Amsterdam vs London: Which city is cheaper to visit in 2026?

Thinking about a trip to Amsterdam or London? Both cities are cultural powerhouses with world-class attractions, cozy neighborhoods, and vibrant nightlife. But which one is lighter on your wallet? Let’s compare the cost of attractions, hotels, and transport between these two capitals.

Main Attractions:

Ticket prices compared Amsterdam (adult prices)

• Rijksmuseum – €25,-
• Van Gogh Museum – €24,-
• Anne Frank House – €16,-
• Heineken Experience – from €25,-
• 1-hour Canal Cruise – from €17,-

London (adult prices)

• British Museum – Free (permanent collection)
• Tower of London – from £35.80
• London Eye – from £29 (standard online ticket)
• National Gallery – Free
• Westminster Abbey – around £30

These main attraction in London, are similar in terms of how well known they are as the ones in Amsterdam.

– Travel with the Eurostar train in 4 hours between London and Amsterdam –

Hotel Prices: Amsterdam vs London

Hotel rates vary a lot depending on season, demand, and location.
Amsterdam: Average daily rate around €200,- – €220,-  during peak season. Lower rates are possible off-season or outside the city center.
London: Average daily rate around £230 – £250 in peak summer months. Budget options exist further from Zone 1, but central hotels tend to be higher priced than Amsterdam.

– Travel with the Eurostar train in 4 hours between London and Amsterdam –

Getting Around: Public Transport

Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s public transport (GVB) covers trams, buses, and metro. Visitors can buy single or multi-day passes, or simply tap with a debit/credit card using OVpay. The system has a daily spending cap, and cycling is always an affordable and fun option.

London
London’s transport system is massive, including the Underground, buses, and trains. Visitors use an Oyster card or contactless payment, which also has daily fare caps. Buses are especially affordable, with a maximum daily spend for unlimited rides.

Takeaway: Amsterdam is compact and easy to explore with a simple pass or by bike. London is larger and more complex, but the daily Oyster/contactless caps prevent your costs from spiraling.

– Travel with the Eurostar train in 4 hours between London and Amsterdam –

Total Cost Comparison

Here’s an estimated average daily spend for a typical visitor (1 attraction, hotel, and transport):

Amsterdam

• Attraction: ~ €20,- (average of paid highlights)
• Hotel: ~ €210,-
• Transport: ~ €10,-
  Total: ~ €240,- per person, per day

London

• Attraction: ~ £20 (€23) – balancing free museums with pricier landmarks
• Hotel: ~ £240 (€270)
• Transport: ~ £10 (€12)
  Total: ~ €305,- per person, per day

Conclusion: Which City Is Cheaper?

When you add it all up, Amsterdam is generally slightly cheaper than London for the average visitor. That said, prices in both cities are very similar; therefore, we advise you to choose a destination based on your personal preferences. Which highlights speak more to your imagination? In the end, with prices this close, smart planning can save you enough to come to the same price for both destinations.

Attractions: London’s free museums are unbeatable, but paid landmarks like the Tower of London or London Eye push daily costs up. Amsterdam’s highlights all have an entrance fee, but prices are more moderate. Hotels: London hotels are consistently more expensive, especially in central locations.
Transport: Both cities offer affordable passes and caps, though Amsterdam’s smaller scale keeps costs lower.

Verdict: If you’re travelling on a budget, Amsterdam usually comes out cheaper overall. London can still be affordable if you stick to free museums and choose accommodation further from the center.