Which place is cheaper, Amsterdam or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Nairobi or Amsterdam?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Amsterdam can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Nairobi or Amsterdam?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The historical architecture, scenic bridges, and energetic 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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesAmsterdam Prices
Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Amsterdam $240
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is $240. 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 Nairobi and Amsterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Amsterdam $116
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Amsterdam $232
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Amsterdam
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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.
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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Amsterdam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Amsterdam $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers: $40
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
- Airport VIP Transfers - Nairobi Hotels: $55
- Beyond Boundaries Tours and Transfers: $30
- From JKIA Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax Max: $35
- From Wilson Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax: $30
- Hotel, Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $45
- Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
- Museum of Illusion Nairobi Experience with Transfers: $75
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
- Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $27
- Nairobi Airport One Way Transfers: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
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Ride on Tram$3.65
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Renting a Bike$17
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One Hour Canal Cruise$11
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Single Day Transit Pass$2.97
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport$3.88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- VIP Transfer from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam City or Back to the Airport: $100
- VIP Amsterdam Airport Departure Transfer: $75
- Transfer from cruise port in Amsterdam to a hotel in Amsterdam: $76
- Transfer from a hotel in Amsterdam to cruise port in Amsterdam: $73
- Taxi minibus Transfer cruise port Amsterdam to Hotel in Amsterdam: $141
- Taxi minibus Transfer cruise port Amsterdam to Airport Amsterdam: $165
- Taxi minibus Transfer Amsterdam Hotel to cruise port Amsterdam: $135
- Taxi Transfer from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam: $94
- Schiphol to Amsterdam VIP Transfer | Meet & Greet Taxi: $176
- Schiphol airport to IJmuiden Cruise Port – Luxury Transfer: $188
- Schiphol Amsterdam Airport Private Departure Transfer: $75
- Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam | Private Luxury Transfer: $112
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Amsterdam?
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and Nairobi 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
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Food Meals for one dayNairobi $13Amsterdam $91
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
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Afternoon Tea$6.84
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: $11
- Food Tour Amsterdam | Taste The Best of Dutch Flavors: $14
- Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $37
- Amsterdam Guided Cruise with New York Pizza, Drinks and Ice Cream: $41
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $60
- 3-course dinner party at a secret pop-up restaurant: $71
- Amsterdam : Guided Cultural Food Tour: $82
- Amsterdam Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $88
- Top 10 Tastes of Guided Walking Food Tour: $91
- Amsterdam Famous Dinner Show at Supper Restaurant: $93
- Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner: $94
- Amsterdam Food Tour: Authentic Dutch Tastings, Canals & Culture: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Amsterdam $41
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
- Kibera Slum Cultural and Community Walking Tour: $15
- Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Nairobi City Tour +Pickup: $19
- Kibera Community Tour with Local Guide MC Dawn: $20
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Nairobi History and Modern Culture Walking Tour: $22
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
- Kibera Slum Compassionate Walking Experience 3 Hours: $23
- Cultural Discovery Tour of Unfiltered Mathare: $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum$6.84
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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:
- 1 Hour Private Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $118
- 1,5 hours Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $176
- 2 Hours Private Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $229
- 2 hour food tasting Tour in Amsterdam Group Tour: $106
- 2 hours Amsterdam City Tour in Pedicab: $235
- 2-hour Red Light District and Old Town Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $52
- 3-Hour Private Amsterdam Photography Tour of famous Landmarks: $173
- 4Hrs with a Local in Full Private & Personalized Tour.: $282
- 75 minute Blue Boat Company City Canal Cruise and Maritime Museum: $47
- A 3-Hour Private Guided Tour Through Amsterdam with a Local: $229
- ANGLE - Experience Amsterdam With a Local Photographer: $299
- Alternative Tour Amsterdam | Drugs Story, Street Art & More: $3.52
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Amsterdam $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Red Light District Bar Crawl: $21
- Amsterdam Red Light Pub Crawl with Beer Hostess and 4 Shots: $28
- New Year's Eve Pub Crawl With Optional Club Entrance: $88
- Halloween Bar Crawl in Central Amsterdam: $100
- Private Amsterdam Red Light District and Pub Tour including drink: $102
- Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $140
- Zaanse Schans and Zaandijk: old windmills, chocolate & brewery: $229
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi 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 Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi 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 Nairobi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Amsterdam Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Amsterdam?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.