Comparison · Amsterdam vs Hamburg · Netherlands / Germany
Amsterdam vs Hamburg
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum; choose Hamburg for Elbphilharmonie, Port of Hamburg and lower day-to-day costs. Hamburg is generally less expensive, and the two are about 365 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 365 km
- Less expensive
- Hamburg
- Best time for Amsterdam
- April–June and September
- Best time for Hamburg
- May–September
Side by side
| Amsterdam | Hamburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Netherlands | Germany |
| Known for | Canals, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum | Elbphilharmonie, Port of Hamburg and Speicherstadt |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September | May–September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $220–$360 | $160–$280 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 22°C (72°F) | July, 23°C (73°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 4°C (39°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 8 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | AMS | HAM |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Amsterdam for…
Canals and Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam's 17th-century canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, curves around a compact medieval centre where almost everything is within a 30-minute walk or a short tram ride. The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House draw most…
Choose Hamburg for…
Elbphilharmonie, Port of Hamburg and lower day-to-day costs. Germany's second-largest city is built around water: the working port on the Elbe, the canals of the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt warehouse district and the two Alster lakes in the centre. Visitors come for the Elbphilharmonie's free viewing plaza, Miniatur…
Top sights compared
| # | Amsterdam | Hamburg |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rijksmuseum | Elbphilharmonie and Plaza |
| 2 | Van Gogh Museum | Speicherstadt |
| 3 | Anne Frank House | Miniatur Wunderland |
| 4 | Canal Ring walk | Harbour boat tour and ferry 62 |
| 5 | Canal cruise | Landungsbrücken and Old Elbe Tunnel |
Food compared
| Amsterdam | Hamburg |
|---|---|
| Stroopwafel | Fish sandwich |
| Raw herring | Franzbrötchen |
| Bitterballen | Labskaus |
| Kroket | Hamburg fish pan |
Which is cheaper?
Hamburg is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $160–$280 per person there, against $220–$360 in Amsterdam (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Hamburg on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Amsterdam and Hamburg are about 365 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Amsterdam and 3 in Hamburg.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Amsterdam or Hamburg cheaper?
Hamburg is usually less expensive: about $160–$280 a day mid-range against $220–$360 (estimates).
+Is Amsterdam or Hamburg better for a first trip?
Pick Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum, or Hamburg for Elbphilharmonie, Port of Hamburg and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Amsterdam from Hamburg?
About 365 km in a straight line.