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

Should you visit Glasgow or Leiden?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Leiden, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Glasgow or Leiden?

Glasgow

Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland with a population of about 600,000 and more than 2 million in the surrounding areas. It is located on the edge of River Clyde and has long been acclaimed as Scotland's main industrial city. It remains a major economic center for the United Kingdom outside of London. In recent years it has also been awarded the European titles as both the City of Culture as well as the City of Architecture and Design.

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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam.


Which place is cheaper, Leiden or Glasgow?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Glasgow is £144, 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 Glasgow and Leiden in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Glasgow £74
    Leiden £66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Glasgow £148
    Leiden £132
Compare Hotels in Glasgow and Leiden

Looking for a hotel in Glasgow 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 Glasgow


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: Glasgow Hotel Prices and Leiden Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Glasgow £27
    Leiden £22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Glasgow

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

  • Roundtrip Transfer Glasgow Airport(GLA) to Glenshee Ski Resort: $207
  • Private Transfer: Glasgow to Glasgow International Airport (GLA): $68
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow : $82
  • Private 1-Way/Roundtrip Transfer to Glasgow Airport: $172
  • Easy Bus Transfer Between Airport and City Center: $12
  • Arrivals Airport Transfer to City Accommodations: $55
  • Glasgow to Stirling Luxury Car Transfer: $203
  • Glasgow to Inverness Direct transfer: $781
  • Glasgow to Gleneagles Luxury Car Transfer: $241
  • Glasgow to Aberdeen Int Airport (ABZ)-Departure Private Transfer: $120
  • Glasgow hotels to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
  • Glasgow city to Glasgow Airport -Luxury Transfer Chauffeured : $108

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 Glasgow or Leiden?

Prices for flights to both Leiden and Glasgow 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
    Glasgow £45
    Leiden £33
Typical Food Prices in Glasgow

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


  • Dessert at Farmer's Market
    £1.80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Glasgow

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

  • Glasgow Walking Food Tour with EatWalk Tours: $146

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Glasgow £22
    Leiden £15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Glasgow

For Glasgow, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Luss Highland Games Entrance Fee (for 2)
    £12
  • Two Bike Rental
    £34

Tours and Activities in Glasgow

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

  • 1.5hr Glasgow Necropolis Tour: The City of the Dead: $144
  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour of Glasgow: $209
  • 2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Glasgow: $260
  • 3 Hours Private City Glasgow Walking Tour: $272
  • 3-Hour Private Glasgow Essentials Tour: $284
  • Celtic Park Tour & Dine Package: $53
  • City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
  • Discover Glasgow's Finest - Private Walking Tour: $512
  • Eilean Donan, Loch Ness & Glenfinnan - 2 Day Tour from Glasgow: $152
  • Executive Scottish Lowlands Tour: $1,124
  • From Glasgow, Edinburgh: Outlander Private Tour: $1,031
  • From 3-Day Isle of Skye, Highlands & Loch Ness Tour: $262

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
    Glasgow £15
    Leiden £22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Glasgow

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Glasgow:


  • Bottle of Wine
    £12
  • Ciders at Kilted Skirlie
    £3.50

Sample the Local Flavors in Glasgow

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

  • Clydeside Distillery Tour and Whisky Tasting: $23
  • Tennent’s Brewery Guided Tour and Free Pint: $24
  • Glengoyne Distillery Tour with Whisky & Chocolate: $37
  • Glasgow Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
  • Sample Fine & Rare Whiskies at Glengoyne Distillery: $62
  • Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Distillery Tour from Glasgow : $70
  • The Malt Master Experience at Glengoyne Distillery: $112
  • Scottish Whisky Distillery Tour: $186
  • Guided Electric Bike Tour with a Distillery Visit: $187
  • Pints & Past: Glasgow Pub Tour: $456

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 Glasgow and Leiden, we can see that Glasgow 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 Glasgow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Glasgow 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 Glasgow Expensive? and Is Leiden Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Leiden?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Leiden. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow 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 Glasgow 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 Glasgow or Leiden in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Leiden. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Glasgow is cooler than Leiden in the summer. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Leiden fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leiden this time of the year. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Leiden during summer. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Leiden. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Glasgow 15°C (59°F) 
    Leiden 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Glasgow or Leiden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Leiden. The autumn months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Glasgow is around the same temperature as Leiden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Glasgow in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Leiden averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 99 hours of full sun.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Glasgow usually gets more rain in October than Leiden. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Glasgow 10°C (49°F) 
    Leiden 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Glasgow or Leiden in the Winter?

Both Leiden and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Leiden. It's quite cold in Glasgow in the winter. In January, Glasgow is generally much warmer than Leiden. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 3°C (38°F), and Leiden fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Leiden during winter. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Leiden receives 46 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. In January, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Leiden. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


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

Should I visit Glasgow or Leiden in the Spring?

Both Leiden and Glasgow during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the activities around the city.

Glasgow is around the same temperature as Leiden in the spring. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Leiden fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Leiden. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leiden receives 166 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in April than Leiden. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Leiden receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Glasgow 7°C (45°F) 
    Leiden 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Leiden and Glasgow

Glasgow Leiden
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 165 mm (6.5 in) 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 136 mm (5.4 in) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 10°C (51°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 13°C (56°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jul 15°C (59°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 15°C (58°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)