I just passed 4 days in Amsterdam and I will give you my good plans for a cheap stay in Amsterdam: Transport, visits, restaurants and hotel.
In fact, Amsterdam is a very touristy city where life is expensive. As a result, it is not so easy to find the best offers to discover the capital of the Netherlands on a small budget. But by taking it in advance and having the right information, there are good plans to discover Amsterdam without breaking the bank.
Discover below my good plans and tips for a cheap stay in Amsterdam.
Good plan to go from the airport to the city center of Amsterdam
To get from the airport to Amsterdam city centre, you have the choice between the Airport Shuttle (€27), the red Amsterdam Airport Express bus on platform B15-19, the taxi (€45) or the train.
My good plan is to take the train that goes directly from Schiphol airport to Amsterdam Central Station. Indeed, the station is under the airport. Just take the escalator down there, go to a terminal and pay your ticket.
Trains to Amsterdam Centraal station depart from platform 1 or 2 every 20 minutes and the journey takes only 15 minutes.
This is my good plan for a cheap transport from the airport to the train station in the center of Amsterdam: 4,90 €.
The ideal is to choose a hotel or accommodation close to the station (see my good hotel plan in Amsterdam at the end of the article).
Good deals Amsterdam – Cheap transport
Transportation is one of the most important aspects to consider when traveling to Amsterdam. The city is well served by public transport, including trams, buses and trains. The public transport system is very efficient and easy to use, making it a great way to get around the city without spending a lot of money.
The tram is one of the most popular means of transport in Amsterdam. There are many tram lines serving the whole city, and tickets are relatively cheap.
If you plan to take the tram several times a day, you can buy a 18-day (€2) or 24-day (€XNUMX) ticket to save on transport costs.
- Lines 1, 2 and 5 go to Dam Square, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum and line 1 continues to Vondelpark.
- Line 9, which departs from the station, passes through Dam Square, Spui, Rembrandt Square, the Hortus Botanicus, the Resistance Museum and the Tropenmuseum.
- And lines 13 and 17 get closer to Westerkerk, Westermarkt and the Anne Frank House and its museum.
Here is the Amsterdam public transport map on the website https://www.gvb.nl/en/visit-amsterdam :
Another cheap transport option in Amsterdam is by bicycle. There are many places where you can rent a bike for a day or more without breaking the bank. It's an excellent way to discover the city at your own pace, especially in the old town, especially in places where the tram and cars do not circulate.
Amsterdam tips – Free city tour
There are many cheap guided tours in Amsterdam that allow you to discover the city without spending a lot of money. Free guided tours are usually organized by local guides who know the city well and can give you interesting information about Amsterdam's history, culture and traditions. Here is also a free visit organized by Civitatis: Free Tour Amsterdam.
Otherwise, you can follow my walking tours which allow you to discover the most emblematic sites of Amsterdam for free: Walking tours to visit Amsterdam in 2 days. Indeed, these tours take you through the most picturesque streets of the city, passing through the canals, museums and the most famous monuments.
Amsterdam tourist map
It is important to familiarize yourself with the city before setting out to explore Amsterdam. Tourist maps can help you navigate the city and find the most popular attractions. You can find free tourist maps at tourist information centers in the city or in hotels. The most popular agency for sightseeing buses, canal trips and excursions around Amsterdam is Tours and Tickets (T&T):
There are also many discounts available for attractions and activities in Amsterdam. You can buy discount cards that give you access to several museums and attractions at reduced prices. Discount cards are usually valid for a fixed period of time and can save you a lot of money on entry costs.
Good plan excursion to the most beautiful villages near Amsterdam
To visit the 3 most beautiful villages near Amsterdam in one day, I found a good plan: the 45 € excursion which allows you to visit Zaanse Schans and its windmills, the pretty port of Volendam et marken island on Lake IJssel. See for Booking on Civitatis.
Indeed, when we went to the T&T office to exchange our reservations for the vouchers, we noticed that the excursion was sold on site at €52,50 instead of the €45 we had paid. 7,50€ savings, it's a very good plan! It is enough to book the excursion in advance on the Internet.
Cheap restaurants in Amsterdam
It is possible to eat in Amsterdam without spending a lot of money. The city offers a wide variety of inexpensive restaurants and cafes that offer local and international dishes at affordable prices. They are found in the Amsterdam neighborhoods the most touristic and lively ones such as the Jordaan, the Pijp and the Nieuwmarkt.
Street stalls, foodtrucks and kiosks are the best places to eat cheap in Amsterdam. You can find them everywhere in the city. You can buy fish and chips, fries, poffertjes, stroopwafels and the traditional dish of the capital: herring. See my post: Where to eat herring in Amsterdam which indicates the best cheap stalls where to taste this typical dish.
You should also know that the best fries in Amsterdam can be tasted for cheap in the many kiosks Flemish Friteshuis Vleminckx from the capital.
And if you want to take advantage of a magnificent setting next to a mill to enjoy a beer and tapas, the best address is the Brouwerij'TIJ brewery :
But get there early because they don't take reservations and the place is very, very popular!
Tips Amsterdam – Cheap hotel in Amsterdam
Amsterdam offers a wide variety of accommodation options for travelers but the prices are very high. If you are looking for cheap accommodation in Amsterdam, you can find hostels, bed and breakfasts or Airbnbs.
But if you want to enjoy the comfort, cleanliness and services of a three-star hotel, I recommend a cheap hotel in a very good location in the center of Amsterdam. By choosing the small room like me, it's a good hotel deal in Amsterdam.
2 streets from the red light district, you can enjoy pubs, coffee shops and all the entertainment while sleeping in a secure and quiet room!
In addition, this hotel is 6 minutes walk from the train station and 6 minutes walk from Dam Square: The good plan!
Tips for taking advantage of good deals in Amsterdam
There are a few tips for taking advantage of good deals in Amsterdam and saving money:
- Book your trip in advance to benefit from the best rates in terms of flight, hotel and excursions and visits.
- Avoid peak periods, such as school holidays and weekends, to avoid crowds and high prices.
- Check out the tourist cards and discounts available for attractions and activities in Amsterdam.
- Use public transport to get around the city.
- Avoid touristy restaurants and look for cheap options in local neighborhoods or street stalls.
- Take advantage of free activities and events in Amsterdam such as markets, exhibitions, the flower market or free concerts in Vondelpark.
See also: Where to go shopping in Amsterdam?