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

Should you visit Bristol or Leiden?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bristol and Leiden can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Bristol or Leiden?

Bristol

A city rich in maritime history, Bristol is the unofficial capital of the West Country of England. The city also has some wonderful sights and festivals and it currently rates fourth for travel destinations in England. Most of the city's important festivals take place during the summer months so that is easily the best time of year to visit the area. In addition to the many sights within the city, Bristol also makes a great base for exploring the West Country. There is plenty of affordable accommodation and a large selection of restaurants and bars. It also lacks many of the touristy gimmicks of more popular nearby towns. The live music scene has also been on the rise in recent years. The young population is traveling to Bristol in growing numbers because of the influences of many popular bands that have performed in the area. As recently as 2010, Bristol was voted as Britain's most musical city.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.


Which place is cheaper, Leiden or Bristol?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bristol is £91, 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 Bristol and Leiden in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bristol £49
    Leiden £66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bristol £98
    Leiden £132
Compare Hotels in Bristol and Leiden

Looking for a hotel in Bristol 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 Bristol


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: Bristol Hotel Prices and Leiden Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bristol £13
    Leiden £22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bristol

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

  • PrivateTransfer from Bristol Port to London Heathrow Airport(LHR): $43
  • Private Transfer from Bristol Cruise Port to London City Hotels: $43
  • Private Transfer from Bristol Cruise Port to Bristol city hotels: $50
  • Private Transfer from Bristol Airport(BRS) to Bristol Cruise Port: $36
  • Private Transfer from Bristol Airport (BRS) to Southampton City : $205
  • Private Bristol Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $56
  • Departure Private Transfers: Bristol City to Bristol Airport BRS in Luxury Van: $99
  • Departure Private Transfers: Bristol City to Bristol Airport BRS in Business Car: $90
  • Departure Private Transfer Bristol to Bristol Airport BRS by Luxury Van: $85
  • Departure Private Transfer Bristol to Bristol Airport BRS by Luxury Car: $85
  • Bristol Private Transfer from Bristol Airport to central Bristol: $79
  • Bristol Airport to London City Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $65

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 Bristol or Leiden?

Prices for flights to both Leiden and Bristol 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
    Bristol £32
    Leiden £33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bristol

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

  • (Thur 7pm) Comedy Magic Show includes 1x Pizza & 2 glasses of Prosecco: $25

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bristol £13
    Leiden £15

Tours and Activities in Bristol

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

  • 2 Hours Private Walking to Bristol Cider Tour with Cheese: $45
  • Afternoon Bath City Tour - Private tour from Bristol with a local guide: $280
  • Blackbeard to Banksy - The Ultimate Walking Tour of Bristol: $17
  • Bristol Harbourside Self-Guided Walking Tour: $11
  • Bristol Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Bristol Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Bristol Sketching Tour for Beginners and Improvers: $38
  • Bristol Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK: $19
  • Bristol private pub hopping and sightseeing with local guide: $114
  • Bristol's Brilliant Pubs: A Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour of the Old City: $6.99
  • Bristol's Time-Honored Pubs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Bristol’s Darkest Secrets Tour: $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
    Bristol £11
    Leiden £22

Sample the Local Flavors in Bristol

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

  • Bristol’s Best Brewery Taprooms: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99

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

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


Which is Bigger, Bristol or Leiden?

Bristol has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Bristol 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 Bristol 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 Bristol or Leiden in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bristol and Leiden. Many visitors come to Bristol in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Bristol is around the same temperature as Leiden in the summer. The daily temperature in Bristol averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In July, Bristol usually receives less rain than Leiden. Bristol gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bristol 18°C (64°F) 
    Leiden 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Bristol or Leiden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bristol as well as Leiden. Most visitors come to Bristol for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Bristol is a little warmer than Leiden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bristol in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Leiden averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Bristol usually gets more rain in October than Leiden. Bristol gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bristol 13°C (55°F) 
    Leiden 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Bristol or Leiden in the Winter?

Both Leiden and Bristol are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bristol because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Leiden in the winter. In January, Bristol is generally much warmer than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Bristol average around 6°C (43°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In January, Bristol usually receives more rain than Leiden. Bristol gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bristol 6°C (43°F) 
    Leiden 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Bristol or Leiden in the Spring?

Both Leiden and Bristol during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Bristol this time of year.

Bristol is a little warmer than Leiden in the spring. The daily temperature in Bristol averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Bristol usually gets less rain in April than Leiden. Bristol gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bristol 10°C (50°F) 
    Leiden 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Leiden and Bristol

Bristol Leiden
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 5°C (41°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)