Our Budget-Friendly Guide to Visiting Amsterdam

The Amsterdam climate is similar to the UK. Therefore, in terms of weather, visiting between April and September is the safest bet. Seasonal pricing is very much in effect in Amsterdam, so by avoiding the peak season (June, July and August) you'll find more affordable prices and fewer crowds. It’s also worth considering that tulip season is in full bloom by April (ends mid-May). If you visit during this time be sure to check out the city’s famous floating flower market - Bloemenmarkt - or get out of Amsterdam for a bike tour among the vivid flower fields of nearby Noordwijk.

While wet weather can curb your enthusiasm for exploring Amsterdam's outdoor spaces, off-season is undoubtedly the cheapest time to travel. If you're not fussed about outdoor pursuits, you've visited Amsterdam before, or you don't mind braving the elements, then you might want to take advantage of the most affordable time of year to visit and plan a cosy winter trip.

The cheapest way to visit Amsterdam is to fly, with budget airlines offering return flights (from London) from about £70 in March and £100 in April. Travelling via Eurostar is also a great option, if you book in advance. You'll avoid the pitfalls of airports and budget airline luggage charges, plus there's a lower carbon footprint. Eurostar runs a direct train from London St Pancras International to Amsterdam Centraal Station, but it's only bookable up to four months in advance and the prices will only go up after they're released, so you need to be ready to book when your preferred dates go on sale. Amsterdam Centraal Station is, as you might have guessed, the train station in the heart of Amsterdam. This means, if you’re staying in the centre, you are much closer to your accommodation and don’t need to worry about transferring from Schiphol Airport.

If you do fly, the most cost-effective way to get to the city centre is via the Amsterdam Airport Express bus. Well, technically this is two buses as your ticket is valid on either the 397 or the N97, with the latter taking the night shift from midnight until 5am. Return tickets are about £10 and the 397 runs every eight minutes, whereas the N97 is hourly. 

As accommodation is likely to be the biggest drain on your budget, it's worth considering what you need from yours. For hotels in the city centre, prices tend to start at £250 per room per night, but if you venture further out to the neighbourhoods such as Oost, you can find decent hotels from £150 per night.

It is possible to find a private room in fantastic, central locations for a reasonable price (approx. £180 per night). However, for these prices, you’ll be staying in a hostel rather than a typical hotel. But don't let the word 'hostel' put you off, these are highly maintained, modern spaces that provide all you need to crash out at the end of a busy day of exploration. 

The ultimate way to explore Amsterdam on a budget is to get on your bike. A carefully designed infrastructure has ensured the development of Amsterdam’s world-famous cycling culture. Cyclists benefit from an excellently maintained network of bike lanes, efficient traffic calming measures, priority cyclist crossings, plenty of bike parking, and public transport with capacity for bike storage. As a result, rivers of bike riders flow through the busy city streets, to the point where less experienced riders could find it intimidating at first.

The Netherlands is famously flat and Amsterdam is no exception, meaning it’s a wonderfully walkable city. In addition to being easy to navigate, Amsterdam is also very pedestrian friendly so you won’t feel like a second-class citizen if you don’t wish to join the two-wheeled community. Most attractions are within walking distance from the centre, for example, you can walk from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Vondelpark (the largest and best-known park in Amsterdam) in just 45 minutes.

Public transportation in Amsterdam is surprisingly low cost considering its reputation as an expensive city. Prices are from about £8 for a day ticket, which includes trams, buses, metros and ferries. If you’re considering travelling outside the city, then a one-day train ticket is about £18, though this also includes all the other public transport mentioned above.

Additionally, ferries from the city centre to Amsterdam-Noord are free and run every couple of minutes. You can take your bike on the ferry too, thereby opening up the opportunity to explore the picturesque countryside and Dutch villages on the Waterland cycle-seeing route. 

Amsterdam has its fair share of attractions that are considered “must-see” but with entry charges averaging between £10 to £20, it’s entirely possible that you could part with £60 in a day on entry tickets alone. So if you’re committed to cramming in the classics, one of the best ways to manage a budget when you visit Amsterdam is to invest in the I amsterdam City Card.

Once you’ve purchased your card, you’ll have free entry to a huge array of the city’s top attractions and most museums such as Rijksmuseum, A’dam Lookout, and some great options for your canal cruise too. Plus you'll get free things such as bike hire and public transport and discounts on much more. You should be aware that the I amsterdam CIty Card doesn't include the city’s two headline attractions - the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum - though you can see some Van Gogh works at the Rijksmuseum. 

Cards are available from one to five days (priced from £50 for one day and up to £105 for five) representing better value the longer you stay. If ticking off as many Amsterdam sights as possible isn't your goal, the I amsterdam City Card might not be for you, and you may be better off buying ad-hoc entry if/when required.

While you can easily explore Amsterdam with the help of Google Maps, you can learn so much more from a free walking tour. There are plenty to choose from, including tours of the Red Light District, historic Amsterdam, and an Alternative Amsterdam walking tour where you'll learn all about the city's renowned coffee shops. Book ahead via the free walking tours Amsterdam website, then meet your guide (and fellow travellers) in Dam Square. Note: Each tip-supported tour does charge a nominal booking fee (less than £2).

Eating in Amsterdam on a budget is not just easy to do, it’s also a lot of fun! Most of the top budget spots have very limited (if any) seating so most people order to takeaway. But with so many atmospheric outdoor spaces, tucking into authentic Dutch cuisine while you feast your eyes on the ornate facades of the narrow canal houses is all part of the Amsterdam experience.

For classic budget eating, be sure you try traditional Dutch delights such as Haring (herring rolls will pickle and chopped onion). Rob Wigboldus Vishandel is an excellent, no-nonsense fish bar with a welcoming owner and tasty haring for about £4. Or, if you’re looking for something less fishy, check out Toastable, a small Dutch franchise with two branches in Amsterdam that specialise in mouth-watering (and very filling) toasties. A perfect lunch spot for about £9.

Street food enthusiasts can't go wrong at the Albert Cuyp street market in the De Pijp district. It's Amsterdam's largest market with over 250 stalls to browse while you munch your authentic Dutch stroopwafels.

One final tip: If you decide to buy an I amsterdam City Card you’ll have access to two self-guided food tours in the neighbourhoods of De Pijp and De Jordaan. Though the delicious food is not included (and a few of the stops on the itinerary are not cheap), this is an adventurous way to discover great local cuisine without the additional cost of a tour.