I got a flight to London for €73 return from Amsterdam Schiphol and yes, that is the total price including taxes. It was with easyJet to Stansted, and I learned exactly how to do it right so you do not waste money on the things nobody warns you about. Here is my complete budget weekend itinerary.
The obvious alternative is the Eurostar from Amsterdam Centraal to London St Pancras. I have done that too — it costs €80-120 each way, takes 4 hours, and is more convenient since you arrive right in Central London. But here is the honest comparison: the Eurostar is stress-free but costs 2-3x the flight. For €73 return, I will happily take the extra hour at Stansted.
Getting from Stansted Without Overpaying
The Stansted Express train costs €23 each way to Liverpool Street — that is €46 round trip, more than my flight. I made this mistake on my first trip. The second time I took the National Express coach from Stansted to Stratford: €8 each way, takes about the same time (50-70 minutes depending on traffic), has WiFi and USB chargers. From Stratford I took the Central Line (3 minutes, €2 with contactless) to Oxford Circus. Total ground transport: €20 round trip instead of €46.
Key tip: Use contactless credit/debit card for all London transport. Do not buy an Oyster card. The daily cap with contactless is €8.50 (Zone 1-2), exactly the same as Oyster, but you do not need to queue at a machine or pay the €7 card deposit. Your Dutch bank card (Maestro/Visa/Mastercard) works fine for tap-in-tap-out on the Tube, buses, and DLR. The system automatically calculates the best fare for your journey. I tapped my bunq card the whole weekend and never spent more than the daily cap.
Free and Paid: What Is Actually Worth It
The British Museum is free, and it is one of the greatest museums in the world. I spent three hours there and barely scratched the surface. The Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon marbles, the Easter Island statue — all free to see. But I also paid €18 for the temporary Viking exhibition and it was worth every pound. The exhibition had actual Viking ships, weapons, and bone fragments with rune carvings. It ran through the whole story from raids to trade to settlement. If you have any interest in early medieval history, do not skip it.
- Tate Modern (free): The turbine hall exhibitions are always worth a visit. The view from the 10th-floor restaurant balcony across the Thames to St Paul’s is the best free view in London.
- Sky Garden (free, book ahead): Book your free ticket online three weeks in advance. The 360-degree view from the 35th floor of the Walkie Talkie building is better than the Shard (which costs €35). I had a €5 coffee and sat there for an hour.
- Borough Market: Go Thursday or Friday before 11 AM to avoid the weekend mob. I spent €12 on lunch: a wild boar sausage roll (€6), padron peppers (€4), and a fresh orange juice (€2). Addictively good.
- Camden Market: Overpriced for shopping but walk the Regent’s Canal towpath from Camden Lock. It is a completely different London — houseboats, weeping willows, herons. Costs nothing.
Where I Stayed and Ate
I found a room in a Travelodge near King’s Cross for €52 a night on Trip.com. It was basic — small room, no frills — but clean, had great blackout curtains, and was a 3-minute walk from the station. For eating, I avoided the chains and hit a place called Bancone on William IV Street — hand-rolled pasta in a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot for €14 a bowl. The neon art on the wall of Chinatown at Bun House: €5 for steamed buns that are better than anything I have had in Amsterdam.
Total Trip Cost Breakdown
- Flight (easyJet AMS-STN): €73
- Coach Stansted-Stratford return: €16
- Tube + bus 3 days (contactless): €25.50 (capped)
- Accommodation 2 nights: €104
- Food + drinks 3 days: €65
- Exhibition + Sky Garden: €18
- Total: €301.50
Book Your Trip
Find your own €73 return to London:
Search Amsterdam to London Flights on Aviasales →
For budget hotels near King’s Cross or Paddington:
Search London Hotels on Trip.com →
About the author: I have visited London over a dozen times from Amsterdam and have refined my budget approach through trial and expensive error. Every recommendation is based on my actual experience.