A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Coimbra vs. Lille for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Coimbra or Lille?

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

Should I visit Coimbra or Lille? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Coimbra or Lille?

Coimbra

Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.

Lille

Lille is a city in northern France on the Deule River near France's border with Belgium. It has the fourth largest urban area in France behind Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Lille (Rijsel in Flemish) may be France's most underrated major city. In recent decades this once-grimy industrial metropolis, with its economy based on declining industries, has transformed itself into a glittering and self-confident cultural and commercial hub. Highlights for the visitor include an attractive old town with a strong Flemish accent, three renowned art museums, stylish shopping, some excellent dining options and a cutting-edge, student-driven nightlife scene. The Lillois have a well-deserved reputation for friendliness – and they're so proud of being friendly that they often mention it.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.


Which place is cheaper, Lille or Coimbra?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Lille is €115. 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 Coimbra and Lille in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Coimbra 44
    Lille 55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Coimbra 88
    Lille 110
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Lille

Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Lille? 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 Coimbra


Hotels in Lille


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: Coimbra Hotel Prices and Lille Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Coimbra 11
    Lille 28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra

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

  • Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
  • Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lille

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lille:

  • Toulouse Airport private transfer to Toulouse City center: $38
  • Private Round trip transfer to Lille Airport (LIL) : $155
  • Private One way transfer Lille Airport (LIL) : $77
  • Private Transfer to or from Paris Orly Airport: $642
  • Private Transfer to or from Paris CDG: $535
  • Private Transfer to or from Lille Airport: $53
  • Lille Private Transfer from Lille city centre to Lille Airport (LIL): $57
  • Lille Private Transfer from Lille Airport (LIL) to City centre: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Lille?

Prices for flights to both Lille and Coimbra 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
    Coimbra 48
    Lille 42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra

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

  • Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $49

Typical Food Prices in Lille

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lille are as follows:


  • Dinner for 2
    37

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Coimbra 18
    Lille 16

Tours and Activities in Coimbra

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

  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
  • Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historical Highlights: $6.99
  • Tomar: Unveiling the Templar Order with a Self-Guided Tour: $7.62
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
  • Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Discover Coimbra's Legacy through a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16

Tours and Activities in Lille

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lille are as follows:

  • In Flanders Fields and Passchendaele Half Day Morning Tour: $87
  • 1 Hour Private Lille Tour by Convertible 2CV with a Local Products Tasting: $65
  • 30-Minutes Private Guided Tour of Lille by Convertible 2CV: $32
  • Adventure 1h with a 3-seater Buggy: $119
  • Christmas Joy in Tournai - Walking Tour: $247
  • Discover Tournai while escaping the zombies! Escape game: $22
  • Discover Tournai while playing! Escape game - The alchemist: $22
  • From IEPER Private 4-hour Tour of the Ypres Battlefield: $265
  • From Ypres 4hr Christmas Truce and Monster Mines of Messines PRIVATE Tour: $295
  • From Ypres, The Christmas Truce to Passchendaele Ypres Based WW1 private tour: $294
  • In Flanders Fields and Passchendaele Grand Tour: $240
  • Lille - Private Historic Walking Tour: $425

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Coimbra 12
    Lille 17

Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra

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

  • Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $27


When comparing the travel costs between Coimbra and Lille, we can see that Lille is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Lille, 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 Coimbra or Lille?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Coimbra or Lille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Lille. Additionally, many visitors come to Lille in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Coimbra is generally a little warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 23°C (73°F), and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Lille. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Lille. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Coimbra 23°C (73°F) 
    Lille 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Coimbra is much warmer than Lille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Lille during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Lille. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Coimbra 18°C (65°F) 
    Lille 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Lille in the Winter?

Both Lille and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Lille because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lille can be very cold. In the winter, Coimbra is much warmer than Lille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Coimbra in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Lille averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Lille. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Lille. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Coimbra 11°C (51°F) 
    Lille 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Coimbra or Lille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Lille. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

In April, Coimbra is generally much warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 15°C (59°F), and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Lille during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Lille. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Coimbra 15°C (59°F) 
    Lille 8°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Lille and Coimbra

Coimbra Lille
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 3°C (38°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 6°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 8°C (47°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 12°C (54°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in) 12°C (54°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in) 7°C (45°F) 75 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)