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Example itinerary

3 days in Amsterdam for two on about €870

Two great museums, a canal day and one afternoon out of the centre, done mostly on foot and by bike rather than in a queue.

Travellers who like art and cities that can be crossed without transport.

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Where to sleep

A mid-range hotel in De Pijp or the Jordaan — Both are ten to fifteen minutes from the centre on foot and far calmer at night. Budget around €130 per night for two.

Day by day

  1. Day 1 — Museum quarter

    ~€300
    Morning.
    Rijksmuseum from opening — two hours is enough for the Dutch Masters floor.
    Afternoon.
    Van Gogh Museum next door, booked for a specific slot, then the Vondelpark.
    Evening.
    Dinner in De Pijp, the best value eating in the city.

  2. Day 2 — Canals and the old centre

    ~€290
    Morning.
    Anne Frank House with a ticket booked the moment they release them, then the Jordaan on foot.
    Afternoon.
    A canal boat or a rented bike loop through the Nine Streets and the Grachtengordel.
    Evening.
    Brown café dinner near the Jordaan, then a walk along the lit canals.

  3. Day 3 — North and the markets

    ~€280
    Morning.
    Free ferry to Amsterdam Noord for the NDSM yard and the view back over the water.
    Afternoon.
    Back for Albert Cuyp market, stroopwafels included, and a last museum if you want one.
    Evening.
    Early dinner in the Jordaan before the flight home.

What it costs

Accommodation (3 nights)
€390
Food and drink
€250
Sights and museums
€140
Bikes and transport
€55
Buffer
€35
Total for 2 travellers
€870

Estimates for 3 nights in Amsterdam, excluding flights. Always confirm live prices and opening hours before you book.

Best time to visit Amsterdam

April and May for the tulips and mild days, or September for warm light without the peak crowds. Summer is busy and expensive; winter is dark but the museums are calm and hotels are half price.

Getting in from the airport

Cheapest.
Train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal, €5.90, 17 minutes, six per hour.
Fastest.
The same train — nothing beats it, including taxis, which take 30 minutes and cost €45.

Where to stay in Amsterdam

Jordaan.
canals, small bars, quiet mornings — around €150–200 a night for two.
De Pijp.
market food and a younger crowd — around €120–170 a night for two.
Oud-West.
better value, tram straight into the centre — around €110–150 a night for two.

Getting around

A 24-hour GVB tram and bus ticket is €9; a rented bike is €12 a day and genuinely faster. The canal belt is 25 minutes on foot corner to corner.

What to skip

  • Skip the canal cruises that leave from directly outside Centraal — smaller boats from the Jordaan cost the same and are far less crowded.
  • Skip the Heineken Experience if you want beer rather than branding; the brown cafés are cheaper and better.

Staying longer?

With 5 days add Haarlem and the Zaanse Schans windmills, or a train to Utrecht for a canal city without the tour groups.

Worth knowing

  • Anne Frank House tickets are released online on a fixed schedule and disappear within hours — set a reminder.
  • The ferries behind Centraal Station to Amsterdam Noord are free and run all day.
  • Cycling is cheap and quick, but stay out of the tram tracks and never block a bike lane.

Amsterdam questions, answered

How much does 3 days in Amsterdam cost for two people?
Around €870 excluding flights: €390 on three nights, €250 on food, €140 on museums, €55 on bikes and transport and €35 as a buffer.
Is 3 days enough for Amsterdam?
Yes, comfortably. The city is small; three days covers the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Anne Frank House, the canal ring and an afternoon in Noord.
Do you need to book Amsterdam museums in advance?
Yes. Anne Frank House is online-only and sells out fast, and the Van Gogh Museum uses timed entry throughout the year.
Is Amsterdam expensive?
Hotels are the expensive part. Eating in De Pijp, cycling instead of taxis and using the free ferries keeps the rest of a three-day trip moderate.
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
April for the tulips, or May, June and September for long days and mild weather. Winter is cheap, dark and often wet.
How do I get from the airport into Amsterdam?
Train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal, €5.90, 17 minutes, six per hour. If you would rather not carry bags on public transport: the same train — nothing beats it, including taxis, which take 30 minutes and cost €45.
Is Amsterdam walkable?
Largely, yes — this plan is built so each day is walkable with at most a couple of short transport hops. A 24-hour GVB tram and bus ticket is €9; a rented bike is €12 a day and genuinely faster. The canal belt is 25 minutes on foot corner to corner.
Where should I stay in Amsterdam?
Jordaan for canals, small bars, quiet mornings (€150–200 a night); De Pijp for market food and a younger crowd (€120–170 a night); Oud-West for better value, tram straight into the centre (€110–150 a night). This plan budgets €130 a night for two.

Working to a fixed budget? Read our step-by-step guide to planning a trip on a budget.

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