Should you visit Lisbon or Amsterdam?
Should I visit Lisbon or Amsterdam? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €103, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is €133. 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 Lisbon and Amsterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about €92 in Lisbon For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
A hotel room in Amsterdam is about €154 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
In Lisbon travelers spend around €33 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.
In Amsterdam travelers spend around €33 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
Lisbon €33
Amsterdam €33
Typical Food prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Wine & Dine Food Tour:
$22
-
History and Flavors Half-Day Food Tour:
$29
-
Virtual Portuguese Cooking Lesson:
$31
-
Live Online Cooking Class from Pastel de Nata with Filipa:
$39
-
Live Fado & Alfama Tour with Traditional Dinner:
$40
-
Bohemian dinner party on a beautiful rooftop near the coast:
$42
-
3-Hour Self-Guided Locals' Food Tour:
$48
-
The magic of Pasteis de Nata cooking class in Lisbon:
$53
-
Bitemojo Self Guided Food Tour New To Lisbon:
$54
-
2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class:
$55
-
Zero-Waste Cooking Workshop:
$56
-
Withlocals Your Way: Lisbon Personalised Private Food Tour:
$56
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
-
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
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Food Tour in the Albert Cuyp Market Amsterdam:
$73
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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
Lisbon's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €19 per person, per day on transportation in Lisbon.
The average price of local transportation around Amsterdam is €16 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 Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport Private Transfer in Van to Caldas da Rainha or Óbidos or Fátima:
$165
-
Airport Private Transfer in Van to Cascais or Sintra or Estoril:
$68
-
Airport Private Transfer to Caldas da Rainha or Óbidos or Fátima:
$99
-
Airport Private Transfer to Cascais or Sintra or Estoril:
$27
-
Airport Private Transfer to Costa da Caparica or Almada:
$19
-
Airport Private Transfer to Ericeira or Torres Vedras:
$46
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Airport Transfer:
$44
-
Airport Transfer Lisbon:
$54
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Algarve Private Direct Transfer from Lisbon:
$760
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Arrival Private Transfer Business Car Lisbon airport LIS to Lisbon City:
$38
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Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van Lisbon airport LIS to Lisbon City:
$49
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Arrival Transfer at Family & Friends:
$19
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
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Transfer in Private Vehicle from Amsterdam City to Airport:
$34
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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 Lisbon or Amsterdam?
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and Lisbon 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, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Lisbon can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €19 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Amsterdam's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €30 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 Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Lisbon Downtown Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City:
$1.24
-
Rua Augusta Arch Admission Ticket:
$3.03
-
Lisbon Historical Walking Tour:
$3.11
-
Rua Augusta Arch Admission Ticket:
$3.41
-
Contemporary Park of Nations Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.48
-
The Soul of Alfama Self-guided Audio Tour by VoiceMap Lisbon:
$5.99
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Museu Coleção Berardo Admission Ticket:
$6.22
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Street Art Virtual Tour in Lisbon:
$6.22
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Skip the Line: Pilar 7 Bridge Experience Admission Ticket:
$6.22
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Lisboa Story Centre: 1-Day Admission Ticket:
$7.96
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Lisboa Story Centre Admission Ticket:
$8.09
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Lisboa Story Centre: 1-Day Admission Ticket:
$8.48
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
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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
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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
-
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 Lisbon spend on average €14 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 €19 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
-
Lisbon Pub Crawl:
$17
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Lisbon Pub Crawl with Free Drinks:
$18
-
Lisbon Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Lisbon 4-Hour Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Alternative Pub Crawl with a Local Guide:
$28
-
3-Hour Portuguese History & Flavors Food & Wine Tour:
$30
-
Portuguese Wine Tasting and Cheese Lunch:
$44
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From Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour:
$50
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Christ the King and Arrábida Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Lisbon:
$58
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From Private Wine Tour with Setúbal & Arrábida:
$61
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Sintra: Full-Day Tour from Lisbon with Wine Tasting:
$64
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Private Full-Day Arrábida Park and Wine Tour:
$67
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
-
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
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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
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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 Lisbon and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lisbon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lisbon 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 Lisbon.
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