A cheap day trip to Amsterdam is not as difficult as you would think. The City is made for tourists and with its cafes and great transport links is an easy trip to manage. Plus it has the added bonus of being a holiday on a budget, something that we all love.
A quick getaway so you can say I had breakfast in London and dinner in Amsterdam, and to do it without blowing a small fortune.
Pssssst, no one needs to know that you are on a cheap day trip to Amsterdam unless you get it printed on your T-Shirt!
Top Tip
There’s a lot to see and do in Amsterdam, and like many European cities walking everywhere is common. If you’re only visiting for one day, our top tip would be to plan the day out before you leave – all the museums, parks and sites you want to see and how you plan to get there. And they are all within walking distance. So if you plan your cheap day trip to Amsterdam properly, you’ll easily get to tick off a few things.
Cheap day trip to Amsterdam
There are several ways to get from London to Amsterdam on a cheap day trip. Here are some tips on travelling from London to Amsterdam and what you to do in one day.
Considering it’s a day trip, we’d suggest you fly to Amsterdam as the flight time is under one hour and costs under £100 for a return ticket on a budget airline.
If you book ahead, you can find return Eurostar tickets for really low prices around the £30 or £40 mark. But be prepared, the train takes around 4 hours with a change in Brussels, so for a day trip, it may not be worth it.
The best way to visit Amsterdam
It is hard to be definitive when it comes to travelling because it all depends on your preference and how many people are going. But if you live in London, the best way to visit Amsterdam is by Eurostar, because you can relax on the way out and sleep on the way back.
It’s no changes, no taxis or busses from the airport, and no long check-ins; One train from London direct to the centre of Amsterdam.
By train: The Eurostar service runs between London and Amsterdam, direct or with a change of trains in Brussels. The journey is roughly four hours each way.
By plane: The fastest, and still very cheap, way to get from London to Amsterdam is by taking a flight. There are direct flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted & City airports. It takes under an hour each way and is the best way to travel to Amsterdam on a day trip. Not a bad option if you are travelling from London to Amsterdam and book in advance.
By car: You can easily drive there in less than 4 hours from London or another way to estimate the distance is from Calais it’s just over a 2-hour journey. You can book a Shuttle or a Ferry and these can be bought for less than €100. A really good option if you are taking your family or if you’re in a group this could be the best way to visit Amsterdam.
How to be cheap in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a beautiful city, there are plenty of things to see and do, and if you’re looking for an itinerary of things to do on a budget in Amsterdam, you’ve come to the right page.
How to be cheap in Amsterdam is a rather intuitive guide and you can fine-tune to it your own taste, but like most cities, there’s so much you can do and enjoy in one day in Amsterdam.
A day trip guide to a budget-friendly fun day
Amsterdam is known for its famous canals. One of the most memorable (and also cheap) things to do is to go explore these picturesque canals. Take a stroll along the Singel Canal, which is the innermost canal in the city and is lined with beautiful houses and shops.
Startup renaissance
The city of Amsterdam is going through a startup renaissance which is developing the city with startup hubs and funky working environments. So you will see a more Dutchie-looking corporate sector as well. e are calling it Dutchie because instead of being high skyscrapers they are refurbishing a lot of the old buildings and renovating within the current landscape mixed with some new builds.
If you travel around the new Station you will see the city come to life with its new builds infused into the old Dutchie colourful buildings.
Museums and culture
There are plenty of free or cheap museums and art galleries in Amsterdam. Consider visiting the famous Rijksmuseum, which houses an impressive collection of art and artefacts from the Dutch Golden Age.
Then you have The Van Gogh Museum has the largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh in the world. It is one of the most important museums in the Netherlands and has been visited by millions of people.
If you have kids then this is for you, the NEMO Science Museum headed by Buchel is a museum dedicated to, well, science. It is a really cool place for kids of all ages (up to 99 and beyond). There is lots to see and do, and you can touch and play with just about everything.
Food and street markets
Food can be a big part of travelling, a really great way to get to know the local culture of the city. If you’re looking for a relatively cheap dining experience, stop by the Albert Cuyp Market – one of the city’s largest street markets, to grab some affordable and delicious food. With over 260 stalls, you can find everything from fresh produce, fish, and cheese to clothing, accessories, and souvenirs. Try some local favourites such as stroopwafels or bitterballen.
Beautiful gardens and parks
After your busy morning strolling canals, free museums and street food, take a little time to relax at Vondelpark – Amsterdam’s largest park. You can rent a bike or take a stroll through the beautiful gardens and green spaces.
After a little relaxation, it’s time to head to the Anne Frank House and learn about the city’s history. Admission is not free but it’s worth paying to visit for the historical significance.
Nightlife
Everyone will have heard of the famous nightlife of the red light district, but Amsterdam has so much more to offer. You can spend your evening checking out Amsterdam’s vibrant nightlife. There are plenty of affordable bars and clubs in the city including De Nieuwe Anita or Paradiso.
How much spending money do you need per day in Amsterdam?
How much spending money you will need per day to visit Amsterdam depends on what your plans are. We’ve given you some budget-friendly tips but Amsterdam is still known to be a relatively expensive city compared to other cities in Europe. We’d suggest you take €70-€100 per day.
Some other handy tips include: Walking or biking to most destinations is a good option, to avoid paying for travel, although the city has a very affordable public transportation system. A day pass is the cheapest way to travel in Amsterdam if you don’t want to walk or bike. A day pass costs around €8.50
Book the Anne Frank House and any paid attractions in advance. If you want to save more on food, head to a local cheap supermarket to buy food and drinks to last you the day.
Cyclists own the road in Amsterdam
You should be aware of an annoying thing about Amsterdam, Dutch cyclists think they own the road, so you can expect hundreds of cyclists pushing past you, even if you’re walking and they are not shy of bumping into you either. In the Netherlands, cyclists has the right of way, even more than pedestrians. You could always rent a bike for the day and really enjoy your cheap day trip to Amsterdam.
A day trip to Amsterdam FAQs
Can you do Amsterdam in one day?
You won’t be able to experience everything—and you’ll likely have to choose between all those museums—but you can get a good sense of what Amsterdam has to offer. It’s small, as world-class cities go, but that just makes it more manageable for a day trip.
Is it worth going to Amsterdam for a day?
All in all, Amsterdam is a great city to visit for a day trip. There are plenty of things to see and do, whether you’re interested in art, history, or just want to try some delicious Dutch treats!
Can you just walk around Amsterdam?
Central Amsterdam is best explored on foot and everything is within walking distance. The City also has Tube which is more like a tram to get between certain zones quickly.
Walking around the city center offers you the chance to stumble upon cobblestone lanes, alleyway shops and clandestine restaurants you might otherwise miss.
How much money do you need a day for Amsterdam?
On average, budget travelers spend $86 (€82) per day, mid-range travelers spend $217 (€206) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $553 (€525) per day.