Comparison · Amsterdam vs Paris · Netherlands / France
Amsterdam vs Paris
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 Paris for Eiffel Tower and Louvre. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 430 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 430 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Amsterdam
- April–June and September
- Best time for Paris
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Amsterdam | Paris | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Netherlands | France |
| Known for | Canals, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum | Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Café culture |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $220–$360 | $200–$350 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 22°C (72°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 8 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | AMS | CDG, ORY, BVA |
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…
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Choose Paris for…
Eiffel Tower and Louvre. Paris packs the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower into a compact city of 20 arrondissements spiralling out from the Seine. Most first-time visitors base themselves in the central 1st–7th arrondissements and get around on foot and by…
Top sights compared
| # | Amsterdam | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rijksmuseum | Eiffel Tower |
| 2 | Van Gogh Museum | Louvre Museum |
| 3 | Anne Frank House | Musée d'Orsay |
| 4 | Canal Ring walk | Notre-Dame Cathedral |
| 5 | Canal cruise | Sainte-Chapelle |
Food compared
| Amsterdam | Paris |
|---|---|
| Stroopwafel | Croissant and pain au chocolat |
| Raw herring | Baguette tradition |
| Bitterballen | Steak frites |
| Kroket | Croque-monsieur |
Which is cheaper?
Amsterdam and Paris cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $220–$360 in Amsterdam and $200–$350 in Paris (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Paris on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Amsterdam and Paris are about 430 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Amsterdam and 4 in Paris.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Amsterdam or Paris cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $220–$360 in Amsterdam and $200–$350 in Paris (estimates).
+Is Amsterdam or Paris better for a first trip?
Pick Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum, or Paris for Eiffel Tower and Louvre.
+How far is Amsterdam from Paris?
About 430 km in a straight line.