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Amsterdam has this effortless, magnetic charm.
One minute you’re wandering cobblestone streets alongside a canal, the next you’re ducking into a bakery for a warm stroopwafel or biking past 17th-century row houses. It’s a city that pulls you in. But it can also pull at your wallet if you’re not careful.
I traveled with three close friends (one being my wife Liz), and we were determined to do it on a budget. Not in a “sleep-in-the-airport” kind of way, but in a smart, intentional way that gave us everything we wanted: good food, cool neighborhoods, local culture, and one absolutely unforgettable day trip.
Here’s exactly how we made Amsterdam amazing on a modest budget:
How We Got There for Less
Flights from the U.S. to Amsterdam are often the biggest expense, but if you’re flexible, there are deals to be found. We booked about three months in advance and actually began this particular trip in London. We kept an eye on Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Momondo.
We ended up flying WOW Air (now PLAY Airlines) with a layover in Reykjavik. Nothing fancy, but it got us there for under $400 round-trip each. Once you are in Europe, you can find cheap flights galore. We took the Chunnel to Paris, and Amsterdam was our next stop.
We flew to Amsterdam from Paris for like 70 euros with Transavia.
Tips I swear by:
- Travel in the shoulder season (go in early fall. Fewer crowds, cheaper everything).
- Fly midweek (Tuesdays and Wednesdays were way cheaper).
- Use price alerts and compare across multiple airports.
- Look into budget carriers like Norse Atlantic, Icelandair, or TAP Portugal.
One of our first pics in Amsterdam, of course it had to be a canal…
Our Stay at ClinkNOORD (aka Budget Perfection)
We based ourselves at ClinkNOORD Hostel, just across the IJ River from Centraal Station. The free ferry ride over (which runs 24/7) was one of those little touches that made every day feel a bit like an adventure.
The four of us booked a private room with four beds, which gave us space to chill but kept our costs way lower than any hotel. It had its own bathroom, comfy beds, and a lively common area downstairs with cheap drinks and great energy.
We’d stock up on snacks and drinks at a nearby Albert Heijn, bring beers back to the room before going out, and even cooked pasta one night in the shared kitchen. Honestly, the vibes were great, and the savings were even better.
If you’re not into hostels, budget hotels like MEININGER or ibis Budget are decent options if you stay just outside the center.
Airbnb? We skipped it. Amsterdam has strict regulations, and legal listings were either too pricey or too far out.
The ferry was a fun way to get from our hostel to the main areas in the city, and there is a really cool club that is underground next to the hostel called Shelter. Definitely not free so doesn’t quite fit the budget-centric tone of this article but we all have to splurge every once in a while right?!
How We Got Around: Mostly, We Walked
Amsterdam is one of the most walkable cities I’ve ever been to. We made a conscious decision to walk just about everywhere, and I’m so glad we did. From Centraal to Jordaan, through De Pijp and around the canals, we probably walked 8+ miles a day without even realizing it (thank you stroopwafels for the energy).
If you really feel you need a lift, you can snag a GVB day pass (you can get one at GVB.nl). They’re super affordable, starting at €9.50/day for unlimited tram, bus, and metro rides.
We also rented bikes from Black Bikes for a day. It cost us about €16 and was worth every cent. We rode through Vondelpark, down tree-lined streets, and got to feel a little bit like locals for a day.
If you get the chance, stop by the Amsterdam Cheese Museum. It is free and they also give out free samples so you can make a snack stop out of it.
Our Favorite Experience: Windmills, Bikes, and Zaanse Schans
One of the absolute highlights of our trip (and I mean like, trip-defining level of great) was our day trip to Zaanse Schans, a small historic village about 30 minutes from Amsterdam. You’ve probably seen the photos (there’s one below if you haven’t): green wooden houses, classic Dutch windmills, cows grazing nearby, and more cheese samples than I could keep track of.
We took a short train ride from Centraal Station (about €4.50 each way), rented bikes once we got there, and spent the whole afternoon riding around windmills, watching wooden shoes being made, and just soaking in this peaceful slice of the Netherlands. It felt like stepping into a postcard.
If you’re going to Amsterdam and want a break from the buzz, do not skip Zaanse Schans. It’s close, cheap to reach, and honestly, it was my favorite part of the trip.
Plenty of photo ops around Zaanse Schans, don’t miss these giant Dutch Clogs!
Eating Well on a Budget
We didn’t eat out much, and we didn’t need to. Amsterdam’s supermarkets and street food are a budget traveler’s dream.
Each morning we’d grab yogurt, fruit, or croissants from Albert Heijn or Lidl (their bakery section is elite). For lunch, we’d hit up a market or grab premade sandwiches (usually around €3–€4). One day we bought fresh bread, cheese, and fruit from Dappermarkt, had a picnic in a park, and it was better than any sit-down meal we could’ve paid for.
Street food wins:
- Stroopwafels – warm, gooey, and life-changing. Rudi’s stall at Albert Cuyp Market is the go-to.
- Fries (Patat) – with mayo or “patatje oorlog” (peanut sauce, mayo, onions). Just do it. I would fly to Amsterdam just for these.
- Herring – if you’re adventurous, try it with pickles and onions.
- Kibbeling – battered fried fish bites. Addictive.
- Poffertjes – tiny pancakes topped with butter and powdered sugar. You’ll never want regular pancakes again.
When we did eat out, we kept it casual. A Turkish döner spot one night, Indonesian rice plates another, and a solid burger place on our last evening.
You can definitely eat well here without going broke.
Free (and Almost-Free) Stuff We Loved
This is where Amsterdam shines for budget travelers.So much of the good stuff is free!
We spent hours just walking and wandering:
- Through Jordaan, one of the prettiest neighborhoods I’ve ever seen
- Around the canals at golden hour, honestly, it felt like a movie set
- In Vondelpark, where we people-watched over coffee and cheese from the market
A few other gems:
- The Rijksmuseum gardens (totally free)
- The top floor of the Amsterdam Public Library (OBA) for city views
- A free ferry ride to NDSM Wharf, where we stumbled into a street art gallery and had beers at a waterside café
Tips That Made a Big Difference
Here’s what really helped us stretch our euros and still have an amazing time:
- Travel during shoulder season: Cheaper flights and fewer tourists.
- Walk and bike: We saved easily €50+ each by skipping most transport.
- Use grocery stores: Way cheaper than eating out constantly.
- Bring your own water bottle: Tap water is clean and delicious. It can be hard to get restaurants to give you free tap water, but here is a map of places around the city where you can refill your own bottle.
- Pre-game at the hostel: €1–€2 beers from the store > €7 beers at the bar.
- Book early: Especially for hostels like ClinkNOORD—they fill up fast.
For something that is definitely touristy and not necessarily budget oriented, check out the Amsterdam Ice Bar! Honestly we did it mostly because we could get silly pictures like this one but we had fun. Make sure you drink your drink faster than your cup melts in your hand because it’s made of ice!
Definitely Don’t Pass On Amsterdam
Amsterdam was everything I hoped for and so much more. And I didn’t need to blow my budget to experience it.
From our cozy bunk room at ClinkNOORD to fresh stroopwafels on the street and biking through Zaanse Schans surrounded by windmills, it was the kind of trip that sticks with you. Budget travel didn’t mean missing out. It meant getting a little creative, walking a little farther, and finding joy in the small, local moments.
If you’re thinking about going, do it! Be flexible. Pack light. Bring your walking shoes and your sense of wonder. Amsterdam will take care of the rest.
Tyler Fox
Tyler is our Managing Editor and Writer. After spending years reading, writing, and obsessing over travel (while taking trips as often as possible of course!), he aims to give readers the best and most balanced experience possible when exploring the site.
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