Money, Costs and Budget

There are various costs that you are likely to have while visiting Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a great choice if you want to have an all-round experience of culture, history, culinary delights and of course, some of the exclusive, unadulterated fun that the city has to offer. The city offers something for all budgets from students to luxury travelers and the costs of your trip will mostly depend on the level of luxury you require and how much shopping you do, but it’s also good not to waste money when you don’t have to.

Cost of Getting to Amsterdam

Travelling to Amsterdam, or any part of Europe for that matter, is much cheaper during non-summer months. You can find opportunities like cheaper airfare, hotel expenses as well as lesser crowds. Whether you are booking a flight, bus or train ticket to Amsterdam it pays to book your tickets well in advance. Prices obviously vary according to the destination from which you are departing.

Currency Exchange and ATM's

Amsterdam’s currency is Euro and you have a couple of options for getting money on your arrival. Money is available for exchange 24 hours at Schiphol Airport, however, be prepared to join long queues and of course you pay a commission on the money exchanged.

There is no shortage of ATM’s, aka, Pin Automats in Amsterdam. You will find plenty of ATM’s in the airport, train stations and throughout most of the city. These ATMs offer wholesale rates offered by banks, so no need to worry about being ripped off.

If you need to withdraw cash from ATMs, a Cirrus, Visa, MasterCard, Plus or Eurocard will work in Amsterdam. For other cards, check with your home banks to ascertain whether they will be functional in Amsterdam, and under what conditions. Also, a little fact to take note of: Dutch currency denominations are in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. Most shops will not accept notes above 100 Euros.

Transport Costs

Once you’re out of the Airport, you will find a number of alternatives for getting to Amsterdam. Travelling by train to the main city will take about 15-20 minutes, costing only about €3.60 one-way. Buses are equally as cheap costing around €3.00. Taxis to Amsterdam tend to be an expensive option, and cost about €40 or more, depending on your destination. Though they do offer door-to-door service and quick and comfortable travel, you should still consider them with caution if you don’t want to shell out too much dough. On an average, taxis begin with a €3.40 drop and bill €1.94 per kilometer.

Once in the city, you will obviously need to travel around. Walking is of course free and hiring a bicycle, which is great fun and very easy, will cost around €12.00 for the day. If you are taking public transport then you should get yourself an OV-chipkaart so you can use all the different forms of transport. For more information on this see our Amsterdam Transport section.

Accommodation Costs

Accommodation costs tend to take up the majority of your travel budget when travelling to Amsterdam. Though budget lodging such as hostels or Bed and Breakfasts can be rather economical, it is good to look out for seasonal discounts or travel packages on hotels or apartment rental. You can expect decent lodging at a midrange hotel in Amsterdam for €80 to €160, while a luxury hotel will leave your pocket €200 and upwards lighter. At the cost-effective end, it is possible to get a bed for around €20 to €25, with budget hotels in Amsterdam offering a basic double room for €55 to €80.

Cost of Things to Do

Amsterdam is a city brimming with attractions, museums, nightlife and events all year round and the prices vary for all. In our ‘things to do’ section of this site you can check the approximate price and or use the link through to the website of the attraction or museum where you can check the most up to date price.

While many of the events in Amsterdam during the summers offer free entertainment, a number of festivals and concerts are paid. Generally speaking these are not always expensive and you can also check the last minute ticket office for good deals. You can check our events section for the costs of the events that interest you.

Food and Drink Costs

Amsterdam has a lot of options when it comes to food, with its range of cafés and restaurants. A three- or four-course meal in an average restaurant can cost you anything between €25 and €100. A good way to keep your meal costs down if you are on a budget is to have a filling lunch for up to €15 in one of Amsterdam excellent lunchrooms and eat less in the evening. While drinks are reasonably priced most at bars and cafés, wines tend to be a costly affair and some of the night clubs in the more touristy spots like Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein charge higher prices for drinks.

As for tipping, it is general practice to give around 10% of what the bill came to, such as giving €22 for a €20 meal. Since the bill is inclusive of taxes and a service charge, tips are not obligatory, though they are expected and of course you can give more or none at all based on the service you receive.

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