Which place is cheaper, Amsterdam or Ulaanbaatar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ulaanbaatar or Amsterdam?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ulaanbaatar 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: Ulaanbaatar or Amsterdam?
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It has a population of slightly over two million people, or about sixty percent of the country's entire population. You are likely to arrive in Ulaanbaatar either by train, coming from China or Russia, or by plane. Many people use Ulaanbaatar as a stop off while doing the Transsiberian Railway. The city is a great place to organize a tour of the surrounding countryside. It's also good city to relax, so make sure you allow yourself a few days to recover from your tour, enjoy some of the great food options, and see some of the fascinating cultural sights around town.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUlaanbaatar $25Amsterdam $187
The average daily cost (per person) in Ulaanbaatar is $25, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is $187. 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 Ulaanbaatar and Amsterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUlaanbaatar $12Amsterdam $109
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUlaanbaatar $24Amsterdam $218
Compare Hotels in Ulaanbaatar and Amsterdam
Looking for a hotel in Ulaanbaatar 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: Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices and Amsterdam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ulaanbaatar $2.91Amsterdam $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- 2024 Ulaanbaatar Airport Transfer & Taxi Shuttle Service - Best!: $18
- Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
- Airport transfer service: $50
- Mongolia Airport Transfer & Taxi Service -BEST!: $18
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Private Departure Transfer: Ulaanbaatar Airport: $40
- Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN to Ulaanbaatar City : $28
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $37
- Private Transfer from Ulaanbaatar to or from Terelj National Park: $60
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport ULN by Business Vehicle: $28
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$3.43
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Renting a Bike$16
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One Hour Canal Cruise$11
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Single Day Transit Pass$2.79
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport$3.64
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- 1 - 15 persons Minibus Amsterdam City transfer: $120
- 1-15 pers Taxi/Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Hoek van Holland: $199
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $273
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Alkmaar: $155
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Almere: $155
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Amersfoort: $199
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Den Helder: $255
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Dordrecht: $288
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Hoorn: $183
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to IJmuiden: $122
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Noordwijk: $127
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Utrecht: $246
Is it cheaper to fly into Ulaanbaatar or Amsterdam?
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and Ulaanbaatar 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 dayUlaanbaatar $8.94Amsterdam $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ulaanbaatar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ulaanbaatar.
- Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs: $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$6.43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
- Food Tour Amsterdam (Tip Based): $5.46
- Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $8.19
- Self-Guided Food Tour in De Jordaan Neighbourhood: $13
- Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood: $13
- Self-Guided Food Tour of Amsterdam's De Jordaan District: $14
- Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Exclusive Burger Dinner Cruise: $32
- Dinner Cruise with Fries Bitterballen and Drink from Amsterdam: $38
- Pizza Cruise with Drinks: $40
- Evening Canal Cruise with Pizza and Drinks: $43
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket with A GOLD MENU Hard Rock Dinner: $43
- Food Tour Jordaan District: $51
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ulaanbaatar $4.42Amsterdam $40
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $47
- Ulaanbatar : Private Custom Tour With A Local Guide : $48
- Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex and Sain Nomun Monastery Tour : $50
- Genghis Khan Statue Tour: 3-Hour Ticket Included: $65
- Genghis Khan Statue Tour: 3-Hour Ticket Included: $65
- Traditional Music and Dance Performance Ticket: $69
- Genghis Khan Statue One Day Tour +Bonus Terelj National Park And Aryabal Temple: $79
- Ancient Fine Arts with Honored Masters - UB City Experience: $82
- 1 Day Coach Tour of Terelj National Park Including Lunch And Free Camel Ride: $83
- 1 Day Coach Tour of Genghis Khan Statue Complex and Terelj National Park Including Lunch: $83
- Day Tour of Hustai National Park: $83
- Full Day Private Tour in Terelj National Park with Horse Riding: $85
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$6.43
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Entry for two to the Anne Frank House$18
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Golden Age Canals Walking Tour: $1.08
- Free walking tour of haunted Amsterdam: $1.08
- Red Light District Haunted History Night Tour: $1.71
- The Amsterdam Walking Tour 2 hours: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Walking Tour: $3.23
- Rude Bastards Tour of Amsterdam: $3.23
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Best of Amsterdam City Tour: $3.23
- Two-hour walking tour of Amsterdam: $3.26
- Self Guided Tours Amsterdam With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $3.26
- Amsterdam Spanish Tour 2 Hours: $3.26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUlaanbaatar $3.83Amsterdam $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl with Shots and Beer Maid Guide: $25
- Red Light District Pub Crawl: $27
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Original Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entrance: $29
- Chateau Urban Wine Tasting and optional bites: $32
- Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $33
- Self-guided Red Light District Pub Crawl Mystery: $38
- Leidseplein and Red Light Pub Crawl: 2 Night Pass: $38
- Red Light District and Local Pub Tour: $39
- Dutch Cheese and Wine Tasting: $43
- Dutch Wine Tasting || Amsterdam City Centre: $48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ulaanbaatar and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ulaanbaatar is in Asia 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 Ulaanbaatar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive? and Is Amsterdam Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ulaanbaatar or Amsterdam?
Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Ulaanbaatar 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.