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Amsterdam or London? An honest comparison
The short answer
Pick Amsterdam for a compact weekend of canals, museums and cycling, at a lower daily cost (about €219 mid-range against €256 in London). Pick London for a longer trip with free world-class museums, theatre, shopping and a much bigger food scene.
Amsterdam: suits couples, friends and solo travellers who want an easy, walkable weekend.
London: suits families, theatre lovers and first-timers who want variety for a week.
Side by side
| Amsterdam | London | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €219 | €257 £219 local |
| Budget day* | €120 | €133 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●About €219 a day mid-range. | ●●●●●About €256 a day mid-range, the higher of the two. |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●Canal ring and Damrak are crowded, especially weekends. | ●●●●●Westminster, the Tower and Oxford Street busy all year. |
| Food | ●●●●●Good snacks and Indonesian food; Dutch cuisine is simple. | ●●●●●Global food, Borough Market and excellent curry. |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●Brown cafés, beer bars and clubs in Noord. | ●●●●●Pubs, theatre, live music and late clubs. |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Flat, safe and compact, with parks and NEMO museum. | ●●●●●Free museums, parks and big family attractions. |
| Getting around | ●●●●●Walk, cycle or tram; everything is close. | ●●●●●Tube and buses cover all, but distances are long. |
| Best months | Jun | Aug |
| Warmest / coolest | Jun 22°C / Jan 7°C | Jul 23°C / Jan 7°C |
| Known for | Ring of glittering canals, gabled houses, Rijksmuseum, Keukenhof tulip fields | Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, free world-class museums, West End theatre |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our Amsterdam and London day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Amsterdam if…
- you have a long weekend.
- you want to walk or cycle everywhere.
- you want Dutch masters and Van Gogh.
- you want a lower daily budget than London.
Pick London if…
- you want free world-class museums.
- you want West End theatre or live music.
- you are travelling with children.
- you have five days or more.
Weather month by month
| Month | Amsterdam high / rainy days | London high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7°C · 16 | 7°C · 12 |
| Feb | 8°C · 13 | 10°C · 9 |
| Mar | 10°C · 12 | 11°C · 14 |
| Apr | 12°C · 11 | 13°C · 8 |
| May | 16°C · 13 | 17°C · 13 |
| Jun | 22°C · 9 | 22°C · 10 |
| Jul | 21°C · 16 | 23°C · 12 |
| Aug | 22°C · 14 | 22°C · 7 |
| Sep | 20°C · 11 | 21°C · 10 |
| Oct | 16°C · 18 | 17°C · 14 |
| Nov | 10°C · 18 | 11°C · 12 |
| Dec | 7°C · 18 | 9°C · 12 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
Amsterdam
Raw herring · Fried fish bites · Bitterballen and croquettes · Fries · Syrup waffle · Mini pancakes
Where: Albert Cuyp Market (De Pijp), Foodhallen (Oud-West), Noordermarkt (Jordaan), Dappermarkt (Oost)
London
Fish and chips · Salt beef bagel · Pie and mash · Full English breakfast · Sunday roast · Curry
Where: Borough Market (Southwark), Brick Lane and Whitechapel, Old Spitalfields Market, Maltby Street Market (Bermondsey)
Doing both in one trip
7 days: 4 in London + 3 in Amsterdam
Start in London for the longer stay, then take the train to Amsterdam for a slower finish.
Getting between them: Direct Eurostar train, about 4 h from London St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal, or flight about 1 h 10 plus airport time. Distance about 357 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1: Westminster and South Bank
- Day 2: British Museum and a West End show
- Day 3: Tower of London and Borough Market
- Day 4: South Kensington museums
- Day 5: Train to Amsterdam, canal ring
- Day 6: Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum
- Day 7: Jordaan and De Pijp
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Common questions
Is Amsterdam or London cheaper?
Amsterdam. Our mid-range estimate is about €219 per person per day in Amsterdam against about €256 in London. Both have expensive hotels, but London transport and eating out add more. London's free national museums balance things for museum lovers, whereas Amsterdam's major museums charge entry.
Which is better for a weekend?
Amsterdam. It is compact enough to see the main sights in two or three days on foot or by bike. London is huge, and a weekend only scratches the surface; it rewards four days or more. If you only have a weekend, choose Amsterdam; if you have a week, London offers more.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer is the warmest and most reliable season for both, with June around 22°C in Amsterdam and July around 23°C in London. April is tulip season near Amsterdam but very busy. Winters are similar, around 7°C, grey and damp, though London's Christmas lights and markets add appeal.
How do I get between Amsterdam and London?
The direct Eurostar train takes about 4 hours between Amsterdam Centraal and London St Pancras, with border checks done before departure. Flying takes about 1 h 10 but adds airport time. Overnight ferries also link the Netherlands and England for travellers with cars. Check current timetables.