10 budget-friendly ways to explore the Netherlands

While the Netherlands boasts remarkable art, green initiatives, and breathtaking landscapes, it’s not exactly synonymous with affordability—especially in Amsterdam, which ranks among Europe’s pricier cities.

However, there are numerous ways to cut costs. Here’s a guide on alternative travel methods to and within the Netherlands, uncovering the best deals on accommodations and finding budget-friendly meals, museum visits, and other attractions to stretch your travel budget further.

Daily expenses in the Netherlands

• Hostel bed (dormitory): starting from €30–40 (Amsterdam €35–60)

• Standard hotel room for two: €65–120 (Amsterdam €120–180)

• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): €90–180 (Amsterdam from €160)

• Coffee: €0

• Sandwich: €4–11

• Fluitje (medium 22cL beer): €0

• Dinner for two at an affordable restaurant: €20–40

• Bicycle rental per day, standard/electric: €13/30

• Museum entry: €15–30

• Day ticket for public transport across the Netherlands (peak/off-peak): €70/48

Estimated daily expenses: €100–180 (Amsterdam starting at €140)

Add more budget-friendly locations to your travel plans

The Netherlands is a small, compact country, allowing for quick and efficient travel, making it easy to explore various locations and escape the crowds.

Prices can differ greatly based on your travel location within the country. Budget-conscious travelers should note that popular areas impose significantly higher tourist taxes (also known as city taxes, which are charged per person, per night at your accommodation, either as a percentage of the total cost or as a flat fee). For example, Amsterdam has a 2024 tourist tax of 12.5%—the highest in Europe—as part of its initiative to manage overtourism, while Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ second-largest city, has a tax of only 6.5%. The beach island of Texel charges €2.40 per person, per night, and the charming town of Meppel in Drenthe has no tourist tax at all.

Cities that draw weekend crowds, like Amsterdam, often offer lower accommodation prices earlier in the week.

Planning to stay in Amsterdam? Explore our budget guide for the city

Select the most affordable airport

Long-distance travelers will likely arrive at the Netherlands’ primary airport, Schiphol, located 18 km (11 miles) southwest of central Amsterdam.

If you're flying from within Europe, consider looking for budget flights into Rotterdam The Hague Airport, located 75 km (46 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, or Eindhoven Airport, which is 120 km (75 miles) southeast of the city. These options may be more convenient depending on your destination in the Netherlands. The airports are well-linked by public transport.

Explore alternatives to flying

For short-distance travelers, trains are not only more environmentally friendly but can also be cheaper than flying (and save you from airport transfers). Trains connect to nearby Belgium and Germany (and beyond), with Eurostar services available from Amsterdam and Rotterdam to London. The Trainline website frequently offers discounted international tickets.

Ferries connecting the UK and the Netherlands often provide special offers. Available services include overnight DFDS ferries from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to IJmuiden near Amsterdam; overnight P&O ferries from Hull to Rotterdam; and both day and night Stena Line ferries from Harwich to Hoek van Holland, close to Rotterdam. Various cabin types and prices are available onboard, along with amenities like restaurants and bars. All ferry ports in the Netherlands are accessible by public transport.

The extensive website The Man in Seat 61 is an excellent, up-to-date resource for information on train and ferry travel.

Buses are typically the most affordable (if not the fastest) option. International companies like FlixBus offer comfortable, well-equipped coaches to various destinations throughout the Netherlands.

Schedule your visit around peak times to find cheaper accommodation options

Securing your lodging ahead of time is essential during peak periods. Most accommodations use dynamic pricing that increases with demand, so generally, the earlier you book, the lower the price will be.

In addition to the summer months (June to August) and holidays like Christmas, be mindful of local festivals and events. For instance, the pre-Lent Carnaval celebrations (February or March) in southeastern towns like Maastricht, the stunning spring tulip displays (mid-March to mid-May) in the Bollenstreek bulb-growing area, and the nationwide celebrations for King’s Day (April 27, or April 26 if April 27 falls on a Sunday). Check the online calendars of tourist offices to stay informed about upcoming events.

The Netherlands boasts around 2000 campgrounds, ranging from basic sites to fully equipped cabins and village-style amenities. They tend to fill up quickly in the summer (as camping is popular among locals), so it's wise to book in advance. Note that wild camping (or “freedom camping”) is prohibited and may incur a fine.

Choose the ideal time for your visit to the Netherlands with our seasonal guide

Enjoy affordable or free entertainment and events

Local festivals offer fantastic opportunities for inexpensive or free concerts and entertainment, such as street performances. Tourist authority websites are a great starting point for finding this information.

If you find yourself in the Netherlands on the second weekend of September, around 4000 historic buildings and sites across the country open their doors for free as part of European Heritage Days, known locally as Open Monumentendag (Open Monuments Day).

Explore discount cards or museum passes

The museums in the Netherlands are a major attraction, and using a discount card or museum pass can save you a lot of money. Students with valid ID, seniors over 65 and their partners over 60, and certain professionals (like artists, journalists, museum conservators, and teachers) with valid credentials often qualify for discounted admission without needing a pass.

The EYC (European Youth Card), known in the Netherlands as the CJP (Cultural Youth Passport), is an excellent option available online for anyone under 30 (not just Europeans). For a small fee, it provides discounts on transportation, attractions, accommodation, shopping, and more across 36 European countries (with varying age limits in some countries) for a full year.

A Museumkaart (Netherlands Museum Pass) offers individuals of all ages free and discounted access to over 420 museums nationwide for one year. Visitors without a Dutch bank account can purchase a temporary card at a museum authorized to issue them. This card is valid for 31 days and allows entry to up to five museums; after that, you'll need to register it online to receive your permanent card at a Dutch address (such as your hotel) within five working days.

City-specific passes like the I amsterdam City Card can be a valuable investment if you're focusing your visit in and around the capital.

Cut costs on public transport

The Netherlands boasts a highly efficient public transport system, featuring a vast network of comfortable trains, metros, trams, ferries, and increasingly, electric buses. The journey planner 9292.nl helps you find the most convenient and cost-effective routes.

Day tickets offer excellent value, allowing you to choose one that covers the entire country or a specific area (like the province of South Holland, which includes Rotterdam, Delft, Den Haag, and the bulb fields, or a city; the Amsterdam Travel Ticket is a convenient option for those flying into Schiphol Airport).

Exploring the Netherlands? Here are must-visit locations

Embrace cycling and explore by bike

Biking by fiets (bicycle) is immensely popular here. The Netherlands, often referred to as the Lowlands, is predominantly flat (except for the southeastern part), with short distances, a generally mild climate, and extensive cycling infrastructure.

Both short and long-distance bike paths crisscross the country, often leading through scenic landscapes. The fietsknooppuntennetwerk (cycle junction network) consists of knooppunten (junctions, or “nodes”) where cycling routes intersect, ideal for day trips. Many route-planning apps, including the Fietsersbond Routeplanner, can help you. Landelijke Fietsroutes (LF routes) are designated for longer cycling journeys; you can download their app online (ensure you have the latest version as the LF network grows each year).

Bicycle rentals are widely available: most train stations feature bike rental shops, as do all cities and towns.

Opt for self-catering to cut down on food expenses

If you're staying at a campground, hostel, or rental apartment with kitchen access, self-catering can save you a significant amount. Enjoying picnics in parks, by the water, or at the beach can also be a delightful choice during warmer weather.

Every Dutch town hosts markets at least once a week, filling the market square with stalls offering fresh fruits, vegetables, and local specialties, including the renowned Dutch cheeses. Don’t forget to grab fresh bread and baked goods from a bakkerij (bakery).

The app Too Good To Go notifies you of deals on unsold food items at bakeries and shops, allowing you to save money while helping to reduce food waste.

Discover budget-friendly dining options

Popular Dutch snacks include haring (herring), Vlaamse frites (“Flemish fries”) served with a range of sauces, stroopwafels (wafer cookies filled with caramel syrup), and poffertjes (mini pancakes sprinkled with powdered sugar) from small eateries and food stalls.

When dining out, you can often save money by choosing the dagschotel (dish of the day) or opting for a dagmenu (a set menu featuring three or more courses).

Another way to find discounts across the Netherlands is through Social Deal, which provides offers on meals, hotels, wellness and beauty services, and various attractions, including canal cruises.