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

Should you visit Geneva or Amsterdam?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva 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, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a professional, classy, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Geneva is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Geneva travel costs.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a laid-back, scenic, and historic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. The famous beauty of Amsterdam is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Amsterdam travel costs.

Geneva and Amsterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Amsterdam?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amsterdam than Geneva. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is very popular for its nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Geneva attracts visitors for its food and shopping. Amsterdam is more touristy than Geneva and is known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Rijksmuseum. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.

How is Geneva different from Amsterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Geneva and Amsterdam have great landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Amsterdam offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Geneva or Amsterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Geneva is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Geneva. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

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 Geneva or Amsterdam Better for Nightlife?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Amsterdam is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Geneva or Amsterdam Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Geneva is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam is a world class music destination. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Geneva is not a live music destination.

Is Geneva or Amsterdam Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Amsterdam?

Geneva is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Geneva make it a world-class shopping destination. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Amsterdam. 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 Geneva or Amsterdam More Beautiful?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Amsterdam is one of the main draws. With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.

Geneva is a beautiful place to visit, too. Located on the edge of Lake Geneva and surrounded by the Alps, the city is both bustling and beautiful.

Is Geneva or Amsterdam Better for Families?

Geneva is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

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 Geneva or Amsterdam Better for Couples?

Amsterdam is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Geneva or Amsterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Amsterdam is a mecca for backpackers and 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.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Amsterdam Better for Students?

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

Geneva is a great city to visit as a student. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Is Geneva or Amsterdam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Geneva and Amsterdam.

Visitors in Geneva can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

Amsterdam has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. 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.

Is Geneva or Amsterdam a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Amsterdam on foot is easy. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Geneva is a very walkable city. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Amsterdam or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Amsterdam?

Both Geneva 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 Geneva. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.

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

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Geneva. 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 Geneva 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 Geneva or Amsterdam?

People visit Geneva because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Geneva has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of Amsterdam. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Geneva or Amsterdam?

People visit Geneva because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or Amsterdam?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the professional city of Geneva. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Amsterdam?

Geneva is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the party-oriented big city of Amsterdam. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

When comparing the travel costs between Geneva and Amsterdam, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva or Amsterdam?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Geneva or Amsterdam in the Summer?

Both Amsterdam and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Geneva in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Geneva is a little warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°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 Geneva. Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

Both Amsterdam and Geneva during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Geneva is generally a little warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in October than Amsterdam. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Amsterdam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Amsterdam. The winter months attract visitors to Geneva because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.

It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. The weather in Geneva can be very cold. Geneva is much warmer than Amsterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Amsterdam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Amsterdam. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Geneva is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Geneva often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Amsterdam. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Geneva