How to find cheap accommodation in Amsterdam

Anyone who has ever been to our beautiful canal city knows that cheap and Amsterdam can rarely be mentioned in the same sentence. This applies to almost all areas of the city, whether you’re looking at cultural offerings, food or accommodation. However, the latter in particular often hit the budget when travelling, and in Amsterdam it really does: the average hotel night here cost almost €250 in 2022. A shock? Definitely. Fortunately, there are ways to find affordable accommodation after all.

A hotel or Airbnb bargain rarely just happens to come your way. That’s why we’ve put together our tips and tricks on how to find cheap accommodation in Amsterdam. First things first: flexibility is the be-all and end-all.

Why is Amsterdam so expensive?

In fact, the high costs (especially for tourists) have to do with the city’s popularity. The many facilities, the rich cultural sector and the abundant offerings in Amsterdam attract large numbers of tourists every year. On the one hand, of course, they bring money into the city. On the other hand, mass tourism is also the number one reason why Amsterdam is becoming increasingly expensive. Why is that?

In 2019, the city experienced the peak of mass tourism: 31 million tourists in just one year. That’s 31 times as many inhabitants as the city has: A problem for the city and residents. Tourists are good, but the city cannot cope with too many tourists. In order to regulate the crowds and get them under control, the city has taken peux a peux measures – especially monetary ones. Amsterdam currently charges a tourist tax of 12.5% (for accommodation) and €2.50 for cultural activities. Accommodation prices in particular have therefore skyrocketed and have become almost unaffordable, especially in the city centre. Finding cheap accommodation in Amsterdam with this development? A challenge.

Impact on Amsterdammers & tourists

This is particularly problematic for young people. Even hostel beds here can easily cost €70/night, which makes a visit to Amsterdam a luxury that young people often can’t afford. As a result, fewer and fewer young visitors are coming to the city, which of course means less diversity and is also a great shame, as the city has so much to offer young people. And we’re not talking about the green gold, but the multitude of great museums, music and history.

Do the Dutch also earn more? You can’t say that per se. The average income in the Netherlands is pretty much the same as the average income in Germany. However, Amsterdam as the capital is of course a special case – just as the situation in Berlin does not reflect the whole of Germany. On average, Amsterdammers earn a few hundred euros extra per month. However, this does not necessarily outweigh the differences in the cost of living, which is why Amsterdam remains an expensive city for tourists and residents alike.

How to find cheap accommodation in Amsterdam

Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility

Yes, we’ll say it again: flexibility really is everything if you want to find a good deal in Amsterdam. By that we mean both spatial and temporal flexibility. It’s no secret that certain times of the year are more favourable than others. In Amsterdam, these are mainly the winter months. Between December and March, the city can always breathe a little easier and prepare for the season. As the demand for accommodation decreases, it automatically becomes cheaper. In individual cases, it is always worth checking with the hotel/Airbnb of your choice several days in a row to see when exactly you can get the cheapest prices. The more flexible you are, the cheaper offers you can find.

Avoid major public holidays and events

Amsterdam is the city of events. Just like New York City, the city never sleeps and there is always something going on here. Of course, this also means that there are a few dates a year when accommodation prices skyrocket. Examples include Kingsday (27 April), LGBTQ Pride (first weekend in August) and the Grand Prix in Zandvoort (late summer). Apart from that, the city experiences peaks when cultural festivals such as the international film festival IDFA and music events such as the Amsterdam Dance Event take place here. If you’ve never heard of any of these, it’s definitely worth googling what’s going on in the city when you’re planning your trip to Amsterdam.

Camping in the big city

Yes, you heard right: that’s exactly what you can do in Amsterdam. Although we are a big city, it is surrounded by beautiful greenery, great forests and lakes. Even the sea is only a stone’s throw away! Of course, camping is an ideal option, whether you’re visiting our beautiful canal city with family, friends or as a couple. Unfortunately, the campsites around Amsterdam are no longer such a big secret, so it’s worth checking availability as far in advance as possible. Then you can make really good bargains and visit the city relatively cheaply. Great, because that leaves you with more budget for great things to do…

Or surfing on the locals’ couches?

Most of us have also heard of couchsurfing. However, it has to be said that this option is more for solo travellers or, at most, couples. But if you’re travelling in a small group, couchsurfing can be the last chance to find really cheap (in this case even FREE) accommodation in Amsterdam these days . The idea behind it is very simple: locals who would like to host travellers for a night can offer their couches or guest rooms on Couchsurfing. Travellers can then get in touch with the host – if it suits, you can sleep on the couch for a night for free.

Of course, this is great for your wallet and you can often pick up insider tips from a real Amsterdammer – great! However, we advise you to perhaps meet the host for a short meeting/coffee beforehand so that you have a good feeling and, above all, a safe place to stay.

Discover underrated corners around Amsterdam

This is perhaps the most valuable tip. Public transport in the Netherlands is ultra-modern and the infrastructure is well developed almost everywhere. If you don’t mind a short commute of +- 30 minutes, then this is the way to get the best value for money. For example, have a look at the Center Parcs around the city (e.g. the one in Zandvoort, beautiful on the beach), or look on Airbnb just outside the city in a small, authentic Dutch village. Here you have the advantage of being able to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in the evening and enjoy even more of that holiday feeling!

We hope that these tips will help you to find cheap accommodation in our beautiful Amsterdam after all! If you need any further help, please contact us at any time.

The Amsterdamliebe team wishes you lots of fun in Amsterdam ♥️