How to Travel to Amsterdam on the CHEAP CHEAP with cheapie-travel.com

Netherlands |

The Netherlands, formerly known as Holland, is home to the Dutch people.  New-age thinking and engineering marvels are hallmarks of the Netherlands.  This short trip from France or Germany make it central to a European backpacking adventure.

Amsterdam |

Introduction |

Amsterdam, the Capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Netherlands’ capital), known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and tall, and narrow houses lining the canals.  Its museums house works from Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh.  With this cheapie-traveler guide to Amsterdam, you will surely save some moola while you sight see through Amsterdam.  

Amsterdam Budget |

Amsterdam is a European city which you can make your Euros stretch quite a bit longer than other European cities.  Amsterdam has very inexpensive lodging, transportation, sightseeing, and truly offers a multitude of things to do on a tight budget.

Amsterdam is a city in which you can accomplish a shoestring budget.  A shoestring budget is defined by cheapie-travel.com as $50.00 per day (excluding airfare and lodging).  Below, is an example of a daily budget allotment for a shoestring budget traveler: 

Daily Budget of $50.00

$0.00 for Breakfast (most hostels provide a breakfast to those early risers)

$12.00 for a bicycle rental 

$0.00 on light rail metro system

$8.00 on Lunch

$5.00 on hydration

$5.00 on snacks

$10.00 museum entry fee, or other admission fee

$10.00 on dinner

*Keep in mind that a budget cheapie-traveler excursion may not be filled with frills, bells and whistles.  The cheapie-traveler may have to give themselves tours of the city they are visiting.  The cheapie-traveler may not get to experience the fine dining cuisine of your destination backpacking vacation.  

Amsterdam Hostels | 

Hotels in Amsterdam are more expensive than backpacking hostels, and since this is a cheapie-travel log, only Hostel stays are covered below.  

The hostels in Amsterdam are plenty, and are generally in good condition.  The hostels I stayed were comprised of large dorm style rooms, with bunk beds, and shared, multi person restrooms.  The hostels are of very reasonable value, ranging in cost from $20.00 to $60.00 (on the costly side of backpacking hostels) per day.  I stayed in medium range hostels, which cost about $30.00 per night, and were comfortable and clean, and had average age and condition amenities.  

Some hostels have downstairs restaurants and bars.  These can be cheaper options for those travelers who do not wish to have to eat at fast food in order to obtain their cheapie-traveler vagabond dreams.  

Some things to keep in mind before staying in a hostel:

There are travelers coming in and out of the dorm style room at all times of the day and night

Communal restrooms (privacy curtains and doors are used)

Sleeping arrangements (bunk beds, co-ed rooms, etc.)

Lower price and quality than traditional hotels

Despite being known as “youth hostels” very few actually require you to be under a certain age

Hostels can be checked in 24 hours a day (be sure to check with your hostel to confirm)

Hostels are a great place to meet new friends who have similar interests to you (travel), who are from all over the world.

Amsterdam Weather |

Amsterdam ranges from the 90s in the summer, and the 40s in the winter.  Snow falls in the winter and lasts until spring.  I went in spring, and snow was still on the ground, and it was very cold.  Snow boots are not required, but gloves and a coat are during winter!  

Amsterdam Food |

In order to obtain cheapie-traveler status, I was not able to partake in fine dining in Amsterdam.  In order to achieve travelling Europe on a shoestring budget I had to eat like a college student.  In order to maximize my food budget, I visited local stores and purchased small packaged items for “meals” and sometimes visited fast food (due to the low cost prices).  Food in Amsterdam was a tad bit cheaper than other well known European cities.

Amsterdam Vitals |

Passport:
Before you travel outside of the United States, you will need a Passport.  For more information, visit:
The U.S. Department of State

Vaccinations:  
Disclaimer:  I am not a medical professional, and you should not take any medical information in this blog as medical advice.  Always seek medical advice from a doctor.  That being said, there are no required vaccinations to travel to the Netherlands that I was required to have.  However, you may want to seek the advice from a medical professional.

Amsterdam Flights |

Flights range anywhere from $900.00 to $1,500.  The flights range in price greatly.  My advice is to do your research, plan months in advance, purchase your tickets months in advance, and use your flyer miles (if you are able to redeem and use them). 

Amsterdam Travel |

Bicycles:

In the Amsterdam Budget section, I allotted $12.00 for a bicycle rental, and no money for the metro system.  Amsterdam is an interesting place to ride a bicycle.  There are whole lanes devoted to bicycle riders.  During commute hours, you will see people dressed in suits peddling as fast as they can on bicycles headed to work.  Don’t get in their way.  A good tip is to stay to one side of that lane (the right side of the lane) so that the fast moving bicycles can maneuver around your slower moving bicycle.  I say that you will be moving slower because, unless you commute to work on a bicycle each day in traffic of other bicycles while peddling at full speed, then you will be unfamiliar, and moving slower.

Metro:

The metro system in Amsterdam is clean, timely, and cost effective, however, you will spend a considerable amount moving from each destination.  Your ticket will last for a certain length of time, and after that, you need to repurchase another ticket.  

Vehicle:

A vehicle in downtown (old) Amsterdam is not practical.  Some streets don’t allow vehicles I believe anyway.  The corridors lining the canal system are very confusing to most people.  All of the travelers that I have consulted with have had difficulty accurately navigating the canal streets.  However, since there is a lot of stuff to do in Amsterdam, you really don’t need to know exactly where you are going. There will be something along the way that will spark your interest if you get lost.

Eurail: 

The Eurail http://www.eurail.com/ , is the most efficient way to enter Amsterdam from your previous destination.  To see more information on the Eurail, please visit my Eurail page.

Prepare Yourself |

Top 10 Ways to Prepare Yourself for Amsterdam 

For the Weather

For the cost

For the beautiful canals

For the beautiful flower market

For the confusing streets

For amazing bicycle ride tours

For Bars and “Coffee Shops” 

For backpacking hostels

For nice Dutch people

For making new friends

Amsterdam Excursions |

Amsterdam is a city full of sights to see.  In order to maximize your cheapie-travel experience, I recommend splurging on one event, or thing you want to do per day on vacation.  In order to accomplish this, you may not be able to eat at the restaurant you want to, but you could instead have a picnic in a park.  Cheapie-traveler options are available everywhere – you just need to be able to see them.  

Museums are plentiful in Amsterdam.  I visited the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, and while, it does not house Starry Starry Night, it still features many amazing pieces of Van Gogh’s work.  

Coffee shops are prevalent in Amsterdam.  A Café, which you would purchase coffee at, is a different kind of establishment altogether.  Coffee shops in Amsterdam indicate that a marijuana dispensary is located there, many times, in addition to coffee.  Visitors to Amsterdam do not have to have any type of prescription or recommendation to visit that marijuana dispensary.  However, if you do decide to purchase marijuana from the coffee shop, it’s best to partake in the festivities at the coffee shop and not out on the street.