Comparison · Amsterdam vs London · Netherlands / United Kingdom
Amsterdam vs London
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
.jpg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Choose Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum; choose London for Big Ben and Parliament, British Museum and free sights. Amsterdam is generally less expensive, and the two are about 358 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 358 km
- Less expensive
- Amsterdam
- Best time for Amsterdam
- April–June and September
- Best time for London
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Amsterdam | London | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Netherlands | United Kingdom |
| Known for | Canals, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum | Big Ben and Parliament, British Museum and Royal palaces |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $220–$360 | $260–$420 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 22°C (72°F) | July, 24°C (75°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 9°C (48°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 12 |
| Day trips in our guide | 8 | 8 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | AMS | LHR, LGW, STN, LTN, LCY |
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…
.jpeg){kind=link}
Choose London for…
Big Ben and Parliament, British Museum and free sights. London spreads across 32 boroughs, but most visitors spend their time in a central band running from Westminster and the West End to the City and the South Bank, linked by the Tube and a riverside walk along the Thames. The great national museums — the…
Top sights compared
| # | Amsterdam | London |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rijksmuseum | British Museum |
| 2 | Van Gogh Museum | Tower of London |
| 3 | Anne Frank House | Westminster Abbey |
| 4 | Canal Ring walk | Houses of Parliament and Big Ben |
| 5 | Canal cruise | Buckingham Palace and Changing the Guard |
Food compared
| Amsterdam | London |
|---|---|
| Stroopwafel | Full English breakfast |
| Raw herring | Fish and chips |
| Bitterballen | Sunday roast |
| Kroket | Pie and mash |
Which is cheaper?
Amsterdam is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $220–$360 per person there, against $260–$420 in London (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Amsterdam on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Amsterdam and London are about 358 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Amsterdam and 5 in London.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Amsterdam or London cheaper?
Amsterdam is usually less expensive: about $220–$360 a day mid-range against $260–$420 (estimates).
+Is Amsterdam or London better for a first trip?
Pick Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum, or London for Big Ben and Parliament, British Museum and free sights.
+How far is Amsterdam from London?
About 358 km in a straight line.