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

Should you visit Kampala or Amsterdam?

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

Should I visit Kampala or Amsterdam? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Kampala or Amsterdam?

Kampala

Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the South part of the country near Lake Victoria. It is the largest city in Uganda, with a population of over two million people. This city is very safe and the locals are known to be very kind and approachable.

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 Camping Tours in Uganda, The Best Safaris in Uganda, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.


Which place is cheaper, Amsterdam or Kampala?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kampala is $67, 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 Kampala and Amsterdam in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kampala $57
    Amsterdam $111
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kampala $114
    Amsterdam $222
Compare Hotels in Kampala and Amsterdam

Looking for a hotel in Kampala 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 Kampala


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: Kampala Hotel Prices and Amsterdam Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kampala $2.41
    Amsterdam $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kampala

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


  • Taxi around town
    $3.86

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:

  • Entebbe Airport taxi. For a safe, affordable and reliable 24/7 airport transfer.: $45
  • Entebbe kampala airport transfers: $80
  • From 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari with Transfer: $2,200
  • Full-Day Kampala Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $200
  • Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $129

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: $291
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Den Helder: $258
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Haarlem: $106
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Hilversum: $157
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to IJmuiden: $123
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Leiden: $129
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Noordwijk: $129
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Utrecht: $249
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam city to Airport: $110
  • 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam in Amsterdam City: $105
  • 1-15pers Taxi/Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Rotterdam Airport: $202
  • AMS Schiphol Airport VIP Meet and Assist Pickup (with Hotel Private Transfer): $193

Is it cheaper to fly into Kampala or Amsterdam?

Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and Kampala 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
    Kampala $8.11
    Amsterdam $47
Typical Food Prices in Kampala

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


  • Lunch for 2
    $1.54

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala

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

  • Like a local cooking Tours: $26
  • Cooking Class for Typical Ugandan Food in Kampala: $31
  • Three-Hour Food Tour: $41
  • Private Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
  • Momma Ida's Ugandan Cuisine Cooking Tour: $75
  • Kampala City Walking Food Tour: $77
  • The Food Tour | Uganda | Half day: $123
  • Kampala cooking tour: $133
  • Half-day Kampala City Tour and Traditional Dance Show with Dinner (7-Hours): $147
  • Kampala food tour: $205

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 : $8.28
  • Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood: $14
  • Self-Guided Food Tour in De Jordaan Neighbourhood: $14
  • Evening Canal Cruise with Pizza and Drinks: $32
  • Amsterdam Evening Canal Cruise With Pizza and Drinks: $33
  • Food Tour Jordaan District: $36
  • Dinner Cruise with Fries Bitterballen and Drink from Amsterdam: $38
  • Pizza Cruise with Drinks: $41
  • Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket with A GOLD MENU Hard Rock Dinner: $52
  • Food Tour Amsterdam's Jordaan District Self-Guided: $52
  • 3-course Dinner in the Dark Amsterdam: $54
  • 3 Course Dinner in the Dark: $54

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kampala -
    Amsterdam $41

Tours and Activities in Kampala

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

  • Uganda Community Tour: $15
  • African Fabric Market Tour : $18
  • Kampala Half-Day Walking Tour with Local Female Guides: $20
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour with Optional Gaddafi Mosque: $24
  • Kampala:Guided walking tour: $25
  • Entebbe Walking Tour (3 Hours) with Zoo and Botanical Gardens Options: $25
  • Tombs, King’s palace and Gaddafi mosque walk tours: $26
  • Steve Kampala Walking tours: $27
  • Kampala Guided walking Tour: $30
  • Inside Kampala walking tour (Female guided): $33
  • Running City Tour of Kampala at Dawn (7 KMs | Sundays): $33
  • Rent A Bike And Cycle Your Own Adventure: $34

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:

  • Amsterdam city centre historical walking tour: $1.09
  • Golden Age Canals Walking Tour: $1.09
  • Rude Bastards Tour of Amsterdam: $3.26
  • City Exploration Game and Walking Tour: $3.26
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $3.30
  • Photo Tour in Amsterdam 2 Hours: $3.30
  • Free Walking Tour of Haunted Amsterdam: $3.31
  • Free walking tour of haunted Amsterdam: $4.34
  • Private Tour of Simonehoeve Cheese Farm and Clog Factory: $5.52
  • Private Walking Tour through the Streets of Amsterdam: $5.52
  • An Amsterdam Introduction: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the City's Origins: $5.99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kampala -
    Amsterdam $26

Sample the Local Flavors in Kampala

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kampala:

  • Entebbe and club,pub and bar crawl experiences: $35
  • Kampala Pub Crawl | Uganda | 4 hours: $65

Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam

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

  • Amsterdam Pub Trail: Pub crawl with interactive online game: $16
  • Amsterdam Private Self Guided Pub Crawl: $22
  • Original Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entrance: $26
  • Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
  • Red Light District Pub Crawl: $27
  • Distillery Tour & Tasting at Spirited Union: $28
  • Leidseplein and Red Light Pub Crawl: 2 Night Pass: $31
  • Chateau Urban Wine Tasting and optional bites: $33
  • Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $33
  • Red Light District Tour | Pub Crawl Mystery: $38
  • Kings Night Ultimate Party Pub Crawl: $38
  • Red Light District and Local Pub Tour: $40


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

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


Which is Bigger, Kampala or Amsterdam?

Kampala has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Kampala 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.