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Amsterdam has this effortless, magnetic charm.
One moment you wander with paved streets along a channel, the next minute you dive into a bakery for a warm stroopwafel or you cycle past 17th-century rows. It is a city that you pull in. But it can also pull your wallet If you are not careful.
I traveled with three good friends (one was my wife Liz), and we were determined to do it with a budget. Not in a “sleep-in-the-airport” way, but in a smart, deliberate way that gave us everything we wanted: good food, cool neighborhoods, local culture and an absolutely unforgettable day trip.
Here is exactly how we made Amsterdam great with a modest budget:
How we got less
Flights from the US to Amsterdam are often the biggest costs, but if you are flexible, there are deals. We booked about three months in advance and started this specific trip in London. We have monitored Google -flights” SkyscannerAnd Momondo.
We are eventually WOW Air (now play airlines) with a stopover in Reykjavik. Nothing special, but it has less than $ 400 for us there. As soon as you are in Europe, you can find cheap flights in abundance. We took the chunnel to Paris and Amsterdam was our next stop.
We flew to Amsterdam from Paris for around 70 euros with Transavia.
Tips where I swear:
- Travel in the shoulder season (Go in early autumn. Less crowds, cheaper everything).
- Fly Midweek (Tuesdays and Wednesday were much cheaper).
- Use price warnings And compare at multiple airports.
- Look at budget carriers pretend Norwegian Atlantic Ocean” Icelandicor Tap Portugal.
Our stay in Clinknoord (aka budget perfection)
We have based ourselves on Klinknoord HostelOn the other side of the IJ -River of Central Station. The Free ferry ride About (which runs 24/7) was one of those little details that made sure that every day felt a bit like an adventure.
We celebrated a private room with four beds, which gave us space to relax but kept our costs much lower than any hotel. It had a private bathroom, comfortable beds and a lively common space below with cheap drinks and great energy.
We would take snacks and drinks at a nearby Albert HeijnTake beers back to the room before they go out, and even cooked in the shared kitchen on one evening. To be honest, the vibes were great and the savings were even better.
If you don’t like hostels, like budget hotels Perpetrator or ibis budget are decent options if you stay just outside the center.
Airbnb? We skipped it. Amsterdam has strict regulations and legal entries were too expensive or too far away.
How we came around: usually we walked
Amsterdam is one of the most walkable cities I have ever been. We have made a conscious decision Just about everywhereAnd I am so happy that we did that. From central to Jordaan, via the pipe and around the canals, we probably walked 8+ miles a day without realizing it (thanks stroopwafels for the energy).
If you really feel that you need a lift, you can GVB Day Pass (you can get one Gvb.nl). They are super affordable, starting at € 9.50/day For unlimited tram, bus and metrores.
We also rented bicycles from Black bicycles For a day. It cost us about € 16 and was worth every cent. We drove through it VondelparkBy streets with trees and a bit a bit like the local population for a day.
Our favorite experience: windmills, bicycles and Zaanse Schans
One of the Absolute highlights From our journey (And I mean, like, the beautiful level of great) was our day trip to Zaanse SchansA small historic village about 30 minutes from Amsterdam. You probably saw the photos (There is one below if you have not done that): Green wooden houses, classic Dutch windmills, cows in the neighborhood grazing and more cheese samples than I could keep track of.
We took a short train ride from Central Station (around € 4.50 Elke), rented bicycles as soon as we arrived there, and spent the entire afternoon driving around windmills, watching wooden shoes that were made, and just weeks in this peaceful slice of the Netherlands. It felt like it got into a postcard.
If you go to Amsterdam and want a break from the buzz, Do not skip Zaanse Schans. It is close, cheap to reach, and to be honest it was my favorite part of the trip.
Good food with a budget
We didn’t eat much, and we didn’t have to. Amsterdam’s supermarkets and street food are the dream of a budget traveler.
Every morning we would grab yogurt, fruit or croissants Albert Heijn or Lidl (Their bakery part is Elite). For lunch we had one market Or pack Premade sandwiches (usually approximately € 3– € 4). One day we bought fresh bread, cheese and fruit from RagHad a picnic in a park and it was better than any sit-down meal for which we could have paid.
Street food wins:
- Syrupwafels -Warm, sticky and life -changing. Rudi’s stall at the Albert Cuyp market is the go-t.
- Frisian (fries) – with Mayo or “fries war” (peanut sauce, mayo, onions). Just do it. I would only fly to Amsterdam for this.
- Herring – If you are adventurous, try it with pickles and onions.
- Bickering – Battered fried fish bites. Addictive.
- Poffertjes – Small pancakes garnished with butter and powdered sugar. You will never want regular pancakes again.
When we went out to dinner, we kept it casual. A Turkish doner spot on an evening, Indonesian rice plates a different and a solid hamburger place on our last evening.
You can certainly eat well here without a broke.
Free (and almost free) things we loved
This is where Amsterdam shines for budget travelers.So many of the good things is free!
We spent hours walking and wandering:
- By means of Jordaanone of the most beautiful neighborhoods I’ve ever seen
- To be honest, around the canals on Golden Hour, it felt like a film set
- In Vondelparkwhere we viewed people from the market with coffee and cheese
A few other gems:
- The Rijksmuseum Gardens (completely free)
- The top floor of the Amsterdam Public Library (OBA) For a view of the city
- One free Ferry Ride to NDSM Wharfwhere we entered a street art gallery and had beer in a cafe on the water
Tips that made a big difference
This is what really helped us to stretch our euros and still have a great time:
- Travel during the shoulder season: Cheaper flights and fewer tourists.
- Walk and cycle: We have easily saved € 50+ by skipping the most transport.
- Use supermarkets: Much cheaper than eating out constantly.
- Bring your own water bottle: Tap water is clean and delicious. It can be difficult to get restaurants to give you free tap water, but Here is a map From places in the city where you can top up your own bottle.
- Pre-game at the Hostel: € 1– € 2 beers from the store> € 7 beers at the bar.
- Book early: Especially for hostels such as Clinknoord – they fill quickly.
Certainly do not pass on Amsterdam
Amsterdam was everything I hoped for and much more. And I didn’t have to blow my budget to experience it.
From our cozy bunk bed room at Clinknoord to fresh stroopwafels on the street and bicycles surrounded by Zaanse Schans surrounded by windmills, it was the kind of journey that stays with you. Budget trips did not mean missing. It meant getting a bit creative, walking a little further and finding joy on the small, local moments.
If you are considering going Do it! Be flexible. Pack light. Bring your hiking shoes and your sense of wonder. Amsterdam will take care of the rest.
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