Should you visit London or Amsterdam?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and Amsterdam can help you decide which place is right for you.
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
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 London?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in London is £145, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is £114. 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 London and Amsterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around £182 in London For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
A hotel room in Amsterdam is about £132 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
Food in London costs travelers about £29 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
In Amsterdam travelers spend around £28 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
London £29
Amsterdam £28
Typical Food prices in London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Traveling Spoon Nepalese Momos Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
-
Moroccan Couscous Dinner in Shoreditch:
$50
-
Modern British Dinner at Chef's Home in East London:
$62
-
Dinner with Filmmakers & Filmmaking Experience in London:
$74
-
3-Hour Secret British Food Tour:
$82
-
Private Cooking Class with a London Cookbook Author:
$87
-
BYOB Pizza Workshop Supper Club:
$91
-
3-Hour Thames Jazz Dinner Cruise:
$92
-
4-Hour East End Food Tour:
$98
-
Evening City & Food Tour (non-guided):
$110
-
London Half-Day Food Tour: International Foods of Soho:
$111
-
Soho International Food Tour:
$113
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.
-
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
-
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
-
Joy of Life - Bistro Dinner on an Amsterdam Canal:
$84
Local Transportation
London'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 £20 per person, per day on transportation in London.
The average price of local transportation around Amsterdam is £14 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 London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Accommodation to London St. Pancras Station - Departure Private Transfer:
$62
-
Airport and venues transfer 3:
$1,173
-
All London Airports Round-trip & Return Private Transfer to Southeast London:
$217
-
All London Airports Round-trip & Return Private Transfer to Southwest London:
$217
-
All London Airports Roundtrip - PrivateTransfer to London Hotel Including Return Trip:
$112
-
Arrival Private Transfers from Airport LCY to London City in Luxury Van:
$109
-
Arrival Private Transfers from London Airport LCY to London in Business Car:
$89
-
Arrival transfer from Heathrow to London Hotel:
$53
-
Arrival, Departure or Round Trip Private Transfer: Central London to Southampton Cruise Port:
$250
-
Arrive & Depart in Style - Luxury Private Transfer - Southampton to London:
$381
-
Bath Day Trip From London With Private Transfer in Range Rover:
$1,134
-
Bus Transfer between Heathrow and Gatwick Airports:
$35
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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Private Transfer from Amsterdam to Bayeux - Up to 7 people:
$2,675
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Excursion Brussels: transfer and guided tour in Brussels:
$2,173
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Amsterdam to Paris: Convenient Luxury Transfer:
$1,860
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Convenient Luxury Transfer: Amsterdam to Paris:
$1,725
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Amsterdam to Frankfurt: Convenient Luxury Transfer:
$1,574
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Convenient Luxury Transfer: Amsterdam to Frankfurt:
$1,460
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Amsterdam to Brussels: Convenient Luxury Transfer:
$716
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Convenient Luxury Transfer: Amsterdam to Brussels:
$664
-
Private Transfer from Amsterdam to Berlin with 2 Sightseeing Stops:
$549
-
Private Transfer from Amsterdam to Bruges:
$379
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Private Transfer form Amsterdam to Keukenhof (Roundtrip incl Tickets):
$373
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Private Transfer from Amsterdam to Brussels:
$347
Is it cheaper to fly into London or Amsterdam?
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and London 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 London can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around £26 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Amsterdam's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around £25 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 London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
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Royal Canadian Regiment Museum: Historic Wolseley Barracks Tour:
$5.64
-
Shakespeare's Italy Virtual Experience:
$6.90
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59-Minutes British Museum Audio-guided Tour:
$8.71
-
Banqueting House Entrance Ticket:
$9.22
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59-Minutes National Gallery Audio-guided Tour:
$9.95
-
The Clink Prison Museum Admission Tickets:
$11
-
12 Angry Guests: The Online Jury Experience:
$11
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British Museum Guided Tour:
$12
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Private 90-Minute London Kick-Start Tour with a Local:
$13
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Virtual Guided Tour of London's Off the Beaten Track Areas:
$14
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Guided Tour of Handel House:
$14
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London Old City Highlights Walking Tour in Spanish:
$14
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
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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
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In London, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is £12.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Amsterdam may vary from person to person, on average a person spends £16 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
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5-Hour Shoreditch Pub Crawl:
$14
-
Central London 4-Hour Pub Crawl:
$14
-
Central Daily 5-Hour Pub Crawl:
$14
-
The Shoreditch Pub Crawl:
$14
-
Camden Pub Crawl:
$14
-
The London Pub Crawl - Shoreditch:
$14
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Camden Pub Crawl:
$20
-
3-Hour Pub Tour:
$21
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The Original Shoreditch Pub Crawl:
$28
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2-Hour Historic Pub Tour:
$28
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London Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour:
$28
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Sipsmith Distillery Tour and Complimentary Tasting:
$35
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
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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
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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 London and Amsterdam, we can see that London 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in Amsterdam.
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