A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Birmingham vs. Leiden for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Birmingham or Leiden?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Leiden can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Birmingham or Leiden?

Birmingham

Birmingham, England, is often known as Britain's second-largest city. It is located in the western Midlands of England. Birmingham is nearly in the center of England, so almost all rail and motorways cross here. The city gained popularity and status during the industrial revolution and is still one of the main cities for industrial production and power, ranging from electricity to metal. Because of its importance as an industrial hub, it is one of the most populated cities in England. In more recent years, Birmingham has done a lot to add to the overall cultural scene of the city with the addition of museums and art.

Leiden

Leiden is a city in the province of South Holland. It is south of the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam, and has a population of about 190,000. It is known for its university, museums, markets, and of course, canals. Leiden University is the oldest university in the Netherlands and is a sister school of Oxford, which is England's oldest university.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.


Which place is cheaper, Leiden or Birmingham?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Birmingham is £133, while the average daily cost in Leiden is £114. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Birmingham and Leiden in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Birmingham £66
    Leiden £66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Birmingham £132
    Leiden £132
Compare Hotels in Birmingham and Leiden

Looking for a hotel in Birmingham or Leiden? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Birmingham


Hotels in Leiden


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Birmingham Hotel Prices and Leiden Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Birmingham £25
    Leiden £22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Birmingham

Also for Birmingham, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Birmingham to Manchester Airport (MAN): $199
  • Private Transfer from Birmingham Airport to Birmingham City: $36
  • Private Birmingham Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $57
  • Manchester Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Birmingham: $8.12
  • Birmingham to Heathrow Airport private taxi transfers: $280
  • Birmingham Private Transfer from Birmingham city centre to Birmingham Airport: $114
  • Birmingham Private Transfer from Birmingham Airport to City centre: $114
  • Birmingham Airport Transfers: Birmingham City to Airport BHX in Business Car: $64
  • Birmingham Airport Transfers: Airport BHX to Birmingham City in Luxury Car: $101
  • Birmingham Airport (BHX): Private Transfer to Birmingham: $111
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Airport BHX to Birmingham in Luxury Van: $76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leiden

Also for Leiden, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Zero Emission Tesla Taxi Transfer from Leiden Area to the Airport: $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Birmingham or Leiden?

Prices for flights to both Leiden and Birmingham change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Birmingham £38
    Leiden £33
Typical Food Prices in Birmingham

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Birmingham:


  • Two Subs at Birmingham Bus Station
    £5.58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Birmingham

For Birmingham, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking and Food Tour: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Birmingham £48
    Leiden £15

Tours and Activities in Birmingham

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Birmingham.

  • 2.5-Hours Walking Tour of Birmingham into Black Heritage Madiba: $18
  • Best of Birmingham 12km Running Tour: $76
  • Birmingham : Must-see Attractions Private Walking Tour: $75
  • Birmingham : Private Custom Walking Tour With a Local Guide: $86
  • Birmingham Beer Bike - Private 1h tour with unlimited drinks: $625
  • Birmingham City Centre Daily Walking Tour (10:30am & 5pm): $15
  • Birmingham Gangs Nighttime Historical Walking Tour with Pub Stops: $32
  • Birmingham Private Ghosts and Gallows Tour: $144
  • Birmingham Private Guided Walking Tour: $267
  • Birmingham Private Self-Guided Walking Tour: $11
  • Birmingham Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $235
  • Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking Tour with Edward Shelby: $25

Tours and Activities in Leiden

For Leiden, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 90 minutes Walking tour and Escape room in Leiden: $21
  • Discover Leiden with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $27
  • Dutch Windmills & Polder Walking Tour: $33
  • Half-Day Private Guided Tour in Leiden: $163
  • Highlights Walking Tour in Leiden with Audio and GPS Guide: $7.57
  • Historical Private Tour with Local Guide: $320
  • Leiden City Tour with Live guide in Netherlands: $41
  • Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame: $32
  • Guided City Canal Cruise: $13
  • Hortus Botanicus Entry Ticket: $9.62
  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive City Tour: $74
  • Walking City Tour with Live guide: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Birmingham £11
    Leiden £22

Sample the Local Flavors in Birmingham

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Birmingham:

  • Birmingham Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47

Sample the Local Flavors in Leiden

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Leiden:

  • Leiden Private Self-Guided Pub Crawl Pub Quiz: $21
  • Leiden Private Self Guided Pub Crawl: $22


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Birmingham and Leiden, we can see that Birmingham is more expensive. And not only is Leiden much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Leiden would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leiden 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 Birmingham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Birmingham than you might in Leiden.

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


Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Leiden?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Leiden, 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 Birmingham or Leiden?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Birmingham or Leiden in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Leiden. The summer months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Birmingham is generally around the same temperature as Leiden. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 17°C (63°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leiden this time of the year. Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Leiden. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Birmingham 17°C (63°F) 
    Leiden 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Birmingham or Leiden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Leiden. The shopping scene and the music scene are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

Birmingham is around the same temperature as Leiden in the autumn. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Leiden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Leiden. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Leiden. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Birmingham 11°C (52°F) 
    Leiden 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Birmingham or Leiden in the Winter?

Both Leiden and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Leiden can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Birmingham. In the winter, Birmingham is much warmer than Leiden. Typically, the winter temperatures in Birmingham in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Leiden averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Birmingham usually receives more sunshine than Leiden during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leiden. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Birmingham 3°C (38°F) 
    Leiden 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Birmingham or Leiden in the Spring?

Both Leiden and Birmingham during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Birmingham is generally a little warmer than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 9°C (48°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in April than Leiden. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Birmingham 9°C (48°F) 
    Leiden 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Leiden and Birmingham

Birmingham Leiden
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 51 mm (2 in) 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 51 mm (2 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 9°C (48°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 52 mm (2.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 14°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 5°C (40°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)


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