture and a liberal vibe. The people of Copenhagen are diverse and international. Most residents are Danes, but some come from Germany and Sweden and there are also many Middle Eastern immigrants.
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 Copenhagen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Copenhagen is $183, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is $152. 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 Copenhagen and Amsterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $158 for a double occupancy room in Copenhagen If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
A hotel room in Amsterdam is about $176 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The price of a meal in Copenhagen can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $55 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $22 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 $38 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Copenhagen $55
Amsterdam $38
Typical Food prices in Copenhagen
For Copenhagen, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Copenhagen
For Copenhagen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private Copenhagen Street Food Tour with a Local Foodie:
$94
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Traditional Nordic and Danish Cooking Class with an Expert Local:
$97
-
Sweden Daytrip: Food Tour to Malmö:
$1,724
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.
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Live online cooking class from Classic European 2-course meal:
$23
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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
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The Pizzaboat Amsterdam Min. 8 pax:
$75
-
Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner:
$76
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Joy of Life - Bistro Dinner on an Amsterdam Canal:
$84
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Copenhagen than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $64 on transportation in Copenhagen on average per day.
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.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Copenhagen
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Copenhagen:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Copenhagen
Also for Copenhagen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Copenhagen City to Copenhagen Roskilde Airport (RKE)- Departure Private Transfer:
$112
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Copenhagen Hotel Transfer:
$137
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Copenhagen Private One-Way Airport Transfer by Van:
$218
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Copenhagen Private Transfer from Copenhagen city centre to Copenhagen airport:
$183
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Copenhagen hotel or address to Copenhagen Port - Private Round-Trip Car Transfer:
$139
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Copenhagen hotel or address to Malmö City - Private Round-Trip Car Transfer:
$182
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Copenhagen hotel/address to Copenhagen Airport (CPH)- Departure Private Transfer:
$93
-
Copenhagen hotel/address to Copenhagen Port - Private Car Transfer:
$70
-
Copenhagen hotel/address to Malmö City - Private Car Transfer:
$91
-
Deluxe Private Transfer from Copenhagen Hotels to Copenhagen Airport:
$71
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Departure Private Transfer Copenhagen City Copenhagen airport CPH Luxury Van:
$125
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Departure Private Transfer Copenhagen to Copenhagen Airport CPH by Business Car:
$118
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:
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VIP Local Transfer inside Amsterdam:
$81
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VIP Amsterdam Airport Departure Transfer:
$67
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VIP Amsterdam Airport Departure Transfer:
$61
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Ultra - Amsterdam Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Amsterdam City Centre:
$9.55
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Ultra - Amsterdam Private Transfer from City Centre to Amsterdam Cruise Port:
$9.55
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Ultra - Amsterdam Private Airport Transfer City Center to Schiphol Airport AMS:
$73
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Amsterdam City to Airport:
$34
-
Transfer in Private Minivan from Amsterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport:
$46
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Taxi Transfer from cruise port terminal in Amsterdam to hotel in Amsterdam:
$56
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Schiphol Airport Transfer - Amsterdam City Center:
$135
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Roundtrip Transfer Schiphol - Amsterdam:
$104
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Roundtrip Private Transfer Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam:
$101
Is it cheaper to fly into Copenhagen or Amsterdam?
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and Copenhagen 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
Sightseeing expenses in Copenhagen, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $26 per day, per person.
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.
Typical Entertainment prices in Copenhagen
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Copenhagen's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Boat Tour
$9.20
-
Coffee
$15
Tours and Activities in Copenhagen
For Copenhagen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Experience The Little Mermaid's story in Copenhagen:
$7.35
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Little Mermaid Charming Game and Tour:
$12
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Copenhagen Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$12
-
Copenhagen Old City Train Tours:
$14
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Skip the Line: Tivoli Gardens Admission Ticket:
$22
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Trail Running Adventure from Nørreport Station:
$27
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Skip The Line: Hard Rock Cafe Copenhagen:
$29
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Skip the Line: Tivoli Gardens 1-Day Unlimited Rides Ticket:
$41
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Skip the Line: Tivoli Gardens 1-Day Unlimited Rides Ticket PLUS:
$50
-
Private Danish Market Tour With a Local Expert in Copenhagen:
$57
-
GAILY TOUR in COPENHAGEN - Gay & Lesbian Tour:
$224
-
Private Walking Grand Tour of Copenhagen:
$311
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:
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1 hour Amsterdam City Tour in Pedicab:
$87
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1,5 hours Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour:
$174
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1.5 Hour Walking Tour of Amsterdam’s Red Light District with a Local:
$41
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1.5-hour Amsterdam Bubbly Bike tour:
$757
-
2 Hours Private Walking Tour of the Highlights of Amsterdam:
$81
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2 hours Amsterdam City Tour in Pedicab:
$162
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2-Day Nightclub Admission Ticket: Best Nightlife in Amsterdam:
$13
-
2-Hour Private Anne Frank Walking Tour with Drink:
$162
-
2-Hour Private Custom Amsterdam Walking Tour With A Local Guide:
$70
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2-Hour Private Walking Tour:
$306
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2-Hour Semi Private All-Inclusive Cruise on our Boutique Style boats:
$79
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2.5 hours Amsterdam Pedicab Tour:
$249
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Copenhagen spend on average $12 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Amsterdam may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $22 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Distillery Tour & Tasting:
$22
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Amsterdam Bar Crawl:
$27
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Amsterdam Shared Bar Crawl:
$31
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Private Amsterdam Red Light District and pub tour:
$61
-
4 hour Amsterdam Brewery Tour:
$81
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High Class Culinary Lunch in Amsterdam - Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour:
$102
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Drew's 3-Hour Amsterdam Brewery and Bar Tour to Top Rated Bars:
$106
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Discover 3 gastronomic restaurants in Amsterdam - self-guided food & wine tour:
$129
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Experience 4 Culinary Restaurants in Amsterdam Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour:
$152
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Amsterdam Bachelor Party Bar Crawl:
$488
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Copenhagen and Amsterdam, we can see that Copenhagen is more expensive. And not only is Amsterdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Amsterdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Amsterdam 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 Copenhagen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Copenhagen than you might in Amsterdam.
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