Should you visit Zurich or Amsterdam?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Zurich and Amsterdam. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $199, while the average daily cost in Amsterdam is $146. 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 Zurich and Amsterdam in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $252 for a double occupancy room in Zurich.
A hotel room in Amsterdam is about $168 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Zurich is $27 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.
The average price of local transportation around Amsterdam is $17 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 Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
-
(Airport) transfer: from Zürich airport or Zürich to Bern, Fribourg, Thun, Biel:
$576
-
Arrival Private Transfer Zurich Airport ZRH to Lucerne-Basel-Bern by Luxury Van:
$241
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City by Luxury Car:
$123
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City by Luxury Van:
$123
-
Departure Private Transfer Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Car:
$123
-
Departure Private Transfer Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van:
$123
-
Departure Private Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car:
$103
-
Flughafen Transfer:
$104
-
From Rafting in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer:
$239
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Friedrichshafen Airport to Zürich City - One Way:
$601
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Zürich Airport to Bern City - One Way:
$366
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Zürich Airport to Zurich City - One Way:
$126
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:
-
Ultra - Amsterdam Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Amsterdam City Centre:
$9.55
-
Private Transfer from Cruise Port to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol:
$9.55
-
Ultra - Amsterdam Private Transfer from City Centre to Amsterdam Cruise Port:
$9.55
-
Private Departure Transfer from Amsterdam City Center to Airport Schiphol (AMS):
$32
-
Private Airport Transfer from Amsterdam to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS):
$32
-
Private Transfer from PTA Cruise Terminal to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS):
$32
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Amsterdam City to Airport:
$34
-
Premium Private Transfer from Amsterdam Hotels to Airport:
$35
-
Private Amsterdam Airport departure Transfer:
$38
-
Private Departure Transfer from Amsterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport:
$39
-
Private Transfer from Amsterdam City Center to Zaanse Schans:
$40
-
Amsterdam local transfers:
$42
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Amsterdam?
Prices for flights to both Amsterdam and Zurich 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
Zurich food costs typically run travelers around $46 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
In Amsterdam travelers spend around $37 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.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Zurich $46
Amsterdam $37
Typical Food prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
-
Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner:
$154
-
Overnight Mount Titlis including 4-course dinner:
$545
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
-
Amsterdam Evening Pizza Cruise:
$40
-
Three course lunch/dinner voucher:
$42
-
Walking Food Tour:
$43
-
3 Course Dinner in the Dark:
$48
-
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
Entertainment
Zurich's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $27 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.
Amsterdam's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $32 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 Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
-
Zurich Private Tour: Albert Einstein Old Town Exploration Game:
$7.45
-
Historical Zürich: An audio tour through the city of a thousand fountains:
$9.99
-
Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum Entry Ticket:
$16
-
Museum Rietberg Zurich Entrance Ticket:
$21
-
Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours:
$27
-
Shopping and History Tour of Zurich:
$30
-
Zurich Old Town Walking Tour:
$30
-
Zürich Historic District Tour:
$30
-
Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich:
$36
-
Zurich Highlights Tour:
$40
-
Zurich City Tour Experience:
$40
-
Zurich Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$45
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:
-
A tasty stroll through Pijp: An audio tour of some of Amsterdam great food spots:
$5.00
-
An Amsterdam introduction: Explore the origins of Amsterdam on an audio tour:
$5.00
-
Amsterdam Red Light District Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.41
-
Amsterdam West Specialty Coffee Spots Cycling Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.41
-
Vondelpark and Old West Neighbourhood Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.48
-
Amsterdam Private Tour: Red Light District Exploration Game:
$5.65
-
Self-Guided Tour with Over 100 Sights:
$5.67
-
The Red Light District self-guided Virtual Experience: The Highlights:
$7.45
-
Absolutely Tip-Based Walking Tour With Super Local Guide (2,5 Hours):
$8.09
-
Red Light District 1-hour Smartphone Audio Tour:
$9.06
-
Amsterdam Red Light District: A Walking Audio Tour on your Phone (1hour):
$9.94
-
Silent Disco Club Experience:
$9.95
Alcohol
The average person spends about $22 on alcoholic beverages in Zurich per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Amsterdam may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $20 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Distillery Tour & Tasting:
$22
-
Amsterdam Bar Crawl:
$27
-
Amsterdam Shared Bar Crawl:
$31
-
Private Amsterdam Red Light District and pub tour:
$61
-
Guided Craft Beer Brewery Bus Tour with Tastings:
$67
-
4 hour Amsterdam Brewery Tour:
$81
-
High Class Culinary Lunch in Amsterdam - Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour:
$102
-
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
-
Experience 4 Culinary Restaurants in Amsterdam Self-Guided Food & Wine Tour:
$152
-
Amsterdam Bachelor Party Bar Crawl:
$488
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Amsterdam, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Amsterdam.
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