A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Amsterdam for Nightlife, Backpackers, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Phuket or Amsterdam?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Amsterdam, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Phuket

Phuket is a activity-filled, energetic, and party-hard resort island. Phuket is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Phuket travel costs.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a canal-lined, party-oriented, and laid-back city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The famous beauty of Amsterdam is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Amsterdam travel costs.

Phuket and Amsterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phuket or Amsterdam?

You'll generally find more things to do in Amsterdam than Phuket. Amsterdam is bigger than Phuket, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Amsterdam is better known for its museums and attractions, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Phuket is more popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Phuket is well known for its long sandy beaches, wild nightlife, colorful resorts, and easy access to day tours. Amsterdam is well known for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. Also, Amsterdam is famous for The Rijksmuseum.

How is Phuket different from Amsterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Amsterdam and Phuket. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phuket or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

Phuket does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Phuket or Amsterdam? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Phuket is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Phuket. Because it served as an international port for so long, food around the island has many international influences. For the most authentic local food, head into Phuket Town. Many dishes include seafood, but there are also chicken curries and noodle soup. Like elsewhere in Thailand, the food can be quite spicy but because the island is so touristy, they're accustomed to people asking for "no spice."

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Phuket or Amsterdam Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Phuket or Amsterdam has a better nightlife scene.

Phuket has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The island has a long running reputation as a party destination and it lives up to expectations. The biggest party area is Patong, particularly around Bangla Road, but even in Kata and Karon, it's hard to escape the party atmosphere.

Amsterdam is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

Is Phuket or Amsterdam Better for Music?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Phuket is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Amsterdam The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Phuket is not a live music destination.

Is Phuket or Amsterdam Better for Resorts?

Phuket is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Amsterdam is not a resort destination.

Phuket offers an unforgettable resort vacation. It's easy accessibility and larger size make this the premiere resort destination in Thailand. There are five star resorts, family-friendly resorts, and everything in between. Many people use the island as a base for exploring other nearby islands. Any resort or tour company can arrange excursions or activities for guests.

Amsterdam is not a resort destination.

Is Phuket or Amsterdam Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Phuket is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Amsterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Phuket to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. You can dive and snorkel year round, but the visibility is usually best between November and May. There are countless boat tours available and the easy accessibility make this a good base for snorkeling and diving. Many areas are overrun with tourists though, so it'll be hard to find a quiet, undisturbed location.

Amsterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phuket or Amsterdam Better for Beaches?

Phuket is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Phuket are among the best in the world. The island has more than 30 beaches to choose from, ranging from party hard areas to a few quieter gems in more remote locations. The area became a world-famous destination because of its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and the beaches will not disappoint, even if development has taken over the island.

Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Phuket or Amsterdam Better for its Old Town?

Amsterdam is a great destination for its old town. However, Phuket does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Amsterdam to see the historical old town. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Phuket does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Phuket or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Amsterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Phuket has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls offer a range of stores, air conditioning, and fixed prices while markets have more local items and unique souvenirs. There are also galleries and other souvenir shops all over the island.

Is Phuket or Amsterdam More Beautiful?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Amsterdam is one of the main draws. With its beautiful canals, historic churches, and relaxing parks, this is a beautiful city.

Phuket offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It is a mix of beautiful beaches and tourist crowds. The island is very developed with a combination of 5 star hotels, souvenir shops, and tour companies. Because of the many excursions leaving from the island, many visitors find it a makes a good base for exploring the area.

Is Phuket or Amsterdam Better for Families?

Phuket is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phuket. Many people visit this island with kids because it has beautiful beaches and tons of activities including water sports, water parks, and amusement areas. The island is filled with a diversity of tourists, so you'll encounter a number of areas with party-hard atmospheres, but there are also tons of family-friendly resorts to choose from as well.

For families, Amsterdam is not always the best place to visit. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

Is Phuket or Amsterdam Better for Couples?

Phuket and Amsterdam are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Phuket frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The island is filled with beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for all travel styles. It's a tourist and party mecca in Thailand with many resorts and restaurants to choose from.

Amsterdam is a great resort island if you're traveling as a couple. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

Is Phuket or Amsterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Amsterdam. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

Phuket is a good resort island to visit for backpackers. It has a long history as a party island with expensive prices and hordes of tourists. While it gets its share of backpackers, many visitors complain about the lack of authenticity and prefer to spend their time elsewhere.

Is Phuket or Amsterdam Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Amsterdam is top-notch. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

While Phuket offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Tuk tuks, buses, and motorbike taxis are all available on the island. The buses are usually Songtaew, which have open air seating areas.

Is Phuket or Amsterdam a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Phuket is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Amsterdam on foot is easy. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

Phuket is a somewhat walkable resort island. Most of the hotels and resorts are walking distance to the beach and many resort areas are small enough to be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Phuket Worth Visiting? and Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amsterdam or Phuket?

How long in Phuket or Amsterdam?

Both Phuket and Amsterdam have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Amsterdam has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Amsterdam than Phuket. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Phuket, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amsterdam.

Families should spend more time in Phuket than Amsterdam. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Phuket, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Amsterdam than Phuket. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Amsterdam that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam than Phuket if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Amsterdam.

One day in Phuket or Amsterdam?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort island of Phuket. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Phuket or Amsterdam?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the stunning destination of Phuket. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This resort island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Amsterdam is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Phuket or Amsterdam?

You'll find nightlife and food around the stunning resort island of Phuket. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort island has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amsterdam. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Phuket or Amsterdam?

Phuket is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phuket, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Amsterdam is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Amsterdam, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Phuket much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket is in Asia and Amsterdam is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Phuket would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phuket and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Phuket.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Amsterdam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Phuket or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Amsterdam, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Phuket or Amsterdam?

Amsterdam has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Phuket experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Phuket or Amsterdam in the Summer?

Both Amsterdam and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.

Phuket is much warmer than Amsterdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amsterdam during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Phuket. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Amsterdam. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Phuket or Amsterdam in the Autumn?

Both Amsterdam and Phuket during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Phuket is much warmer than Amsterdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phuket in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Amsterdam averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 99 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Amsterdam. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Phuket. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket.

Should I visit Phuket or Amsterdam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Amsterdam. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Amsterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Amsterdam can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Phuket is generally much warmer than Amsterdam. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Amsterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Amsterdam during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Amsterdam receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Amsterdam. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Phuket is the dry season.

Should I visit Phuket or Amsterdam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Amsterdam. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Phuket is much warmer than Amsterdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Amsterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phuket this time of the year. In the spring, Phuket often gets more sunshine than Amsterdam. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amsterdam receives 166 hours of full sun.

Phuket receives a lot of rain in the spring. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Amsterdam. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Amsterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. June to October in Phuket is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Amsterdam and Phuket